Angie Dosanjh and the benefits of the BDC

Angie is the Regional Manager of Marketing & Communications at the Business Development Bank of Canada, the only B Corp certified bank in Canada, after working in Senior Marketing roles for major accounting firms for 10-15 years. The BDC is the only bank in Canada dedicated exclusively to entrepreneurs, businesses that are profitable and growing, in essentially any sector. They focus mainly on key main sectors such as manufacturing, food processors, technology, as well as a large emphasis on women entrepreneurs.

The BDC looks to grow businesses and owners in an organic way that builds relationships, as opposed to handing out loans and walking away. What differentiates BDC from other banks is that they have advisory services, and only offer to finance. Offering support on topics such as operational efficiencies, sales and marketing, operations and HR and more. While being able to offer loans to businesses that need them at the same time. As businesses grow and evolve, the BDC is there to assist with not only the financial aspect but any questions or concerns entrepreneurs have and make connections within their business network.

As the BDC looks for entrepreneurs to take on, they look for events and activities that will host these key businesses. They search for people who are looking to grow and also looking for solutions to problems such as breaking beyond the Canadian border or wondering how to start an eCommerce side to leverage their profit. Beyond events, the BDC is getting smarter about tracking there they're getting new customers online and offline, at events. Through their own systems, they are able to follow their clients and review their journey and touchpoints that matter, nurturing relationships along the way. Angie mentions that one of BDC’s strong points is being able to nurture client relationships through social media, email, in-person and being able to find future prospects.

Going beyond just the usual email or social post, Angie boasts BDC’s plethora of useful content that is available for anyone to access, not just their clients. You can sign up on their website and have access to articles, white papers, reports, tools and resources that entrepreneurs can download and take advantage of. “We actually have the most content of any bank out there across the country, living on our website.” Highly recommended to check out here. As a Crown Corporation, the BDC isn’t just in it to pay their own shareholders but are actually here to help you as mandated by the government. “A bank with a purpose, were driven by more than just profits.”

Angie finds inspiration for marketing strategies using these tools:

• LinkedIn
• Blogs
• Events & Sponsorships

Angie notes to anyone looking to get into Finance Marketing, they should now that the industry is always evolving. Definitely learn as much as you can about the plethora of tools required but also to never lose sight of the bread and butter of marketing, the strategy. The two have to go hand in hand in order to tell the right story. Keeping close with your team is also a key notion for Angie, knowing your teammates and understanding them is a large source for great work.

Written by Darian Kovacs, host of the Marketing News Canada News Show and founder of Jelly Digital Marketing and PR.