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Search results

  1. maleek

    NEW B2B BUSINESS in a BOX

    MARKETPLACE 
    You started your business in 1988 so is it still going to work today?
  2. maleek

    How Do Agencies Get Clients?

    I used to cold call into business all day. Info USA and LinkedIn were my friends for lead list building. Then when I got bored, I would go visit them in person. Trade shows, and luncheons are good as well. http://www.meetup.com/ and your local chamber of commerce are probably the best bet in...
  3. maleek

    Best way to hire Business Development Person

    EXECUTION 
    Having seen many business owners go through this before, here are my thoughts: It's tough hiring a pure commission sales person. Most salespeople today enjoy having a base salary in the event that they have a bad month, etc. Pure commission jobs typically attract entry level salespeople with...
  4. maleek

    Everything You Need to Know About Sales: Part 1

    MARKETING AMA 
    Here's a few sales related questions: Do you have advice on hiring a BDR (business development rep)? I'd like to do more prospecting, however the daily operations of the business get in the way. I'm in the process of outsourcing some that, so I can continue to grow the company. I'm debating...
  5. maleek

    Supplier China vs India

    India, in general is much more difficult to source anything from then in china. The only people that I know who have successfully done so, have literally gone to India to over see the packing and shipping process. They also got to see the quality of the products first hand.
  6. maleek

    Dispute with a Chinese supplier (Importing)

    SOURCING RANT 
    In my opinion: eat the $700 for now. Create a good working relationship with the supplier. If problems arise down the road, negotiate then.Negotiating the supplier down in price from the jump leaves you less wiggle room down the road. Lastly, I know this can be frustrating. But whatever you do...
  7. maleek

    The Licensing Game

    GOLD! 
    I'll be following this for updates! Is this particular deal for a client, or for yourself?
  8. maleek

    No Such Luck

    EXECUTION 
    A friend and I had a conversation today. He runs an eCommerce herbal store, and I am in the process of learning the licensing game, thanks to Vigilante's thread. During our conversation, he said he wished there was a way, other then SEO, to promote his product. I asked him if he had thought of...
  9. maleek

    Sharing my lifetime experience in export/import. Product sourcing specialist.

    GOLD! SOURCING 
    Have you ever tried reach out to a manufacturer and ask for a tour of the factory? I find that's a relatively easy way to find out if they're the real deal or not
  10. maleek

    Canadian E-commerce entrepreneurs?

    PEOPLE 
    I totally agree. I was shipping everything my Canada post out of pure laziness, to be quite honest. It wasn't until I reviewed statements, and thought to myself "there has got to be a better /cheaper solution" that I phoned fedex & DHL in the same day. I chose DHL ultimately because of the...
  11. maleek

    Canadian E-commerce entrepreneurs?

    PEOPLE 
    My rate is volume dependent, There isn't any 'set price' so to speak. But they chopped approx 37% off what any standard account's rate would be. I hope that helps.
  12. maleek

    Canadian E-commerce entrepreneurs?

    PEOPLE 
    I personally use DHL, they gave me a great discount & service when I opened my account and here's why: They obviously need your business, but they don't want you to know that. I was upfront and let them know that I was also in negotiations with Fedex I had to act bigger then I was. I...
  13. maleek

    Got myself into another project...

    EXECUTION 
    Just thinking out loud, If you rent them, you would have to ensure that the length of the rental agreement would cover the cost of the scale. Say for example that the rental agreement is a year, but they cancel 4 months in for whatever reason. Now you're screwed because your equipment hasn't...
  14. maleek

    The Licensing Game

    GOLD! 
    Nvm, Figured it out! school of hard knocks here I come
  15. maleek

    Sharing my lifetime experience in export/import. Product sourcing specialist.

    GOLD! SOURCING 
    This is kind of an afterthought, but still relevant: Something that saved me extreme heartache was that I found a customs broker that was familiar with Chinese customs, and spoke the language! Quick horror story: I once did a bulk order from a Chinese supplier who forgot to include the original...
  16. maleek

    Sharing my lifetime experience in export/import. Product sourcing specialist.

    GOLD! SOURCING 
    Before I respond, I just want to say I'm not trying to steal the AMA, just simply trying to help: 1)Here's a general guideline that I follow for people just starting out: Electronics. Electronics have a high probability of failure, somewhere around 60%. Generally, if you think in terms of...
  17. maleek

    Help... caught in Alibaba hell!!! LOL

    I would just like to add some pointers, in addition to Walter's post above mine: 1) Make a throw away email account, you may be added to email lists and potentially receive countless emails a day. 2) Fake it until you make it! (sad but true) -Pretend to be your own Secretary. It allows you to...
  18. maleek

    The Licensing Game

    GOLD! 
    Vigilante, What a Killer post! Thanks so much! Unfortunately for me, I became blinded by celebrity. Because he was a artist whose music I personally enjoyed, my initial thought was "It would be cool to work with him!" However, I never really took into account that he certainly caters to a small...
  19. maleek

    The Licensing Game

    GOLD! 
    I'll give a general background about the situation, in case people are wondering. The artist I'm pursuing for this specific deal, is a rapper. The merchandise I'm looking to license is based on his catch phrase. Because the artist has an upcoming CD, I pitched the merchandise to be sold as a...
  20. maleek

    The Licensing Game

    GOLD! 
    Just wanted to post an update, I spoke with the agent today on the phone, the conversation lasted aprox 3-4 mins. Always have your numbers ready! The agent asked me my cost, ROI, time to market, distribution channels, target audience etc. She asked for a formal proposal, which I will prepare...
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