Planning for retirement? Try the Business Breakfast Club and seminars





 


Above, from left: York’s Retirement Planning Centre staff, How Chee Un, administrative assistant, and Karen Gray, coordinator


York’s Retirement Planning Centre (RPC) is constantly thinking of ways to help the York community plan for retirement. This month alone, the centre has already hosted one seminar, and has three more major events organized.


RPC’s first upcoming event is the first Business Breakfast Club (BBC) meeting on Thursday, June 24, 7:30-9am, at the Chancellor’s Room in the Underground in the Student Centre. The BBC is aimed at people who are considering starting their own small business as they head toward retirement, and the purpose of the club meetings is to provide opportunities for would-be entrepreneurs to network and actively work on their business.


Facilitator for the inaugural meeting is Susan Sommers, an award-winning journalist, speaker, marketing consultant, educator and coach, with more than 25 years of experience in business communications. She is one of Canada’s leading experts in marketing and media relations consulting and training.


Here is a synopsis of her workshop, entitled “Market Research: The Foundation of the Business Plan”.


Business owner need to conduct and analyze market research before they create a business and marketing plan. Learn how to define your markets, conduct primary and secondary research, and understand the competition.


Left: RPC seminar attendees


Bring your ideas for a business, your company’s mission statement, the markets you think you will be targeting and any ideas you have on doing market research for your business (such as questionnaires, one-on-one interviews, surveys, comment cards and Web sites). We will discuss each business and suggest ideas for market research. We will also analyze examples of good questionnaires and surveys


To register, contact RPC at retire@yorku.ca, ext. 66228 or click here. There will be a fee of $5 to cover a continental breakfast. If anyone has a problem covering this cost, contact the RPC.


For information on the topics of future BBS meetings, click here.


When Can I Afford to Retire?


How much do you need to retire? It may be less than you think, says RPC. Planning in advance will give you the lead-time needed to make your retirement dreams come true.


The centre’s second upcoming event this month, entitled “When Can I Afford to Retire?” is on Thursday, June 24, 1-2:30pm, at Stedman Lecture Halls, Rm. 120E. This seminar will provide tools to help you estimate how much money you will require. It will provide alternative options and ideas on how to make financing your retirement work for you.


The seminar presenter is Ivan Fraser, BA, ACUIC, CMA, CFP, manager of financial advisory services at Metro Credit Union. An accountant and financial planner, he has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Fraser has spent most of his working career in cooperatives at all levels, including as a CEO. He has conducted presentations on a number of topics for the past several years.


No registration is needed for this video-streamed seminar.


Tips for Managing Money


A third RPC event is happening on Tuesday, June 29, 1-2:30pm, at Stedman Lecture Halls, Rm. 114.



The presenter is Jeff Smith, CGA, PRP, who asks, “Are you finding that you have too much ‘month’ at the end of the money?” This seminar is designed to provide you with valuable tips to help you manage your cash more effectively, save some tax, answer your RRSP questions and assist you with your short- and long-term investment strategy.


Registration is not required for this seminar.