Podcasts for Business exists to capitalize on the growing use of technology and to ensure a diverse client base is empowered with the skills and tools to own and operate a business in rural Canada. The vision for the Project is:

Empowering entrepreneurs with skills and knowledge to build thriving businesses in rural Alberta through the development and implementation of interesting, informative, and innovative podcasts.

Podcast learning opportunities offer quick, efficient and succinct methods to educate, retain and attract new entrepreneurs in order to increase investment in small business in rural Alberta. This method of providing information can be shared across the region and across the province, thus enhancing business development opportunities and encouraging entrepreneurship.

Fast paced lifestyles do not leave time to be able to access information and guidance in traditional ways (classroom, meeting, etc.) Podcasts that are easily viewed on line, downloaded to MP3 players, etc. will allow potential entrepreneurs the ability to get the info they seek while performing other tasks.

Why Podcasts?

Podcasting is an innovative medium for information sharing used by a rapidly growing number of Canadians. In the 2006 Canadian Podcast Listeners Survey (Sequentia and Caprica) 77% of Canadians are “somewhat or very familiar” with the term podcasting, and it is the baby boomer generation specifically that is embracing podcasts at almost double the rate than those under 24 years of age. According to this survey, both women and men are accessing podcasts. Of those who are not familiar with the term, 67% said they would be interested in listening to a podcast, of which 58% said they would do so in the next 6 months. It is curiosity as well as busy lifestyles that are prompting more and more Canadians to download and listen to podcasts, especially when the information is both relevant and applicable to their situations.