COVID-19 Response Taken by WECM

The Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba recognizes the growing concern around the COVID-19 virus and the unease many business owners are feeling, especially as we face more changes to our daily routines and future plans.

Like you, our main priorities are keeping our clients, staff and their families safe while maintaining our ongoing advisory connection to the women-owned and partnered businesses we serve. We recognize that your business is your passion and your livelihood, so we are taking every possible measure to continue to provide the services and support that you need.

We believe we have an obligation to be proactive in mitigating the spread and severity of the disease. Effective March 16, 2020 we are implementing a social distancing strategy which includes suspending all in-person training, seminars/workshops and networking activity until further notice. In cases where programming can be delivered online, that option will be made available to clients registered in workshops currently under way.

We will continue operations as usual and most Centre staff will be onsite, but we will restrict in-person meetings in favour of providing support to clients via email, phone, Skype or Zoom consultations.

Please note the modifications and/or postponements of the upcoming scheduled training activity, seminars and networking events:

• Business Plan Development Workshops – current Day Series (moving to online delivery)
• Explore Options for Growing Your Business – March 20 (cancelled)
• Welcome to Business – April 1 (cancelled)
• Business Plan Development Workshops – Evening Series beginning April 8 (online only)
• Pearls of Wisdom Business Breakfast at The MET – April 9 (cancelled)
• Annual Spring Networking Event – April 16 (cancelled)
• Business Plan Development Workshop Series (evenings beginning May 20 – Online delivery)
• Welcome to Business July 15 (TBD)

In compliance with the recommendations from Canada’s public health authorities, we have implemented the following protocols effective immediately:

• Eliminating all non-essential work travel
• Reinforcing robust hygiene practices among team members and throughout WECM offices
• Offering hand sanitizers and wipes at workstations and gathering spots
• Incorporating remote working procedures on an as needed and rotational basis

We are doing our best to navigate these uncertain times as the progress of the virus continues, and its impact is made known. We appreciate that our clients are facing uncertainty; rest assured that we will be offering you our support, flexibility and understanding to help you manage your business and your peace of mind.

On behalf of all of us here at the Centre, thank you in advance for your understanding. If you have any questions, please contact us by email info@wecm.ca or by phone 204.988.1860.

Sandra Altner
Chief Executive Officer
Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba