Growing Your Small Business with an e-business Solution

Sponsored by VISA: Key Speaker: Bill Di Nardo, Founder and

CEO Of Grocery Gateway

He will discuss how Grocery Gateway has established itself as

a leading on-line grocery e-retailer.

The Sutton Place Hotel, Toronto: 7:45 am - 9:00 am

Now 24

Design: The Creation Solutions for E-business

Sponsored by march FIRST. Key Speaker.^- Peter Mosley, Partner and Creative Director, march FIRST '1'f t^-. Mosley who has consulted to many blue chip companies will share his company's expertise in creating brands via the Internet The Sutton Place Hotel, Toronto: 7:45 am - 9:00 am

Enlarge your business vocabulary

Brand Торговая марка

Business environment деловое окружение

Consult v. Консультировать

Creative director Художественный директор

E-business (E-commerce) Торговля через интернет

E-retailer Предприниматель (фирма), занимающийся розничной

торговлей через интернет

Founder Основатель

Impact Влияние

Logo Логотип

Sponsor v. Спонсировать

State Состояние

Stationary Бланки для письма

Modern business usage Jargon

То be on а roll - to be in the midst of а series of successes

е. g. The bicycle industry is on a roll.

Blue chip company - а large company that has а high value

е. g. I buy nothing but shares of Blue chip company

Chunk of а market - а large piece of а market

е. g. Lower-cost producers have seized а big chunk of а gro­wing market.

То soar - to rise very high

е. g. Sales are soaring very high.

То turn around - to undergo a major dynamic change

е. g. Anti-dumping duties imposed on China turned things aro­und.

Importing and Exporting: Starting a Business

Launching a business is a very important step in your life. It reqiures nerve and faith and a lot of sensible preparations. Sensible preparation implies an examination of the reasons for wanting to enter this business, an evaluation of your personal qualifications to make it a success and development of a clear understanding of the particular activities in which you will take pact.

1. Why are you thinking of launching a business?

Some people start an import-export business because they want to make money, to travel, to get business experience, to gain prestige, to be their own bosses. You should identify what your main goals are and whether this business will help you reach them. Young businessmen sometimes make the mistake of thinking that international trade is a simple venture - just buy something in one place and sell it in another. But it's much more than that. A successful businessman should enjoy the main activities involved in international trade, namely: purchasing, marketing, domestic and international trade procedures and management.

2. Do you plan to import, to export or both?

Most people start out by either importing or exporting, and sometimes go on to develop the other side of the business. Importing is a popular option. Perhaps, it is because it's a common belief that to buy is easier than to sell.

3. What products do you plan to trade?

It's not always easy to choose the right kind of product. You should select goods that you understand and enjoy working with. These goods must be available, easy sellable, transportable. These criteria are sometimes conflicting. You may find a delicious ice-cream and milk products in Denmark, but be unable to sell it in Japan, because of high transportation costs.

4. What is your target market?

You need to think of who will buy your products, the best distribution channels which will help you to get the products to the final users. Without a doubt, selling chemical fertilizers is a good business, but you will only waste your time trying to sell them to farmers who grow healthy food products.

5. What means of international transportation do you plan to use?

You must make up your mind whether you want to ship your goods by land, air, or sea, to use scheduled or other carriers. You may also use air and sea mail and couriers. When signing a contract with foreign partners, pay special attention to handling. Shipping and insurance. Who will pay the charges for them?

6. Which method of international payment dо you plan to use?

An import transaction usually has to be worth a few thousand dollars to be profitable. А very high percentage of international transactions are paid for in currency, rather than goods, and perhaps, as much as 90% of world currency transactions arc in US Dollars. Barter and related transactions should be avoided by small-scale businesses.

The studies show that most new businesses fail within а year or two. Unfortunately, there is no magic answer that will ensure your success, but, be as sure as you сап that you are right for the business you are planning and the business is right for you.