Around the world, business franchises are recognizing the value of Mentoring Programs. Not many organizations, however, have explored the full potential of this mechanism. WSI, the world’s leading provider of Internet solutions to small and medium sized (SME) businesses and the #1 Internet services franchise in the world, has taken Mentoring to a new level of sophistication. Having started off with experienced franchisees mentoring newer ones, the company has expanded the scope of its Mentoring Program to also include mentoring of end-clients through increasing educational seminars and profitability analysis based progress tracking. Success in the WSI network has thus come to mean a well-rounded, deep and thorough meaning of enhanced profitability for all stakeholders, franchisees, end-clients and the franchisor.

Since its inception over a decade ago, WSI has always sought ways to provide formal and informal forums for its franchisees to interact, exchange best practices and work cooperatively to ensure the collective success of the WSI network and its clients. Furthermore, WSI Consultants are trained to adopt a unique business methodology whereby they work as business partners with their clients on a long term, mutually beneficial relationship. This approach of handholding a client from early stages of e-business adoption to advanced levels of e-commerce and search engine marketing enables mentoring of small and medium sized business owners by their WSI Consultants. The overall effect of this kind of mentoring that involves need analysis, solution delivery, result monitoring and business efficiency upgrades is the ongoing and enhanced profitability for franchisees and their clients.

WSI has strived hard to create an organizational climate that encourages, enables, rewards and accelerates learning by ensuring that access to information and learning resources remains continuous, easy and affordable for all. Ron McArthur, president WSI says, “Having studied the pattern of informal mentoring within our network for the past decade or so, we decided to give it a more structured and formal look in order to optimize the positively beneficial results as well as to define set goals and objectives for all of us involved. No longer is mentoring a random effect of 2 franchisees getting together to manage a successful project. Although this may still happen sporadically, we now have several key Mentoring initiatives in place (more details provided below) to ensure that franchisees, their clients and us as the franchisor are committed to achieve defined goals over a specified time period with measurable results affecting the bottom line.”

Darren Kincaid, a Virginia, US based WSI Internet Marketing Consultant (franchisee) started his WSI business in January 2007 and in less than 6 months, he already has a good base of clients generating monthly recurring revenue plus his new business referrals are growing. “Mentoring has been the key to my early success. Even though I was very well equipped with the intensive training provided by WSI headquarters and the ongoing business coaching that I was receiving, I was a bit stunned when I landed my first big e-commerce deal. The WSI Mentoring Program allowed me the chance to review and select a Mentor in my proximity. With the knowledge and experience of a seasoned WSI Consultant, Neal Lappe, I was able to manage my client’s expectations, work efficiently with the WSI e-marketplace production partners and deliver a world class solution that is now a proud exhibit in my portfolio of clients. I would not have been able to achieve this level of success without my Mentor. The success of my client is also not a surprise by-product – we worked together to realize the desired goals and I feel great to be on my client’s speed-dial! I am not just another vendor but a valued business partner. I will continue to mentor my client towards their ongoing e-business profitability using the tools, techniques and knowledge expertise available to me through the WSI network.”

Ron McArthur concludes, “Simply put, at WSI, learning is a part of everybody’s job description and an essential component of work. Every day, in every way, we collectively look at ways to improve each WSI team member’s ability to perform their jobs at higher levels of productivity, efficiency and profitability. We do this by facilitating advanced learning using best of breed learning techniques, systems and experts. Mentoring is a cornerstone of success for all WSI touch-points.”

An Overview of WSI Mentoring Initiatives:

Ambassador Training Seminars - Ambassador Coaches are experienced WSI Internet Marketing Consultants with expertise in certain techniques or skills which have led to their ongoing profitability and high performance. The quality of training imparted by Ambassador Coaches and benefits experienced by session participants are regularly surveyed and monitored to ensure that the curriculum content and methods of training meet the changing needs of the WSI community. The subject tracks covered in these seminars range from sales and marketing to business management, customer relationship management and Internet marketing strategies.

Having designed a living resource for learning with the Ambassador Training Seminars, WSI encourages each of its Consultants to take advantage of this opportunity to learn from their experienced peers, the Ambassador Coaches. Although it is difficult to attach a monetary value to these high quality seminars, the logistical expenses required to attend an event of this nature has been valued at US$1,500 USD. In order to ensure maximum participation, the WSI Training Scholarship Fund (TSF) was created to help franchisees cover the seminar fees. Every Consultant is thus awarded an annual one-time total of US$5,000 USD to be used towards four separate Ambassador Training Seminars.

Virtual Training - As the WSI community continues to grow and expand around the globe, the company finds great value in local Consultants who can provide a wealth of learning to their regional peers or to the entire WSI community on specific areas of business. WSI endeavors to present this learning to all its Consultants, online, without having to pay for it. Virtual Training is provided in the form of “Coffee Break” Web casts (an audio/visual presentation that is broadcast over the Internet), podcasts, video presentations and e-talk shows. WSI Consultants from all over the world can log on using only their computers and an Internet connection to learn about new WSI products and services, business practices, industry trends and other topical subjects that affect their business. Consultants have the opportunity to discuss and ask the presenter questions in real-time online and the Web casts are also archived for future viewing.

Suppliers within the WSI e-Marketplace range from Production Centers to suppliers providing a diverse range of services such as Hosting solutions, Search Engine Optimization, Pay-per-click programs, Sales & Marketing Training, Copywriting, Lead Generation, Multimedia solutions, creative services and many more. As Authorized Suppliers with WSI, the quality of their products and services is the best of the best in order to help franchisees provide exceptional service to their SME customers. It is no surprise then that the people in these organizations are highly qualified and experienced in their own fields. More importantly, they are always willing to add value to the WSI community by sharing their knowledge through Virtual Training media like Webinars.

Excellence and Innovation Conferences - These conferences attract over a 150 WSI Consultants from all over the world. The objective of these two/three day conferences is to enable seamless flow of information, best practices, trade ‘secrets’, industry trends and technological advancements across the WSI network of Consultants in an environment of close networking and relationship building.

Keynote speakers at these conferences are subject matter experts of repute; leaders in different fields of specialization related to Internet Marketing and Business Consulting. In the past WSI has invited well-known and extremely busy industry experts such as Susan Sweeney, John Quarto–von Tivadar, Brad Fallon, Jay Conrad Levinson and others who willingly spared the time to come in as speakers and were very happy to be introduced to our high-profile network of WSI Consultants. Presenters at E&I are also WSI Internet Marketing Consultants who have excelled in their WSI business and consistently achieved greater profitability by introducing an innovative concept or practice. These presentations are founded in the objectives of sharing best practices that can be adopted and duplicated in a flexible manner across cultural boundaries by other WSI Consultants, anywhere in the world.

Internet Business Planning Seminars - As small business owners themselves, WSI Consultants understand and empathize with the needs and motivations of other small and medium sized business owners. Making SME businesses realize that having a website is just not enough, they help business owners retain repeat customers and attract new qualified customers through increased traffic and enhanced online conversions. To educate SME business owners about profiting from the Internet using a mix of Internet Marketing tools and techniques, WSI conducts Internet Business Planning (IBP) Seminars across North America and Europe. These seminars are a structured form of mentoring that WSI franchisees provide their SME clients.

- WSI Consultants Promote Free Toolbar to Raise Worldwide Funds for Charity-

Toronto, October 31, 2007… Make Child Poverty History (MCPH), a global initiative to alleviate child poverty has become the direct beneficiary of a corporate partnership that will raise charity funds simply by encouraging Internet users searching online to use a free customized toolbar. WSI, the world’s leading provider of Internet Solutions to small and medium sized businesses has entered into a strategic partnership with BenefitBar LLC  to support the MCPH initiative so that people all around the world can make a difference without spending a dime or making any extra effort. Through the vast network of over 1500 WSI Internet Consultants in 87 countries around the world, businesses and organizations will be offered a free, customized search toolbar powered by Yahoo! Search to promote their own website and support a charity of their choice.

Ron McArthur, president, WSI says, “WSI is a proud supporter of the Make Child Poverty History initiative and we seek to form partnerships with other organizations that want to give back to the community. In our partnership with BenefitBar LLC, we see the promise of a greater opportunity to change lives of children around the world by simply changing the way people search the Internet. As more companies and organizations get access to their own branded BenefitBar, more online users will be able to make a difference. Each time the toolbar is used by an online user to search for something on the Internet, a donation (could be as little as half a penny each time) is raised for a charity that supports the MCPH cause. The WSI-MCPH toolbar is already available for download to raise funds for MCPH.”

BenefitBar is a patent pending copyright protected Internet based technology keeping organizations in front of their Internet audience 24/7.The BenefitBar toolbar encompassing the organization’s logo is installed as part of the supporter's Web browser, and it remains visible while he or she surfs the Web in a non-intrusive way. In addition to advertising revenue, both the search and e-commerce components, as well as potential donation, all offer ongoing fundraising and revenue generating opportunities.

Keith Grosz, president BenefitBar LLC says, “BenefitBar is a way of branding the Web browsers of a company’s audience with information from their website. More importantly, it is a way to generate revenue and raise dollars for charity through our partnership with Yahoo!. We are delighted to partner with WSI as it allows us to now promote our toolbar throughout the world via their vast network. WSI Internet Marketing Consultants help small and medium sized business owners globally with their e-business and Internet marketing efforts. Now at no charge these businesses can take their website to their audience and have it in front of them whenever they are on the Internet, all the while helping charitable institutions and fulfilling the mission of Make Child Poverty History.“

The BenefitBar toolbar will help navigate traffic to an organization's website for additional potential revenue and value. Businesses can provide customers and prospects with up to date information on forthcoming events, entertaining links, news and information, advertisers and even allow purchase of merchandise through it. Once this concept catches on and multiplies throughout the WSI network, revenue will start to accumulate to support MCPH projects around the world. Setup costs and all support for creating a customized toolbar are covered by BenefitBar. There is NO cost to the organization and NO cost to the audience who downloads the custom BenefitBar/Toolbar. There is NO spyware, adware or pop-ups and it is network-secure. The toolbar is available for Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox browsers.

The WSI-BenefitBar partnership was announced at the WSI Annual Global Excellence and Innovation Conference in Orlando, Florida on October 1^st 2007. WSI Consultants attending the conference in person and virtually over the Web were excited to hear about this unique partnership which allowed them a chance to generate revenue for MCPH “while they sleep”. Karen Sullivan-Correa, a WSI Consultant in Colombia expressed that, “Having operated and worked with charitable foundations for several years, I always wondered if there was a way to help common people make a difference in the world. How could everyone become part of a movement dedicated to abolishing poverty and feeding the starving children of the world today? I could hardly believe that this was made possible by WSI and BenefitBar simply changing the way people search the Internet! I am proud to be an agent of this change and will promote the free BenefitBar toolbar to all my clients so that all of us, together, can contribute to lifting hundreds of thousands of children out of abject poverty and giving them the right to food, shelter, education- the right to life!”

About Make Child Poverty History (MCPH): The Make Child Poverty History initiative began in 2004 as a corporate outreach program but has expanded to encompass individuals and organizations outside of the founding corporation, WSI. MCPH is not a charity but indeed a non-governmental organization that acts as a catalyst encouraging corporations to join the fight to make child poverty history. Collective support is funneled to those organizations that are best equipped to provide sustenance, education, health care, advance the building of infrastructure and campaign for the eradication of poverty. MCPH believes that if those of us who are more fortunate shared some of our wealth with others, in time, there would be no more need. “Ours is not a just world but we can strive to make it one – one child, one village at a time.”

About BenefitBar LLC: Established in 1996 by Founder, Keith Grosz, BenefitBar is the next generation in real time communication and fundraising. Its patent-pending and copyrighted business model makes use of an Internet toolbar and presents organizations that are either non-profit or for profit with a means for fundraising and generating revenue. In addition, BenefitBar provides a simple-to-use platform for regular and ongoing communication as well as a way to stay top of mind, enhance loyalty, and keep people connected in a non-intrusive and yet entertaining way. BenefitBar was created with the goal to exceed expectations when it comes to customer service and to utilize its business model that will help organizations raise needed dollars. BenefitBar  also seeks to enhance communication with people that organizations care about.

- WSI announces winners of second annual WSI Web Awards in Orlando, Florida -

October 3, 2007 – Orlando, Florida.  WSI (We Simplify the Internet), the world’s leading provider of Internet solutions to small and medium sized businesses with over 1500 offices in 87 countries, is pleased to honor the winners of the second annual WSI Web Awards at their global Excellence and Innovation Conference in Orlando, Florida held on October 1-3. 

The website winners in the categories of Best Product Showcase, Best Industry Application, Creative Excellence, Best WSI Business Edge Site, Best Non-English Site and Best Overall Website are exceptional examples of industry best practices, which showcase the WSI Consultants’ expertise in providing Internet related services.

WSI introduced the WSI Web Awards in September 2006 with the first awards ceremony being held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The goal of the awards program is to showcase the best of the thousands of Internet solutions created each year by WSI Consultants using customized services and products of the WSI e-Marketplace Production Centers and Authorized Suppliers.

Ron McArthur, president of WSI said, “WSI is very proud to honor our customers, Consultants and Production Centers who partnered together to develop websites that work. Our Consultants help businesses create an online presence that builds them targeted traffic and converts more customers by using specialized Internet marketing services.”

This year has been an exceptional year for sites demonstrating WSI Consultants’ abilities to create solutions for all types of organizations globally. The winners include:

The Best Product Showcase award was given to sagegardenstyle.com, built by WSI Consultant Marybeth Fruge and the WSI e-Marketplace Production Center, Gratus Business Solutions. This online store offers products for outdoor living sourced throughout the world. Many of their products are handmade in small artisan shops showcasing an appreciation of the history and tradition of skilled crafts and cultures.

The Best Industry Application award was given to pafilia.com, built by WSI Consultants Alan and Tina Winning and the WSI e-Marketplace Production Center, GTO.  This fresh and vibrant website showcases Pafilia Property Developers' experience in the Cypriot housing market, allowing visitors to truly discover Cyprus through Pafilia.

The Creative Excellence award was presented to beaverbooks.ca, designed by WSI Consultant Chris Murray and the WSI e-Marketplace Production Center, Voloper Creations Inc. The site demonstrates excellence in branding, layout, and aesthetics and showcases Beaver Books’ line of children’s resources. The youth and vitality of Beaver Books’ products is effectively demonstrated with the use of pop-up images and eye-catching colors.

The award for best WSI Business Edge site was given to gulfislandswaterpark.com, a site designed by WSI Consultant Chris Murray and the Production Center, Voloper Creations Inc. This site was recognized for being the most creative and innovative site designed using the WSI Business Edge platform, a standardized solution within WSI’s trademarked Modular Development Technology™.

The winner of the Best Non-English website was zedny.org, an exemplary website designed for an Arabic audience that shows excellence in originality, ease of use and innovation. WSI Consultants Mohamed Bamatraf and Moustafa El Shenety designed this site using the Production Center, Vidushi InfoTech. Zedny.org also won the award for Best Overall Website as it is an exceptionally well-designed site that demonstrates best of class creativity, layout, functionality, and client- and industry-focused best practices.

WSI had hundreds of site submissions to be considered for the 2007 WSI Web Awards. Each site was scored and ranked by a team of WSI site auditors, who created a short list of the top sites, resulting in 38 nominations. To be eligible for awards, the site must have been developed within the WSI e-Marketplace by a certified Consultant and Production Center Partner. Sites were then voted on by the global community of 1500 plus WSI Consultants to determine the winners.

WSI wishes to congratulate all the winners of the second annual WSI Web Awards.

About WSI:

Through its network of over 1500 offices in 87 countries, WSI delivers thousands of e-Business solutions to small and medium sized businesses annually. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, WSI provides affordable Internet related services and technologies that deliver maximum return on investment for businesses.  As the world leader in providing profitable Internet solutions to SMEs, making information accessible for all via the Internet is an essential component of our offering. For more information on how you can become part of the WSI global network of local Internet consultancy offices, please visit www.wsimarketing.com.

###

For information on the WSI Web Awards, please contact Joanne Vo at 905-678-7588 x1223, via email at jvo@wsicorporate.com.

-WSI Achieves Excellence in Travel, Home Building and Healthcare Industry Verticals-

Mississauga, Canada -September 28th 2007- The world’s leading provider of Internet Solutions to small and medium sized businesses with over 1500 offices in 87 countries - WSI, bagged awards of excellence at the 2007 WebAwards organized by the Web Marketing Association (WMA). Since 1997, the Annual WMA Awards recognize outstanding achievements in the field of Web design and development. WSI was rewarded with three 2007 WebAwards for achieving a Standard of Excellence in the Travel, Home Building and Healthcare industries. These prestigious awards reaffirm WSI's premier position in the advanced and fast-paced Internet industry.

The WebAwards recognized WSI for its remarkable development and design work over several websites developed for various organizations and institutions. The Standard of Excellence Website recognitions went to the sites developed by WSI Internet Consultants together with global WSI production centres, Voloper Creations Inc. for POCruises.com (Travel) and CornerstoneDesignNJ.com (Home Building), and Infolink for MilleniumSmile.com (Healthcare Provider).

Ron McArthur, president, WSI said, “Considered the Internet's premier award competition, each submission competes based on seven specific criteria, including design, innovation, content, interactivity, copywriting, ease of use and use of technology. Global leaders such as Disney, UPS Whiteboard, Honda, FedEx and more annually compete to be awarded with a WMA WebAward. This year, we showcased excellence on behalf of our WSI Consultants by submitting seven outstanding WSI sites for the WMA WebAwards. We are absolutely thrilled and very proud that three out of the seven WSI submissions have emerged winners in their industry categories.”

He went on further to congratulate the individuals responsible for developing the award winning websites, “…WSI Consultants Bruce Dunnan (New Jersey, USA) and Mehboob Janmohamed (Alberta, Canada) and WSI production centres, Voloper Creations Inc and Infolink for bringing great honour to WSI by winning these WebAwards. ” Mehboob Janmohamed, WSI Consultant remarked, “Winning a WMA WebAward demonstrates that the WSI certification and training program really prepares us to deliver a quality product to our clients. That, together with world class WSI Production Centers, allows us to be ahead of the wave. We can continue to innovate and stay competitive, helping our customers lead their industries too.”

The greatest honour for the company, however, is the extremely positive feedback that WSI receives from its clients. P&O Cruises, a UK based company , for instance, says that its website developed by WSI boasts a simple yet effective design radiating the spirit of holiday adventures, easy-to-navigate architecture, robust corporate branding, and easy-to-handle administrative tools for its staff to manage bookings and update online information. As a result, the company owns a praise-attracting and now also award-winning site offering numerous benefits to its end customers.

WSI customer, Millennium Smile, a Canadian healthcare provider specializing in Comprehensive Aesthetic Dentistry is committed to improving their customers’ smiles. They feel confident that their new website developed by WSI Consultant Mehboob Janmohamed will bring more smiles to their customers due to its aesthetically pleasing design, richness of informative content and simple to navigate site structure.

For New Jersey, USA based Cornerstone Design, having a website that matched and reflected its supremacy in the home building and design field was critical. WSI Consultant Bruce Dunnan was able to deliver the kind of Internet solution that not only met the company’s expectations but, more importantly, offers Cornerstone Design’s customers the same comfort they experience when visiting the company’s showroom.

WSI truly stands for we simplify the Internet. Ron McArthur explains, “By simplifying the Internet, WSI is helping businesses to grow their e-business through improved operational efficiencies, reduced costs and increased profits utilizing our affordable, custom built e-business solutions. At WSI, the focus is on the ABCs of Internet Marketing Success™; the A being Affordable Web Solutions, B is Building Targeted Traffic and C is Converting More Customers Online.”

About WSI – we simplify the Internet:
With a network of over 1500 offices in 87 countries, WSI is the leading provider of Internet solutions to small and medium sized businesses the world over. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, WSI provides affordable Internet related services and technologies that deliver maximum return on investment for businesses.

With the support and cooperation of its customers, franchise network, employees, suppliers and charitable organizations, WSI aims to help make child poverty history through its global outreach program

-Nominations to Kick-Off at Annual Excellence and Innovation (E&I) Conference-

Mississauga, Canada, September 28, 2007 -- WSI, the world’s leading provider of Internet Solutions to small and medium sized businesses is delighted to announce the launching of its Global Young Entrepreneur Scholarship (YES) Program. The announcement will be made at the company’s annual Global Excellence and Innovation (E&I) Conference being held in Orlando, Florida from October 1st to 3rd, 2007. Close to 250 WSI Internet Consultants, part of the over 1500 strong WSI franchisee network will attend this year’s US conference and commence the scouting of young, entrepreneurial talent from around the world. 6 finalists out of several nominations from around the world will progress from initial screening to final selection by an elite and distinguished panel before being awarded a WSI franchise. The Scholarship also includes a special Mentoring program by other experienced WSI Consultants to aid the young entrepreneurs in establishing a sound Internet services and consulting business that helps SME customers stay competitive and profitable.

Ron McArthur, president, WSI says, “With the launch of the Global WSI Young Entrepreneur Scholarship (YES) Program, we seek to attract talented, motivated and energetic youth who are qualified and skilled to become the partners SMEs need in order to succeed with their Internet Marketing initiatives. At WSI, we always strive to ensure the highest calibre of franchisees with the potential and aptitude that is required to keep pace with the dynamic and exciting nature of the Internet and the SME market space. A strong entrepreneurial spirit and the desire to excel through innovation and continuous learning are paramount to the success of a WSI Consultant. Through this program we will empower young entrepreneurs to deliver what SMEs need - leverage Internet marketing, build their brands online and meet the shift in consumer culture influenced by the Millennial generation.”

The overall population of Internet users is huge and growing every day. So what makes the Millennials stand out in this universe of online users? Dr. Brad Sago, renowned expert in marketing trends, generational issues and professor of marketing at Whitworth University explains, “Millennials are a wired generation. While Gen Xers are considered an overall very techno-literate generation who display a willingness to use the Internet, the lives of Millennials have been intertwined with the Internet. Specifically, the Internet has influenced their views of communication – that it should be instantaneous and continuous.”

Computer-able since childhood, the Millennials are accustomed to depending on computers, instant messaging, e-mail, the Web, interactive media, and cell phones in every aspect of their daily lives. These tools and gadgets have visibly and permanently influenced the personalities, attitudes, expectations, and learning strategies of this generation. WSI’s YES Program aims to tap into this extraordinary potential of today’s youngsters connecting them with the SME market. The WSI training, Internet Marketing Certification and fast-track Mentoring they receive will help them deliver Internet solutions catering to all audiences, with a special focus on the millennial consumer.

The Annual WSI Global Excellence and Innovation (E&I) Conference is aimed at presenting innovative ideas, strategies that work and sharing of Internet best practices. This year’s event takes place at the Portofino Bay Hotel from October 1st to 3rd in Orlando, Florida. Dan Monaghan, Co-founder of WSI will deliver the Keynote Address. Also on special invitation is a speaker from Google presenting on the very exciting topic “Advanced Techniques of Paid Advertising”. Also present at the conference will be representatives from leaders in the Internet industry who are members of the WSI e-Marketplace. Under its Strategic Alliance Partner Appreciation (SAPA) Program, WSI has invited these organizations to participate in the 2007 E&I Conference. To show its appreciation for the value they bring to the WSI network, these alliance partners will be awarded a WSI SAPA plaque in their honour. In addition, WSI will also make a $2000 donation on behalf of each of these partner organizations towards its global outreach program, Make Child Poverty History (MCPH).

WSI Consultants attending this year’s E&I are teeing off their combined contribution to the MCPH cause by participating in a Charity Golf Tournament. As one participant puts it, “If I can hit the greens with my fellow WSI Consultants to help a child see greener pastures in life, I’ve landed a hole-in-one. Never mind if it doesn’t happen literally and my golf ball is still staring at me after the swing!” Acting as a catalyst member of the Make Child Poverty History initiative, WSI in the last 3 years has helped sponsor through World Vision, over 250 children living in poverty around the world. The Charity Golf Tournament is one such fund-raising activity where the WSI community gets together to help the MCPH cause.

In a recent partnership with www.BenefitBar.com, WSI Consultants can now generate revenue for MCPH “while they sleep”. Launching at the E&I Conference in Orlando, a customizable search toolbar can be offered free to WSI clients. Each time the toolbar is used by an online user to search for something on the Internet, a donation (could be as little as half a penny each time) is raised for a charity that supports the MCPH cause. Once this concept catches on and multiplies throughout the WSI community, revenue will start to accumulate to support MCPH projects around the world.

In conclusion, Ron McArthur says, “The 2007 Excellence and Innovation Conference is set to be our biggest global event. To the already famed Sunshine and Sands of Florida, we now add a hearty serving of Success. The Young Entrepreneur Scholarship (YES) Program, the Strategic Alliance Partner Appreciation (SAPA) Program, the MCPH Charity Golf Tournament and the coming on board of BenefitBar are only some of the key highlights of the conference. The value of the golden nuggets that presenters will share with all participants over the course of three days is beyond measure. We can barely contain the excitement and pulsating energy of what will be undoubtedly, a power-packed gathering – Excellence and Innovation at its best“.

About WSI – we simplify the Internet:
With a network of over 1500 offices in 87 countries, WSI is the leading provider of Internet solutions to small and medium sized businesses the world over. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, WSI provides affordable Internet related services and technologies that deliver maximum return on investment for businesses. In 2007, WSI is the proud recipient of 3 Standard of Excellence Awards at the Annual WebAwards Competition organized by the Web Marketing Association (WMA). The company has held the Number 1 spot in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 listing for 6 years in a row. Leading US based industry business publication Success Magazine listed WSI in its ranking of “Top Ten Franchises We Love”. Europe’s leading business franchise directory, Franchise Europe ranks WSI as Number 1 under the Computer, Electronic and Internet Services category of their Top 500 Franchises list, as also amongst the coveted Top 100 franchises in Europe. For more information about WSI’s offerings and business opportunities, please visit our websites at www.wsimarketing.com or www.wsiconsultants.com

February 2007: Being a global leader and the #1 Rated Computer Technology and Internet - Based Franchise is definitely a major achievement in a mass of other technology - based franchises. But when Entrepreneur Magazine hands out the distinction of #1 Franchise in Canada—people really take notice.

WSI, an Internet consulting service for small to medium sized businesses, has recently been given the honour of #1 Franchise in Canada by Entrepreneur Magazine. As Entrepreneur Magazine states, “WSI is without question a real franchising success story. In little more than 10 years in business, they have continued to grow dramatically as a global leader in the Internet Industry. Entrepreneur Magazine (January 2007) has recognized WSI as the #1 Internet and Technology Franchise and an independent assessment of the Franchise 500 reveals that WSI is also the #1 Canadian Franchise overall.”

As a leading Internet Franchise Service, WSI boasts 1500 franchisees in 87 countries, proving their business system is more than effective and efficient. Many small and medium sized businesses are finding the benefits of using WSI to improve their company’s status. By offering a strategic and patent pending system, WSI is able to strengthen their client’s business, advancing them into the future. But this is not possible through a website alone; other mediums are used as well to ensure the client receives the best possible service. And, because of the increased usage of the Internet, there is a growing demand for people to own a WSI franchise. People in small and medium sized businesses are realizing that, to keep up with the heavy weights, they need some guidance in the area of moving their business forward. They need to have someone show them the opportunities available and take them each step of the way. To assist a company of a smaller size and help them become a success is imperative in today’s world, especially when the bigger companies can pay whatever is necessary to get the outcome they seek. The smaller businesses aren’t afforded as many resources to choose from and are now looking to the professionals of WSI to lead them into the future.

This rapid growth demonstrates an increased need for people to take the helm of a WSI franchise and lead other businesses to successful outcomes. Through a patent pending system called LifeCycle, WSI is able to offer its franchise owners an effective method with which to assist their clients. WSI trains and certifies their Internet Marketing Consultants in the ever-expanding area of Internet Technology, providing them with whatever support is necessary to have their own successful WSI franchise.

Some of the WSI services include:

Consultation
Design
Development
Hosting
Optimization
Site Registration
Review of Connectivity
Training
Marketing Support
Being thorough with the franchisee training and certification ensures a successful business for anyone interested in starting their own WSI franchise and assisting those businesses in their own community. The more WSI franchises there are, the better chances of survival that a small and medium sized business has.

WSI’s clear vision and forward thinking have also dubbed them 4th fastest growing International Franchise and 6th Top Global Franchise. The honour of Entrepreneur Magazine’s #1 spot for Internet and Technology Franchise is definitely a boon for WSI. Being recognized for consistently building a business and offering solutions that work has proven WSI to be a driving force in the Internet Franchise business.

###

If you would like more information about the WSI franchise business opportunity, please visit www.wsicorporate.com, or contact Elizabeth Miranda at emiranda@wsicorporate.com call (905) 364.1215.

World Talk Radio Interviews WSI President Ron McArthur

- WSI’s ‘Freedom Franchise’ Is a Unique Opportunity for Franchisees to help SMEs in their local market harness the power Internet-

December 15, 2006 – Toronto, Ontario.   WSI Internet Consulting & Education President Ron McArthur was a recent guest on World Talk Radio’s “Franchise Interviews” program to discuss WSI – the largest Internet franchise serving small to medium sized businesses (SMEs) in 87 countries worldwide.  In the interview, Ron gives insight into the WSI Business Opportunity and the history of the Internet and its impact on businesses and our day to day lives.

Ron McArthur, as WSI’s President, is well-positioned to discuss the stages, or generations, that the Internet has evolved through.  From the first stage of ‘brochure-ware’ websites that were flat and limited to today’s interactive, functionality-rich websites, the Internet has changed dramatically since the mid-1990s when WSI was founded.  As the Internet changes the way we do business, Ron details why the WSI franchise opportunity is a unique one for entrepreneurs, giving them the tools and proven system they need to help small to medium sized businesses achieve unprecedented success online. 

Ron explains how the WSI opportunity is as unique as the over 1500 WSI Internet Consultants around the world.  Coming from business backgrounds as diverse as sales and marketing and information technology, WSI Consultants understand the needs of their SME customers. They are entrepreneurs helping entrepreneurs – that’s what makes a WSI Consultant so special. Ron believes that all successful entrepreneurs possess the desire to be their own boss and be successful, which means being a sales person, project manager, marketer, book keeper and administrator. 

WSI Consultant franchisees receive extensive training and ongoing learning opportunities to keep them ahead of the pack with leading edge technologies.  Ron explains that he believes that the Internet is still in its beginning stages, and that there is no limit to how it can change our day to day lives. That’s why WSI has expanded to become the largest provider of Internet Solutions to SMEs in the world, and why he says WSI has no plans of slowing down.  The WSI franchise opportunity is open to anyone with the entrepreneurial spirit who wants to join a team, working together with other professionals to follow a proven system to get a jump start on developing a business and realizing success.