[This presentation is courtesy of Brett Featherstone-Price, her contact information is below]
Starting 10 years ago, a wave of immigrants from Mainland China came to Canada. 30 years before that saw the next latest wave- they were from Hong Kong and Taiwan. Came from different governance, from different history, different dialect. Today, they favor different news sources: Ming Pao and Sing Tao serve the Hong Kong and Taiwanese abroad.
Only the Epoch Times serves the Mainland Chinese pop. which are 80% of the Chinese speakers you encounter around Vancouver (and growing).
Let's look a moment at the governance I spoke about in different Asian countries:
China is run by a communist government. Typical of communist rulers, they have not concealed their aims to destroy ancient artifacts, ancient languages, both written and spoken, and even ancient values like honesty, family, propriety. Here's just one illustration: No other government on earth has even considered trying to wipe out a group of peaceful meditators who practice being true, kind and patient. Chinese Communist Party on the other hand, created a government office called the 610 office specifically to attack and eradication Falun Gong, the peaceful practice. This is not unique in history. Hitler had an office called the Gestapo to eradicate Jews.
In a climate such as this, exercising simple things like pursuing the truth or dancing traditional dances are punishable by hard labour and torture. For example, when companies like Shen Yun and the Epoch TImes attempted to do so even outside of China they met with terrible threats and hardship inflicted by China's government. Despite that, what we have today is a renaissance of true Chinese culture and we know the real stories happening to Chinese people. Other media will hardly publish that, not in any language for fear or for apathy. But the tide is turning.
What I'm getting at (how does this affect your life already?) is that no one has seen performance with these melodies or this style of dance in two life times. There are almost 2 billion people who are cut off from their own culture, 2 billion who missed that in their lives - until today. No one else has access to breaking news from China like the Epoch Times and that news is read to the tune of almost 200,000 copies a week in Vancouver alone. We have the highest circulation of Chinese news, enormous loyalty and a very grateful readership. Chinese people are very happy to be experiencing this right now. There's an outpouring of new ideas and hope. Westerners on the forefront of current events, people who are highly educated, pay close attention to the Epoch Times.
On the business side of things: something you can take away for yourselves, here are some facts about most Chinese speakers that will help you do business with them: -Due to the enormous but rarely discussed pressure from the CCP, many business men have or are now setting up their families outside of China while they continue to collect their salaries in China and wait for a time they can safely go overseas. This means families need everything to set up life here: insurance, cars, homes, education, travel solutions, everything.
- They have more buying power than Westerners of the same income bracket due to one noteworthy habit: they prefer to save money, buy with cash and avoid credit. According to a recent report, In terms of mortgages, this means they prefer a shorter loan with larger monthly payments. They also would rather handle financing their new home without help. If you want to know more, we have an entire orientation for Westerners selling homes to Chinese in Canada.
-education, children, generations
-buying is a collective effort. Often more buyers than meet the eye.
-want to help save face - won't tell you what they think of an open house right away cause they don't want you to be embarassed. (that's the idea in a nutshell. Culture and traditions developed over 5,000 years tend not to fit into a nutshell so please forgive.)
-In Vancouver, what they say they want now: education from you and open arms
-Most read and speak English but prefer media in their native tongue. This means that you will be able to do business with them in English even if your ads appear in Chinese in Chinese media."
References:
Brett Featherstone-Price
Global Marketing Research Manager
The Epoch Times Newspaper
www.TheEpochTimes.com
My Mobile: (250) 920-9051
My Office:
from Canada: (250) 298-5056
from the U.S.: (805) 419-9003
brett.price@epochtimes.com
The Epoch Times is available in 33 countries and 17 languages
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/epochtimes
Visit us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/epochtimes
Youtube Video URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqlxj0_uYyk
Bridgemakers is now on Youtube - press play after this and check out our profile online. Look forward to meeting you at our next event! I am featuring a link to a great video about "Why Networking and why it's important for small business owners. I think you'll find it useful.
Why I Love Vancouver
This is my referral for the City of Vancouver - think of it as a paying it forward to get the heart pumping! It's in the form of five meditations on Vancouver and where I feel it's going in the next little while. First, where does Vancouver locate itself today? Should my neighbours care about this? Perhaps. In this "devaluating" period for many regions, it's good to keep an eye on what is appreciating, to get some perspective on how "spread" the markets can be from one locality to another.
A lot of Vancouverites and our neighbours remember that the municipal government placed a moratorium on construction in Vancouver’s downtown core in 2009, further limiting the available building space, bottlenecking supply and helping condo prices ride through the current period of price "corrections".
Despite being in one of the priciest area codes in Canada, Vancouver’s residential real estate continues to be in demand. I made comments about the number of out-of-town investors from China, Japan, and Iran, for example, earlier in this year. My predictions and reports have been verified. Foreign investors this fall (and on average this year) account for anywhere from 30-65% of unit purchases in every new development that is launched in the greater metropolitan area, thanks to the international perception of Canada as a safe, stable economy in which to safeguard one’s money.
Vancouver has also been voted the world’s most liveable city five years running by the Economist’s Intelligence Unit annual index, which has undoubtedly raised its profile among homebuyers and investors, and promises to keep them flocking to take advantage of its many virtues.
On a whole, and in summary of a lot of the statistics over the past few months, the Vancouver Real Estate board expects residential real estate prices in Vancouver to climb 6% this year to an average $494,600, with a modest 1% gain forecast for 2011.
All these variables, coupled with our attractiveness to the Pacific Asian countries, propels Vancouver in yet another way. Why, you wonder? The reason for this fascination and interest in real estate in Vancouver is basically the price level. Price, some of us are in shock about this - especially Jealous east coasters! These properties in Vancouver may be among the most expensive in Canadian market but compared to similar Shanghai and Beijing properties, these are still cheaper. Rich immigrants, especially those coming from Asia, favor Canada as one most preferred destination for immigration. This is because of its overall quality of life, first rate education system, peace and safety plus its health care system.
Where is the city going you ask? What do you think?
REFERENCES:
Investments in Vancouver from China.
Image Credit: here.
Mark Galloway - Photographer
Mark Galloway, Freelance Photographer, 778.228.9871, marcosthethird@hotmail.com
I work in Vancouver as a freelance photographer (and part-time in Healthcare). Most of the photography I do is portraits / head-shots, editorial photos, and event coverage. I've occasionally done commercial work such as architecture and food photography. If you've got questions/projects relating to photography, I can help -- and if it's outside of my area of expertise, I can usually recommend the ideal photographer for the job.
Contact me via email, or comment on this post, to get a quote for your special event!
This list of "Bridgemakers" is in order of membership date! To join us, if your profession isn't already represented below, please come to our next meeting!
Jark Krysinski, B.A.Hon, LL.B, REALTOR®, ABR, Tel: 604.790.9945, Jark@SoldByJark.com, soldbyjark.com
Hello, my name is Jark! I have been a real estate investor for the past 15 years, in Greater Vancouver, Whistler, Revelstoke and Nelson. Brought up in hospitality - through four family owned businesses in Vancouver - as well as the study of law over the last 5 years at UBC and UVic, I merge face-to-face with clinical knowledge. With two managing brokers in my family in the East Coast, membership in groups like the REAG group as well as the REIN group of investors, I can help you buy/sell your next home or business, or devise a wide list of investments. Put my experience and knowledge to work for you. "I know Exactly what you're looking for".
Farnam Mohasseb, Mortgage broker, Tel: 604.825-2482, Farnam@mohasseb.ca
Hello, my name is Farnam and I am a mortgage broker. Banks don’t just offer their lowest rate to their customers because they have been with them for many years. In reality banks are there to make money by charging you the highest interest. However banks want your business and they are even willing to compete for it. I get daily rates from over 50 lenders including TD, CIBC, Scotia bank, Coast Capital, VanCity etc. All my services are free and all lenders pay me similar finder’s fees so you know that I work for you. I also educate my clients about all the fine prints that go beyond rates to find the product that matches their unique circumstance. There's an old saying: "The lowest rate will save you hundreds, but the wrong term can cost you thousands." I can also help you structure your mortgage to be tax deductible and pay off your mortgage years sooner.
Judy Hoshi, judy@soldbyjark.com
I have been working in the tourism industry for over 16 years, and have been at my current company working in In-Flight for over 12 years. I hope to bring my knowledge of tourism in not only Vancouver, but of many other cities around the world. I would like to be the bridge between our city and other places of potential.
Amirreza Ziai, arziai@gmail.com
I help people make, save and protect their money through a holistic financial plan that takes into consideration their investment objectives, insurance needs and retirement goals.
Danielle Snow, daniellesnow7@gmail.com
I graduated from the Langara Public Relations program over two years ago, and have been focused on publicity in the music biz ever since. I have a vast array of experience in the music industry already, and have a strong background in events management. I'm a professional who thinks 'outside the box' and a sponge in new environments. My tag line: "A professional buzz creator!"
Ellen Huang - Bank of Montreal Commercial Banking, oncesmile.oncesmile@yahoo.ca
I would love to get everybody's help in bringing personal clients to my bank. If any of you or your client wants to open a personal account , get a mastercard , do an investment, please provide the contact information so that I book an appointment for you with a financial services manager at BMO. Thank you all for your help in advance!
Lara Hildebrandt, BFA, Financial Security Advisor, Tel: 604-732-1508 x 453, Fax: 604-732-6320, Lara.Hildebrandt@freedom55financial.com
I work with mature women thinking about her retirement, young couples, and business owners. Together, we work to create a financial security plan that helps them achieve their goals and dreams by lessening the effects of life-altering risks inherent in their life. The clients I help, see the value in using a professional for advice and creative ideas for maintaining and building their wealth. Creative thinking, creative advice.
Patrick Lin, CFP, Certified Financial Planner, Tel: (604) 773-3213, patricklin0421@gmail.com
I am a financial planner who specializes on utilizing insurance, investments, tax, and housing to create financial strategies to help clients. I use limited resources to create maximum benefits. Some examples such as: Creating long lasting cash flow using lump sum cash; Reducing tax, and create potential capital gains; Helping young clients to save for down payment within 3 - 5 years
Marko Pocedic, Marko.Pocedic@freedom55financial.com
A little about my business is that I focus on finding creative strategies to help people in their financial needs. My main goal is to make sure my clients pay as little in taxes to the pesky government both now and in the future.
Mark Galloway, Freelance Photographer, marcosthethird@hotmail.com
I work in Vancouver as a freelance photographer (and part-time in Healthcare). Most of the photography I do is portraits / head-shots, editorial photos, and event coverage. I've occasionally done commercial work such as architecture and food photography. If you've got questions/projects relating to photography, I can help -- and if it's outside of my area of expertise, I can usually recommend the ideal photographer for the job.
Julie Long, BC Floor Plans, julie@bcfloorplans.com, Tel: 604-788-7783, Fax:604-431-8559, www.BCFloorPlans.com
BC Floor Plans offers 2D and 3D drafting services as well as photography, and virtual tours. Our services help home sellers (mostly realtors) with marketing their properties by using laser accurate floor plans providing essential data for any new listing as well as photos, and virtual tours on their websites. It is an excellent time management tool. The floor plans can be merged with a web site listing description to present clients and prospective buyers a persuasive image of the property. Clients and agents can select a home that suit their needs before physically touring properties looking for the "right fit". BC Floor Plans is the new first impression. We provide laser accurate 2D and 3D floor plans, photos and virtual tours helping realtors present the 'right fit' for a client’s new home with the click of a mouse.
Fouad Saeidi, Brilliant Social Media, fouad@brilliantsm.com, Tel: 778-994-9983, www.brilliantsm.com
My name is Fouad Saeidi, and I am a social media and internet marketing Consultant. I help businesses to manage their online marketing resources on Social Media, Google Adverting and Search Engine Optimization marketing. I have a business degree and pursuing my education in online marketing strategy in UBC. I am here to meet young entrepreneurs and exchange ideas how to grow a business and how to share resources to succeed. I am really satisfied with the diversity of the group and I am looking forward to meet entrepreneurs with variety of backgrounds.
The following Bridgemaker's "elevator speech" is still outstanding:
Arash Samiei, 604 366 6771, Arash_Samiei81@yahoo.com
Stephanie Albiston, 604.873.8723, Salbiston@bellalliance.ca
Farhad Mohasseb, 778.549.7324, Farhad@FarhadMohasseb.com
Todd Long, 604.788.7783, Todd@BCFloorPlans.com
Let's put young professionals into a room and throw away the key! The Bridgemakers are looking to form an organic group of professionals and help each other in all our mutual endeavours. Never before has a networking group considered guerilla and all-together new ways of forming business-business alliances. This is NOT a BNI group, don't be mistaken, it's a BM, although we strive NOT to duplicate professions, of course. We pledge to create a real face-to-face community, working by referrals, and marketing all our professions through joint advertising and outreach initiatives.
Building your business contacts can be an overwhelming experience. It does NOT have to be that way! Attend an informative session and take stress out of running your business through "business to business" and "face to face" referrals. Our team of experts can show you how to network with confidence while saving time, money and nerves.
Learn things like:
1. Different Networking and marketing ideas available to you,
2. Event sponsorship and planning across professions,
3. How to find a great REALTOR, Broker, Banker, Financial Planner, Insurance Agent, Stager, Publicist, Doctor, and other professionals to start and embark on your next Business plan
4. WHO YOU NEED in your ACTUAL social network!
We will attempt to address all these topics but, rest assured, when conversations pick up the events DO take on a life of their own. I will endeavor to keep the discussions on topic and limit the time devoted to each topic.
VERY IMPORTANT: we have a NO tolerance policy for No-Shows