Entrepreneurs
Teaching
Entrepreneurs

Frequently Asked Questions

• Exactly what is the SE program?
• What types of things are covered in the program?
• What is the learning environment?
• Is everyone who applies accepted?
• What will be expected of me if I am admitted?
• How can I apply for this program?
• Is there funding available for this program?
• How much does the program cost?
• Do you design other courses as well?

Exactly what is the SE program

While it has been independently evaluated as being equivalent to one and half years of full time university, as opposed to being solely academic or theory based, this Program is primarily designed to take candidates through the process of actually starting their own enterprise. Although the Self Employment Program is designed to provide customized business development training followed by a period of professional support during the start-up and operation of your business, it is much more then that. You will be expected to actually start your business and to start it BEFORE the program is complete.

Once you are accepted, you will work with a dedicated team of individuals experienced in helping others develop their business from the idea stage right through to its opening, operating and expansion. While the principal candidates for this Program are those desiring to start a business, it is also extremely beneficial for those that may have already started their business, but are interested in receiving additional training, particularly in key areas. For a more complete description, please refer to your specific region page of this web site.
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What is covered in the program?

We work with you to research and design your business from the ground up. During that process we cover such topics as;

• Entrepreneurship - what is it? Are you one of them?
• Idea - Generation and Evaluation
• The Market - finding or developing the right one for you
• The Message - are you giving the right one?
• The Competition - analyzing strengths and/or weakness
• The People - managing staff, dealing with costumers and suppliers
• The Operation - how to implement what your plan calls for
• The Tools and Equipment - what's needed and when
• The Finances - planning, finding
• The Challenges - what to expect, being prepared when it happens
• The Network - support, customers, suppliers
• The Business Plan - writing yours, what's needed, contingency planning

At the end of the training process you will have a fully researched and proven plan of action to start your venture.
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What is the learning environment?

The Face-to-Face program is held not in an academic setting, but in a business atmosphere with access to photocopiers, computers, fax, printed resources, working space, and most importantly, access to other entrepreneurs. Every effort has been made to mimic the business environment during your learning. We don't simply teach about it, we do it, we live it, be breath it. We have a strong commitment to practice what we preach.

Like any regular business, included in those resources is access to other business professionals including practicing accountants, lawyers, graphics and marketing specialists, bookkeepers, and other business advisors. As stated before, these are NOT teachers in an academic program, but all practicing professionals in their area.

Our Distance Education model also mimics this environment as much as possible. We use Citrix® which is a computer networking solution used by over 80% of the fortune 500 companies. Through this you have direct online support during the vital research and planning stage using a tool common in many business environments.
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Is everyone who applies accepted?

Just as not everyone is suited to be a professional hockey player, so too is not everyone suited to the entrepreneurial lifestyle. This is why we have such an involved assessment before recommending the program for you. While there are slight differences in requirements for the full-time program as compared with the Self-Directed program, in general, some of the things we look for during assessment are;

• A good match between the business idea and the personality of the candidate. One of the tools we use to determine this is a "Comprehensive Personality Profile" (CPP) Everyone who applies fills one out and you will get your written results, and an explanation of it during the interview.
• A strong commitment to learning.
• The ability to access appropriate funding or credit for the business idea. It does no one any good to go through the process of planning for a multimillion dollar enterprise if you have absolutely no hope of finding start-up capital to fund this enterprise.
• A commitment to actually start and operate the business. If you're a "casual" learner or attending classes simply because you're bored or have a mild interest in various aspects of business, we may suggest another venue. Sponsored candidates in the full time program are expected to develop an operable business.
• The appropriate level of support from spouses, or other key family members. We have experienced situations where candidates have gone through the program, developed a very good idea into a proven business opportunity, then have had to shelve it because a family member wasn't supportive of the idea. Entrepreneurship is a lifestyle and as such affects more than just the candidate attending the program.

If applying for a sponsored seat in the program, you must meet the criteria of your sponsoring agency. If you are currently on EI or were in receipt of EI in the last three years (five years if maternity benefits), you may qualify for sponsorship by Canada-Saskatchewan Career & Employment Services, or Alberta Human Resources and Employment.

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What will be expected from me if I am admitted?

The Program requires significant time, energy and commitment both to the learning process and to the establishment of a full time enterprise. Starting a business is an extremely challenging process. BUT, it can be more rewarding and is sometimes the only option for those who want to create a vision of their own and are ready to commit the resources to do it.
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How can I apply for this program?

Start by downloading the application forms, filling them out and mailing, faxing, or emailing them to us. We will contact you in person prior to processing your application.
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is there finding available for this program?

There are several funding bodies that support the Entrepreneurship Program. Three of our largest supporting agencies are; in Alberta, the Alberta Human Resources and Employment (AHRE), and the Canadian Agricultural Skills Service (CASS), and in Saskatchewan, the Canada-Saskatchewan Career and Employment Services as well as Canadian Agricultural Skills Service (CASS). If you are currently unemployed and receiving EI benefits or unemployed and have received EI benefits in the last three (3) years (5 years if maternity/paternity/parental) you may be eligible for government assistance. If you think you qualify for funding from any of the various funding bodies, you should also contact the office nearest you at this time.

At these offices, Indicate that you are interested in the Praxis School or Entrepreneurship (Formerly Global Infobrokers Inc.) Self Employment Training Program. You will meet with a consultant to assess your needs for labour market programming. The consultant may refer you for Self Employment training and they will also contact us.

On receipt of the referral, Praxis School of Entrepreneurship will contact you to review the program and the assessment requirements.

The application and assessment package is available at your LMIC or can be downloaded from the Application page of this web site. The complete package includes four (4) documents PLUS your resume.

If you need, the government offices will fax them to us on your behalf. All you need to do is ask them.

Praxis School or Entrepreneurship will contact you to arrange an interview time to examine your business idea and review your assessment package. This may be done in a face-to-face meeting, or via telephone at a predetermined time.

After the interview and assessment, we will make a recommendation to you and your consultant (if you are requiring funding) regarding your suitability for the program. We will then advise you using the contact information provided regarding the status of your application.

If after the interview we determine that this program is not your best training option at this time, we will recommend alternatives where appropriate.
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How much does the program cost?

Tuition for the Entrepreneurship Program is CAD $7,900 for the regular full time program and CAD $4,900 for the self directed - distance education model.
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Do you design and/or deliver other courses as well?

Yes we provide many different training programs for many different clients. We typically custom design training programs to match the clients needs. Some of the organizations we provide and/or have designed training programs for include; Dept. of National Defence, Universities, governments, private companies, non-profit organizations and individuals.

Some of the programs we have provided to clients include; Complete Microsoft Office, Advanced Video Production, Photojournalism, PhotoShop and other graphics packages, Web design and HTML, intensive C++ programming, as well as English as a Second Language (ESL) and "Business English" and cultural awareness for immigrants and new Canadians.
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