Tips for making your small business more successful in 2017

Could 2016 have gone better for you? Now is the time to make 2017 more successful. While you may have already heard about some of the tips below, and may have already implemented some of them, what is the harm in revisiting them or trying a new approach?

Review your business plan

Not to be repetitive of some of our previous blogs, but one of the keys to the success of your business is in the planning. You most likely made a business plan before starting your business, and so far it has served you well. Remember that a business plan is vital for the success of a start-up business. Some of the reasons include testing the viability of the business idea as well as securing debt or equity financing. But it also helps to establish the market of the business and how to reach that market. So take some time to review and update your business plan to find what has worked and what needs to be addressed, so you can focus on those goals and not be throwing resources at issues do not need to be fixed. Even if you haven’t made a business plan, it is never too late to create one.

A good reviewed business plan will help you establish the financial health of your business. Knowing your cash flow projections and the state of you balance sheet will help you determine ways to make your business more profitable by increasing sales and/or reducing losses or cutting expenses.

Consider ways to cut costs

Keeping expenses in check is a crucial task for you as a business owner. Never be afraid to use technology to help you keep track of expenses and costs. Quarterly or semi-annual reviews of fixed operating costs such as staffing, office-space costs, office equipment maintenance and other administrative costs are essential. One way to keep costs consistent is by moving your office-space operations into a serviced office business centre. This not only allows you to better budget what you have, but also allows a business to reduce administrative staffing because on-demand secretarial and administrative tasks are offered.

Other costs to review on a regular basis are supply costs of consumable products used by your business. What are you paying for components or supplies needed in the manufacturing of your product or the delivery of your service? Also,be sure to ask your suppliers if there are more cost-effective alternatives or room to re-negotiate. Otherwise, you may want your staff to research other sources or suppliers.

Put your focus on customer service

Gaining customer loyalty is key to customer retention. Delivering good customer service is the first step in keeping customers loyal. It is your job as a business owner to ensure that you have good customer-service policies and that your staff are adhering to those policies. Get the assistance of your staff when reviewing your customer service policies and challenges. Your staff on the front line are not just the ones dealing with customers; they are the ones who see the problems with your policies. You want to make providing service superior to that of your direct competitors, while making sure that your customers know this.

Part of customer service is turning your customers into ambassadors. In this digital age, many consumers look to the internet for reviews of not just products, but also the companies who deliver them. In other words, the web is the new way that people get their ‘word-of-mouth’ about a business. Unfortunately, people who have had bad customer service are more likely to go the web to post negative reviews, than are people who were happy and did not need a reason to go to the web to post a review. In order to improve your positive public reviews on the web, ask customers who are happy with the service you are delivering to post a good review.

Review and expand your marketing efforts

What marketing strategies have been working and what has not been as effective? By stopping the spending on less effective efforts, resources can be shifted to new marketing tools. In your search for new marketing tools, do not be afraid to see what is working for your competitors or others in similar industries.

Having a website is no longer a luxury for a business; it is a necessity. Review your website and compare it to those of your competitors – and learn about the latest website technology, trends and platforms. You may want to consider targeted online search advertising such as Google Ad Words and other contextual advertising platforms. The better you target your customers, the less the cost of customer acquisition.

Online advertising is not the only way that you can promote your business on the Internet. Social media can also be a way to get your product known and to get interaction from existing customers and potential new customers. Many of the people who are reading this blog have found this article because of social media links on posts and pages. So create page on Facebook, LinkedIn and Google Plus.

The health of your business is affected by your own personal health

Again, as we have said in our other small-business advice blogs, too many business owners sacrifice their mental and physical health in pursuit of their business goals while keeping up with daily demands. Stress is not just one of the biggest killers of business, but it is also the killer of businesses due to overworked owners who neglect their own health. So make sure that you take care of yourself first, so you can take care of your business as well.

Looking to Learn More?

Hotels


1. THE OMNI KING EDWARD HOTEL
37 King Street East
Toronto
Jennifer Smith, General Manager
Jennifer.smith@omnihotels.com
Tel: 416-863-9700
www.omnihotels.com/hotels/toronto-king-edward


2. EXECUTIVE HOTELS AND RESORTS (BOUTIQUE)
8 Colborne Street
Toronto
Mark Perry, General Manager
generalmanager@cosmotoronto.com
sales@cosmotoronto.com
reservations@cosmotoronto.com
sales.toronto@executivehotels.net
Tel: 416-350-2419
www.spazen.ca or www.cosmotoronto.com


3. HOTEL VICTORIA (BOUTIQUE)
56 Yonge Street
Toronto
Emeline Boul, General Manager
frontdesk@hotelvictoriatoronto.com
Tel: 416-363-1666
Mobile: 647-574-5832
www.hotelvictoriatoronto.com


4. ONE KING WEST HOTEL
1 King Street West
Toronto
Omkar Sawant, Reservations Manager
reservations@onekingwest.com
Main: 416-548-8100
Reservations: 1-866-470-5464
www.onekingwest.com


5. CAMBRIDGE SUITES TORONTO
15 Richmond Street East
Toronto
Van Nguyen, General Manager
booktoronto@cambridgesuitestoronto.com
Direct: 416-601-3757 Hotel: 416-368-1990
www.cambridgesuitestoronto.com

 

6. LE GERMAIN HOTEL
Maple Leaf Square
75 Bremner Vlvd.
Toronto
Claudia Cantor
ccantor@germainhotels.com
416-649-4085
Jessica Ham
jham@germainhotels.com
416-910-0427
Main: 416-649-7575
www.germainhotels.com

Health and Wellness


1. MORPHEUS8 BY INMODE
47 Colborne Street
Toronto
Thom Tullo
info@amanspa.ca
Tel: 416-863-6564
www.amanspa.ca


2. ALTITUDE ATHLETIC TRAINING
56 Colborne Street
Toronto
info@altitudeathletictraining.com
Tel: 416-366-3838
www.altitudeathletictraining.com


3. POUTx – Botox and filler clinic
89 King Street East
Toronto
info@thepoutxlinic.com
Tel: 647-350-5475
www.poutx.com


4. PHYSIOHEATH STUDIOS
33 Victoria Street, #130
Toronto
info@physiohealthstudios.com
Tel: 416-368-2525
https://physiohealthstudios.com/

CAFES & COFFEE SHOPS


1. Tim Hortons
18 King St. East (Telsec Building)
Toronto


2. Daily Ritual Café
1 King St. West
Toronto


3. Starbucks
4 King St. West
Toronto


4. Mos Mos Coffee
25 King St. West
Toronto


5. Hale Coffee Company
1 Adelaide St. E
Toronto


6. Coffee at Carltons
36 Toronto St.
Toronto

GREAT QUALITY NEIGHBOURHOOD

18 King Street East is a quality boutique Class A building – East
of Yonge Street: easy street parking, less traffic, excellent restaurants and lovely treed parks – St. James Park @
Church & King and Berczy Park @ Wellington East, Scott and Front Streets – Very high energy and engaging
area.


RESTAURANTS/TAKE OUT

Leave it to TELSEC. Let our staff take care of the catering for the important business meeting room rental or
training seminar! Just let us know what types of food you prefer and for how many people and let us do the
rest. For breakfast, lunch and dinner, Telsec can provide anything from assorted sandwiches to a high-quality
hot sit-down meal. We’re always happy to take care of our clients! https://telsec.net/boardrooms-meeting-
rooms/


1. CRAFT BEER MARKET (OUTDOOR COURTYARD)
Courtyard backs onto our Telsec building, 18 King St. E
1 Adelaide St E (enter on east side of Yonge St., south of Adelaide)
Toronto
Ryan Halsall
info@craftbeermarket.ca
Tel: 437-922-BEER (2337)
www.craftbeermarket.ca
Toronto’s first chef-driven food hall, perfect for lunch or team outings, with a wide selection of seasonal
dishes and local brews.


2. Beerbistro restaurant and bar
Outdoor patio next to our Telsec building, 18 King St. E.
18 King Street East, Main Floor
Toronto
Omid Azad
info@beerbistro.com
Tel: 416-861-9872
www.beerbistro.com


3. CONVIVIUM DINING – HIGH-END (SOME TABLES BACK ONTO OUTDOOR COURTYARD)
Courtyard backs onto our Telsec building, 18 King St. E.
83 Yonge Street
Toronto
Soumini Agate
sa@myconvivium.com
General Manager
Sarah Watson
sw@myconvivium.com
Floor Manager
Tatiana Frelik (Events)
tf@myconvivium.com

Tel: 416-691-9909
www.myconvivium.com


4. RESTAURANT 20 VICTORIA – MICHELIN 2025 APPROVED
20 Victoria Street
Toronto
Declan
20vicreservations@gmail.com
Tel: 416-804-6066
Instagram for reservations: https://www.instagram.com/twentyvictoria/


5. JOEY KING STREET
20 King Street West
Toronto
Nora Elhanafy
nelhanafy@joeyrestaurants.com
Tel: 647-678-5639
www.joeyrestaurants.com
If you want to wow your business partners or clients, then grab and go from this contemporary dining
spot with a menu featuring international and regional dishes. Order their upscale east like sushi, salads,
steaks or that wagyu beef carpaccio. Yum!


6. DACASTO (take out)
37 King Street East
Toronto
Enrico Dacasto
enrico@dacasto.com
Tel: 416-214-0986
www.dacasto.com


7. DEB BREAKFAST. CO (take out)
20 Toronto Street
Toronto
Sade Henry
torontostgm@eatdeb.com
Tel: 347-880-8291
www.torontostgm.com


8. THE POKE BOX (take out)
36 Toronto Street
Toronto
Jeremy
info@thepokebox.ca
Tel: 416-929-0363
www. thepokebox.ca
For business teams that love to indulge but want to feel good about it, consider ordering from The Poke
Box. Their individual boxed meals are prepared with fresh ingredients and packed with protein! Great
for sushi lovers but without a mess.


9. CARISMA (ITALIAN)

15 Toronto Street
Toronto
Michael Pagliaro
info@carismarestaurant.com
Tel: 416-864-7373
www.carismarestaurant.com


10. NAMI (JAPANESE)
55 Adelaide Street East
Toronto
Mana
namirestaurant1984@gmail.com
Tel: 416-362-7373
www.namirestaurant.ca


11. TERRONI (ITALIAN)
57 Adelaide Street East
Toronto
Patti Shaw
info@terroni.com
Tel: 416-203-3093
www.terroni.com


12. SWAAGAT – THE REAL TASTE OF INDIA
36 King Street East
Toronto
swaagattoronto@gmail.com
Tel: 647-943-9754


13. WOODS RESTAURANT AND BAR
45 Colborne Street
Toronto
Robin Singh
info@woodsrestaurant.ca
Tel: 416-214-9918
www.woodsrestaurant.ca


14. aKin – Michelin 2025 approved
51 Colborne Street
Toronto
Mike Birdsey, Genral Manager
Eric Chong, chef + owner
info@atkintoronto.com
Tel: 416-363-0151
www.atkintoronto.com
aKin is a modern Asian-inspired fine dining restaurant located in the heart of Toronto. Offering a
meticulously curated 10-course blind tasting menu that highlights local and seasonal ingredients, with
influences from diverse Asian cuisines.


15. CANTINA MERCATTO

20 Wellington Street East
Toronto
Niam H
info@cantinamercatto.ca
Tel: 416-304-0781
www.cantinamercatto.ca


16. UNCLE TONY’S
38 Wellington St E
Toronto
Siva Sathasivam
uncletonyssiva@gmail.com
Tel: 416-455-6650
https://uncletonys.ca/


17. FRESH KITCHEN + JUICE BAR – vegan restaurant
47 Front Street East
Toronto
Lindsey Dauilmar
ldavilmar@recipeunlimited.com
Tel: 647-693-7556
www.freshkitchens.ca
This plant-based restaurant is so good you won’t even miss meat. It’s a great choice for delicious and
health-conscious food and a top pick for those with dietary restrictions. Choose from their lunch and
dinner menu or opt for their takeout bundles and get appetizers and entrees for multiple people.


18. THE FLAT IRON: A FIRKIN PUB
49 Wellington Street East
Toronto
JC Trujillo
Jctrujillo3@gmail.com
Tel: 647-561-7224, 416-362-3444
www.firkinpubs.com/theflatiron
If your team likes pub grub, then the Firkin’s traditional English food is for you. Order from their party
platter menu for large groups, which includes all your classic pub favourites like fish and chips, sliders,
skewers, tacos, nachos, charcuterie boards and more.


19. SCORE ON KING (Sports Bar)
Outdoor Patio + Heated
Church & King
107 King Street East
Toronto
Tel: 416-519-4654
www.scoreonking.com

20. RESTAURANT LUCIE
100 Yonge Street
Toronto
info@restaurantlucie.com
Tel: 416-788-9054
www.restaurantlucie.com


21. PIZZAIOLO
(no e-mail)
104 Yonge Street
Toronto
Tel: 416-860-0700
www.pizzaiolo.ca

Restaurants 

 

1. Ryan Halsall

CRAFT BEER MARKET (OUTDOOR COURTYARD)

Courtyard backs onto our Telsec building, 18 King St. E 

1 Adelaide St E (enter on east side of Yonge St., south of Adelaide)

Toronto, ON 

M5C 2V9

Tel: 437-922-BEER (2337)

Website: www.craftbeermarket.ca 

 

2. Michael Pagliaro

Carisma (Italian) 

15 Toronto Street

Toronto, ON

M5C 2E3

Tel: 416-864-7373

Website: www.carismarestaurant.com 

 

3. Patti Shaw

Terroni (Italian) 

57 Adelaide Street East

Toronto, ON

M5C 1K6

Tel: 416-203-3093

Website: www.terroni.com 

 

4. Declan

Restaurant 20 Victoria – Michelin guide approved

20 Victoria Street

Toronto, ON

M5C 2A1

Tel: 416-804-6066

Instagram for reservations: https://www.instagram.com/twentyvictoria/ 

 

5. Mana

Nami (Japanese)

55 Adelaide Street East

Toronto, ON

M5C 1K6

Tel: 416-362-7373

Website: www.namirestaurant.ca 


6. Restaurant Lucie

100 Yonge Street

Toronto, ON

M5C 2W1

Tel: 416-788-9054

Website: www.restaurantlucie.com 

 

7. Niam H

Cantina Mercatto

20 Wellington Street East

Toronto, ON

M5E 1C5

Tel: 416-304-0781

Website: www.cantinamercatto.ca 

 

8. Siva Sathasivam

Uncle Tony’s

38 Wellington St E

Toronto, ON

M5E 1C7

Tel: 416-455-6650 

Website: https://uncletonys.ca/ 


9. Pizzaiolo 

104 Yonge Street 

Toronto, ON 

M5C 2Y6

Tel: 416-860-0700

Website: www.pizzaiolo.ca 

 

10. Robin Singh 

Woods Restaurant and Bar

45 Colborne Street

Toronto, ON

M5E 1E3

Tel: 416-214-9918

Website: www.woodsrestaurant.ca 

 

11. Amadeusz Domyslawski

GUSTO 501

501 King St. E

Toronto, ON

M5A 1L9

Tel: 416-477-5647

Website: www.gusto501.com

 

Health and Wellness

 

1. Thom Tullo

Morpheus8 by Inmode

47 Colborne Street

Toronto, ON

M5E 1E3

Tel: 416-863-6564

Website: www.amanspa.ca 


2. Altitude Athletic Training 

56 Colborne Street

Toronto, ON

M5E 1E3

Tel: 416-366-3838

Website: www.altitudeathletictraining.com 


3. Physioheath Studios

33 Victoria Street, #130

Toronto, ON

M5C 2A1

Tel: 416-368-2525

Website: www.physiohealth.com 

 

Hotels

 

1. Jennifer Smith

General Manager 

The Omni King Edward Hotel

37 King Street East

Toronto, ON

M5C 1E9

Tel: 416-863-9700

Website: https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/toronto-king-edward 

 

2. Mark Perry 

General Manager 

Executive Hotels and Resorts (Boutique) 

8 Colborne Street

Toronto, ON

M5E 1E1

Tel: 416-350-2419

Website: www.spazen.ca or www.cosmotoronto.com 

 

3. Emeline Boul

General Manager 

Hotel Victoria (Boutique) 

56 Yonge Street

Toronto, ON

M5E 1G5

Tel: 416-363-1666

Mobile: 647-574-5832

Website: www.hotelvictoriatoronto.com 

 

4. Omkar Sawant

Reservations Manager 

One King West Hotel 

1 King Street West

Toronto, ON

M5H 1A1

Main: 416-548-8100

Reservations: 1-866-470-5464

Website: www.onekingwest.com 



5. Van Nguyen

General Manager 

Cambridge Suites Toronto 

15 Richmond Street East

Toronto, ON

M5C 1N2

Direct: 416-601-3757

Hotel: 416-368-1990

Website: www.cambridgesuitestoronto.com 

Our Amenities

We are by far the most experienced and best coworking team in the market – established in 1980

  • We are the highest Tech centre in the market
  • We have a very modern, high quality, brand new facility located at:

   18 King Street East, Suite 1400

      Toronto, Ontario   M5C 1C4 Canada

    • 18 King Street East is a boutique Class A building – East of Yonge: easy street parking, less traffic, excellent restaurants and lovely parks – St. James Park @ Church & King and Berczy Park @ Wellington East, Scott and Front Streets – Very high energy and engaging area
    • A few steps (a few seconds) to the Yonge Street subway/underground PATH network and streetcar available outside building
    • Building is located in Toronto's vibrant financial district
    • Plenty of parking available in the area including street parking and reserved parking in the 18 King building 
    • Adjacent to the building huge outdoor food courtyard - Beer Bistro www.beerbistro.com and Craft Beer Market www.craftbeermarket.ca/locations/toronto/ restaurants and bars with onsite catering services
    • Onsite amenities:  Tim Horton's, Beer Bistro, Convenience store and Starbucks across the street 
    • Nearby amenities:  underground PATH network, numerous restaurants, banking, Starbucks plus a wide array of nearby shops and services 
    • New modernized office layout fully furnished with meeting spaces and training rooms plus café lounge area
    • We are leaders in the service of training/meeting rooms with full conference facilities, high quality hot and cold catering
    • Largest training room and conference facilities accommodate up to 60 people classroom style
    • Ultra-high-speed - 1 GIG pipe = 1,000 x 1000 fiber-optic network, which will deliver internet connection speeds faster than most North American services
    • Private shower room
    • Indoor Reserved Parking at the current building rental rate
    • Bicycle secure parking
    • Rent a space to accommodate your team for meetings, training sessions, corporate events or coworking space or flexible office space for one day, one week, one month or one year, or whatever term suits your business
    • Telsec has over 650 locations in 40 different countries worldwide available for their clients. Office clients receive up to 8 hours of meeting space per month at no charge at any ABCN member location. Plus, Office and Virtual Office clients may rent a space from any member location at special member rates which varies depending on the location 
    • King Edward Hotel is located across the street - recently completed a $40 million renovation and boutique hotels close by within walking distance
  • Dining and entertainment at high quality restaurants only minutes away – Carisma, Terroni, Woods Restaurant & Bar and Michelin Rated - Restaurant 20 Victoria. Plus numerous lunch and takeout eateries nearby

         Please check out our 70 second video, click below:

Take a look at our facilities www.telsec.net    

Telsec will Customize Your Client’s Office(s) Layout to Meet Their Requirements

You are welcome to drop-in any-time, a quick call would be appreciated to ensure our availability Vanessa 416-574-1112 or Josie 416-606-4349 or e-mail josie@telsec.net. 

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