If you’re going to do business with the top companies in Canada, the GTA is the place to start, says Rija Raharinosy; Sales Manager for Arkadin, Inc.’s newly minted Canadian division.

Rahatinosy’s enthusiasm for Toronto is a reflection of efforts by the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance to sell Arkadin on a GTA-based Canadian operation, and smooth out bumps in the startup process. “The GTMA worked with the Canadian Embassy in Paris to help us understand the benefits of the Toronto area,” he said. “Their knowledge and contacts were instrumental in getting us established in the GTA quickly.”

From its corporate home in Paris, France, Arkadin operates in a $5 billion global market for conferencing services. The company provides integrated, worldwide audio and data conferencing services, building worldwide sales of $45 million in just five years by emphasizing high quality, easy-to-access services supported by the most advanced communications technology.

Arkadin has operations in 17 countries in Europe, Australia, Asia and the U.S. “Canada is one of the last countries we needed to be,” Raharinosy said. “It’s a great place to start a business and be entrepreneurial.”

The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade’s in-market consultant, Jesper Kuhl, was instrumental in uncovering the lead and referring it to the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance. The GTMA worked with Arkadin to provide a sounding board for the company’s ideas and to help the firm establish relationships with GTMA partners J.J. Barnicke (location assistance), Deloitte & Touche LLP (accounting) and Ian Martin Limited (staffing). These new relationships resolved many startup issues for Arkadin and helped the company shift its focus to building a market presence and customer base. “The GTMA brought their partners to the table and have been generous in their efforts to help us build a network of contacts and identify potential customers.”

Arkadin chose to locate in the Toronto area because of its diverse international focus and understanding of the value of conferencing. “Our studies show that the Toronto area is a major conference call service market, and the operational home of most of our prospective customers,” Raharinosy said. “The telecommunications infrastructure is excellent, and the area has a large, technology-literate workforce.” 

Workforce issues are paramount to Arkadin, as the company’s business philosophy emphasizes hiring local service staff in each of its markets. “Delivering service with local staff helps us to be closer to our customers,” Raharinosy said. Arkadin currently has three people on staff and expects to expand to 10 to accommodate business growth in the coming months. The company is supporting its Canadian business through its U.S. operation until it is fully operational in Canada.

Arkadin continues to rely on the GTMA as it moves forward to build sales and grow its operations. “The GTMA has been very open, approachable and easy to deal with,” Raharinosy noted. “We are very confident in the future knowing they are behind us.”

About the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance

The GTMA is a public-private partnership between the 29 municipalities and regions in the GTA, together with the Provincial and Federal governments, other non-profit organizations and a broad cross section of private sector corporations. The Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance (GTMA) is the key point of contact for exploring business opportunities in the GTA. With the resources of its public and private sector partners, the GTMA provides essential business information and site selection services to facilitate investment in the Greater Toronto Area. For more information visit: www.greatertoronto.org.

Contact:

Karen Campbell

President & CEO

Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance

Tel: 416 360 7320

Email: kcampbell@greatertoronto.org