Exporting to Europe: top five tips for conquering the continent
1. Use all the help you can get
The UK government is of course keen for businesses to expand into international, and in particular EU markets, to bring in the Euros.
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the government organisation that helps UK-based companies succeed in an increasingly global economy. The UKTI offers an online registration scheme, which provides companies with up to date information, market intelligence and real sales leads relevant to your business, and also provides an online ‘test’ to provide you with insight as to how ‘export-ready’ your organisation is.
http://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
Food From Britain, a market consultancy commissioned by the government, also offers a ‘range of market entry, trade development and marketing services designed to help UK companies identify, win and grow business at home and overseas.’ For details on how it can assist in applications for EU protected status, see the opening article.
http://www.foodfrombritain.com
2. Do your homework on overseas opportunities
External advice is all very well, but the hard graft starts by identifying potential export markets within Europe, and assessing whether you can retain your competitive advantage over there. Look for similarities in target sectors and a decent size market that makes all your effort worthwhile.
3. Problems? Call in the heavies
UK SOLVIT, which sounds more like an industrial adhesive than a government quango, assists companies that may not be gaining the free access to the Europe market that is guaranteed under EU membership.
It’s a free, confidential service that could step in and avoid lengthy delays to your export strategy.
Click here to visit website
4. Work towards an international HR strategy
Last year, the results of the largest survey of employment practices in multi-national companies within the UK highlighted the importance of implementing an international HR structure.
The survey, carried out by a number of leading universities and business schools, showed that knowledge management systems, HR and employment practices can positively influence organisational performance, and ‘join the dots’ across physical locations.
Even for companies who are taking the first steps to expansion, using models of international HR management can help unify the organisation and create export success. For details on the survey visit: Click here
5. Recruit the experts!
Interim experts can help you achieve export growth in a short period of time, bringing experience from other projects to avoid fledging mistakes. Hmmm, now where can I find an outstanding interim…?
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