Business Connections Program Lessons Learned and Economic Impact Assessment

Purpose:

The Business Connections Program is a suite of programs offered by Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development and Tourism in 2024/25.

The program consists of the following:

• Business Coaching
• Market Connections (B2C)
• Hospitality Connections
• Workforce Connections

The Business Connections Program provides training and coaching support to entrepreneurs and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the seven communities in our region in targeted areas to support growth and economic diversification.

Through keynote presentations, workshops, coaching, and skill-building sessions, the intent is to bolster expertise in areas like innovative marketing, financial management, workforce recruitment and retention, customer service, and operational efficiency to enable growth and support a diversified business ecosystem in the region. All 4 programs are wrapped up by the end of March 2025.

FMWBEDT is now seeking a proponent to create a Lessons Learned and Economic Impact Assessment of the project to enable the following outcomes:

Scope of Work:

1. Synopsis on Lessons Leaned

• Create a (maximum) 2-page document that is graphically appealing to be distributed online and, in the Startup YMM Business Resource Stands in all rural and Indigenous communities across the region

• Document must include key takeaways of each of the programs that entrepreneurs and businesses from the urban, rural and Indigenous communities can learn from and incorporate into their business practices.

• The 2-page document will be inclusive of all 4 programs.

• Include a link/QR Code with a call to action to Startup YMM for further support

2. Participant evaluation:

• Work with the facilitators of each program to collate demographics and analyze the participants of each program that FMWBEDT can then use to assess:

o What was the total number of participants in this program

o What sector/industry attended the sessions

o Size of business or if they were a startup/entrepreneur

o Were there anticipated job creation in businesses (participants) as a result of this programming

3. Post-Program Evaluation:

• Summarize program outcomes, results, and overall impact

• Business Coaching – what types of support did this program provide businesses at the various stages of their journey

• Market Connections (B2C) – how did the program improve participants marketing skills, market testing for commercialization and facilitate business scalability.

• Hospitality Connections – how did this program equip businesses with hospitality, customer service culture, and pride in place, enhancing employee retention rates and improving customer service satisfaction, fostering business scalability

• Workforce Connections – how did this program provide businesses with essential skills and strategies to attract and retain talent to enable business stability and growth

Deliverables:

• Work with FMWBEDT and the facilitator of each program to:

• Create a 2 pager Lessons Learned document
• Collect the information necessary for the Participant Evaluation and Program Evaluation

• Submit a summary report with compiled participant feedback, key metrics, and overall impact (as above).

Budget:

The total budget for the program is not to exceed $14,000 +GST, which includes all costs associated with project development and delivery.

Timeline:

• Proposal Submission Deadline: March 7th, 2025

• Project Launch: ASAP following start date of contract

• Final Report Submission: April 30th, 2025

Evaluation Criteria:

Bids will be evaluated based on the following:

• Overview of organization and relevant experience

• Detailed approach to program content and delivery

• Proposed budget

• Timeline for project execution

Contact:

Address submissions and/or questions to Sherry Spencer, Finance & Contracting.