Exporting in the ‘new normal’ world
Its export, but not as we know it
Anybody involved with exporting and global trade is facing many unprecedented challenges and, indeed, also, some opportunities, but how?
The coronavirus pandemic is all happening around you…you decide how to respond. The coronavirus crisis has presented us with challenges and changes to all aspects of our lives and the way that businesses operate and will be operating in the future.
We appreciate that, right now, it is different to get a clear picture of what is happening and how you could respond.
How do you demonstrate your understanding of global cultural nuances? How do respond to the massive changes in consumers’ buying behaviour? How do you develop your use of digital communication to engage with consumers in your markets? These are just a few of the issues that any business which wants to develop its export in this ‘new normal’ world.
But, we also appreciate that while the challenges are there we are convinced for the enterprising and agile export businesses who are re-thinking their export activities and business model there are some As one export director said to us
, “This is the biggest upheaval this planet has seen for 75 years, it is a brilliant opportunity to make some radical changes”.
People involved with export probably agrees with President Obama’s Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel:
But, we also accept that it is difficult for those people who either only has export as one part of their job and/or those who may work in businesses which are more conservative and traditional in their thinking. Those people, and many others, may find some inspiration and guidance on all these issues could be really useful.
Here at Optimum Export, we are in contact with many trendsetters and disruptors within the exporting world, so over the coming weeks we will publish a series of blogs focusing on these issues with suggestions on how to respond to them:
These blogs and newsletters will cover:
- Inclusivity and diversity in exporting: How to ensure that you understand the cultural nuances in the different markets you are operating in…diverse workforce
- New technology, new trends, new channels…Online, clubs, subscriptions, DTC…
- Exporting with a purpose…increasingly, particularly young consumers are looking for products from organisations which exist for more than just selling products for a profit. Ecological, provenance, treatment of suppliers and their staff, climate change impact…
- Nationalism and exporting. How do you respond to trade wars and tariffs?
Anybody involved with exporting and global trade is facing many unprecedented challenges and, indeed, also, some opportunities, so now it is all about starting the kickstart the how?
They used to ask, “If you stole Steven Spielberg’s address book, would it help you get a movie made?”
The point was that even if you had the phone numbers and names, calling them up and saying you’d stolen them wasn’t worth very much. The data has no value without trust and connection.
Now, twenty years later, all the address books have been stolen. Everyone has all the data. Identifying the right people (or spamming everyone) is easy and cheap.
Which makes the point even more urgent than ever: Without trust and connection, access to data is worthless. So, building and maintaining that trust and connection is now vital, also for exporters, both with your overseas partners and your consumers. That takes two qualities: Dedication and honesty and, as we have seen on many occasions, it can really backfire if you try and take short-cuts on those two points.