‘How do I get into importing and exporting?’

Dear Nanay,
I have many business ideas but how do I start with the businesses I have in mind? I want to get into the exporting and importing of products. Should I hire a consultant?
– Karen

Dear Karen,

First of all, it is easy for people to say that they want to do "import and export." But you have to realize that the two businesses are very different from each other.

I think the easier of the two is importation. You only have to identify the item you want to bring in to the Philippines and where it is coming from. After that, all you need is a shipper to bring in the products for you and you are ready to go!

One thing you do need to think about, however, is how you will sell your imported items. Will you be a wholesaler and sell it through other stores, or will you be a retailer and open your own store? If you do open your own store, make sure it is in a good location that is appropriate for the products you will be selling. Remember that the retail business is location, location and location.

The exportation of items is a little more difficult, partly because it is harder to find customers around the world who will be willing to buy your items. If you need help or information on how to get into exporting, one place you can find it is the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). They have numerous programs to help Filipino exporters in their business.

The DTI office in Manila is located at 5F New Solid Building, 357 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave., Makati City. You can also go to their website at www.dti.gov.ph where you can find more information.

Do you need a consultant? It is actually very difficult to tell if you need one because a lot of it depends on the kind of business you are going into and how much you already know. Although consultants can help, they do not come for free. My suggestion would be to try to do things yourself at first. Learn as much as you can. There is a lot of free information out there that you can gather just by asking questions and talking to people. After you have done your homework, if you still feel like you need help, then you can start looking for a consultant.

You may be tempted to just hire a consultant from the beginning. But remember that not all consultants are competent or knowledgeable. So you should learn as much as you can so that you have the means to decide if a particular consultant is good or not. Kung umpisa pa lang wala ka nang alam, baka naman lokohin ka lang ng consultant mo. (If at the start you don’t know anything, your consultant might try to deceive you.) So do yourself a favor and do your homework first.

Sincerely,
Nanay

* * * Improving English Skills

Dear Nanay,
I want to improve my English to communicate more effectively at work. Where do I start?
– Teddy

Dear Nanay,
I am an OFW in Saudi and I want to improve my English. How do I improve? And I want to be an entrepreneur and have financial freedom. What business should I enter?
– Marlon

Dear Teddy And Marlon,

When I was just starting my business, pare-pareho lang tayo na hindi marunong mag-Ingles (we’re all the same in that I also didn’t know how to speak English). But because I have to talk to foreign publishers and principals all the time, eh, napilitan na lang ako matuto (I was forced to learn). Ganyan pala pag kausap mo Amerikano, lalabas ang Ingles mo! (That’s how it is when you talk to Americans — your English is forced to come out!)

But kidding aside, I had to teach myself by reading books, newspapers, magazines, and anything I could get my hands on. That was the only way to learn in those days.

Today, you have many options available to you. You can read books that teach you how to speak and write in English. There are language tapes or even courses on the Internet. There are schools that specialize in languages only. Marami na kayong puwedeng pagpilian. (You now have many choices.)

Or you can do what I did. Keep reading. If you find a word that you do not understand, get the dictionary and look for its meaning so that next time you will know how to use it. If you can learn only one new word a day, that would be a real accomplishment. And when you learn a word, try to use it in your daily conversation so that you will remember it. Kung hindi, baka wala pang isang lingo, nakalimutan mo na yung bagong salitang pinag-aralan mo. (If not, you might forget that word in less than a week.)

And Marlon, as far as starting your own business to have financial freedom, I want to warn you that it is not that easy. Just because you start your own business does not mean you will make money. Maraming tindahan o restaurant na nalulugi. (There are a lot of stores or restaurants that are losing money.) If I were you, especially if you have a good job in Saudi Arabia, pagtiisan mo na muna iyan. Magipon ka. Baka mas malaki pa ang kinikita mo diyan imbis na mag negosyo ka dito kaagad (try to stick to your job for now. Save up. You might earn more from your salary there than by starting a business here right away.) When you have saved a good amount already, then you can put maybe half of your savings into a business. That way, even if the business does not work out, you can still find a job again and still have some savings left over. Hindi yung maguumpisa ka na naman sa wala. (You won’t have to start again from nothing.)

Sincerely,
Nanay

* * *

If you have a question, e-mail us at asknanay@nationalbookstore.com.ph or just drop your letter at drop boxes in all National Book Store branches nationwide.