Living in Romania, means among others, working in Romania.
Till recently, earning your living was a taugh task here. But lately, a new challenge and obviously a huge chance for many of us, is the explosion of the Internet.
Doing business on the Internet in Romania, is a very new business model here. However, many of us have pretty good English knowledge, so this is an excellent resource.
As for myself, when I was 36 years, i saw my life tired down to the ground. Professionally speaking, I was gone. The University I graduated, was useless.
So, I needed to head for something else. I was very much aware that that is the choice of my life. Failing again, could cost my life. So, I had to make a wise decision.
Where to? What?
I finally chose computers. I hardly knew anything about computers and computer science. But this looked to me like the best choice.
I read a lot, and among my favorites, are SF novels and stories. That is how I got an idea about what computers should be, and what can one expect from a computer ---> A powerful tool, to enhance your chances in life.
So, that was my choice! Computers.
I started to study by myself and I soon realised that I like this tool very much.
And now, let's get back to the main subject: The Romanian market.
After entering in computer business in 1998, I managed to have a good idea on what computers can do for a business. How can I use it, what enhancements can it bring to my skills and how can I increase my productivity, using computers.
The year 2000, happened to be one of the most important steps on my life's path.
I had a brand new proffession: computers & IT; a business, based on computers; basic skills and a quick learning nature.
But I was in front of a new challenge: How to make a decent living out of this business?
This is where the Internet came!
I started with a dial-up connection. Soon I realised that this is the chance of my life!
Doing business on the Internet? It seemed weird at first glance, but I knew what I knew! After 2 years of activating in the RapidQ programming community, I understood the huge potential of the Internet, as a business environnement.
I also saw the Romanian Internet growing fast, developing into a high class environement. I witnessed also the first steps of online business on the Romanian market.
The year 2006, was another cornerstone. It is the year I had access to a broadband connection. Well, at first glance, it was gorgeous! Surfing the net without caring for phone bills? Oh, my God! That was awsome!
But I had my plans. I knew what for I needed a fast connection: to study and practice the online business.
And, here I am, in front of you, with this blog post.
There are many romanians who had to make hard choices regarding their way to earn their living. Many of us had to change their profession and again, many focused on computers. But many of us, as everywhere in the world, want a different job. The classic 9-to-5, seems to be more and more outdated. The new challenge is a home-based business.
But a difficult question to answer here, in Romania, was HOW?
The online business model, seems to fit very well here, in Romania.
There are millions of unemployed people, even if statistics say other things.
Most of those people, find it difficult to find a job, somewhere where they are beginners.
I belive that online business is, from that point of view, the most friendly choice possible: Low-cost, low inventory and home-based.
What else could be better, when you're flat broke?
In the last two years, I studied the local market, as well as worldwide market. I studied a lot, read over 1000 books on Internet Marketing, and started to apply the new knowledge.
Conclusions?
- There is a huge demand on the Romanian market for that type of business.Lots of people are interested. Actually, about 75% of the Romanian sites, speak about “making money online”;
- There is a huge lack of specific information and products.
- Romanian market is extremly different from other markets, worldwide; many of those who came here to start a classic business, had to face this strange characteristic! Typical advertising, fails; typical marketing methods, fail; typical products, fail.
Yet, the principles of marketing, are the same. The Universal Laws, are the same.
What's so different then?
The average romanian, has a strong need for independence. Pinpointing him in a classic business environement with a nine-to-five, often leads to poor results. On the other hand, over a half century of communism, took away any chances to have entrepreneurial skills.
Under such conditions, the only possible solution, as far as I saw, is the Internet and its business model: THE ONLINE BUSINESS.
I guess it's enough for now.
In the next part of the “Romanian Market” articles series, I will bring some other inside views on the Romanian market, as I see it from here. From Romania. As a Romanian business owner, doing his best to develop his business in such a way that fits best his needs.
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