How to Prepare for a BDC Advisory Services Engagement (Strategy, Technology, Operations)

BDC Advisory Services can significantly impact your business—but only if you prepare well. These services are paid, hands-on consulting engagements, not grants. BDC expects you to show clear goals, commitment, and the ability to follow through. Good preparation leads to faster results and better value from the engagement.

This guide explains how to get ready for a BDC Advisory Services engagement focused on business strategy, technology, or operations. It also covers what BDC advisors expect from Canadian businesses before the work begins.

What BDC Advisory Services Are—and What They Are Not

BDC Advisory Services are custom consulting services delivered by BDC specialists and outside experts. They help Canadian businesses improve performance, grow, or solve tough challenges.

BDC offers advisory services in several areas:

Business Strategy – growth planning, market positioning, financial structure
Technology & Digital Advisory – digital strategy, system selection, e-commerce, and implementation
Operations & Operational Efficiency – process improvement, productivity, and building internal skills
Certifications & Compliance – ISO, food safety, and quality management systems

These services are not non-repayable grants. Pricing depends on the project’s size, length, and complexity. BDC discusses costs directly with you during the intake process.

Relevant BDC programs include:

BDC Advisory Services (core program)
BDC Advisory Services — Technology
BDC Advisory Services — Digital Technology
BDC Advisory Services — Operations
BDC Advisory Services — Certifications

Steps to Prepare for a BDC Advisory Services Engagement

1. Define Your Business Problem Clearly

BDC advisors need you to identify a specific, important challenge. They will not define it for you.

Good examples for Canadian businesses:

“Our margins are shrinking because our production process is inefficient.”
“We need a three-year growth strategy before expanding into new markets.”
“Our systems don’t talk to each other, and reporting takes days.”

Weak examples:

“We want to grow.”
“We think we need better technology.”

Before your first call, write down:

The impact of the problem (lost revenue, delays, risk)
What you have already tried
What success would look like in 6–12 months

BDC Advisory Services work best when the issue is specific and tied to measurable results.

2. Collect Key Documents Early

BDC advisors rely on your business data. Delays are common when companies are not ready to share it.

Get these ready before the engagement starts:

Recent financial statements (at least two years)
Current organizational chart
Existing strategic or business plans, if you have them
Key process documentation or workflow descriptions
Technology stack overview (software, systems, vendors)

For technology or operations projects, expect detailed questions about how your business works day to day.

Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher help Canadian businesses find grants that may offset advisory or implementation costs.

3. Assign an Internal Project Owner

BDC expects you to be involved. Advisory services are a partnership, not something you hand off.

Choose:

One decision-maker with authority
One day-to-day contact for coordination
Time from key staff for workshops or interviews

BDC advisory services may include virtual and on-site workshops, coaching, and follow-up support, especially for operations and technology projects.

If your team cannot commit time, the engagement may stall.

4. Set Measurable Goals

BDC advisors focus on clear outcomes. Set these early, and agree on how you’ll measure success.

Examples of measurable results:

Reduce process cycle time by 20%
Create a technology roadmap with unbiased recommendations
Develop a board-ready strategic plan with financial projections
Establish operational KPIs and a continuous improvement plan

For example, BDC Advisory Services — Operations offer practical tools and structured approaches that improve productivity and internal skills, not just high-level advice.

5. Plan for Implementation After the Engagement

The advisory work is only the first step. Many Canadian businesses forget to plan for what happens next.

Before you start, ask:

Do we have budget for technology or process changes?
Will we need financing or government grants?
Who will lead implementation after the advisors leave?

BDC advisory services can often work with BDC financing or other government support, but you need to plan for this in advance.

Common Mistakes Canadian Businesses Should Avoid

Treating advisory services like a grant
BDC Advisory Services are paid engagements. You need budget approval.

Being unclear about priorities
If you say everything is a priority, advisors cannot focus.

Not involving staff early
Change fails when teams feel left out.

Expecting instant results
Advisory work gives direction and structure. Putting changes in place takes time.

How to Combine Advisory Services with Other Support

Many Canadian businesses use BDC Advisory Services along with other government programs. For example, you might use a grant to help pay for new technology after a BDC engagement. GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant and advisory-related programs across Canada. This makes it easier to find options that fit your growth plans and see where BDC Advisory Services fit in your funding strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are BDC Advisory Services a grant?
No. They are paid consulting services, not non-repayable funding or loans.

Q: Who is eligible for BDC Advisory Services?
Canadian businesses that want to improve operations, strategy, or technology and have the capacity to engage in the process.

Q: How much do BDC Advisory Services cost?
Pricing is not published. Costs depend on the project and are discussed during intake.

Q: Are services delivered virtually or on site?
BDC offers both virtual and on-site workshops, coaching, and support, depending on your needs.

Q: Can BDC advisory services be combined with grants or loans?
Yes. Many businesses pair advisory services with BDC financing or other government programs to support implementation.

Next Steps

Preparing well for a BDC Advisory Services engagement puts you in control. Once you know your priorities, timeline, and team capacity, the next step is to choose which advisory stream—and supporting programs—fit your business best.

GrantHub can help you discover active Canadian grant and advisory programs that match your goals, and show how BDC Advisory Services can fit into your broader growth plans.

How to Prepare for a BDC Advisory Services Engagement (Strategy, Technology, Operations)