Archive for March, 2010

March 24th, 2010

Wal-Mart Sustainability Index

As part of a summit on sustainability in Vancouver last February 10, Wal-Mart has announced this summer’s introduction of its sustainability index in Canada. This is the first country outside the United States, where Wal-Mart will introduce the program to its network of 44,000 suppliers. This program was launched in 2009 in the United States at the request of Wal-Mart customers for sustainable, efficient, effective and safe products that are manufactured responsibly. By creating this program, Wal-Mart will contribute to the transparency in the supply chain while stimulating innovation and making it easier for consumers to compare products. The program will be set up in three phases. First, suppliers must complete a detailed questionnaire assessing a variety of topics concerning energy and climate, the efficiency of materials, resources, community, etc. Providers will assign themselves a rating to each of their answers. The second phase will collect data that will be shared with a consortium of universities to collaborate with suppliers and retailers to develop a comprehensive database on the products life cycle. The final phase will provide consumers a simple way to evaluate products and allow them to buy responsibly and to ensure transparency on the products quality and history. You will find at the following link, Wal-Mart Sustainability Index, detailed information on this program and you can download the questionnaire. This questionnaire is a useful guide to better position yourself even if you do not deal with Wal-Mart.

Samir Naoum

March 8th, 2010

Only a few weeks following the launch of our new Training and Coaching Sales Program, we are proud to announce promising results with two companies from Laval.

Thanks to this personalised program, Mr. André Brissette from Pyxis Technologies reviewed his market segmentation strategy for its new product Talia. This training has allowed Mr. Brissette to realize how he could concretely increase its sales. For Mr. Nicolas Bourgeois from Citagenix, the training was useful to start a new original incentive program for its sales representatives. Citagenix’s new program aroused enormous interest from the sellers and the supplier.

“Consultants selected by the International Business Centre have a concrete and solid experience on the field. For that reason, I strongly recommend this Training and Coaching Sales Program.” declares Mr. Brissette. He also adds that the three day practical format is very interesting. As for Mr. Bourgeois, he has found it very useful to brainstorm on his own business practices: « Working with consultants coming from different business cultures allows us to come up with new ideas. »

Are you looking to maximise your sales? If so, please contact me. There is only one place left!

Caroline Bouchard

March 5th, 2010

Have you ever thought about offering your products to the over 2,000 health establishments in the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico?

A few weeks ago, I attended the 9th edition of Export Alliance along with three Laval companies – Orbi Construction Group, Bone Structure and Jean-Pierre Robert Steel – where they had an opportunity to rub shoulders with 23 potential construction industry buyers from around the world.

It’s at events such as this that you find interesting organizations like the Greater New York Hospital Association Services (GNYHA Services). If you’re looking to penetrate the U.S. healthcare market, the GNYHA Services can make it easier for you to sell to over 2,000 health establishments. In fact, GNYHA Services strives to provide a portfolio of high-quality products and services to its members at the lowest cost. As such, when a member looks for products and/or services, they can see what you offer.

Follow these steps to find out if you qualify as a GNYHA Services vendor:

1-      Click this link to see what products GNYHA Services members are looking for;

2-      Then click here to learn more about the selection process;

3-      Complete the Prospective Supplier Questionnaire in order to provide GNYHA Services with information about your company.

Marc Victor, GNYHA Services’ director of support services contracting, told me that it’s much easier to become one of their suppliers if the company already has sales experience in the health sector.

If you have questions or would like to be introduced to Marc Victor, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Caroline Bouchard

March 1st, 2010

Doing business in France

Despite the economic slow down, Europe still represents a very interesting market for Laval exporting companies. Moreover, according to our 2009 statistic survey, 31% of Laval exporting companies are doing business in France and 22% affirm they wish to develop this region.

According to MDEIE, in 2008 France was ranked third among the European countries in terms of export market for Quebec goods behind the United Kingdom and Germany. The value of Quebec good in destination to France exceed CAN$ 1.3 billion, a 11.7 % growth compared to 2007.

Because of it linguistic and cultural proximity, France should normally represent a natural market for Quebec organisations. However, entrepreneurs often explain to me how they find it difficult to do business in France.  Bureaucracy and slow decisional process are the main barriers mentioned that finally exasperate Quebec entrepreneurs, more costumed to doing business in North America.

I would like to share with you two guides (Invest in France and the Guide de la Délégation générale du Québec à Paris) that could be of interest if you target France as an export or investment destination. I also invite entrepreneurs to share their experience and questions. I am curious to know more about your impressions regarding France.

Guide d’Invest in France

Guide de la Délégation générale du Québec à Paris

Bruno Séguin