Trying To Open The Market To Hundreds Of Millions Of Additional Potential Customers For US All

You raise a good point. Maybe a more empirical and objective study, instead of anecdotal evidence, is needed to truly produce an accurate picture of that particular market's risk profile. In the end, it's all about cost-benefit. If the benefits outweigh the risks/costs greatly, it won't be long until people fill that market's needs.

Ken,

It won't open up the market to that many customers in any one niche, but
I'm looking at numerous countries where things seem to have matured.

I see similar maturity in many Asian markets, where practically everyone
now has a cell phone, and use that to access the net, and want to buy
our products... as well as sell us theirs.

The internet marketing, or "work at home" market has existed in many
countries that we were somewhat forced to ignore, for many years now.
For the longest time, I certainly didn't want to take the risk of even
dealing with them. It didn't strike me as worth it.

I'm asking "how do we change that?"

"What institutional changes need to be implemented by those with the
power to enforce them, to make these viable markets?"

At my age, I could go off and spend the rest of my few remaining years
playing with my grandkids.... but I'd like to tackle bigger issues.

Having been in the industry for nearly 2 decades, in no way gives me
any unique ability to see what structural and institutional issues need
to be corrected before these are viable markets that we feel relatively
safe operating in.

Willie

In further reply to an objection raised...

This forum has been the place that I've turned for at least
a dozen years when I wanted an opinion on matters affecting
internet marketing. That's why I have nearly 11,000 posts...
mostly all made over 2 years ago.

I more often asked questions in private messages, but since
this affects us all, I thought that I'd ask it publicly.

We've all seen post by Nigerians asking how they can order
our products or accept credit cards orders.

I've gotten the same questions from Pakistan, and parts of
Southeast Asia.

The answer has to be that you lower the real or perceived
risk in doing business with you.

So, my real question is how do we do that... and how do we
tell those who can make it happen to do that?

Respectfully.
Willie

Willie, you are right because with the raise of technology we are able to reach new markets. For example, we outsource to India for cheaper rates. India is heavily populated and more and more people are getting internet access and this open up more business opportunities. The same can be said in a lot of other countries like in Africa too.

I commend you for your efforts, and although im sure you have everyone's best interests at heart all i can say is good luck.
I lived in Africa for 35 years, been to Lagos and from my own experiences i can't see you or anyone else change the way business is conducted down there.

In the end it's all about being able to trust isn't it? I mean, Willie, would you not like to know that people trust you automatically because of your reputation as an individual, and because of your business track record?

But what if the USA was a hotbed for fraud, and what if most of what Nigerians ever received from the USA in their email in boxes were fraudulent offers?

My question would then be, how would they expect you to prove your trust worthiness? What type of assurance would they expect you to provide, before they would ever consider doing business with you?

Now because the roles of course are somewhat reversed here, my question then is, how far are legit Nigerian business folks willing to go in order to prove their credibility prior to conducting business with Countries that have locked them out?

Would they be willing in exchange for "unlocking the doors" to have themselves let's say finger printed and/or their DNA placed into some sort of international business database? And/or have all their identification information on file and rated according to criminal record / no prior record etc... ? Would this be in-humane? Insulting? Would we find you dangling from a tree if you brought up this question?

I do have visions of some sort of international escrow service where funds could be secured / insured. (which could make doing business with just about any country more viable).

I'm tired, but maybe some of this makes sense.

It's like playing an old blues song, it's simple, but it isn't easy.

Trust.

Nothing else matters until there's trust for those living in Nigeria.

PS. Arnold and I posted at the same time, and our messages are the same.

Some kind of regulated, structured system where only those meeting certain criteria and standards get approved to enter the market and be vendors. Along with buyer beware.

China is already over in Africa building roads and schools and infrastructure.

China and India will enter or expand their presence anyway, I imagine.

Dan

It's a big problem for them, Willie. They've earned their way into the "no-trust doghouse" and they're going to have to earn their way out.

I've seen a few dozen orders from Nigeria come my way over the years, and to the best of my recollection all but one was declined. For the rest I was instructed to "pick up the credit card." I couldn't confiscate the card because the orders were online, but the machine that tells me that doesn't know it. That instruction usually means the card is stolen.

In my opinion, the gov't is going to have to reign in the fraud, scams, and stolen card usage somehow. Maybe offering a reimbursement pool to compensate those who have been scammed or been victims of stolen credit cards would be a step toward earning trust. I see that as the single biggest stumbling block for them, and that will have to be addressed before anything else matters much.

I don't know the answers, but I wonder:

How much of it is organized crime to the extent criminals are in government or institutions such as banking or the Paypal alternatives...? How much bribery, threats to say a bank exec or government official and family, extortion...?

How much fraud is done by random individuals or small gangs?

If the Pareto principle applies? As in is it 20% doing ecommerce and then 20% of those giving the country a bad name? Can 20% of the 80% good people be reached to properly structure the ecommerce?

Dan

I'm not sure it would be considered 'politically correct' to tell your
host how bad they are (perceived). I would stick to my personal
experience as an internet marketer and show them the potential
for their country. I'm sure they are fully aware of how they are
perceived in the international community. So hang out the carrot
and let them work out how to take a bite.

We want you back alive Willie!

-Ray Edwards

why non political, i don't understan that part

When I read this, the first thought that came to mind was a simple parallel example. The Phillipines has 1,000's and 1,000's of highly skilled computer literate people, and we in the Western world have no concern about using them for outsourcing and as virtual assistants. Nigeria has 1,000's and 1,000's of highly skilled computer literate people who all seem to want my bank account number. To me the difference just comes down to morality and ethics, which is really the ethos of the country. Change is possible. The fact that millions of people give Kaspersky, a Russian company, their credit card numbers means trust can be built. It might take a generation for Nigeria, but a relatively corruption free police and judicial system that actually enforces fraud laws has to be the start.

My only experience with the country is those emails that i occasionally get where i am encouraged to help someone out with their bank account for a cut of same. Did anyone ever fall for such craziness? Perception is reality, sort of.

One possible solution: use escrow accounts, once actual money has been paid for a product/service, than send the same. Don't know if that is workable or not: would a good escrow company deal with Nigeria? Or not?

good luck... I'd start with

a) commissh payments to powers-that-be for infrastructure grease the wheels/avoid problems (20%) eg telecom providers, isps

b) micro-payment widespread model for mobile content distribution, split products into lots of small affordable 'pieces' to sell, all chained together, also offer bundles

c) get people selling to each other if viable like mlm/network marketing for distribution, if legal and fits, also commissh bonus structures to get people incentivized to sell at tiers of sales volume

agree mobile's a huge area, trick is to find out what unmet demand for apps/content is

put protections in place (like wearing clothes when frying bacon, inside joke lol)

Willie - you know I never knew you posted this question in forum. I haven't been active in forum for some days I guess that's why I don't know.

Since I can't see a response from any Nigerian on this thread yet I will post exact response I gave when you initially raise this issue.

I wish I have enough time or strength to reply every person that responded already but I don't have such time and I'm even strong.

However, I salute the courage of those that have changed their perception about Nigerian and Nigerians. However, for those that still hold same believe I will encourage you to based whatever decision you make on any new available facts in your disposal.


My response unedited:

I disagree with Paul G de Silva, what you call internet scams majoirty to don't originate from this country. Some are not even from nigerians in nigeria and if any will be from few bad heads that have been out of business for long or that won't attend willies event. Here is my point, when I first start using internet in 1999 I can count the number of internet cafes in lagos (a very big city - most populated). There were just about 3 internet service providers. See, i can go on and on. I am not saying there are no bad heads here. But people just give this country bad press. There are worst american's. The hacking, phising & fraud that american's and other people from other countries commits worst past.

There are lot of foreigners doing business here. When you come you will see it. If people here are bad I bet they won't be able to stay an hour. I think it is our Government that is not really enough to counter the bad press. I don't always blame government but for that I do. Also individuals too can do whatever they can. I've been online for some years now and I'm doing fine. I have students that are doing fine online too. I now other people that are making it online too and doing business with other foreigners. I also think its a question of value individual can add to people. I bet people you add value to their life won't care if you are a nigerian or not. Somebody that is sick doesn't care where the help come from. If you see somebody in need, if you've got value to give.

You end up making the person a good friend that will have change of mind about nigeria and nigerians. One at time we can continue to do that. So what people need here is motivation. And if goverment wake up to their responsibility that will also fast track it.

Well,I believe Willie will see for himself thatwe Nigerians do not project the type of image given to us by foreigners when he comes.
At the end ,he will become a good ambassador of Nigeria.
We are good people.
oladimeji

Hi Willie and everybody on this forum.

It is nice reading this thread about my Country and how some of you have responded both negatively and suspiciously to progressive questions from Willie.

A few years ago, i did a small piece in this forum about the changing environment and why you guys and indeed the whole eCommerce world should open up to us. (I cant find the link again)

Look, if we say that the world has become a global village and yet we are neglecting a part of this village then we are doing ourselves a disservice. It does not matter whether you are from USA, UK or South Africa. The Internet has linked all of us together and no one is superior to anybody.

Yes, I agree that there are fraudulent people from Nigeria (not all of us) but also know that my people do not have the highest level of electronic fraud that we see on CNN and other online media in the West.

Yes, i know some of our leaders are corrupt and many are being prosecuted for that. I think it is a case of we not managing our businesses well. But i think things will improve over time.

Yes, i agree that our laws are not perfect and in many cases don't even cover lots of eCommerce legalities/issues that you guys are used to, but these are being discussed daily and some of us pressurizing the government to wake up to its responsibilities. One thing know is that you guys have fraudulent people in the USA too. I can mention
some names here who refuse to abide by the rules. My people even lost millions of dollars to so many fake mlm businesses that originated from USA and other countries.

What i expect will to do is;

1. Consult with VISACARD and Mastercard to know the volume of businesses and millions of dollars they have raked from Nigeria in the last 5years. Ask them if the cases of fraud is high or low and you will be surprised that they have not incurred any significant issue. The cards provided to us by these two giants do not see fraud. Why? The banks were fully involved and they are all smiling to the banks as we all say in our sales pitches.

2. Talk to the banks and if possible the Central bank of Nigeria which is the regulatory body and work out some form of guarantee or something on online transactions. The banks are the best partners that you should meet first to secure payment solutions. Yes, get the Central and all the commercial banks involved.

3. PayPal is missing millions of dollars big time. Lots of money just wasting on the floor because of some funny fear of fraud. Men, fraud is everywhere. Just look for a way of reducing your risk.

4. Have you ever heard about e-gold and of late liberty reserve? These guys were the alternatives to Paypal that we were using until US Government banned them for fraud or money laundry (i can't remember what exactly). My young people lost millions of dollars to these companies and there was no forum to get justice. We just allowed the issues to die down. Millions of dollars were taken away by the West - I see this as a
great fraud.

5. When i first saw the advert of your upcoming program through Lateef, i was excited but when i scanned through all the pre-selling stuffs i just busted into laughter. The guys you are meeting with are not the real users of the internet for businesses. They are your mastermind and you will make money from them. No big deal. You are still far from the youngsters that are looking for legitimate things to do online.
Look, you need to meet with secondary school students, university students. Self employed graduates trying to keep afloat the flood of life. These are the real users. These young guys are the ones that can do damage or do good to any eCommerce business. If they know that they can make legitimate money online, everybody will smile.

6. It pained me when you said, "Things are rustic by our standards" i think you should apologize to us for that statement. Men, you disappointed me here. Do you know that our online payment solutions through the banks are 2nd to none in the world. Do you know that with our GSM Phones, we transact businesses and payments are made?

I refuse to send replies to every other person who have said one negative thing or the other. Different strokes for different folks.

The best we can all do is to see how things can get better. If you don't help us, you won't make money here and won't go far doing business in this continent.

Someone said the Chinese and Indians are trouping into Africa. Why not? the world is moving fast and people will always welcome others who see them as partners and not as inferiors. Some of us are quite intelligent and very educated but operate in tight environment. The WEST needs to change its view about Africa.

We need more investments, we need more training, we need more hand shaking and fare play so that the global village can contain all of us.

I even laughed that the organizers do not know people like me Olu Joseph, Lateef or many of the legitimate Nigerians who are doing their best in Internet Marketing.

Never doubt it, you are gonna make lots of money from your coming. But what happens after that?

Willie you are welcome to the most populous African country. I wish i could ask my wife to cook my local dishes for you. You would love it.

I rest my case.


Olu Joseph in Abuja, Nigeria.

If they wanted to buy & could buy, wouldn't they have already been buying for the last few years?

I wonder if the Nigerian government could create some kind of hard-to-earn accreditation for Nigerian marketers and businesses. Perhaps if Nigeria worked directly with Pay Pal, etc, to come up with a workable solution, it might open the first door of opportunity.

Also, what about working on a Free Trade Agreement. Here's a very recent article on the status - Slow progress in Africa free trade talks | Trade & Industry | BDlive

Another thought would be for Nigeria to clamp down mass emailers and fraudsters, as much as possible.

Once the doors-of-opportunity have opened a bit, then the Nigerian media (government tv?) could show encouraging stories and how-tos of Nigerians who have had success working with other countries and regions, especially the West.

Perhaps they could take a lesson from Latin American people that have established relationships with people from the US, exporting food and textiles. I'm thinking products like Fair Trade Coffee (there is even a certification!). The free trade movement has received tons of positive reviews.

Interesting that some countries are looking African countries with envy. http://equalexchange.coop/sites/defa...oodnewsP25.pdf

Maybe in the future Nigeria could be a model for other African countries.