German Exporters

TRADE "MASTER CLASS" WITH DR CHRIS THOMAS 

+Chris Thomas explains how the very successful German trade machine works and what lessons there could be for UK export.

In fact Germany recorded a trade surplus of 16.90 EUR Billion in June of 2013. Seasonally adjusted, the UK's deficit on trade in goods and services was estimated to have been £3.1 billion in March 2013. So there is a really obvious difference.

The German Trade ministry also tenders for inward trade support in each target market which is an interesting contrast to the UKTI model. 

Thanks to an invite from Chris - I was able to see the sort of in-country support given to a German Cloud Computing delegation coming into the UK.  I was very impressed.   Trade nowadays is an interesting mixture of Goods, Services and Knowledge (expertise) and I was really impressed that the German mission contained both Service and Knowledge companies - and they were marketing the security and policy benefits of the "German Cloud"

UKTI should look at benchmarking the very successful German Trade Juggernaut.

#trade #Germany

Reinventing the post

REINVENTING THE POST

Derek Osborn's new book "Reinventing the Post" will be launched at a special Pre-Conference seminar in Vienna on 30th September just ahead of the main Post-Expo Conference.

Derek very kindly asked me to write one of the defining chapters for the book entitled:

An Omni-Channel Future - how can posts reinvent themselves to be successful in this world ?

The Book contains contributions from all the important thought-leaders in our industry about how our industry can be reinvented. It should be a really good read.

I will also be giving a presentation about "Adopting the latest tracking technologies in an omni-channel world" at 1400 on Wednesday 2nd October at Post Expo.

I look forward to seeing all my friends and colleagues at what is promising to be a really good Post-Expo in Vienna

www.post-expo.com

#postal #eCommerce

Keep Location Triggers

KEEP INTRODUCES 

"LOCATION TRIGGERS"

On the 25th March Google launched its new note taking App called "Keep"  and it was interpreted as a counter to Apps like Evernote.  I could see the attractiveness of this type of application and started using it straight away but was disappointed by its limited functionality.

Great to see the first major upgrade for Keep that Google released last week.  They released a traditional "Date and Time" reminder function and also a "Location Trigger" for reminders.

We are used to the concept of "Date and Time" reminders as they have been the basis for Alarm Clock functionality for many years.  "Location Triggers" is a completely new concept that I have never seen before.

Essentially you set a Google Maps location to trigger the "Keep" note.  When the GPS in your Mobile Smartphone/Tablet recognises that it at the location it will trigger the "Keep" note.  Similar of course to the automatic location "check-ins" that you can already configure.

The tricky part is finding the Business opportunities for this brand new concept.   There would seem to be some significant opportunities for Courier drivers and courier companies.  "When you are at 123 High Street please ask if the delivery problem that they had last week has been resolved  satisfactorily"  or "When you are at 132 Grove Crescent please take a Meter Reading"  

It will be great to see how the Postal and Express Delivery industry can embrace this new paradigm.  

I will be watching eagerly to see future developments of this very promising application

#postal  #delivery #address #GADA

Internationalising your business

Internationalising your Business ?

During the 18th Century, the United Kingdom established itself on the World map as the dominant trading nation. As a UK Manufacturer should you be considering exporting as a key element of your business strategy. For a business owner this is not an easy or simple decision but it could be a huge missed opportunity.  There are many large and vibrant world markets that have avoided the type of recession that we have experienced in the UK and Europe

The Huntingdonshire Manufacturing Association with assistance from the Global Trade Network and UKTI will be holding a breakfast seminar on 3rd October at Alcolnbury Weald to help companies think through this difficult question.

Trade incorporates far more dimensions and questions than normal domestic business.

• Are we exporting Goods, Services or Knowledge (or a mixture of all three) ?
• What markets should we be targeting ?
• How do we distribute our goods and deal with transport costs and customs charges?
• What is our best "route to market"  - distributors, agents, direct to wholesalers etc ?
• Should we partner and collaborate with established UK exporters ?
• How can we localise our product in terms of language, culture and customer service?
• What is the best way to finance our exporting activity ?

The complexities of working internationally are not to be underestimated but the benefits can be significant.  Exporting is part of our industrial DNA in the UK. UKTI provides a large range of support for exporters but often there is considerable value in learning from like-minded local businesses first.

"Extending your company’s business ambitions beyond the home market leads to faster growth and higher productivity.  I am delighted on behalf of UKTI to support the Huntingdonshire Manufacturers Association (HMA) ‘Internationalising your business’ event as part of our joint effort to help more Huntingdonshire companies win profitable business overseas"  - Liz Basing Regional Director UKTI

"One to One" consultations with UKTI trade advisers will form an important part of this event

Take your first step on the journey to your new market by contacting Merille Duff on Merille.Duff@encocam.com  Supported by:

  

Brazil in a Nutshell

HSBC is pleased to announce the forthcoming morning seminar Brazil in a nutshell: 

Event Date 
Monday, 16th September at 8:30am 

Event Location 
HSBC Headquarters, level 6, 8 Canada Square E14 5HQ 

Brazil is one of the most promising emerging markets in the world. Diversification in its product exportation base and trading partners, internal economic stability and a large work force are helping to attract more and more global investors. In addition, the forthcoming 2014 Soccer World Cup and 2016 Olympics are generating a large number of infrastructure investment opportunities; a market too big to ignore. 

Keynote speakers to include: 
- HSBC Brazil senior economist, Constantin Jancso 
- PwC tax adviser, Gustavo Carmona 
- Allen & Overy International Law Firm

Kind regards
John Wain 
International Commercial Manager | HSBC BANK PLC HBEU
Cambridge Commercial Area
Vitrum, St John's Innovation Park, Cowley Road, Cambridge, CB4 0DS

___________________________________________________________________________________ Phone +44 (0) 7554 113371 Email john.wain@hsbc.com Website http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/business/commercial-banking

Next Generation Social Media

NEXT GENERATION GOOGLE+: SEARCH AND COMMUNICATION

SEMINAR 6 SEPT 2013

Richard Wishart and Chris Thomas will of course introduce the key basic features that make Google+ unique amongst other Social Media. Following on, Chris’s main focus in this seminar will be on the practicalities of mining for useful information, contacts and communities that are relevant for your business. Richard will then demonstrate the different ways to communicate with the new contacts you find, with particular reference to Hangouts, the new video personal and conferencing tool. Not only that, He will also show how Hangouts on Air can significantly improve your marketing collateral.

Richard was an early adopter of Google+ and expertly curates a very strong and global social media following ( G+, Linkedin and Twitter). Chris specialises in helping  companies communicate effectively and is an acknowledged expert in creating compelling content (words, Images and video).

The seminar will be held on Friday 6th September @1230 at the WI Centre, 6 Walden Road, HUNTINGDON, PE29 3AZ. A light buffet is available. Seminars are great value for money, at £10.00 for guests and just £5.00 for members, whereas our regular weekly meetings are free of charge.

To reserve a place:

http://www.meetup.com/Huntingdonshire-Business-Network/events/133417732/