FAQ: Growing Your Sales in Quebec and Canada with SPAK
In short: SPAK is a B2B business development agency based in Quebec. We help European and Canadian companies win clients in Quebec, across Canada and in the United States: market validation, prospecting, qualified meetings and sales support. Here are the answers to the questions we hear most often.
What exactly does SPAK do?
SPAK acts as your business development team on the ground. In practice, we:
validate your offer's potential with real Quebec and Canadian buyers;
identify target companies and the right decision-makers;
run multichannel prospecting (email, LinkedIn, phone);
book qualified meetings and support you through to signature;
help structure your sales approach: messaging, offer, follow-up and tools.
This is also known as sales outsourcing or "Sales as a Service".
Who are your services for?
Mainly B2B SMEs and mid-sized companies with a product or service already proven in their home market: manufacturers, industrial equipment, medical technology, software publishers and professional services. We work with European companies (Belgium, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg) targeting North America, and with Quebec and Canadian companies that want to accelerate their sales.
Do I need to set up a company in Canada to sell there?
Not at first. You can sell from Europe during the test phase. A local legal presence becomes relevant when you hire locally, open an office or reach a certain business volume. Tax (GST, QST) and legal obligations vary by structure: confirm your choice with a Quebec tax advisor and lawyer.
How long does it take to get the first meetings?
The first weeks are used to validate the market and build prospect lists. First meetings usually follow within weeks of launching prospecting. In B2B, however, expect several months between first contact and first order, depending on your sales cycle.
How does a mandate with SPAK work?
A mandate usually runs in two phases:
Market validation (about four weeks): analysis of demand, competition and pricing, a target list and first contacts with buyers. You get a clear recommendation: go ahead, adjust or wait.
Deployment: ongoing prospecting, qualified meetings, opportunity follow-up and regular reporting.
Phase 1 lets you decide based on facts before committing a larger budget.
Do you only cover Quebec?
No. Quebec is often the natural entry point for a French-speaking company, but we also cover the rest of Canada and the United States. The safest approach is to open territories step by step: Quebec first, then English Canada, then the US.
Do you work in French and English?
Yes. Our team works in both languages, which is essential to sell in Canada. We also adapt your sales materials to Quebec French, which differs from the French used in France or Belgium.
Who does the prospecting?
A SPAK team based in Quebec, in the same time zone as your prospects. The six-hour time difference with Europe is an underestimated obstacle: a buyer who writes at 2 p.m. expects an answer the same day.
My company is based in Quebec. Can you help too?
Yes. For local companies, we offer B2B prospecting, sales outsourcing (a dedicated resource for your business development), sales coordination and sales team coaching.
Is there public funding to prospect Canada?
Several European public agencies support international prospecting, such as AWEX in Wallonia, hub.brussels in Brussels or Business France. Programs and criteria change: we can help you check what applies to your situation.
How much does a mandate cost?
The budget depends on the target territory, your industry and the scope of prospecting. The free consultation helps us understand your situation and propose the right approach.
SPAK helps European companies grow their sales in Quebec and Canada: market validation, B2B prospecting and sales structuring. Book a free consultation.
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