What is Jeff Doing in Costa Rica?
July 23rd, 2007 by Jeff Kee | - Related Posts - |
Many of you have been asking what the hell I am doing in Costa Rica on this business trip of mine, and I’ve held off explaining it for a while. But as the trip is winding down to an end (I fly out of Costa Rica tomorrow, Tuesday), I would like to disclose a little bit of it.
I am working with some people who have the right connections to provide marketing, design as well as other operational assistance to recruit skilled tradespeople from Costa Rica (and in the future, other countries) to work in Canada. The agencies set up in both countries provide the training, integration services and what not. As some of you may be aware, Canada is going into a labour shortage (or already is in one), especially in the skilled trade and construction industry, as well as the hospitality industry.
This is not my own venture, but rather one I am involved in, with an undisclosed amount of renumeration in some other undisclosed methods of payment (don’t get me wrong - I’m not rich yet, if you are able to read between the lines). I obviously do not have the kind of funds or the credit to arrange trips, invest in marketing, organize events and gatherings of government officials and other important figures in the industries, but I am involved as the right-hand man to my client. In the future we plan to venture into other countries (mainly Korea, as I already have connections, not to mention I already speak perfect Korean) to supplement the demand for foreign workers.
This has been a challenging venture for many businesspeople and they have failed due to any combination of barriers poised by bureaucracies, inefficiencies in the government systems, funding, getting the right support from the destination countries etc., and we feel that we have found some good ways to get around those things, and we have made a lot of the right connections so far in both Canada, Costa Rica, and Korea, spanning across the public and private sectors. After all, business at this level involves who you know and who likes you and how influential you are, as well as the guts to spend some of your own money before any funding is given or revenue is made.
I can’t divulge any more details in terms of names and what not until a few months later but it should be a very interesting project to keep a tab on. All I can say at this point is that we have a great team of energetic and ambitious people together to get things done.
On the side while my client and myself were staying in Costa Rica, we got deeply involved with a large real estate development company here, and I will be involved in the marketing of such things through North American channels as well. You may be asking how I can venture into so many different branches of businesses - I won’t be doing it all obviously. I have a talented and reliable network of designers, developers, marketeers, printers, and other human resources to assemble and outsource to at the snap of a finger (or more literally, a phonecall or two), and I have strong confidence that it is one of the most highly qualified team of marketing engineers (it’s a term I just coined) you can find.
I am still closely involved with my existing clients in Vancouver who rely heavily on me for my marketing and design services, and that won’t stop either. But any new clients will be accepted in a very selective manner, and I am already sending out many projects to my associates. So I’ve got a busy few years ahead of me as everything is taking a more clear form.
This blog won’t be another one of those “How to blog to make money” or “How to do affiliate marketing” or any of that sort - that’s over saturated. Blogs existing for the sake of figuring out how to make money from itself is another fad that is all over the place, just like how the .COM companies spread up like bean sprouts and then got weeded out. Instead I will be talking more about my businesses and my strategies, as well as the challenges I face in these businesses, and quite frankly I don’t care how much money I make off Google adsense - I just love writing and sharing.
If you’re wondering how a 21 year old, who grew up through his family finances going into demise, who only graduated highschool (partly because he couldn’t afford university) can land such offers and become successful, and venture into foreign countries to do business, read on.
If you would like to see some past photos and stories from Costa Rica over the last month from my stay, these are the posts.
RSS ME!!!
Wow, who knew Jeff could actually be a level headed business man. First TV, and now Costa Rica. I’ve been learning spanish…want my help
I’m looking forward to hearing how this all develops. Sounds like it’s very promising!! And judging by some of those pictures you’ve put up, seems like you’re having fun!
Yes, I could trade a dinner and a Spanish lesson.. and some drinks for whatever else you have in mind.
hmm marketing engineers, huh? sounds like a very adventurous project they have you working on. it is pretty cool that you have this opportunity at your age. live it up, my friend
Ooooh yes marketing engineers is what I like to call them.
They’re very good.. almost as good as me. MUHAHAHA.
yes it’s amazing to have this, and I’m very young for it.. everybody goes “You’re only 21???”
hahah . . . your women have written back to you! . . . congrats on the projects man . . . i know you won’t waste your opportunities!
Nope this will be a successful one, I can tell you that much.
I an glad you are coming up with something new. There is a real need for new online business models and monetization.
It is almost silly to think all their is, text link ads,affiliate programs, adsense, reviews, PPP, PPC, and all that rot.
I get sick of reading the same old crap about traffic, SEO, and where to place you ad blocks for a good click through rate.
Surely, there can be more to online marketing than this.
I hope all of your efforts pay off..
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