Table of ContentsThe three questions your application must answer1. Was there any technological uncertainty?2. Have you followed a systematic approach?3. Has there been a technological advancement?What to document on a daily basisTo be set up nowCostly mistakesWhat...
Table of Contents1. Map your processes to eliminate waste2. Automate repetitive tasks, not people3. Track down the hidden costs of non-quality4. Renegotiate your contracts and purchases5. Optimize the energy and use of your assets6. Fund your improvements rather than...
Table of ContentsDefining the Valley of DeathHow do you know if your project is entering the valley of death?Why this hollow existsPublic funding often stops at the threshold of R&DPrivate capital awaits evidenceScaling up is expensiveThe three ditches to cross...
Table of ContentsStep 1: Proof of concept at laboratory scaleStep 2: Market validation, in parallelStep 3: Scaling upStep 4: Technology transfer to manufacturingStep 5: MarketingThe stage that is not on any plan: crossing the valley of deathA course to be managed, not...
Table of ContentsWhat funding should you aim for depending on your stage of project?R&D tax credits: the basis of financingSR&ED: The Federal CreditRCIC: the new Quebec creditDirect grants and contributionsNRC-IRAP: for technology SMEsInvestissement Québec...
The organizational structure of an SME defines who does what, who makes decisions, and how teams work together to achieve business goals. When it is less well established, the consequences become apparent quickly: delayed decisions, overlapping responsibilities,...
The organizational structure of an SME defines who does what, who makes decisions, and how teams work together to achieve business goals. When it is less well established, the consequences become apparent quickly: delayed decisions, overlapping responsibilities,...
One of the most expensive misconceptions about SR&ED is that the program is only for laboratories, pharmaceutical companies or advanced technologies. In reality, manufacturing, agri-food, technology, environmental or construction SMEs can carry out potentially...
Strategic planning is the process by which a company defines its medium- and long-term directions, chooses its priorities and allocates its resources accordingly. For an SME, it allows them to move from reactive management, focused on emergencies, to proactive...
In a Lean approach, added value is any activity that actually transforms a product, service, or piece of information in a way that the customer recognizes and is willing to pay for. Conversely, waiting, rework, unnecessary travel, double validations or excessive...
An SME is eligible for the SR&ED (Scientific Research and Experimental Development) program if it carries out activities that seek to resolve technological uncertainty through systematic experimentation. This is not only reserved for technology or research companies:...
Setting up KPIs in an SME starts with choosing 3-5 metrics that directly reflect the health of your operations, displaying them visually, and reviewing them in regular meetings. No need for sophisticated software. Need for decision and discipline. Most of the SMEs we...
The operational performance of an SME, is the ability of your team to achieve its objectives on a regular basis, with the resources available, without everything relying on the same people. This is not a concept reserved for large companies. Every SME can improve it,...
The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit allows Canadian businesses to recover between 15% and 35% of their eligible R&D expenditures at the federal level and additional credits at the provincial level, which vary by province. For...
An effective SMB management dashboard should answer a single question in less than 30 seconds: Are we on the right track? No more. If it takes 10 minutes to interpret it, it will not be used. Simplicity is not a shortcoming, it is a strategic choice. We often meet SME...