Resources for business networking
There are resources you can tap into, free of charge that will help you expand your network and find new customers.
In this chapter
A great resource is the Trade Commissioner Service, a tool the federal government offers to Canadian companies looking to export. With more than 1,000 trade commissioners located in 161 cities around the globe, they can provide the latest on-the-ground market intelligence, provide practical advice on foreign markets and help you make new contacts.
The TCS has privileged access to foreign governments, key business leaders and decision-makers because it is part of Canada’s embassies and consulates. Its business contacts include potential customers, distributors, sources of finance or investment, technology partners and intermediaries.
“The Trade Commissioner Service is the starting point for any Canadian company looking to go global,” says Sauvé. “I use the Trade Commissioner Service to get an understanding of what’s going on in a market, but it can also help me get in front of some people and provide me with leads.”
In addition to the TCS, a few provinces have international representatives looking to help companies from their respective regions. Ontario, Quebec and Alberta have their own trade-ready representatives in strategic markets around the world.
Export Development Canada (EDC) is an excellent resource for Canadian companies looking to start or enhance their export journey. If you sell products or services outside of Canada or invest in foreign markets, the Crown Corporation can assist you. It offers a range of finance, insurance and bonding solutions to Canadian exporters and investors doing business worldwide and also provides market intelligence and on-the-ground assistance.
One excellent program is EDC’s Connections – which connects Canadian businesses to international supply chains using its deep understanding of the Canadian export community and relationships with global buyers. Through one-on-one meetings and events in Canada and abroad, it facilitates business introductions that can help you break into a new market and reduce your business development costs.
It creates these valuable business introductions by collecting information on your company and matching your capabilities to the specific needs of your global buyers.
EDC also has a repository of country market information and as mentioned earlier, its Market Entry Advisors resource is a great starting point for companies looking at entering new markets.
As mentioned previously, associations can be a great resources for building international networks. While you can start with Canadian organization, you should also consider associations and chambers of commerce in your target market.
Access a list of Canadian industry associations here.
Here are a few examples of organizations operating in different countries around the world:
Asia Pacific Loan Market Association (APLMA)
APLMA is the only pan-Asian, not-for-profit trade association dedicated to promoting growth and liquidity in the primary and secondary loan markets of the Asia-Pacific region. APLMA provides their members with access to standard primary and secondary loan documentation, committees and sub-committees, extensive databases and events.
Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce (BCCC)
BCCC links players from private and government sectors who work together to strengthen bilateral trade and investments between Canada and Brazil. BCCC offers its members access to country and industry-related events, direct access to high-level private and public-sector representatives from Canada and Brazil, as well as financial assistance and government support services.
Canada China Business Council (CCBC)
CCBC is the country’s Canada-China bilateral trade and investment facilitator, catalyst and advocate. It brings more than three decades of experience and business relationship-building to its members. CCBC offers its members direct operational support in China to trade and investment advocacy on its members’ behalf, networking opportunities, business intelligence, business and advisory services and access to events.
Canada-India Business Council (C-IBC)
C-IBC seeks to deepen the relationship between Canadian public and private sectors and their Indian counterparts. C-IBC offers exclusive briefings, advisory sessions, marketing opportunities and access to events to their members.
Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Mexico (CCCM)
CCCM helps their members by combining their experience, ample network and work efficiency expertise in the Mexican market. Commercial support information and access to events is also provided.
Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC)
ICCC promotes and facilitates trade and commerce between Canada, India and other countries around the world by creating relationships and links with global business organizations. The chamber provides members with a forum for networking, sharing ideas, information and experiences to promote mutual business success. ICCC also creates learning opportunities through seminars, workshops and conferences.
Canada-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce
CanCham is a voluntary business association dedicated to assisting companies and individuals doing business in Vietnam. Its aim is to provide members with business support, education and a social environment for the purpose of exchanging ideas, sharing expertise among members and building on experiences.
SUMMARY: Ready-made resources for Canadian exporters
- Companies don’t have to go it alone in building international networks. Many resources exist to help
- The Trade Commissioner Service offers more than 1,000 trade commissioners located in 161 cities around the globe
- Export Development Canada is a complete toolkit to help Canadian exporters – with networking and everything else needed to go global
- Many industry associations, chambers of commerce and government organizations exist to help companies build networks
We always hear about how important networking is in the business world. Nowhere is it more important, though, than within companies hoping to expand to global markets.
Building the right connections is essential for taking a company global.
Connecting with the right people and companies can put a company expanding overseas on the fast-track for growth.
But building those connections is more than making a well-placed phone call or signing up with the first company that offers to connect you in a given country. You need to make sure you do your homework to ensure the connections you make lead to trusting and valued long-term partnerships.
In this e-book we explained strategies and tactics companies have followed in building those networks. Many of them will work for others. Ultimately, though, it’s up to each company’s leaders to decide which connections will help plant the seeds of sustainable growth into the future.