Partnership offers. Offers from foreign companies

When looking for business ideas that work, aspiring entrepreneurs often turn to the experiences of others. One of the most popular ways to find a business idea is to look at what is happening abroad.

It’s just worth considering that markets different countries are still very different from each other. It’s one thing to have developed economies like the USA and Singapore, which are head and shoulders above other countries in terms of development, and quite another to have Iran and Bangladesh, which are developing at a rapid pace, but only follow global trends, and do not set them.

Already today on the Russian market you can find a lot of ideas that have been picked up abroad. They differ only in the degree of borrowing. You can simply copy someone else’s idea and expect it to “take off” due to the lack of competitors. “Success abroad does not always mean success in Russia. Couponers and some sharing services were so unlucky,” says Mark Kapchits, founder of the courier delivery management service Bringo.

This once again demonstrates that even the most fashionable and creative foreign idea may not be in demand in Russia. But the whole point is that it is simply not interesting to the local population. In addition, you need to understand that a Western startup and a Russian startup are two different things, and take into account the specifics of your country: a different level of bureaucracy, state support, legislation and even the mentality of the population.

There is no point in blindly copying a foreign idea. But it still makes sense to be inspired by examples from other countries, and then adapt them to the Russian market. We invite you to familiarize yourself with business ideas from abroad that promise to become especially popular in 2016.

Booking Platforms

We are all somehow familiar with the Airbnb service, which allows you to rent an apartment in another city or country while sitting at your computer at home. However, when it first appeared in 2008, the service itself was new. Now this market is actively developing, and analogues of Airbnb are appearing in other industries.

Services like Airbnb, aimed at vacationers and travelers, are already successfully developing the market, but services aimed at business owners and allowing them to rent work space for a short time are just beginning to appear.

At the same time, the workspace refers not only to the usual offices and conference rooms, but also, for example, places for yoga classes.

At the same time, there are many other areas where online booking platforms could be created. Currently, the most attractive and unoccupied niche in terms of profit is platforms for booking venues for events (birthdays, corporate events, weddings). Such a service can bring good income, if you manage to attract enough cooperation a large number of site owners and potential clients.

This is proven by the example of the Russian service for booking venues for parties BASH!Today, which in just 7 months of operation carried out transactions worth more than 11 million rubles.

It is worth mentioning right away that the service was not copied from abroad.

Mikael Sahakyants

Founder of BASH!Today

The idea for the business was born after deciding to hold a party one Sunday evening. The desire to gather guests and have a lot of fun ran into one obstacle: the lack of a suitable venue. In the end, we managed to find it, but during the search process I realized that I was far from the only one who was faced with the problem of lack of a suitable place for holding events.

I didn’t search for similar services in Russia or abroad until last fall. But in our country, until recently, there were no such services.

I can say that the world does not yet have a strong player in this area, such as Airbnb. The niche has not yet been occupied, especially in Russia.

Today the BASH!Today service works only in Moscow, but it is planned to expand it throughout the country in the near future.

However, you still have time to open something similar in your city. Or master a slightly narrower niche, for example, selecting venues for weddings. Projects with a broad focus only partially cover the theme of wedding events, but a service aimed strictly at places where you can have a wedding can become very popular.

"Smart" technology

For decades, people have dreamed of a future in which refrigerators would automatically order food that was about to run out. But for now, most of us, in the old fashioned way, take a piece of paper with a list of groceries with us to the store. Moreover, today most devices can be monitored in one way or another using a smartphone.

But for now we are only skimming the surface: most of us do not go beyond using Fitbit. This is why creating smart products is a great business opportunity.

To make a device “smart,” you often just need to add a sensor and the ability to transmit data via Bluetooth. And an example various accessories for fitness, which allow you to monitor your heartbeat, breathing, and the number of steps taken per day, proves that making almost every accessory “smart” is beneficial.

Many people today track their activity and performance using watches, headphones, clothes and shoes

A quick look at the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter, which can be used to determine which startups are generating the most interest, shows that many new “smart” devices are about to conquer the market. Among them, for example, a luggage bag Neit with tracking capability via GPS and device WiFithing, which remotely monitors the heating and lighting in your apartment.

In the near future, there will be an increase in the number of devices that will allow buyers to improve their kitchen without spending money on it. big money. Among such inventions Smarter Mat- a rubberized mat that can be placed in a refrigerator or cabinet, and with its help you can find out which products placed on it are about to run out. With your permission, this device can even order these products from an online store.

Another similar device - The Fridge Cam- can be built into any refrigerator. It takes a photo of what's in the refrigerator, along with the date, and sends it to special application in your smartphone. And finally, Smarter Detect- a device that responds to signals from your oven, microwave or dishwasher and sends a notification to your smartphone.

Natural and organic cosmetics

Buyers increasingly prefer natural and organic cosmetics. According to the British marketing agency Mintel Natural beauty products are used by 42% of buyers. The British believe that organic products are better for the environment.

And besides, today it is more important than ever for customers what exactly is included in their cosmetics. To see this, just visit the exhibition, where natural, organic, ethical (not tested on animals) beauty products from all over the world are presented. In February 2016, it attracted 33 thousand visitors.

It is obvious that natural and organic products are a key trend in the development of the beauty industry in the coming years. At the same time, there is a growing number of products that look like they were just made right in the kitchen, but at the same time reflect the latest cosmetic trends.

The easiest way is to start your own home production of natural cosmetics

Many do this, for example, making soap with their own hands and selling it at various markets and specialized stores. But the competition among soap makers is great, and you can’t earn much for one product.

Another interesting and much less expensive way to build an organic business is to create a subscription service for organic cosmetics. A visitor comes to your website, signs up for a subscription for a certain period of time for a certain fee, and you send him a set of ingredients from which he can make his own cosmetics.

You can work according to this scheme not only with components for homemade masks, but with already finished products foreign and Russian brands that cannot be bought in every store. For example, it does this Russian service Live Organic Box, whose subscribers receive six boxes per year with organic creams, oils, “household chemicals,” products and even clothes.

The service began operating shortly before 2016, although its creator Tatyana Mikhailenko had the idea much earlier. Tatyana herself says that the idea was born out of a long-standing passion for “organic”, and was not spied on by foreign colleagues. This is probably true, but in the west similar services subscriptions to organic cosmetics, for example, Vegan Cuts Beauty Box, have been working for more than a year. One way or another, in Russia this niche can be said to be empty.

Business withInstagram

Unusual bars

Conventional bars and restaurants no longer satisfy millennials. Audiences aged 25 to 34 are looking for more original ways conduct free time. Today, young people, who most often spend money on entertainment, try to constantly gain some new experience.

You can play on this penchant for novelty by opening an unusual establishment. For example, a bar in which everything from the bar counter to the glasses is made of ice. Such establishments first appeared in Finland back in the late 80s, and then spread throughout the world. In Russia, however, ice bars did not take root: several of them opened in Moscow, but were closed.

But the cafes where they eat in complete darkness are to the taste of the Russians. The first such establishment called DansleNoir? opened in Paris in 2004. And in 2006, a similar restaurant opened in Moscow. Over time, similar establishments began to open in other Russian cities.

If such extremely unusual establishments do not seem like a good idea to you, you can do it easier and open a cafe with team sports games, for example, ping pong or darts. Or use modern technologies like the coffee chain did ITBar, where instead regular tables interactive. With the help of such tables, you can familiarize yourself with the menu, check your social network account, and even watch a movie. A total of four such coffee shops have opened in Russia.

If you are thinking about opening your own unusual bar, keep in mind that Russian catering today is going through a rather difficult situation.

Due to the crisis, many establishments had to close. This, on the one hand, is a big disadvantage, because it is quite difficult to develop in a falling market. On the other hand, than fewer players in the market, the fewer competitors you have. If you offer clients interesting way spend leisure time and reasonable prices, then you have every chance to successfully implement the idea of ​​your unusual cafe.

Some of the identified trends will be relevant throughout the world, others may remain unclear. In the Russian market you can find many examples of business stories that were successful abroad or, on the contrary, failed.

One way or another, before starting to implement a foreign business idea, you need to check its potential in your region. Find out whether it will be in demand, whether it will encounter legislative restrictions, and then decide how exactly to adapt it to Russian reality and whether it is worth doing it at all.

A successful business strives to develop and grow beyond borders, including state borders. In many industries - from applied sciences and high technology Before selling services and goods, it is very important to start working with foreign counterparties. Cooperation with foreign partners opens up new opportunities and can become a guarantor of your reputation. Or, at a minimum, add stability to the company. And this is not to mention the fact that foreign companies often also want to develop in Russia.

How to prepare to work with foreigners?

Before concluding an agreement with a foreign partner, you need to pay attention to the following points:

1. Research the market.
2. Create connections. In many countries (but more on that later) personal acquaintance and communication are important to get started. Joint activities with a foreign company are only possible for you after you have established relationships.
3. Enter into a detailed agreement. Everything said must be recorded on paper. Of course, you know this very well. But very important point working with a foreign partner - legal norms and documents can and will be very different from Russian ones. Be sure to consult with lawyers in both (or all) countries.
4. How entity think about the structure of your work in terms of current legislation both countries and tax regulations.
5. Check your business partner. You do this when concluding contracts with Russian companies, right? Every country has websites where you can check the company you want to work with.

One of the stages of verification: an extract from the trade register of the country of origin.

Examples of information resources:

• UK: http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/
• Germany: https://www.handelsregister.de/
• Netherlands: http://www.kvk.nl/english
• China: http://www.cr.gov.hk and http://www.icris.cr.gov.hk/

Much depends on the form of your joint activity with a foreign company. Are you engaged in exporting or importing goods/services? Are you planning to buy within the country, or is your partner interested in a franchise in Russia? You may be planning to open a subsidiary or independent organization in another country. All this is critical important questions, which must be answered “on the shore.”

Working with foreign counterparties has additional difficulties. We leave the language barrier aside for now, we trust in translators and our own abilities. The main difficulty is the difference in mentality.

How to communicate with foreign partners?

Your business partner grew up in completely different conditions, with a different upbringing and in his work is accustomed to focusing on moments that are unusual for you. What to do?

1. Study the traditions of the country with representatives you are going to work. Americans will play tennis with you and show you photographs of their beloved dog, but they do not consider you a true friend at all. The Chinese are always confident in the superiority of ancient traditions and consider foreigners to be superficial. The French don't appreciate speaking in English language. The Japanese need detailed information and a clear gradation of representatives by age and position. Even minimal knowledge of the traditions of your partner's country will give you an advantage.
2. Study the business traditions of your business partner's country. Contracts with the Germans or Finns will be clear, detailed, with clearly defined work stages and deadlines. But the agreement with the Japanese would end up being short and unclear, open to interpretation by both sides. In the process of concluding an agreement, the Chinese value calm, confident and restrained partners. The British will joke a lot and say things they don’t mean, but in reality they will show high efficiency.
3. Learn your business partner's language. Seriously. It is not necessary to speak it fluently; there are translators for this. But even a superficial acquaintance with language norms will allow you to better understand the mentality of a person who speaks this language. Bright example similar phenomenon– a combination of clear and clear structure German language with a German habit of order, serious questions and thoughtful answers to them.

Even a superficial acquaintance with language norms will allow you to better understand the mentality of a person who speaks this language.

There are many subtleties in cooperation with foreign partners, starting with language barrier and ending with the difference in legal norms. A well-thought-out joint business strategy, a well-drafted contract and mutual trust within reasonable limits will lead to your long-term successful cooperation with foreign partners.

When developing your business, you often have to deal with foreign suppliers, investors and partners, but not everyone is ready to immediately make contact. Leaders of successful Russian companies shared their experience with “Theories and Practices” - how to make useful contacts, communicate on social networks, establish cooperation and not stop after the first refusal.

Almost from the beginning, our company's goal has been to become a premier wholesale supplier of designer gifts, accessories and home furnishings. Since we are based in London, EnjoyMe's first suppliers were only English companies. At some point, we started working with a large carrier, figured out the intricacies of customs clearance and began to develop our wholesale sales. Suppliers included small design studios and several fairly large local companies: Luckies, Black+Blum, Suck UK, Thabto. The following year a couple of good mid-sized European brands were added. It was not difficult to negotiate - at that time we did not enter into exclusive contracts, but simply did what we loved.

One day I saw Nest bowls from Joseph Joseph and fell in love with the brand at first sight. Then I decided that these products should appear in our store, and wrote them a letter. In response, I received a questionnaire and was a little surprised - it turned out that making a regular order is not so easy, the company must be sure that their goods are sold in a decent place. Our EnjoyMe, unfortunately, was not suitable for this, but we did not give up. In three months, we created a platform (www.famouskitchen.ru) specifically for kitchen accessories and again contacted Joseph Joseph. They were surprised that someone had created a website just to sell their brand's products, and they allowed us to place our first order as a simple wholesale buyer. Their representatives came to Moscow, and we needed to show EnjoyMe in the best light. To do this, we had only 10 days - we organized meetings with all potentially interesting chain stores and major clients, and held a series of successful negotiations. This helped in further development, but Joseph Joseph chose another distributor - a large company that has been working with tableware for more than 10 years. This first small defeat forced us to make a powerful leap forward.

We began to work with chain stores using the brand name, but supplied them with fewer products from suppliers, honing our skills in working with large clients and building our own company with a full-fledged department wholesale sales. A year passed, we got stronger, and suddenly we received a call from Joseph Joseph - the distributor they had chosen did not live up to expectations. Then we were asked to meet again. The company was impressed with how we had grown, and we moved into negotiations for exclusive distribution for a year. Several other companies from the tableware market competed for this right, but by some happy coincidence they chose us. This brand has become a ticket to big business. After we held Joseph Joseph for a year, and then a second, other large companies began to come to us. When we've proven we can handle it Russian market, it became easier to negotiate.

Alexander Platonov, Founder and CEO of Marakuya

Here are some tips:

If you are looking for a specific company, you need to identify the key decision makers in that business. Find them on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc. Most foreign managers are active on social networks in one way or another. Follow them, see what they tweet, who they follow, like their posts, comment, ask questions about their posts. If you are original, they will notice you, and you can carefully approach them. If a person has 5,000 followers, a hundred likes and fifty comments on each post, analyze who and whose posts this person retweets or shares the most. You can always find a way to reach someone he considers an opinion leader. And through it you can contact the person you need.

Try to meet one of the star foreign entrepreneurs right away. It may seem impossible, but not long ago Richard Branson offered an entrepreneur best idea pitch the project to him personally on his own island, and then take part in the largest US exhibition, CES, for free.

Another way to find a partner is to have a well-known US news resource write about you, which is read by the person you need. For example, TechCrunch editor Mike Butcher enjoys writing about Russian startups. He even made up perfect option letters that I would like to see.

After selling my business in Russia, I had two opposing tasks. On the one hand, I wanted to invest part of my money in some foreign project from the real sector of the economy. On the other hand, he wanted to attract foreign investment in his new Internet project. Joint investments reduce the risk of each partner, and I just wanted to attract Western money - there is a different approach and standards. I had to study, rack my brains, improve my English, and practice pitching about the project. However, as often happens, the investor was found among friends. I simply went around to my American acquaintances, whom I knew from Facebook, from conferences and personal contacts, talked about an interesting project, and asked my friends to help me find investments. Instead, one of my friends suggested joining the project. As a result, I received not just an investment, but an excellent partner. I myself invested in a construction project in San Francisco, also on the advice of friends. True, I hired a lawyer and conducted mini-investigations. I looked to see if there were conflicts or legal proceedings around these people, and how they went through the years of the crisis of 2008-2009. Since in the USA all information is open, you can bring up all the cases for all the companies with which potential partners are associated, and then sit down and study them.

Veronica Taraba, Deputy General Director of KROK

Chance helped us. When we decided to expand beyond Russia, there was a feeling (based on pre-sale attempts) that we were more interested not in the Old World or Eastern Europe, but in the neighborhood on the other side, where there were more dynamic markets. We already had experience working with Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, and we wanted to go further. They weren't specifically looking for anyone. One of our managers was contacted by a supplier of specialized IT solutions for a company that was being purchased by a CROC customer in Turkey. This supplier was discussing some kind of joint business with us, and it was he who introduced us to an IT company that was also working with this client and was looking for opportunities for faster development. It was a Turkish system integrator NGN, a company with five years of experience. We studied the market (demand in the computing outsourcing market, its dynamics and specifics in Turkey), the capabilities and characteristics of the Turkish company (finance, personnel, clients, vendors). We communicated with their key vendors and clients, understood the needs of their clients in Turkey and abroad, made a business plan for the construction of a data center and entered into partnerships.

At some point, we saw that our clients had requests for PR support abroad. In addition, many of our employees spoke about the desire to undergo an internship in another country, as is done in large network agencies. Since the market is very competitive, we needed to keep up the bar - we began to look for a partner abroad. We have opened a global rating, The Holmes Report, where the largest PR agencies in the world are represented - we started with them. At that time, we only had 25 people working for us, and our turnover was just under $2 million. Most did not answer us at all - we wrote a hundred letters, and received about 20 replies, mostly with refusals, which stated that the companies already had partners in Russia. Then we started writing to international associations of PR agencies. The situation was approximately the same - there were many refusals, but there were still responses. We went to meetings with Global Alliance and IPRN. Filled out a questionnaire, provided customer and employee references and financial statements for the last two years. When we joined IPRN, Global Alliance found out about this and refused us, although it was not initially agreed that we could not be members of two associations at once. It was frustrating because we wasted a lot of money and time.

At the same time, we understood that we still needed a partner. Then we took a different route - we started writing blogs for heads of foreign agencies. So we contacted Andres Witterman, vice president of the global communications agency LEWIS PR and tried to establish a dialogue. For example, he wrote a post about the market growing. We answered: “Cool, the market is growing, and we know that LEWIS PR does not yet work in Russia. We want to invite you to work with us. What do you think?". In the end, everything worked out. We transfer our clients to them, and they transfer theirs to us - now we are in our third year collaboration. We also send our employees on internships. They have already been to France, Australia, Germany, and Great Britain. We're glad the blog method worked. Since then, I have been actively communicating with heads of PR agencies around the world - mainly through social networks.

Do you offer franchise or affiliate program? Perhaps you have special offer for your customers, special conditions for the delivery of your goods, exclusive services that will easily interest the business audience? Please inform all interested companies about this in our Partnership section. Your proposal for cooperation in any area will be seen by the entire audience of our site, all you have to do is consider the responses of your potential partners and choose best offers!

Do you want to start your own business, but don’t know how to start your business from scratch? To open your own business, you suggest ideas, everything else can be found using Finatica!

Hundreds, and maybe thousands of companies and businessmen are looking for business partners every day. Finatica is a unique database of business proposals that you create yourself. The search for it is organized in such a way that you can choose not only the search direction (“looking for” - “offering”), but also a specific category of partnership, industry and region of interest to you. For example, you can select categories such as “Looking for a manufacturer”, “Looking for an agent, representative”, Franchising, “Looking for a distributor, dealer”, “I offer myself as a contractor/work performer”, etc.

For those who have not yet decided on the specific direction of growth for their business, we recommend subscribing to the mailing list of new affiliate programs and offers from companies in your area, or often view the list of advertisements in the “Partnership” section. Perhaps especially profitable proposition is waiting for you! The section can publish proposals from companies, individual entrepreneurs and individuals.