The face of manufacturing in our region is changing rapidly, with greater changes on the horizon. A formal industry network is needed to bring manufacturers together to increase competitiveness, share best practices, solve common challenges, and identify and address market gaps and export opportunities.

Through networking and educational events the Manufacturing & Export Enhancement Supercluster will address concerns such as the slow adoption of new technologies, lack of collaboration between companies and institutions, limited access to equipment, lack of awareness of new technologies, and the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The cluster will include manufacturers of all sizes, primarily in the petroleum, energy, agriculture, and commercial sectors.

“Forming this partnership presents a fantastic opportunity for all of Alberta’s manufacturing sector. RDC is proud to provide expertise and resources through our Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing, joining forces with Innotech Alberta, the Alberta Additive Manufacturing Network, and Access Prosperity to support both our region and Alberta’s economic wellbeing.”  Joel Gingrich, Dean, School of Trades and Technologies, Red Deer College

Partners for the Manufacturing & Export Enhancement Supercluster include Access Prosperity, Innotech Alberta and Red Deer College’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing. The supercluster will originate in Central Alberta and expand outwards.

The Manufacturing & Export Enhancement Supercluster has already seen significant interest from industry and government funding and the partners continue to explore appropriate funding options and partnerships.

“With the anticipated success of the manufacturing cluster, we foresee similar initiatives with complimentary industry sectors in the future.” Pam Steckler, Access Prosperity

–

Access Prosperity

The post Access Prosperity Joins Forces to Create Manufacturing Supercluster appeared first on Access Prosperity.

Parts 2 through 4 of the series launched by Community Futures Central Alberta, Central Alberta: Access Prosperity, the Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network (CARIN), MNP, and the Central Alberta Economic Partnership CAEP) are planned in the coming months. Future sessions will address business needs as the COVID-19 situation evolves, focusing on adapting to the new situation, implementing changes, and growing to meet the needs of a changed economy. The City of Red Deer’s economic development division has also been an integral part in the initiative bringing a municipal perspective and expertise to the team.

“The Regional Resilience series responded to an urgent need among our industry partners as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. These seminars are the type of initiative that RDC is proud to be a part of. They were delivered in a timely, impactful and community centred way. We look forward to participating in the ongoing economic recovery of the region either in partnership with organizations or by leading in educational opportunities.”  Dr. Peter Nunoda, President, Red Deer College

“Olds College is proud to participate in the Regional Resilience series. The speed that these workshops have come together, the collaboration between CARIN organizations in Central Alberta, and the variety of speakers that participated emphasize the strength of the Central Alberta region. Olds College is looking forward to continuing to participate in the Regional Resilience series and building our economy to be stronger on the other side of this pandemic.”  Stuart Cullum, President, Olds College

“Entrepreneurs, whether they be small business or big industry require resilience to succeed. A key driver of resilience is support and Community Futures is excited to be a partner in the Regional Resilience series to empower entrepreneurs and to provide additional resources as we move through the stages of economic recovery together.”  Kelly Kierluk, General Manager, Community Futures Central Alberta

“Access Prosperity and Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP) are proud to be part of the team which has developed the Regional Resilience series to provide relevant business support and future economic stability through the central Alberta economic development ecosystem. Up-to-date information in the current crisis environment followed by programming will enable companies to emerge and evolve in a post pandemic environment stronger than before.”  Pam Steckler – Managing Director of International Engagement, Access Prosperity & Kimberley Worthington – Executive Director, Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP)

“MNP have lent their knowledge and expertise to review governmental programs and give regional businesses confidence in an uncertain economy. MNP’s assessment of how resources apply to specific industries is on point and helps central Alberta businesses make informed decisions. With offices across the central region, our Canadian firm is proud to support business and economic development in our region, because it truly benefits all central Albertans.”  Doug Stroh, the Regional Managing Partner for MNP Central Alberta.

Thursday, April 30th from 9:45 am until noon is the final session in part 1 of the series and will focus on navigating resources and networks for the healthcare industry. Registration is open to those who work in the industry.

–

Kimberley Worthington
Executive Director
CAEP

The post Virtual Regional Resilience Series Helps Business Navigate COVID-19 appeared first on Access Prosperity.

As the need to expand and grow our economy becomes more and more prevalent, we have some advice as to what SME’s can do to prepare themselves for the exploration of new markets. These tips should be considered BEFORE exporting can begin!

1. As many company’s have noticed in the 21st century, is that your employees can make or break your business. A company that has a poor culture, with employees who are not committed to the business and its success are doomed to fail under strain. That is why the first step in setting up international trade and exports is to build up your own house and promote a positive culture where all cogs in your machine will work well together; providing the added bonus of goodwill within and outside of your newly expanding enterprise.
2. The second and arguably most important step in capturing a new market is to develop the capacity and ability to cater to a larger set of customers. This entails creating the facilities required for new orders as well as having staff that can shift with the company’s new direction and thrive in a more dynamic environment. If we cannot manage the new stress this endeavor will bring, we must look internally and build up our foundations to support this new load before we can look outward.
3. Knowledge is key! There are many different laws on how business should be handled outside of Alberta. This can include taxes, how importing and exporting goods across borders will affect you, and if there are any restrictions with your products in that environment to just name a few. While Access Prosperity and our International Business Development (IBD) Program will without a doubt be a great resource to gather information on new markets from and hear advice of veterans to the process, already having an idea of what you want to sell, where, and what differences you will need to be aware of can be an invaluable advantage in speeding up the progression of your expansion hassle free.
4. Our concluding tip in prepping to break into a new area of the world is the ability to capture your target markets attention and be able to distinguish yourselves from the rest. In a word, your company needs “polish”. A smoothly running website is becoming a near necessity for businesses.  If people can’t find a reason to visit your store with the convenience we are used to, you may find difficulties in gaining new supporters. Having professionally done marketing martials, quick and easy online support, and an exterior finish that shows you are a company that is capable and can be trusted, will prove to be vital assets in your mission of expansion to new markets.

It can be challenging to expand your business and can understandably seem like a scary step for some but with any luck, this list has given you the courage to start the groundwork needed.  You may have even decided to get outside help with the process of making your company able to grow, by getting in touch with us!  While this is not a comprehensive list of everything that you will need in order to grow and succeed, hopefully this will put you on the right track to plan for the future and bring your enterprise to the next level.

–

Garrett Griffin
Practicum Student
Central Alberta: Access Prosperity

The post Tips on How to Set Up Your Company for Expansion appeared first on Access Prosperity.

Identify opportunities and send them to Canada

Trade Commissioners are in contact with their local companies; they know when companies are looking for solutions to problems, products to import, or potential partnerships.

Connect businesses to suitable partners

Ms. Liu explained that the benefit of finding a partner overseas, rather than attempting to enter the market on your own, is that partners already have relationships with end users (customers). Potential partners can be vetted by a Trade Commissioner to ensure you are dealing with established, reputable businesses.

Pictured, left to right, are Darrell Greenman (President/CEO/Founder of Ages Thermal Processing Corp), Tara Frisken (Project Coordinator, Access Prosperity), and Liu Xin (Manager & Trade Commissioner for Xiamen, Fujian Province, China) at the Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce. 

Connect businesses with Trade Commissioners in other areas

Not interested in Fujian Province? Ms. Liu can connect you with her counterparts in other parts of China. Don’t rush to jump to a connection in one of the more obvious centres like Beijing, however. Fujian Province has a population of over 38 million people in an area less than a fifth the size of Alberta. Keep in mind that the population of Canada is just under 37 million.

Share projects with investors

Ms. Liu accepts investment-ready project descriptions that she can share with Chinese investors. She also points to the Canada China Business Council as an access point, and Access Prosperity currently accepts investment ready projects to include in our Project Portfolio, which we share with investors when we travel.

Speaking of travel: having recently hosted a visitor from China, we are headed to the 19th China International Petroleum & Petrochemical Technology and Equipment Exhibition in Beijing. Wish us luck as we represent local companies and our region to foreign investors!

–

Pam Steckler
Managing Director of International Engagement
Central Alberta: Access Prosperity

The post What can a Trade Commissioner do for you? Lessons learned from the Trade Commissioner of Xiamen appeared first on Access Prosperity.

Several local and federal dignitaries were on hand to greet the delegation. Blaine Calkins, Member of Parliament for Red Deer – Lacombe and Earl Dreeshen, Member of Parliament for Red Deer – Mountain View were both in attendance.

“Central Alberta has so much to offer, we are truly blessed with so much opportunity and possibilities for growth,” said Calkins. “The Ambassador’s visit today clearly identified opportunities and synergies between our two nations. I look forward to continuing the conversation with our friends in Thailand and creating new and exciting possibilities for our province.”

Also on hand were Red Deer County Mayor Jim Wood, Red Deer County Counselor Christine Moore, and Red Deer City Counselor Laurence Lee.

Along with other economic development professionals and companies with an interest in Thailand, Access Prosperity’s Pam Steckler, Managing Director of International Engagement, attended as a representative of communities and companies in the Central Alberta region.

Steckler said, “The Ambassador’s visit was important to the region because it acts as first step in the relationship building process. Thailand has a sizable manufacturing sector which could offer opportunities for partnerships with Alberta companies in the same space. There are also opportunities for Alberta companies in the agricultural space, as food security is a global concern.”

Steckler mentioned the possibility of assisting companies that would benefit by a mission to Thailand. Companies with such interest are encouraged to contact Access Prosperity at [email protected] or 403.356.4935.

The post Visit from Ambassador of Thailand first step to new trade relationship for Alberta appeared first on Access Prosperity.

According to Susan Morrison of Tundra Petroleum Services, Tundra’s journey started when they began to receive requests to participate in tenders with overseas companies, from Oman to Australia to Eastern Europe. In the beginning, they did nothing, but one day the team asked themselves, “Do we want to look at this?”

Tundra attended a Canadian Council of the Americas (CCA) event regarding energy in the global market. Canada’s Ambassador to Mexico, Pierre Alarie, was a speaker. He spoke with such warmth and passion about Mexico and the opportunities there because of the Energy Reforms; the Tundra team was inspired to research Mexico and Latin America as potential target markets.

Tundra had originally been researching Oman, Romania and Ukraine, and there was very good potential for success in all those countries. However, Mexico had some benefits the other countries didn’t. Geography, NAFTA, the values Canada and Mexico share, ease of transition for both Tundra’s people and equipment in terms of the environment as well as ease of transportation. The big question was, was there work there for Tundra?

Tundra was invited to participate in a Canada / Alberta Trade Mission to Puebla to the CMP (Congreso Mexicano de Petroleo), Mexico’s largest annual oil and gas show. Tundra did not find a partner during that trip, but they knew there was work for them in Mexico. Before Tundra’s team left they had registered for the next event, The Oil & Gas Review Summit; they were going to go and learn everything about the energy reforms.

In between those events Tundra contacted everyone they had met during the trade mission; the other companies that had participated, the embassy, and everyone from the show. They were introduced to many more people and planned to meet them on the next trip.

Back in Canada, Tundra participated in every relevant event possible: conferences, seminars, and webinars. They kept in contact with everyone they met. Tundra planned another trip to Mexico, this time to tour areas and facilities, meet more companies, re-establish contacts face to face and continue searching for a partner.

Tundra travelled to Mexico once a month. When they felt uncertain, they reached out to resources. These resources were the people who were not only willing to listen, support and encourage, but who would also go above and beyond in an effort to keep things moving in a company’s chosen direction.

Tundra met with Pam Steckler and learned about Access Prosperity in August 2017 at the “Entering Strategic Foreign Oil and Gas Services Markets” event. A week later they met to discuss Tundra’s plans for international expansion. Pam’s excitement, support, knowledge and experiences were greatly appreciated. The most valuable thing Access Prosperity did in assisting Tundra to reach its goal was being available as a resource that could support Tundra with knowledge and experience.

Tundra wants to expand to all of Latin America. The original countries of interest (Oman, Romania, and the Ukraine) are not off the table either. Tundra is a small company and simply doesn’t have enough resources yet to take on more international projects.

We had one last question about Tundra’s experience: What would you say to other businesses considering international expansion and participation in Access Prosperity’s International Business Development Program? Here is Susan Morrison’s reply:

If you want it to be quick, fast and easy, don’t do it.

If you thrive on challenges and learning, do it.

If you have the humility to accept the beauty of other cultures, do it.

If you have the time, money and resources to invest, do it.

If you think someone can do it for you, walk away before you start.

If you are still going forward, build your support system, at home and abroad, do not discount anyone. I believe that had I been aware of Access Prosperity sooner we would have been ahead in the quest to become international. We would have had more support, knowledge and experience.

The hardest part of going global, in my personal opinion, is understanding the culture of the world you wish to be a part of. It is not just learning the basic language, laws and regulations; it’s understanding the belief system, the values of the people and the country. Having the support of people at home who have been in countries of interest is invaluable.

Developing an international business strategy with Access Prosperity is smart business.

In 2017, Access Prosperity launched our International Business Development (IBD) Program. The focus of the program is helping Central Alberta businesses explore new and diversified markets, and we have done so through direct business coaching, business to business matching, focused training, and trade mission/trade show assistance.

There are four phases to the program: Readiness Assessment, Exploratory Research, International Business Participation, and Assessment/Aftercare. The phases form a cycle where companies can enter at any phase and re-inject themselves into the program when they choose to explore a new target market or goal.

Contact Access Prosperity today to start your international business development journey.

–

Pam Steckler
Investment Attraction and Business Development Officer
Central Alberta: Access Prosperity

The post An International Business Development Success Story: Tundra Petroleum Services appeared first on Access Prosperity.

1. Have professionally printed promotional materials, along with electronic versions.

Some cultures appreciate printed versions of marketing materials more than others. During the Agri-Trade Equipment Exposition in Red Deer, I helped lead a Chinese delegation on a tour of the show; they were quick to pick up printed materials and were disappointed when we came across booths without brochures or fact sheets.  Whenever possible, provide translated materials.

2. Arrange for shipping/transportation of trade show materials well in advance to avoid last minute issues.

With our offices being located inside Red Deer College, we deal with the college shipping and receiving department but arrange our own pick-ups by courier. We always have to remember that the good people down in shipping and receiving need advance notice of our shipments. I’m sure your organization faces its own challenges when it comes to shipping, so plenty of lead time is never a bad idea.

3. Research cultural customs.

For example, Asian cultures expect you to accept a business card with both hands and inspect it. Both hands must be used when giving a card as well as it symbolizes a complete connection for business. Giving or receiving with one hand indicates a lack of commitment to the business relationship. Some companies can unknowingly sabotage a business connection by not understanding certain cultural nuances.  

4. Know what your document requirements are and what you need to know when crossing an international border.

Do you need a visa? What will you tell border officials? A Globe and Mail article on the subject urges not to tell U.S. border officials that you are traveling for pleasure if you’re really there to do business. Our travel agent provides information on visas but we are responsible for going through the application process ourselves. This also requires a lot of lead time.

5. Arrange appropriate accommodations.

Whenever possible, make plans to stay in the same hotel as other mission members or fellow trade show attendees. That means making your booking as soon as an announcement of this information is made.

6. Be prepared for early mornings and late nights.

Networking with both international leads and fellow Canadian companies happens at social events in the evening and scheduled events often begin early in the day. Some cultures pride themselves by their extreme levels of hospitality which can lead to overindulgence. Combined with jet lag, this schedule can test your endurance.

7. Avoid jargon and localized phrases.

An inc.com piece on this subject cautions you to be aware that common expressions we use in Canada may not mean the same thing in other countries. Since it is impossible to know in advance all the instances there may be a miscommunication, be prepared to be an active listener. If someone reacts unexpectedly to something you say, it might be an opportune time to reword your statement in more concrete terms.

8. Stay Connected.

inc.com also urges you to be aware of the technology you will need to stay in touch with people back at home: power adapters, special cell phone plans, skype, etc. In China, Google (and therefore Gmail) is off limits. When in China I’ve taken to using the WeChat app to keep in touch with both business contacts as well as my colleagues back in Canada. My WeChat ID is equally as important as my email address on a business card, if not more so.

9. Acquire the appropriate currency.

Although you want to be prepared to use your credit card, tripit.com cautions you to get cash as soon as possible (even before you leave) in case you are unable to use your card.

10. Use a travel agent with 24 hour emergency support.

If flights are delayed or canceled, let your travel agent make the necessary arrangements. Although Access Prosperity now deals with a travel agent, in the past we’ve had to deal with canceled flights and other complications ourselves on the fly. When my colleague and I were returning from a trip to the U.S. in 2016, our flight was canceled and then the re-booked flight was delayed. We had to make hotel arrangements and try to stay on top of our changing schedule, which would have been much easier if we had the help of a travel agent.

BONUS TIP…

DO NOT ATTEMPT to present in another language if you are not fluent or have not had professional coaching. I have witnessed a company try to pitch in Mandarin: they were met with resounding laughter from the audience when trying to speak on a topic that clearly wasn’t intended to be comical. In some languages, there is a very fine line between explaining a business objective and insulting the grandmother of everyone in your audience.

Those are my tips for business travel – what are yours? Tweet or post to Facebook your business travel tips and tag us @AccessCentralAB.

–

Pam Steckler
Investment Attraction Officer
Central Alberta: Access Prosperity

The post 10 Tips for Preparing for an International Mission or Trade Show appeared first on Access Prosperity.

National Geographic recently published a piece about sustainable farming in the Netherlands. Using cutting edge techniques, the small country has managed to increase their production while decreasing the amount of resources needed to grow their crops and raise livestock. According to the article, the Netherlands is “the globe’s number two exporter of food as measured by value, second only to the United States, which has 270 times its landmass.”

Sustainable, high-yield, low-resource farming seems to be the way of the future. How are the Dutch already achieving such success? And why should Central Alberta agribusiness embrace sustainable practices?

Sustainable farming: How?

Agricultural Technology

Huge greenhouse complexes, futuristic farming equipment, seeds produced through molecular breeding (avoiding the hot-button issue of GMOs), and even cell-phone apps that measure the properties of soil… these are all tools employed in the Netherlands’ farming industry to keep operations sustainable and high-yield.

There are sure to be signs of this kind of technology at the aforementioned Agri-Trade Equipment Expo, held in Red Deer, Alberta in November of each year. Along with showcasing the latest in equipment and technology, Agri-Trade focuses on innovative agri-business operations. According to an Agri-Trade press release, “exhibitors are invited to enter their newest ideas and advancements into the Ag Innovations awards program… A panel of innovative farmers and business people look over each submission and pick the very best to highlight.”

Spearheading Institutions

Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in the Netherlands has spearheaded a program they are calling “Food Valley” (a reference to Silicon Valley in the US); the project is “an expansive cluster of agricultural technology start-ups and experimental farms.” There are “more than a thousand WUR projects in more than 140 countries.”

Here in Central Alberta, Olds College will be home to the Werklund Agriculture Institute; the Olds College website states that “Olds College will provide access to land and facilities so that researchers, entrepreneurs and start-up companies can test, demonstrate and scale up their Smart Agriculture technologies, products and services.” Olds College is also home to various Research & Innovation Facilities and a Crops and Horticulture division.

Government Buy-In

The piece in National Geographic informs us that “almost two decades ago, the Dutch made a national commitment to sustainable agriculture under the rallying cry ‘Twice as much food using half as many resources.’” That kind of buy-in in high places makes a difference.

We can see that our government is making a similar commitment and backing it up with programs that help farmers update their operations:

Agr.gc.ca describes a new program to help agri-business become sustainable. Launching in 2018, “the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) is a five-year, $3 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector.” The program will provide funding for six priority areas including “[helping] industry use science and innovation to improve resiliency and increase productivity” and “enhancing sustainable growth while increasing production.”

A Smart Agri-Food Supercluster is set to receive government funding in Alberta. The Supercluster intends to “accelerate agri-food innovation efforts through a unique collaboration framework.” The collaboration of thought leaders in agriculture and agri-foods is just what we need to spearhead a sustainable agriculture movement.

Sustainable Farming: Why?

A growing demand

The National Geographic article revealed a startling fact: “By 2050, the Earth will be home to as many as 10 billion people, up from today’s 7.5 billion. If massive increases in agricultural yield are not achieved, matched by massive decreases in the use of water and fossil fuels, a billion or more people may face starvation.” Why not become part of the solution?

Increased productivity means increased profits

It seems like simple math. Though there will obviously be costs associated with upgrading equipment and practices, we can hope for the aforementioned government buy-in to support innovative farmers in the form of grants and loans.

Compliance with future regulations

There’s nothing like planning ahead; think of it as future-proofing your business. In a world increasingly concerned with green initiatives and sustainable growth, one can expect that regulations in the not-so-distant future will include certain standards of practice. Agribusiness can fast forward to a future where factors such as sustainable water usage and pest control are no longer issues to be resolved.

What do you think? Are you inspired to take your agribusiness to the next level of innovation?

–

Pam Steckler
Investment Attraction Officer
Central Alberta: Access Prosperity

The post Sustainable Farming: How and Why? appeared first on Access Prosperity.

The post Access Prosperity Receives Excellence in Economic Development Award appeared first on Access Prosperity.

Canada has Free Trade Agreements with 14 countries other than the U.S.

Free Trade Agreements (FTA) are treaties that reduce trade barriers between Canada and another country. Issues covered under a Canadian FTA range from traditional trade issues like tariffs to areas such as intellectual property.

The Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union has been ratified but is not yet in force. Countries with FTA already in force are:

• Chile
• Columbia
• Costa Rica
• Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland (Canada-European Free Trade Association)
• Honduras
• Israel
• Jordan
• Korea
• Mexico
• Panama
• Peru

Trade is possible even with countries not covered by an FTA

In fact, according to an article by The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, more Canadian firms are trading with China, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam, along with other non-U.S. markets.

There are agreement types other than Free Trade Agreements that facilitate trade with foreign markets. For example, China and the United Arab Emirates have Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (FIPA) in force. FIPAs protect foreign investors and ensure that they have full control over capital and returns. Vietnam, on the other hand, is included in a World Trade Organization agreement. WTO agreements help businesses function in the international marketplace.

Is yours a Small or Medium-Sized Enterprise? You’re in good company!

According to Statistics Canada, the majority of exporters in Canada are SMEs; 97.4 per cent, to be precise. Nearly 41 per cent of Canadian merchandise exports by value are exported by these SMEs. According to smallbusiness.alberta.ca, small businesses make up 95 per cent of all businesses in Alberta. An article by the Canadian Press states only 4 per cent of Canada’s small and medium-sized enterprises are exporting; imagine the impact if more of these businesses were to start exporting. It can start with you.

Diversifying markets can improve your bottom line

According to this piece by Policy Options, SMEs that export to emerging markets perform better on average than those that export to other foreign destinations. There is higher risk associated with emerging markets, so be cautious. Do your research and seek advice.

On the flip side, if emerging markets are too risky for your tastes at the moment, you can start closer to home. The Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) is coming into force. In a statement released June 30^th, 2017, Economic Development and Trade Minister Deron Bilous stated the CFTA “is a crucial piece that will help create a more open and stable marketplace across our country.” If stable is more your speed, think about expanding into other provinces.

If you are ready to start exploring new markets, domestic or foreign, contact us for more information about our International Business Development (IBD) Program. We will give you the contacts, expert advice, tools, and training you need to export your products or services.

–

Pam Steckler
Investment Attraction Officer
Central Alberta: Access Prosperity

The post 4 Reasons to Diversify Export Markets appeared first on Access Prosperity.