Doing Small Business In Saskatoon, Canada

by Yank Elliott, MBA & IAHBE
Staff Writer

Saskatoon, the largest city in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, is an area particularly
supportive of the entrepreneurial spirit, including small and home-based businesses. Anyone
wanting their own business can easily learn the basics and obtain personal mentoring if they want it. And there seem to be a lot of people in the area interested in all kinds of businesses, including MLM and network marketing.
Those who have been around these businesses for any time at all will recognize
Tom “Big Al” Schreiter, a very capable recruiter and publisher of helpful information for the MLM and home-based business market

“Big Al” told me how he decides where to go for his workshops. His newsletter has 50,000 subscribers around the world and he gets feedback and develops a feeling where many of these entrepreneurs are located. Saskatoon is one such place. You can see his workshop schedule and maybe find something to help you in your own business here. The fact that Tom Schreiter would come all the way up here from Texas means there’s a lot of business enthusiasm around here.
A high-percentage route to business success is to copy the success of others!
Pay attention to the ideas or reasons behind the entrepreneurs we discuss, and this article may give you a successful idea.

Saskatchewan grows half of the entire volume of Canada’s major export crops: wheat, oats, barley, rye, flaxseed and canola. Saskatoon is at the heart of this market, providing a variety of services and products to the farm sector. Mining is also an important part of the economy. The Saskatoon region is the world's largest exporter of uranium, and nearly two-thirds of the world's recoverable potash reserves are located there as well. Value added food processing is one of the fastest growing industries in Saskatoon, which is considered the agriculture biotechnology capital of Canada. Saskatoon was named "one of the best cities in Canada for knowledge based businesses" by the Globe and Mail in 1995 and has continued to develop its expertise.

Data supplied by the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority show Saskatoon economic growth No. 1 among Canadian cities. Because Saskatoon is in the middle of so much agricultural and mining activity, many small businesses are required to provide goods and
services to those working in these industries. As a result, twice as many building
permits have been issued than in the previous year. Business licences increased
almost 13% which included—GET THIS—23% more home-based business
licences. Saskatoon is more friendly to home-based businesses than appears on the surface. When I first read Bylaw No. 8075 I realized it covers EVERYTHING one might do at home including
strictly Internet e-commerce, MLM, and party plans. Then it became apparent
the licence fee is just $95 CAD with renewal usually $70 CAD which are negligible
sums for the privilege of operating a business. Home-based operations must be
profitable or they would not have increased more than 20 % a year! The opportunities
are certainly here.

The government and others provide readily available help for those wanting to start their own
business:

Starting a Home-Based Business

City of Saskatoon, Development Services

Urban Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program

Business Financing for Western Canada

Saskatoon Public Library – Business & Finance

Saskatoon Credit Union – Micro Loans For Small Business

Canadian Rural Information Service – Microcredit Pathfinder

Saskatchewan Advanced Technology Association – Opportunities and Government Procurement

SourceCAN Partnering & business opportunities network

Canada Business – Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Incorporated

These are sources of business training:

University of Saskatchewan Extension Division

University of Saskatchewan College of Commerce

Saskatoon Business College

Academy of Learning (Business, Computer, and Career Skills)

CDI College in Saskatoon (Business, Technology, Health Care)

Saskatchewan Program (Self-Employment Training)

Here are a few examples of home-based and small businesses in the Saskatoon area:

Usborne Books at Home in Canada

iTracks (Began as home-based business, now much larger)

PrairieWebs.com Home of prairie Websites (Website design services)

Small Biz eWorks (directory of Saskatoon home-based and small businesses)

Isagenix International

Cooper Virtual Office Services

Colony House Bed & Breakfast

Baobab Zulu Crafts

Amway Products Distributor

Complete Custom Computers

Herbalife Products (in Saskatoon)

Shaklee Independent Distributor

The area around Saskatoon obviously has many opportunities for a home-based business. We show
a few of these to illustrate the diverse business ideas abounding in this rural
area. The ones shown all have Websites, but there are numerous kinds of businesses
without a web presence. There are also many professional businesses we have
not shown such as doctors, lawyers, accountants, and psychological services;
these businesses are often operated as a home-based business. With all the ideas
shown—including MLM, arts and crafts, virtual assistants, and book sellers—you
should be able to develop a business idea of your own or expand your existing
home-based business. While researching articles I almost always discover one
or two new concepts to incorporate into one of my Websites. You can do the same.

Keep an open mind and pick one or two ideas to develop. You may find the niche that is right
for you and pave the way to your own financial security.

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Yank Elliott. All rights reserved worldwide.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yank is a home-based entrepreneur and freelance business writer living in Hurricane
Alley, North Carolina, USA. His Website is http://www.furriwhalesworld.com.
Contact Yank at globalbiz@furriwhalesworld.com.

 

THE SECRET TO DOING BUSINESS IN MALAYSIA

by Gobala Krishnan, IAHBE Staff Writer

 

One of the most important aspects of business etiquette in Malaysia and Singapore
is the diversity and complexity of cultures and subcultures you'll need to understand,
in order to not stand out like a sore thumb. The uninformed business traveler
may find the rules to doing business in Malaysia starkly different, even when
compared to Malaysia's closest neighbors like Thailand and Indonesia.

Being in the strategic center of historical friends and business partners such as
India and China—and not to mention the British empire's role in the development
and liberalization of the country—Malaysia's main population consists
mainly of three major populations: the Bumiputera (Malays) 65.1%, Chinese 26.0%,
and Indians 7.7%. Although some basic rules apply to all people when doing business
in Malaysia, special care needs to be taken when addressing each ethnic population's
individual customs, beliefs, and business etiquette.

On a general note, you may find business owners and associates in Malaysia tend
to do business only with friends and people they trust or like, so it is an
important point to understand and practice some
simple tips when interacting or negotiating with a Malaysian business person.

GUIDE TO DOING BUSINESS IN MALAYSIA

One common mistake most people make is to address a Malaysian by his/her last name.
In Malaysia, especially among Malays and Indians, most people tend to have only
one name, with middle names a rarity, and the last name usually being the name
of a person's father. Although it may be common practice in the Western world
to formally address a person using his or her last name, in Malaysia doing so
can obviously be considered rude, since you would be addressing your business
partner's father. Instead, the safer option would be to stick to a person's
first name, even in formal situations

Naming patterns is a small but nevertheless important point to note. The Chinese usually
have their surname up front, followed by their actual name, which are usually
two words. Addressing a Chinese by his/her surname can be considered rude unless
you have a strong existing relationship or you're actually requested to do so.
The Malays are known by a given name followed by "bin" [son of] or
"binti" [daughter of] plus his or her father's name. Indians traditionally
do not have surnames. Instead, both males and females use the initial of their
father's name first, followed by their own name.

When completing contracts or any type of business form in Malaysia, a column for
"last name" is usually not required. Using the "first name"
and "last name" option would only create confusion, if anything, since
some names consist of more than three words. Some Malaysian names can also be
difficult to pronounce. So, if in doubt, clarify the pronunciation with your
Malaysian counterpart.

MAKING INTRODUCTIONS

When conducting meetings or making introductions, most Malaysian men are open to
handshakes, but it pays to be careful when dealing with the opposite sex. When
making introductions to Malaysian women, only offer your hand if a handshake
has been initiated by the other person. Otherwise a polite smile and nod will
do.

When passing around your business card or receiving it from others, these important
points need to be followed:

1) When you get a card, don't just shove it into your pocket or bag. Instead, study
the card for a while before putting it away. Not paying attention to the card
before putting it away may be considered rude by your Malaysian hosts.

2) When giving your card to a Malaysian, always present it with the print facing
upwards, with both hands if possible.

3) It is best if your card is printed in English, with a Chinese version on the
back, since most Malaysian businesspeople tend to be Chinese.

NEGOTIATIONS AND DECISION MAKING

On your business trip to Malaysia, you may come to realize just how polite and
hospitable Malaysians can be. While that's a really a good thing, the other
side of the coin is that the same politeness is often carried forward to business.

One glaring aspect of it is that you will hardly hear anyone say a direct "No"
when negotiating a business deal. Even if they really mean to say "No,"
it's usually in the subdued form of "I'll have to think about it"
or "That sounds good, but...". It's important that you take these
hints and start your conversation on another path. In other words, when you
hear you Malaysian counterpart hesitating, it's time to switch to Plan B.

Another point to note is that deals are rarely concluded on the first meeting. It's
better to take your first meeting with a Malaysian business person as an introduction
and relationship-building experience, and follow-up with at least another meeting
before you can expect the deal to be closed. Establishing a productive business
relationship requires a long-term commitment, and even when the deal is closed,
you can expect some further negotiations to take place. In Malaysia, unlike
in the U.S. or most western countries, negotiating even after a contract has
been signed is perfectly normal.

Generally Malaysians tend not to express their feelings openly, so avoid being emotional
or letting off steam in public. Keep your cool and refrain from showing that
you are upset. According to Executive Planet (http://www.executiveplanet.com/),
"Losing face," that is, being embarrassed or losing control of one's
emotions in public, has negative consequences in the Malaysian society. Therefore,
avoid embarrassing your Malaysian host by any means necessary. Malaysians will
tend to look upon you as a confident person, and feel more comfortable dealing
with you, if you keep your anger or frustration under control and your emotions
out of the public eye.

SPECIFIC TRAITS OF THE MAJOR ETHNIC POPULATIONS IN MALAYSIA

As I mentioned, Malaysia is a multicultural society, and even if you have been
to China or India, you may find that the Chinese and Indians in Malaysia are
quite different. The infusion of the separate cultures has led to a more "Malaysianized"
subculture that applies to everyone. However, individual differences do exist,
and anyone who wants to do business in Malaysia can take good heed of these
general guidelines:

Malays
- The Malays tend to be quite governed by and bonded to Islam and the rules
of the religion. It is important to note that Islam is the official religion
of Malaysia. In any event, with Malays, alcohol and alcoholic beverages are
not encouraged. The same goes for pork, which is altogether forbidden by Islam,
and the presence of dogs, which are considered "dirty" by the religion.
Exposing too much of your skin is also considered taboo, so dress moderately
and appropriately.

Chinese
- The Chinese make up much of the business world in Malaysia. They can be considered
superstitious when concerning dates and numbers, so expect quite a few changes
to the plan. Some numbers, especially four and 14, are considered bad for business,
and will be avoided at all costs. Many Chinese in Malaysia speak English, but
they don't get too hung up on the grammar and pronunciations. Their version
of English is often called "Manglish" or Malaysian English.

Indians
- The Malaysian Indians have traditionally held posts as government officials,
lawyers, and educators. The majority of them speak proper English, albeit with
a heavy Indian accent. Cows are sacred to the Hindu Indians, and having beef
at meals should be avoided. If you're not sure if your business counterpart
is a Hindu, Buddhist, or Christian, it won't hurt to ask. Indians usually have
the worst punctuality problem among the three populations, and "Indian
Timing," a catch phrase and joke in Malaysia, usually means anywhere from
15 minutes to half an hour late.

CONCLUSION

Doing business in Malaysia is quite an interesting experience when you follow the
basic guidelines mentioned above. Always plan your trip in advance, and allow
a gap of one or two days between your arrival and departure to get to know your
Malaysian counterparts better and focus on building the relationship first.
It would also be very beneficial if you had a key contact person or business
partner in Malaysia, either as an intermediary, representative, or as a guide.

SOURCES
AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONMalaysian
Department of Statistics

http://www.statistics.gov.my/

Malaysia
Business Etiquette

http://www.executiveplanet.com/business-etiquette/Malaysia.html

U.S.
Commercial Service Malaysia

http://www.buyusa.gov/malaysia/en/7.html

U.S.
- ASEAN Business Council

http://www.us-asean.org/malaysia.asp

WorldBiz.com

http://www.worldbiz.com/bizmalaysia.html

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Gobala
Krishnan is a staff writer for the IAHBE, and an Internet marketer based in
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His Website is at http://www.gobalakrishnan.com/.