Are you a business owner who wants to be more innovative?Learn how with the Forge Ahead Business Podcast.

The Forge Ahead Business Podcast from the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce was designed to help you as a business owner or employee tap into some of the financial resources and advisory services that are available to champion innovation in your own organization.

Last year we sat down with Margo Soucy - Executive Director, Cabot Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC), Marc Babineau - Economic Development Officer, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and Robbie MacLeod - Corporate Secretary & Director, Strategic Communications, Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen).

We had a great conversation with these experts and learned more about advanced manufacturing and the supports available for business owners or operators and how you can access financial resources to implement smart technologies.

Advanced manufacturing is a smart approach to making things, it’s about using smart tools and technologies to boost productivity and efficiency to do things better. It’s about doing more with less…less human resources, less waste, less product defects, less time, and less raw materials.

Some companies are so focused on running day-to-day operations so we asked our panelists what can business owners and operators do to think about their futures and business legacy? How can you bring your business into realm of advanced manufacturing?

One key thing to understand is that it is inevitable that the world in heading this direction and businesses will need to keep up to be competitive. There is always the need to press the cutting edge of technology. 

Advanced manufacturing is the collision of technology, people, and processes. If you are not taking the time to look at these pillars, then you are risking the future of your business. You cannot afford to not take the time.

There is help for business owners.

CBDC has a range of clients and if you have an idea, they can help with business management and training. CBDC can also help with financing and will work with banks, ACOA, and the Business Development Corporation.

NGen can look at your entire operation or specific project and determine where advanced manufacturing can benefit your business. They also offer business supports and financial assistance in the form of innovation loans.

ACOA funds Atlantic Canada businesses, whether you are starting up, looking to grow, adopting environmentally friendly approaches, becoming more competitive, modernizing equipment, or increasing exports.

To learn more check out Forge Ahead Business Podcast and start thinking about your tomorrow, today.