John Fisher 🇨🇦
@johnfisherbiz.bsky.social
Small Business expert focusing on market research and marketing. Father to an amazing daughter. History and fantasy reader. Disney And Nottingham Forest FC fan.
Small business is the backbone of Canada, so why is our productivity lagging behind the U.S.? @StatCan_eng’s latest report digs into how firm size impacts this widening gap. Essential reading for owners looking at the bigger economic picture. 📈 #canada
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/catalo...
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/catalo...
The role of firm size in the Canada–U.S. labour productivity gap since 2000
Canada’s business sector has a lower level of labour productivity compared with that of the United States. Moreover, there has been a substantial divergence in labour productivity in the business sect...
www150.statcan.gc.ca
December 22, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Small business is the backbone of Canada, so why is our productivity lagging behind the U.S.? @StatCan_eng’s latest report digs into how firm size impacts this widening gap. Essential reading for owners looking at the bigger economic picture. 📈 #canada
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/catalo...
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/catalo...
Ontario Employers: Big changes are coming! Effective 01/01/2026, firms with 25+ staff must include salary ranges in job postings and disclose the use of AI in hiring. Now is the time to review your compensation strategy and ensure your ranges are market-ready. ⚖️ #SmallBiz #Ontario
December 19, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Labour Market Update (Oct 2025): Job vacancies fell to 467,000—the lowest since 2017! This means a cooling market with more candidates available (3.3 unemployed per vacancy). Average weekly earnings rose 2.2% year-over-year. Hiring? Now may be a better time to find talent. 🇨🇦 #SmallBiz #Hiring
December 18, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Canadian CPI held steady at 2.2% in November. Groceries jumped 4.7%—highest since late 2023! This tightens household budgets. Small businesses should expect continued consumer price sensitivity & highlight value in their products/services to capture cautious spending. #CanEcon #SmallBiz
December 15, 2025 at 1:38 PM
It's #GivingTuesday! Small businesses, this is your chance to show your values. Announce a match campaign, donate a percentage of today's sales, or highlight a charity you love. Connect your brand with purpose to build loyalty in your community! #SmallBiz #GivingBack #Community
December 2, 2025 at 12:45 PM
It's #GivingTuesday! Small businesses, this is your chance to show your values. Announce a match campaign, donate a percentage of today's sales, or highlight a charity you love. Connect your brand with purpose to build loyalty in your community! #SmallBiz #GivingBack #Community
It's #CyberMonday! For small businesses, this is your biggest digital sales day. Ensure your website is fast, your checkout is smooth, and promote your exclusive online deals NOW. Make it easy for customers to shop small online today! 💻 🇨🇦
#SmallBiz #eCommerce #ShopLocal
#SmallBiz #eCommerce #ShopLocal
December 1, 2025 at 12:53 PM
It's #CyberMonday! For small businesses, this is your biggest digital sales day. Ensure your website is fast, your checkout is smooth, and promote your exclusive online deals NOW. Make it easy for customers to shop small online today! 💻 🇨🇦
#SmallBiz #eCommerce #ShopLocal
#SmallBiz #eCommerce #ShopLocal
#SmallBiz HR Update: Canada saw a 0.3% drop in payroll employment in September. But the total job vacancies rose 5.5% to 486,000-the first monthly increase since Jan 2024. Competition for workers is still stiff, especially in Construction & Manufacturing. www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
The Daily — Payroll employment, earnings and hours, and job vacancies, September 2025
The number of employees receiving pay and benefits from their employer—measured as 'payroll employment' in the Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours—decreased by 58,000 (-0.3%) in September, offset...
www150.statcan.gc.ca
November 27, 2025 at 1:48 PM
#SmallBiz HR Update: Canada saw a 0.3% drop in payroll employment in September. But the total job vacancies rose 5.5% to 486,000-the first monthly increase since Jan 2024. Competition for workers is still stiff, especially in Construction & Manufacturing. www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
Small Business Saturday is coming! Customers are planning to support you in 3 ways.
Ensure your business is ready to capture the full benefit:
Promote your in-store/online options.
Encourage word-of-mouth & social shares.
Feature & market your gift cards.
#SmallBusinessSaturday #ShopLocal #SmallBiz
Ensure your business is ready to capture the full benefit:
Promote your in-store/online options.
Encourage word-of-mouth & social shares.
Feature & market your gift cards.
#SmallBusinessSaturday #ShopLocal #SmallBiz
November 26, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Small Business Saturday is coming! Customers are planning to support you in 3 ways.
Ensure your business is ready to capture the full benefit:
Promote your in-store/online options.
Encourage word-of-mouth & social shares.
Feature & market your gift cards.
#SmallBusinessSaturday #ShopLocal #SmallBiz
Ensure your business is ready to capture the full benefit:
Promote your in-store/online options.
Encourage word-of-mouth & social shares.
Feature & market your gift cards.
#SmallBusinessSaturday #ShopLocal #SmallBiz
#SmallBusiness Check-in: The latest StatCan survey shows cost-related obstacles (inflation, inputs, debt) remain the top concern (61.2% of biz). Recruiting skilled staff is #2.
Despite this, 66.3% of Canadian businesses are optimistic for the next 12 months.
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
Despite this, 66.3% of Canadian businesses are optimistic for the next 12 months.
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
The Daily — Canadian Survey on Business Conditions, fourth quarter 2025
Cost- and labour-related challenges remain the top obstacles that businesses anticipate during the fourth quarter of 2025. Meanwhile, business optimism continues to be similar to that of previous quar...
www150.statcan.gc.ca
November 25, 2025 at 2:30 PM
#SmallBusiness Check-in: The latest StatCan survey shows cost-related obstacles (inflation, inputs, debt) remain the top concern (61.2% of biz). Recruiting skilled staff is #2.
Despite this, 66.3% of Canadian businesses are optimistic for the next 12 months.
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
Despite this, 66.3% of Canadian businesses are optimistic for the next 12 months.
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
🇨🇦 Restaurant & Bar owners: StatCan reports food service sales decreased 0.3% in September. Consumers are pulling back, especially from full-service dining & drinking places. (Prices are still up 3.3% y/y.) Review costs & focus on value. #SmallBiz
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
The Daily — Food services and drinking places, September 2025
Total sales in the food services and drinking places subsector decreased 0.3% in September to $8.5 billion.
www150.statcan.gc.ca
November 24, 2025 at 1:34 PM
🇨🇦 Restaurant & Bar owners: StatCan reports food service sales decreased 0.3% in September. Consumers are pulling back, especially from full-service dining & drinking places. (Prices are still up 3.3% y/y.) Review costs & focus on value. #SmallBiz
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
Walmart's strong earnings confirm consumers are laser-focused on value. High-income shoppers are trading down, and low-income shoppers are pulling back on discretionary goods. Focus your strategy on promotions and highlighting your unique value this season. #SmallBiz
www.cnn.com/2025/11/20/b...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/20/b...
Walmart just proved it’s America’s solution to the affordability crisis | CNN Business
Walmart is proving to be America’s antidote to the cost of living crisis.
www.cnn.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Walmart's strong earnings confirm consumers are laser-focused on value. High-income shoppers are trading down, and low-income shoppers are pulling back on discretionary goods. Focus your strategy on promotions and highlighting your unique value this season. #SmallBiz
www.cnn.com/2025/11/20/b...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/20/b...
The latest US jobs report (Sept 2025) shows nonfarm payroll growth of 119,000. For #SmallBiz owners watching the US market: Average hourly earnings are up 3.8% year-over-year. Competition for staff remains high, especially in Health Care & Food Services. www.bls.gov/news.release...
Employment Situation Summary
- 2025 M09 Results
www.bls.gov
November 20, 2025 at 3:57 PM
The latest US jobs report (Sept 2025) shows nonfarm payroll growth of 119,000. For #SmallBiz owners watching the US market: Average hourly earnings are up 3.8% year-over-year. Competition for staff remains high, especially in Health Care & Food Services. www.bls.gov/news.release...
Artisans & entrepreneurs have a massive opportunity to become an Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Local Licensee across all host cities. Showcase your unique #SmallBiz products to a global audience! Apply with FIFA to put your brand on the world stage. #WorldCup26 bit.ly/3K4sI2H
Microsoft Forms
bit.ly
November 19, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Artisans & entrepreneurs have a massive opportunity to become an Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Local Licensee across all host cities. Showcase your unique #SmallBiz products to a global audience! Apply with FIFA to put your brand on the world stage. #WorldCup26 bit.ly/3K4sI2H
When tech giants like Cloudflare struggle, your small business can shine! The outage affecting X/Twitter and ChatGPT is a positive reminder to: Diversify your digital platforms.
Audit for single points of failure. Strengthen your digital resilience and be the reliable choice! #SmallBusiness
Audit for single points of failure. Strengthen your digital resilience and be the reliable choice! #SmallBusiness
November 18, 2025 at 1:35 PM
When tech giants like Cloudflare struggle, your small business can shine! The outage affecting X/Twitter and ChatGPT is a positive reminder to: Diversify your digital platforms.
Audit for single points of failure. Strengthen your digital resilience and be the reliable choice! #SmallBusiness
Audit for single points of failure. Strengthen your digital resilience and be the reliable choice! #SmallBusiness
Gen Z is cutting fast food spending & cooking at home due to high prices. 81% of young Canadians are dining out less. Small businesses: 1. Offer value meal solutions that compete with groceries. 2. Provide a unique experience that's worth the splurge. #SmallBiz #GenZ www.cbc.ca/news/busines...
Gen Z diners are changing the fast-food industry's approach | CBC News
Fast-food chains like Chipotle and McDonald’s are lowering their sales forecasts for next year and luring people in with value meals as they foresee a pullback in spending from low-income and younger ...
www.cbc.ca
November 17, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Gen Z is cutting fast food spending & cooking at home due to high prices. 81% of young Canadians are dining out less. Small businesses: 1. Offer value meal solutions that compete with groceries. 2. Provide a unique experience that's worth the splurge. #SmallBiz #GenZ www.cbc.ca/news/busines...
🇨🇦 Manufacturing is BOOMING. Sales up 3.3% in September to $72.1B. Capacity is TIGHT (80.7%).
Canadian SMEs: manufacturers are maxed out (especially in ON/QC transport & aerospace) and need to outsource/retool. Your opportunity is in their supply chain!
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
Canadian SMEs: manufacturers are maxed out (especially in ON/QC transport & aerospace) and need to outsource/retool. Your opportunity is in their supply chain!
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
The Daily — Monthly Survey of Manufacturing, September 2025
Manufacturing sales rose 3.3% in September, driven by higher sales of transportation equipment and petroleum and coal products. On a quarterly basis, total sales rose 2.8% in the third quarter of 2025...
www150.statcan.gc.ca
November 14, 2025 at 1:36 PM
🇨🇦 Manufacturing is BOOMING. Sales up 3.3% in September to $72.1B. Capacity is TIGHT (80.7%).
Canadian SMEs: manufacturers are maxed out (especially in ON/QC transport & aerospace) and need to outsource/retool. Your opportunity is in their supply chain!
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
Canadian SMEs: manufacturers are maxed out (especially in ON/QC transport & aerospace) and need to outsource/retool. Your opportunity is in their supply chain!
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
UK Q3 GDP slowed to 0.1%. Key takeaway for Canadian #SMEs: Services are still growing (+0.2%), but the production sector fell 0.5%, hit hard by a major cyber incident in transport manufacturing.
Action: Protect your supply chain and digitize to compete.
www.ons.gov.uk/economy/gros...
Action: Protect your supply chain and digitize to compete.
www.ons.gov.uk/economy/gros...
GDP first quarterly estimate, UK - Office for National Statistics
First quarterly estimate of gross domestic product (GDP). Contains current and constant price data on the value of UK goods and services.
www.ons.gov.uk
November 13, 2025 at 1:47 PM
UK Q3 GDP slowed to 0.1%. Key takeaway for Canadian #SMEs: Services are still growing (+0.2%), but the production sector fell 0.5%, hit hard by a major cyber incident in transport manufacturing.
Action: Protect your supply chain and digitize to compete.
www.ons.gov.uk/economy/gros...
Action: Protect your supply chain and digitize to compete.
www.ons.gov.uk/economy/gros...
New Stats Can data confirms two-thirds (2/3) of all Canadian employer businesses have four staff or fewer.
83.1% of new firms made it through their first year. Keep building your businesses!
#Entrepreneurship #SmallBiz
Reference: www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
83.1% of new firms made it through their first year. Keep building your businesses!
#Entrepreneurship #SmallBiz
Reference: www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
The Daily — Entrepreneurship indicators of Canadian enterprises, 2023
In 2023, there were 1,197,980 active enterprises in Canada with one or more employees, and two-thirds had four employees or fewer. There were 83,770 births of enterprises in 2023 and 88,040 deaths of ...
www150.statcan.gc.ca
November 12, 2025 at 2:51 PM
New Stats Can data confirms two-thirds (2/3) of all Canadian employer businesses have four staff or fewer.
83.1% of new firms made it through their first year. Keep building your businesses!
#Entrepreneurship #SmallBiz
Reference: www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
83.1% of new firms made it through their first year. Keep building your businesses!
#Entrepreneurship #SmallBiz
Reference: www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
Retail Check-Up (August 2025) 📈
Statistics Canada's data shows overall retail sales were up 3.4% year-over-year.
Food & Beverage saw the biggest lift (+4.9%).
Fuel Sales were down (-6.5%) due to lower prices.
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
#SmallBiz #RetailStats #CanadianEconomy
Statistics Canada's data shows overall retail sales were up 3.4% year-over-year.
Food & Beverage saw the biggest lift (+4.9%).
Fuel Sales were down (-6.5%) due to lower prices.
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
#SmallBiz #RetailStats #CanadianEconomy
www150.statcan.gc.ca
November 7, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Retail Check-Up (August 2025) 📈
Statistics Canada's data shows overall retail sales were up 3.4% year-over-year.
Food & Beverage saw the biggest lift (+4.9%).
Fuel Sales were down (-6.5%) due to lower prices.
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
#SmallBiz #RetailStats #CanadianEconomy
Statistics Canada's data shows overall retail sales were up 3.4% year-over-year.
Food & Beverage saw the biggest lift (+4.9%).
Fuel Sales were down (-6.5%) due to lower prices.
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
#SmallBiz #RetailStats #CanadianEconomy
Budget 2025 committed $6 Billion to help Canadian businesses double non-US exports over the next decade! 🌎 What this means for your small business: access to new markets (Indo-Pacific/Europe), and support for better supply chains. Time to think global! #SmallBiz #ExportCanada #Trade
Canada promises $6 billion support for businesses to reach new markets
Canadian exporters can expect to get easier access to new markets as the federal government announced a new strategy to diversify trade from the United States.
www.bnnbloomberg.ca
November 6, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Budget 2025 committed $6 Billion to help Canadian businesses double non-US exports over the next decade! 🌎 What this means for your small business: access to new markets (Indo-Pacific/Europe), and support for better supply chains. Time to think global! #SmallBiz #ExportCanada #Trade
Investment Incentive: Immediate Expensing for new M&P buildings is a go. ❌ Policy Cancelled: The promised Canadian Entrepreneurs’ Incentive is officially off the table.
The focus is on investment, not broad tax cuts. Read the details closely.
#CanadianBudget #SmallBusiness
2/2
The focus is on investment, not broad tax cuts. Read the details closely.
#CanadianBudget #SmallBusiness
2/2
November 5, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Investment Incentive: Immediate Expensing for new M&P buildings is a go. ❌ Policy Cancelled: The promised Canadian Entrepreneurs’ Incentive is officially off the table.
The focus is on investment, not broad tax cuts. Read the details closely.
#CanadianBudget #SmallBusiness
2/2
The focus is on investment, not broad tax cuts. Read the details closely.
#CanadianBudget #SmallBusiness
2/2
Budget 2025 is out 🇨🇦 Key takeaways for your #SmallBiz:
✅ SR&ED Boost: Enhanced credit limit jumps to $6M for R&D (big win for innovation!). ✅ Succession Relief: Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE) increase to $1.25M confirmed.
1/2
✅ SR&ED Boost: Enhanced credit limit jumps to $6M for R&D (big win for innovation!). ✅ Succession Relief: Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE) increase to $1.25M confirmed.
1/2
November 5, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Budget 2025 is out 🇨🇦 Key takeaways for your #SmallBiz:
✅ SR&ED Boost: Enhanced credit limit jumps to $6M for R&D (big win for innovation!). ✅ Succession Relief: Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE) increase to $1.25M confirmed.
1/2
✅ SR&ED Boost: Enhanced credit limit jumps to $6M for R&D (big win for innovation!). ✅ Succession Relief: Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE) increase to $1.25M confirmed.
1/2
Thinking of replacing your call centre staff with AI? Be cautious. AI isn't always cheaper or better. Protect your brand and customer relationships. Know what your small business customers want and expect from AI. www.bbc.com/news/article...
#SmallBiz
#SmallBiz
Will AI mean the end of call centres?
Some commentators predict artificial intelligence is about to replace most customer support jobs.
www.bbc.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Thinking of replacing your call centre staff with AI? Be cautious. AI isn't always cheaper or better. Protect your brand and customer relationships. Know what your small business customers want and expect from AI. www.bbc.com/news/article...
#SmallBiz
#SmallBiz
Canada's GDP contracted 0.3% in August (StatCan), offsetting July's gain. For small businesses, this signals caution: Wholesale Trade and Manufacturing declined. The economy is slowing, so watch your cash flow! #CdnEcon #GDP #SmallBiz www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
The Daily — Gross domestic product by industry, August 2025
Real gross domestic product was down 0.3% in August, down for the fourth time in five months, as goods-producing and services-producing industries contracted.
www150.statcan.gc.ca
October 31, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Canada's GDP contracted 0.3% in August (StatCan), offsetting July's gain. For small businesses, this signals caution: Wholesale Trade and Manufacturing declined. The economy is slowing, so watch your cash flow! #CdnEcon #GDP #SmallBiz www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
Payroll and hiring are cooling for Canadian businesses. Job Vacancies hit their lowest point since 2017 (457,400). Small businesses should note hiring just got less competitive, but labour costs continue to rise. #SmallBiz #CdnEcon #Hiring www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
www150.statcan.gc.ca
October 30, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Payroll and hiring are cooling for Canadian businesses. Job Vacancies hit their lowest point since 2017 (457,400). Small businesses should note hiring just got less competitive, but labour costs continue to rise. #SmallBiz #CdnEcon #Hiring www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...