|
Author: Cheryl Lockhart Article source: http://www.articletrader.com/. Used with author's permission.
I have been very fortunate to travel to several countries of the world while on business - countries I may have never visited on a holiday. There are pros and cons to working/doing business in a foreign country vs. visiting as a tourist but I have found it to be very rewarding. I have made many friends, been invited into many colleagues' homes to meet their families, dined on local specialties, and seen all the local attractions (I've been to the Giza pyramids three times - see photo on the right) because business partners are always proud to show you their country. After all, don't we always take visitors to Alberta to the Rocky Mountains? Foreign business delegations traveling to Calgary always schedules time to go to Banff, often timing it to coincide with the weekend.
So even though I don't sell a product, I do consider myself an exporter. That is because I am exporting my experience and knowledge - basically I export a service. Many more Canadian service companies (and consultants), from environmental companies to engineering firms, could be exporting, but aren't.
Here are four ways to get started.
1. Consult.
Consulting overseas is essentially exporting a service. For many Canadians the obvious first step is to examine the opportunities offered by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) - the executing agency of Canada's $2.87 billion aid program.
CIDA funds various development programs, some of which are administered and implemented directly by the recipient government and others by Canadian partners. In either case, experts are required for some aspect of the project. In my case, over the past year I have spent a total three months working in Indonesia providing export-related technical assistance to garment manufacturers in Bali.
To work with CIDA, all consultants must be registered with Consulting and Audit Canada. However, CIDA does not directly contact everyone and therefore it is useful to know the partners that cooperate with CIDA, and luckily a list of non-governmental organizations (NGO) is available on the CIDA web site (type 'voluntary sector division' in the search box, choose the first result and then click on 'Links to CIDA's partners').
CIDA also publishes a list of all its current bilateral projects which includes the name of the primary partner organization, the value of the project and time remaining. You may be able to offer your services to these organizations. From CIDA's home page, click on 'Projects' and then 'CIDA's contracts and agreements.'
Once you have gained experience working with CIDA, many international financial institutions such as the World Bank also hire consulting firms to plan, manage and evaluate their projects. For example, right now there is an Expression of Interest for a "Country Environmental Analysis" for Vietnam. It also helps to cultivate contacts within the World Bank as contracts under $100,000 are not publicly posted.
Even if you are not in the "development" business, think about what expertise you can offer to other countries.
2. Partner Overseas.
Very few companies are successful overseas if they do not have a local partner, regardless of whether they are selling a product or a service. The format of a partnership in services exporting (i.e. joint-venture, strategic alliance, equity agreement) is not necessarily the prime consideration but the Canadian company must take the time to determine what they need and want from their foreign partner. Someone to identify and pursue leads? Labour to undertake certain aspects of the project? Administrative assistance? Insight into local laws and customs? Language support? Competitive intelligence? The Canadian partner also needs to consider what they bring to the partnership. New technology? Expertise? Financing?
CIDA has funding available for Canadian firms developing partnerships in developing countries under its Industrial Cooperation Program.
Do you have a unique technology in demand overseas but are reluctant to start exporting? Don't assume all of the responsibility yourself - find a local partner and reap the benefits.
3. Network Locally.
This method for entering new markets is probably one of the most overlooked, despite its low risk. Every Canadian company working overseas is outsourcing some aspect of the project, usually to someone they know and trust - often one of their domestic suppliers. For example, most Canadian oil and gas companies have operations overseas as well - often in remote areas that require housing and catering. Rather than relying on local capabilities, they generally contract their camp services to well known Canadian firms, thus ensuring the comfort of their workers - because a camp full of unhappy and miserable oil rig workers is not a good thing!
Take a look at your current clients and see if any of them are doing business overseas.
4. Teach.
Everyone is aware of the opportunities to teach English overseas, which is what my sister is doing right now in South Korea (see photo at left). She signed her contract through a Toronto-based agency which is essentially exporting her knowledge of English and Canada (she has actually sung O'Canada to a room full of junior high kids, with no accompaniment!). At the post-secondary level, countries that are rapidly expanding their education systems are demanding skilled teachers and partnerships with foreign institutions in all professions. China and the United Arab Emirates are two that come to mind. However, it is not only within the formal education system that teaching and training opportunities emerge. The same issue of Canadian Business that printed my exporting advice (June 6 - 19, 2005) features a scantily clad model on its cover (I guess sex sells even business magazines) with the line, "The Business of Becoming China's Top Model." After four years of working in China, where white skin is highly valued (and here in North America millions are spent on tanning lotions and tanning salons - go figure), Canadian model Tracey Grebinsky is working with a local talent agency to: 1) train Western models about the complexities of working in China, and; 2) educate Chinese firms about the business of modelling (i.e. contracts, choosing a "look", working with agencies, etc).
Re-evaluate whether you have an exportable service. I'm a big believer that almost anything can be exported.
So pack your bags and get ready for an international adventure.
Copyright© 2005. Cheryl Lockhart of International Strategies Ltd. assists small- to medium-sized Canadian and foreign enterprises navigate the complexities of global business development. Services include international project identification and management, market research and analysis and foreign partner development.
To learn more about exporting and gain access to more FREE e-zines, visit her web site http://www.intl-strategies.com
Draw Backs with Low Carb Diets
Low carb diets can be a good way to kick start your weight loss but can have lot of undesired effects in the long run. Read more about these effects before tryi...
Working With Your Real Estate Attorney
Purchasing or selling a home will probably be one of your largest and most important financial transactions. Before signing a contract to purchase or sell a ho...
Celebrating Fathers
On Father's Day, we celebrate the guys in our lives. Not just our dads and the fathers to our children, but all the men who have made a positive impact on a chi...
Building a Strong Business Relationship
When it comes to business and sales, building a strong relationship is critical. The stronger your relationship is with your customer, the more likely they will...
Website Woes: Top Five Offenders
Learn how you can improve your website from the mistakes of others.
10 Red Flags In Dating Relationships
When starting a new relationship, many women (and men as well) tend to overlook some behaviors in their new partner that do not bode well for the future. Then,...
Exercises For Mom And Baby
Most women will benefit from exercising with their baby. Not only does this help keep baby calm and content, you have the added benefit of carrying around a few...
Shih Tzu - Color And Appearance In the Beginning And Now
A brief look at shih tzu color favored by the Imperial Palace. Why was the "golden" color so favored by the early Chinese fanciers and breeders?
Pay Per Click Advertising the Sandbox and SEO
Most new websites jumpstart their traffic with a pay per click advertising campaign, especially new sites that fall victim to the Google "sandbox". Before I go...
Professional SEO: Hand Off to Bob or Outsource the Job
Professional SEO can be performed effectively in-house or outsourced. However, there are several criteria you should consider before attempting to perform searc...
Business Writing: When Not To Be Professional
It's time to write your next ad or brochure. Maybe some web content. You'd better think twice before trying to write like a "professional."
Email Marketing: 8 Reasons Why It is Ideal for Small Businesses
The use of email marketing has had a profound impact for companies looking to promote their products and services, and has been especially powerful for small an...
Fast Cash Now Easier Than Ever, but at a Price?
Because of the Internet, quick payday loans are faster than ever before. Quick payday loans will really get you out of a fix, because quick payday loans arrive ...
Pierre Dupont de Nemours
Like my ancestor Rufus King and a few other Ministers Plenipotentiary we have reason to question their acts. Pierre the Physiocrat initiated Jefferson into the ...
How To Write More Powerful Reports
Writing reports is something most of us need to do in business. Here, professional business writer Suzan St Maur shows you how to make yours more effective -- a...
Cost Averaging - It Makes Sense (Dollars & Cents)
Can you survive your investment strategy? Here are some thoughts on how to invest using the "cost averaging" technique.
The Four Smartest Ways to Spiral Your Website Traffic
While pay-per-click may be a good business model for your website, there's nothing like free traffic to lay the foundation. Following are the four best ways we...
A Fast Way to Find Clients
So you've gotten the training certification, made up your business cards, and started your web site. You've discovered your niche, and you have been marketing -...
Sex - is It a Naked Violence or an Eternal Truth?
We often crave for sex but are we going the right way? Let's find out...
UAV Carrier Launch with Landing Gear Up
Landing Gear on aircraft create one hell of a lot of drag, which if you are trying to slow down to land can be a very good thing. But if you are trying to get t...
A Crash Course In Tarot For Newbies #1 - All About the Cards
The Tarot is not just a divinatory tool, but it can also be utilized in the appropriately trained hands as a tool for providing counsel and advice with which we...
After WLS: Silica Vitamin Helps Slow Hair Loss
Hair loss usually occurs in the fourth of fifth month following weight loss surgery. Many patients report favorable results from taking a silica tablet.
Why Should We Get Kittens as Pets?
Kittens are and have always been adorable creatures. Of course, these youngsters are also playful, naughty and mischievous as well. Perhaps that's the reason wh...
7 Tips to Help You Avoid Buying a Destructive Soap or Cleanser if You Have a Skin Problem
Learn what to look for when buying soap, why sensitive skin gets irritated from "cheap" bar-soap, and the 2 natural chemicals to fight infection that will destr...
|
Print this page