Many people dream of moving away to some uncomplicated tropical country to slow down and maybe run a business on the side. One country that has been getting some attention recently is Cambodia. It is a country that has been re-emerging as a beautiful place to live, and it is still relatively underappreciated. That means it still has a lot of charm and has not yet been turned into a commercial tourist trap. Cambodia is a country where you can come and start a business, the costs are low, and the people are friendly. Here are some things you should consider if you hope to start a business in Cambodia.
Adapt: Working in Cambodia is a dream that is achievable, but not for everybody. Just because smaller nations may seem unsophisticated, that does not always translate to simple; in fact, some of the things that ex-pats miss about their first-world homes is efficiency. It can be pretty challenging to get the most straightforward things accomplished In Cambodia. It is a unique culture with its own way of getting things done. Your priorities are not the same as theirs; as soon as you learn to go with the flow, you will do better.
Find Professional Help: A mistake many people make when they start in a new country is to assume that they can figure out the best way to get things done. This attitude will only make you start over, again and again. The first thing you need to do is discover the agencies that will work for you and not just tell you what you want to hear. You will need help with visas, paperwork, finding a place to live and do business, and knowing the rules. Even accounting is done differently, and you will need help to learn about bookkeeping services for small business in Cambodia.
Buy a Business: One of the quickest ways to get things rolling is to buy an already established business instead of starting with nothing. Cambodia has a regular turnover of ex-pats coming and going, and there are opportunities to take advantage of. You will need to be extra careful and perform all of your due diligence to ensure that you are not just buying someone else’s nightmare. You would likely be looking at something in the hospitality sector or education as these are the most common ex-pat occupations.
Learn the Culture: Cambodia is such a friendly place, but they have their ways, and they don’t like to be taken for granted. Face is often the first consideration for any interaction. You don’t want anyone to feel humiliated in any way. Always go over the top to respect everything, especially religious areas and occasions. Treat people the way they expect to be treated, and you will soon have their appreciation.
Cambodia is a developing nation with a long way to go with infrastructure and basic comforts. But if you go there, you will find you don’t miss the first-world conveniences and life can be better without them. Your key to thriving will be to find out what organizations you can trust and where to get reliable information. Then, if you are willing to be patient and do things carefully, you will likely find yourself living the dream.
