Market Research- Feasibility of Student-Run International Business in Canada

1. 44%
30%
6%
4%
4%
3%
3% 2% 2% 2%
India
China
Japan
Mexico
Nigeria
Cameroon
Korea, South
Taiwan
Ukraine
Venezuela
GAINS Interest Level and Feasibility Study
122
44%
30%
46.70%
63.60%
40.00%
18.80%
20.00%
27.30%
40.00%
43.80%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Research Analyst
International Business Mgmt
Business Accounting
Hospitality Management
Interest Level by Program
Slightly interested Moderately interested
Very interested Extremely interested
Target Profile
26-35
Master
Business
Connection
Food & Beverages
41%
Clothing & Textile 17%
Electronic Items 11%
Health Care Products 8%
Food & Beverages
41%
Education Services 21%
Clothing & Textile 15%
Vehicles 10%
Import Export

2. Qualitative Findings
Chase the product,
not the model
Networking is a
desired outcome
for students
E-commerce model
should be
considered
Raised concerns
about the
credibility of GAINS
Competitive Pricing
Training Workshops
on Business basics
Business owners
willing to
collaborate with
students
“To me it was just expanding relationships between countries because they don’t have what we
have and we don’t have what they have. It is a good way to bond as well.”
- Focus Group Participant
Recommendations
Focus on Target
Demographic for
recruitment
Provide Training on
Entrepreneurship
and business basics
Identify Product,
Buyer and Demand
first
Start Pilot project
with Food
products
Adopt an E-
commerce Model
for Textiles
Compensate
students through
Honorarium

3. GAINS Interest Level and Feasibility Study
Background
Research Purpose
• Determine the interest level amongst international students
• Identify favorable import/ export products
• Test the feasibility of its implementation
Georgian College planned to set up a business/ service called GAINS
(Georgian Accelerated International Network for Students) to help
international students do import/ export business
Methodology
Phase 1
Secondary Research
• Define importing & exporting
• Examine what competition exists
• Regulation and legal constraints
Phase 2
Ipad Intercept & Online
Surveys
• Participants: International
students
• Find out: Demographic
information, Interest level among
student, Favorable products
Phase 3
Focus Groups (Indian,
Chinese & Mixed)
• Participants: International
students
• Find out: Students concerns
about GAINS, Possible products
and why and Possible business
models
Phase 4
In-depth Interviews
• Participants: Local business
owners/ consultants
• Find out: Possible business
model, Challenges and
Partnership opportunities
Ipad
Intercept
Surveys
Convenience
Sampling
Intercept in clubs &
library
Online
Surveys
Random Sampling
Facebook page of
International Center
Focus
Groups
Quota Sampling
Participants
selected from Phase
1
In-depth
Interviews
Purposive Sampling
Owners of
businesses related
to top 3
product/service
choices among
students
Sample
Method
Sample
Frame
Sampling Plan