Manitoba Chamber of Commerce
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1528090
35 WINTER 2024 Rules and regulations differ around the world, and it's important to pay attention to everything from different power plugs in other countries to mandatory certifications of equipment. For exam- ple, Kringe says "you can't sell anything in Europe" without proper CE marking, which indicates that a product has been assessed by a third party to meet EU regulations. "That is an additional cost I never factored in," he says. Another complication with doing business inter- nationally is the myriad shipping rules and regula- tions that must be followed and how they can vary from country to country — and even from region to region within a country. "As an entrepreneur starting a business, it's tough finding the time to read all that information, to understand it," Kringe says. "The biggest thing is finding someone who can explain all these things to you. You have to navigate that jungle of bureaucracy. When you are by yourself or you have a small team, that can be tough to do." Kringe, who was born in Germany, advises companies looking to do business in Europe to carefully select the markets that are a good fit for them. He says companies can waste a lot of time and money trying to enter a market if they aren't prepared to navigate cultural or language differences. "Different countries, different cultures. In some countries, people can be very direct and efficient so you've got to be prepared that they're going to tell you how it is. They don't care about your feelings," he says. "If you are five minutes late for a meeting, that can be a no-go for them." Kringe also encourages entrepreneurs to net- work with other business owners who already have a presence in some of the markets they are looking to enter and ask for any tips or advice they might have. "Don't be afraid to talk to people who have done it before. When I was getting started I went to my buddies, I went to other people and I'd say 'Hey, who do you use for a lawyer? Who do you use as an accountant?' That really helped me," Kringe says. "Today, Bushel Plus Ltd. has expanded into other products and employs 35 people in three countries, and without this great innovative team that I am fortunate to work with every day, this would not be possible." ■ SUBMITTED PHOTOS