How do I go about doing business in Asia and Africa? What is the best way to start getting leads?
We are looking to start training and recruitment services business in Asia and Africa. Looking for leads or consultants who can help us get leads for the same. Thanks!
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Aug 5, 2014
Hi Smriti - we do a lot of lead generation work in Asia and Africa and I'd be happy to discuss how we might help your business.
Please do drop me a line or give me a call
Regards
Chris
+44(0)7453 301799
Aug 4, 2014
My first thought is to be careful and avoid generalisations. Doing business in China is very different to making progress in Japan.
To start with I think you need to consider three potential avenues. Initially I would undertake an environmental desk top scanning exercise; allocate say 30 minutes a day to read the FT, access research, industry magazine and keep it all in a file - review the file every10 days or so and you might be surprised at how quickly your knowledge builds.
Secondly there are all manner of Govt agencies that will or are prepared to help. The DTI or whatever its latest incarnation is has a raft of experts. The CBI helped me in China and their office in Beijing is excellent. All are good at helping with the "who?" and the pace of progression.
Thirdly - market entry can be easier with an established partner with good access to local knowledge. However, this can be challenging and accordingly I would spend some time getting the criteria agreed on which to assess potential partners.
Both Asia and Africa are huge geographies and accordingly it might be worth thinking about relative market attractiveness; why would Zambia (say) be more attractive as a geography than say Vietnam? This is something that needs a more structured approach than can be accommodated in a feedback forum like this.
Good luck
Roger
Aug 4, 2014
Will you be establishing an office within those locations? The location is a success factor in many aspects of your business not only in establishing a network but also in administrative matters.
Aug 2, 2014
The best way is to contact the local consulate or embassy to meet their commercial services reps and get introductions to companies in your target sector. Roll out the "welcome wagon" when they visit your city and build relationships which will open doors faster when you visit their HQ. During the 1980s, Dataquest dominated the Japanese semiconductor market research market in 4 years by using our "welcome wagon" approach at home, getting over 50 corporate clients in 6 years and 450 senior executives at our annual conference in Japan.
Aug 2, 2014
We did the same thing in South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore since business people there prefer building personal relationships before doing business.
Aug 2, 2014
In 6 years, 70% of Dataquest's new semiconductor clients came from Japan and Asia.
Aug 2, 2014
Hi Smiriti...I am a consultant in Iran and run a training/consultancy company here. I also seek markets in other countries or form partnerships with companies that are aim to partner up with us. LinkedIn had been a great platform for me to search for people/companies that are doing the same thing as you do. Though its difficult to do business in Iran if you are not local, you can collaboration with local companies that are ready to promote your business here (our company does so, if you want).
Wish you the best,
Pouria
Aug 1, 2014
First rule, do not generalise Asia as one. Remember if we can accept Europe as an area of multiple languages and cultures, Asia is even more so.
Some countries there are very advance and morden and other not so.
Language and cross cultural communication must not be over look.
Its a long game.
If you're not confident with that, my advice is to work in partnership with a local or someone with local knowledge.
As for leads surprisingly some of the government agencies there are very helpful.
Aug 1, 2014
Contact and help support Global Vision Junior Team Canada. These bright & focused your people are the next generation of business people; they will take your questions, ideas, concerns to the countries abroad and they are connected to the Ambassadors with answers. Help them help you.
Aug 1, 2014
The same way that you would approach other other global markets via Google and other search engines.
Aug 1, 2014
Hi Smriti,
I have some of my friends who have started similar business in India and Asia. I help them with leads in Corporates. We can chat more to see if we can work with each other. Usually the starting point is reference or F&F.
Regards
Aug 1, 2014
Hello, sent you a message.. pls let me know the best way to connect… thanks...
Aug 1, 2014
First you discuss on social networks e.g face book, LinkedIn, etc and at the same time construct web portal according to your business idea,...after that you have any confusion then think for joint venture with natives firms,...
Just one further thought or comment - there is a McKinsey report which was issued late last night which argues that Africa is set to be "the world's second fastest growing economic region." It might be worth getting hold of that report.
Kind regards
Roger