Digital Service Squad is a free asset businesses can utilize through Community Futures, to create or build a digital presence, organize online files, design brands and logos, set up cyber security tools, and so much more.
One-on-one meetings with local Digital Service Squad experts Grace Evans, from the Community Futures Chinook branch, and Taylor Hardekopf, from the Community Futures Entre-Corp branch, allows for in-person collaborative conversations to work towards the common goal of what the business owner needs.
“We are digital educators that teach business owners how to use and benefit from digital resources. They can learn the skills and are set up for success, whether it’s content calendars, planners, SEO, SEM, Google MyBusiness, various media designs, as well as advice and guidance when needed,” says Hardekopf.
“Coming to us, you don’t need to be a digital expert at all. We’re here to teach and pass on our education and knowledge. Every business I’ve helped has a different range of skills they want to work on and tools they want to use — basic web development, content creation, file organization, photography, paid social media ads, and target marketing,” says Evans.
An in-person visit to the Community Futures office or phone call will get a business owner in touch with Hardekopf or Evans. The meeting can start with the initial point of contact or a future meeting can be set up to go in depth of what areas of interest in digital development the business owners would like support and education with.
“Any initial contact will start the conversation, and we’re happy to help and set up a meeting right away,” says Evans. “Reaching out to Digital Service Squad provides the opportunity to grow and gain skills. We can help business owners take that next step, whether it's with something new or strengthening a skill they already have.”
“Thanks to government funding, we are able to offer these services for free, services that would normally cost hundreds and thousands of dollars. We’re here to support our local businesses, whether they are coming in with no digital presence at all, or need another set of eyes for what they have already set up,” says Hardekopf.
To learn more and get started, visit chinook.albertacf.com/dep, or contact our Squad!
Grace Evans, Digital Service Squad Contact:
Community Futures Chinook
403-223-2984
5324 48 Avenue, Taber, Alberta
Monday-Friday 8:30a.m.-12p.m., 1-4:30p.m.
Taylor Hardekopf, Digital Service Squad Contact
Community Futures Entre-Corp
403-528-2824
556 4 Street SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta
Monday-Friday 8:30a.m.-12p.m., 1-4:30p.m.
Digital Service Squad is funded through Digital Main Street. Digital Main Street was created by the City of Toronto and the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas in 2016 to assist main street businesses in growing their operations through technology with easy to use tools and resources. Digital Main Street has partnered with Community Futures Chinook and Community Futures Entre-Corp to offer the Digital Service Squad Program.
