Small Business UK Export
Why do companies get involved in export? Excess manufacturing capacity Seasonal low in home market Good overseas contact Home market under attack from imports Historical exporter
Whatever the reason, the hopeful end result is increased profit. The profit from exporting should be some way in excess of home sales. The administration of an export order/sale is notoriously risky - especially when the sale is on credit terms. However, many long-term UK exporters will inform you that conducting business outside of the UK can be completed easily: the key to this is knowledge and experience. There are few occupations, than, say, an export clerk, where mistakes can cost millions of pounds. Export paperwork has few contemporary similarities in today's computer age. Export administration paperwork must be in a format that can not only suffice the electronic capabilities of western Europe, but also workable in third world countries. Major consideration has to be given to exporting a suitable product: Is your product suitable for export (technical and local suitability) Can you market your product overseas (your job or marketing company) Is there a demand for your product (price, quality, delivery) Who will service the product (labour and parts) How stable is the target country (conflict affects countries overnight) Do you need to conduct specific market research? (is your product unchallenged or will you have to gain a share of the market from an existing exporter or local manufacturer) The small business owner has to look at area's such as: Shipping and transport: cost and delivery preferences Packaging and labelling: get it wrong = delays, even lost goods New invoice and payment skills: totally unique skills Good knowledge of import country: you are blindfolded otherwise
Of course, an experienced export manager would cover most area's of concern, but they cost money! (money well spent?). Communication channels, and the ability to use them, must be easily available from pre sales talks to ongoing service commitments. |
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