The Manitoba Marketing Network (MMN) was incorporated on September 30, 1985 as a joint venture between members of Manitoba’s business community and the department of Industry, Trade and Tourism. Its purpose is to provide practical marketing help to small businesses. In recent years, the MMN has expanded to provide advisors in e-commerce and finance as well.

Assistance to clients is provided in two ways. Individual counseling sessions are facilitated on a one-on-one basis between a MMN advisor and the entrepreneur. The MMN also hosts workshops consisting of round table discussion groups on a particular topic of interest. Whichever avenue is used by the entrepreneur, the objective of the counseling is to suggest solutions for problems in a practical, appropriate manner. Normally, the suggestions put forward are ‘tried and proven’ and are based on the extensive experience of advisor.

Advisors are drawn from two different groups. The vast majority are successful business owners in their own field. The second group are marketing executives. Individuals from both these groups have been vetted by the MMN Board and found to be ethical, practical, realistic business people who are willing to volunteer their time to serve the organization and its objectives.

A typical client is a person who has been in business for two years or less. Often the client is in the start-up phase of the enterprise. Typically they are experiencing problems resulting from confusion that results from a series of problems or are experiencing problems resulting from their lack of confidence or inexperience.

The MMN can boast a high success rate with the above formula. Over 90% of the businesses consulting with the MMN are still in business at this time. 64% of the businesses have grown since the consultation has taken place. A full 38% of respondents would attribute at least some portion of their success to the involvement of the MMN network.