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New exporter workshop for ‘smart set’ in Marischal College

Aberdeen City Council and Scottish Development International have hosted a special workshop to help local companies learn more about exporting overseas.

The free Smart Exporter Introductory International Preparedness Programme was targeted at companies thinking about exporting for the first time.

Employees from seven local companies, together with members of Aberdeen City Council’s international trade and investment team, attended the two-day workshop in Marischal College delivered by Giraffe Consulting.

Smart Exporter is an ambitious new international trade programme, designed to increase exporting skills and knowledge among Scottish businesses, and is a collaboration between Scottish Development International, Scottish Chambers International and the European Social Fund.

Benefits to companies include:

• understanding the basics of exporting and opportunities in international markets;

• developing a practical export plan to help businesses to grow;

• gaining the skills and confidence to succeed in highly competitive international markets.

Day one of the programme covered market analysis, including market research, market identification, competition, routes to market via distribution channels and overseas representation, budgeting and planning, market entry, international marketing and promotion, the internet and social media, and exhibitions.

Day two topics included international finance, contracts and logistics, finance and pricing, legal issues, protecting intellectual property, and trading and contractual terms and logistics.

Gordon Duthie, of LHR Marine Ltd, said: "I found the Smart Exporter Workshop a worthwhile exercise as it clarified any concerns I had with exporting strategies. The workshop is structured to explain the frequent issues faced by Scottish small and medium-sized enterprises when conducting international business and I would recommend it to anyone going into international markets for the first time.”

Graeme Montgomery, Managing Director of Jaz-Tek Services Ltd, said: “The programme has cleared muddy waters in terms of international export. The workshop has provided a focus and opportunity to network with like-minded people.”

Jamie Hastings, Director of SalesForceOne, said: “The introductory preparedness programme was a real eye-opener and it has given me the knowledge and the tools to approach international business opportunities in a structured way that will allow me to get the most from entering overseas markets.”

Allan Sneddon, Proprietor of Olida Publishing, said: “I now realise that there is a fantastic range of professional bodies able to advise on matters relating to my business development in the export market. By the end of day one, I was able to develop a practical export plan in order to help my business grow overseas.

“The analysis learned meant that with good market research, a good export plan, a good business plan, identification of the competition, and identifying the routes to market, I could confidently design an overseas market entry plan.”

Sean McConochie, of Grampian Packaging, said: “It’s been a useful two-day course. We are considering requesting an Overseas Marketing Introductory Service to gain further intelligence on USA market conditions and we will be getting in touch with Aberdeen clients who’ve got branches in Houston.”

Muxu Jiang who is considering exporting food products to China, said: “It’s been beneficial gathering information and finding out that help is available to plan your business activities.”

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