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Doing Business In USA
by Greg Balanko-Dickson on March 14, 2007
When I worked for in the Canadian Automotive after market, we imported the majority of our inventory from US manufacturers.
Over the years many US oil field companies have purchased Canadian oil field businesses. We speak the same language, watch the same TV programs, and do a lot of transborder shopping. I was thinking about this quote and had to ask the question, "How do Canadian and US cultures differ?"
"Most Canadian businesses that come to the U.S. fail," says Brown. "They think the culture is the same - and it's not." Via Canadian Business
Over the years, I have got to know many US business owners and can say I feel very comfortable with American business people. While I agree that the US and Canadian cultures are different I am not sure I can point to many specifics.
I have noticed that US business owners are more focused, deliberate, and direct than many of the Canadian business owners I have known. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the US market being 10 times larger than Canada's which requires US entrepreneurs to be more aggressive.
What do you think? What has been your experience?
Permalink: Thinking of Expanding to the US?
Trackback: http://publish.creative-weblogging.com/publish/mt-tb.pl/58073
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Vote for Thinking of Expanding to the US?:
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Rating: 7.67 out of 3 vote(s) cast.
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Response from:
Phil Renaud
(03/15/07 1:34pm)
Response from:
Greg Balanko-Dickson
(03/15/07 7:28pm)
If the market and industry are 10 times bigger than Canada is it safe to say that the competition is a1so times larger and more competitive?
Response from:
Small Business Loans
(05/02/07 6:11pm)
I think, without question, there are important similarities between the two countries that help make Canadians and Americans comfortable neighbors and good business partners, nevertheless there are substantial cultural, social, historical, economic and political differences that could have a significant impact on the way U.S. companies do business in Canada or with Canadian companies.
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If the ratio of industry to market is that much more drastic in the states than it is in Canada, then this is understandable. But, simply having a larger market does not imply that a business owner must be more aggressive.
My take on cross-border business issues comes from sunny Windsor, Ontario, where from my window I can currently see the GM renaissance centre in Detroit. It's a funny feeling being here, like you're a part of neither larger culture, but a very small, dynamic one.
It's a strange brew.