You’ve qualified as an Immigration Consultant in Canada and now you are going to start an immigration practice. But are you ready? Graduation from an accredited program and passing your RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) Exam through the ICCRC are big achievements but without knowledge of how to start, run, and grow your practice, success is not a given.
Immigration incubators and accelerators serve an important role for immigration practitioners. They build a business model and foster innovation to launch a new business and in the case of an existing business they scale growth and revenue.
If you are struggling to launch or grow your immigration practice, investment in an immigration incubator or accelerator program may be something to consider. Like any business investment, it’s important to analyze whether the benefits will outstrip the expense.
Incubator / Accelerator Benefits
The following advantages incubator and accelerator members typically receive as part of their service package. These are the main benefits to look for when deciding if a program is going to set the foundation for your professional success.
Professional Office and Business Services
The right environment is key to productivity and professionalism. How can you start immigration practice as a regulated consultant if you are working from your kitchen table? Kitchen table or coffee shop meetings are not the right environment for sensitive conversations about immigration matters.
A dedicated workspace including meeting rooms, reception services, and office equipment set you up for success and allow you to grow your business without investing in your own office and equipment to start.
Business Development
Early stage entrepreneurs often have a task list that looks something like this:
1. Start Immigration Practice
2. Get clients
The “Get clients” part is where most people get stuck. Understanding the marketplace, who your target clients are, where to find them, how to stand out from the competition, and other business essentials are not the same as having technical knowledge and skills as an immigration consultant.
Immigration incubators and accelerators offer education and support directly related to business development. This knowledge, training, and business planning pays off in the short and long-term. It is the equivalent of having your own marketing and sales staff without the expense. Additionally, you gain the direct knowledge of important business development functions which will guide you throughout your career.
Mentorship
71% of Fortune 500 companies offer mentorship programs to their employees. They do this because the link between mentorship and success is well established. If you are in a small or startup business however, how can you access a mentor that is skilled in your profession?
Immigration incubators and accelerators offer this service that would not otherwise be accessible to new business owners. The guidance of an experienced professional who runs their own immigration practice is invaluable. Mentors have gained their knowledge and success through making their own mistakes. In passing along their real-world expertise, mentors ensure you avoid costly errors. Who better to encourage and guide you than someone who has walked in your shoes and knows the pitfalls and possibilities?
Starting a business can be overwhelming and a trusted advisor to guide your business planning and development process means more than just practical support. A mentor offers emotional support that takes away fear and doubt and replaces it with confidence and clarity. Having a wise and caring mentor invested in your success is like having a business partner, only you don’t have to split the profits with them.
Workshops and Seminars
If you’ve been certified by the ICCRC then you have the requisite knowledge to practice as an immigration consultant in Canada. It’s important to know though that there’s more advanced courses and knowledge that can take your business to another level. Every industry has changing trends and technology that can benefit your business so a specialized immigration incubator and accelerator will be focused on knowledge that directly impacts your business.
Workshops and Seminars will also include the essential information that owner/operators need in order to succeed. Workshops that would benefit an immigration consultant include business setup, marketing, human resources, and bookkeeping.
The right education at the start of your business can save thousands of dollars later and reduce stress and worry. When building a business, you require a proper foundation and knowledge of business planning, finance, and operations. The right workshops and seminars provide a short-cut to a long and successful career.
Networking Events
It’s not just what you know, it’s who you know.
Networking events give you access to connections that would be impossible to cultivate on your own. The mentor network of experienced executives, industry experts, and other business advisors is often the biggest value for incubator/accelerator members. The role of the incubator and accelerator is to make these connections, which can last a lifetime and result in friendships, business alliances, and client referrals.
Now that you know the benefits, are you ready to get started?
Ashton Ventures Immigration Practitioner Zone is accepting applications for our industry-leading Accelerator/Incubator Program. Only 20 members are accepted into this exclusive program. Apply now for September 2020 intake and take the next step in your career.
