Innovative Trade

Change is rule of life and innovation is in every industry anymore. Due to enlarging needs of last users, companies allocate a lot of sources for adaptation to new trends. Exporter and importer companies have to join this movement too. International trade cannot be stable while all industries around are changing and developing. Innovation can be in two forms in trade operations:

·         Product innovation

·         Process innovation

·      Product innovation: People don’t buy products but needs and they are always changeable. Companies need to understand what exactly existing and potential customers look for and this can be attained only according to feedbacks from customers. Therefore, continuous communication is a very essential part of international trade. On this perspective, we have to change our perception of export and import, which is only consist of selling and buying. We should start innovation in our mind first.

Process innovation: Beside product adaptation, companies need to look over process they follow in international trade. Most important issue at this point is increasing efficiency of trade model you embrace. It can be possible that applied trade pattern cannot be suitable for other sides, even though it seems to be most proper one. You can need to change methods of transportation and communication and way to reach new clients continuously.   

Best source of innovation is first-hand information, which can be only obtained existing and potential customers in industry. For this purpose, you need create large networks to keep information flow alive. Networking is not only about to reach new customers but to get innovative ideas as well. You know Salesupp.NET always emphasizes on: International trade is result of networking. J

INTERNATIOANAL TRADE IS NOT ONE TIME TRANSACTION: Kaizen Approach

Due to requirements of our new start-up, Salesupp.NET and industry interests, I always talk with our existing and potential users. I aim to understand what they think about b2b online platforms and how they try to reach new customers and suppliers. What I realized is actually shows that most of exporter and importer companies are not on the right way. Because, they have mind that international trade is one time transaction. But it is not! It requires continuous effort. You cannot find new customers by writing introductory emails or looking for import demands, which are generally fake or expired, on b2b marketplaces. In that case, how can we get new customers continuously and get sustainable trade?

At that point, I strongly recommend Japanese Kaizen approach. Kaizen offers continuous improvement by getting first hand information and adaptation. Information comes from networking. This method is applied by Toyota very successfully. Company has set up very effective network system with its suppliers and with this advantage, they could change way of automotive industry.

In international trade, networking as Kaizen propose is the best way to get trade leads continuously thus, to get sustainable trade. By setting up large and effective supply, sales and logistic networks and staying in contact with companies in these networks, you can get long term and very profitable export/import connections. Networking is also base of Salesupp.NET. You can get in very easily, find new companies and add them to your sales and supply networks, which you will have automatically on Salesupp.NET. It is FREE J and only thing you need to do is to sign up in a few minutes. I also recommend to check one of our previous posts:

The lean trading, http://salesuppnet.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-lean-trading.html

Achieving sustainable trade with gritty networking!

As Salesupp.NET, we always insist on networking in order to get long term sustainable trade. So, what does sustainable trade mean? Sustainable trade is cooperating with existing buyers and suppliers efficiently while at the same time adding potential buyers and suppliers into network. Once you add a new company in your network, the most important thing should be done is staying in close contact. By this way, you can run existing business while generating new ones. This is how long term sustainable trade can be achieved by networking. But, this process requires continuous effort on the contrary of what almost all companies do on online marketplaces.  International trade is not something like that you will have new business while sending same long messages and emails automatically. On this perspective, online world works like offline, which relies on personal relationships.

Last week I have read the article of Cheryl Conner from Forbes and watched speech of Angela Lee Duckworth on TED, which emphasize on being gritty to be successful. “Being gritty”! This is the word I was looking for to define sustainable trade process. So, let’s look against what we should be gritty in trade networking. 

There can be industry, market or product specified obstacles on the way of networking for sustainable trade. But, I have determined 5 big sets you should jump overJ.

- Not having plan. Beginning is the hardest part. So, take time for forecasting, correcting deficiencies and planning for future steps. I know, your plan will not go smoothly but, it will give you considerable insights.

- Questions. Networking starts with meeting with new companies in your interest field and naturally questions come with it. But, you should reply these questions by one by, not in automatic mood. Listen and reply carefully. You should value other side’s ideas and thoughts, as we always underlineJ.

- Solve problems. There can be many problems on your way. Solve them not skip. Don’t be in mood of “not that important”. This is really important to flatten your way and see the future clearly.

- Tiredness. Networking for sustainable trade is a long way. You should be patient. Gaining confidence of other companies is not easy and you should keep contacting with them.

- Down times. Sometimes your business can fluctuate. You should be resistant and not forget networking. Otherwise, when you back to your networks, you will have to show effort one more time.

Yes, networking requires being gritty. Find new companies, add them to your networks and stay in close contacts with them. These are not that easy as it is read. You should go on networking way with patient and by overcoming obstacles. After some time, things will be on their ways and you will have to spend less effort. Of course you will be achieved big gift, sustainable trade.

'True Grit': What It Takes To Succeed As An Entrepreneur: http://onforb.es/13s8fDw

The key to success? Grit: http://bit.ly/10B3REF

What do you expect from virtual trade fairs? (Comments are highly expected !!!)

Trade fairs are one of the most important parts of the international trade. Every year, a lot of trade shows are organized and millions of business people visit these fairs. These organizations generate many connections and businesses. But, on the other side they have some shortages or difficulties such as cost and time. Companies and visitors spend a lot of money and time to attend trade fairs. Ok, it is good to travelJ but, still so costly. And among all these issues, footprints of online world have shown themselves in this area as well and we have learned a new term: Virtual trade fairs. This new service can be defined as online simulation of real life trade fairs without travelling and spending high amount of money. But, can they replace real life trade fairs at least in some extent? 

We expect you to share your ideas about what you expect from virtual trade fairs.

To help you, I would like to emphasize on general benefits why companies attend and visit to real life trade fairs:

-  Companies display their new and existing products in these organizations.

- Exporter and importer companies meet with potential partners and can get new businesses.

- Companies can enlarge their networks by attending lounge room meetings and exchanging business cards.

- Companies can monitor new trends in their industries.

- Companies can monitor their rivals. 

- Taking place in trade fairs brings prestige with itself.

These are general advantages of trade fairs and we expect your comments and ideas by considering these issues. Of course, you can add more benefits you think you can get from trade fairs.  So, tell us what you would expect from a VIRTUAL trade fair in comparison with real life trade fair.

P.S. You know our motto: International trade is all about networking J and you also know the new address to create your sales and supply networks: Salesupp.NET. FREE sign up stage is open!!! Don’t be late to join the new trade world :)

Why is personalized trade better than generalized trade?

Online trade platforms are used by companies heavily due to considerable benefits they present. But, what has grabbed my attention is that when companies move to online portals, they change their classical personalized trade behaviors with generalized one. Firstly, I want to explain what personalized and generalized trades are. Let’s assume that your company needs a product, what do you do? You asked to your existing suppliers and this is what should be done. Thanks to personal contact, you know and trust them. Also, this way saves you money and time. This is what we called personalized trade, which leans to personal close contacts. But, what companies do on online trade portal is that they just throw their demands or leads out and wait for reply. Who will reply? Someone unknown. Then, we hear a lot of conflicts and complaints. Of course, most of your demands and leads will not be recognized and replied. So, this is what we called as generalized trade. I have talked many companies and realized that even though they are aware of inefficiency of generalized approach, they are not tend to change their way of doing business. Because, it is easy and quick to do. So, in this post, I will explain why personalized trade is better than generalized approach. 

-Trust issue. Having confidence against other part is essential in international trade. Having business with some companies you don’t know well, bring a lot of problems with itself. So, with personal contacts in large and effective networks, you can have healthier trade operations. You will not have to deal with fake demands, leads and companies, which existing generalized trade platforms have plenty of.

- Reply. On generalized portals, when you create a trade lead, you publish it and cannot be sure if you will be replied. Even though you are replied, you will not know the company,which is interested in your lead. So, this is another risk. But, in personalized trade, you will develop large and effective networks and be already in contact with many companies, which you can cooperate with. So, when you create a new trade lead, you will send it to companies you know and can be sure that you will be replied.

-Strategy developing. On almost every trade portal, you deal with companies you don’t know and it is not possible to contact with them continuously on these portals. A lot of companies around, you don’t who they are or whether you can trust them and you cannot stay in contact with them. Totally chaos! In this case, getting feedbacks for your products, service or promotional efforts is not that possible. We know how feedbacks are important to develop future strategy. But, in personalized approach you can get feedbacks fluently thanks to networking system and direct your efforts to more effective ways.

-Short term vs. long term. On many trade portals, you see many companies and trade leads. Most of them are not available unfortunately. Even though, you catch real import demands, probably you will have a short term trade because of potential problem due to lack of pre-communication and trust. But, in personalized trade system, you will develop close relations with other companies in large and effective networks and build trust, which will put you on long term trade direction.

Almost all existing trade portals embrace generalized approach and therefore, companies change their trade behaviors. But, Salesupp.NET is online anymoreJ. You can create your networks, set up continuous relationships with companies and get long term sustainable trade.Salesupp.NET provides you personalized trade, which is you are already used to. You shouldn’t change your classical personalized trade but you can make it more and more effective with Salesupp.NET.

How to go viral in international trade

Viral marketing is popular topic in marketing world. A well conducted viral marketing strategy can contribute a lot to awareness of your company and product. Simply, viral marketing is that reputation of a good service or product pass from person to person and thus, sphere of influence is getting larger and larger. This way of marketing fits perfectly our networking approach in international trade. In this post, I will explain how to go viral in export/import world in the scope of networking.

To run an effective viral marketing, the first thing has to be done is to create a large and effective networks (as we always insist onJ). This should be done strategically according to chosen target market and section. Once you start to develop network, you should get involved into personal close relationships. Formal and only business focused messages, emails or conversations don’t work. You better to create more friendly atmospheres. Make people trusting you! These two steps can be seen as very essential preparations. But, you should be patient. Because, they will take time. After these stages, you can follow four efficient ways to spread your company or brand:

-         -  Ask people in your networks to recommend your product or company to other people. Once they have confidence against you and your friendship, they will do it. People like to help others.

-          -  Ask people in your networks to share your link on their social media pages or in related groups. Internet is a huge world and you should take advantage of it. You will be noticed by many people by this way. If they share your link with a good comment, that will be excellent for your reputation.

-          -  Solve problems. When people have problem with your service or product, solve it in the shortest time. You should do it really sincerely like you have the same problem. Even though they have really small problems, solve them with patient and without judgment. Make them pleased with your service or product.

-          -  Don’t be ordinary. Share funny and informative videos, articles and posts. You can add interesting specifications to your products. Just do something remarkable! Business life doesn’t have to be boring always J

I know, conducting viral marketing is a time-taker process. But if you run with patient, it will bring you much benefit. Believe the power of butterfly effectJ. You know where you will start from, Salesupp.NET of course.

For more information, I strongly recommend you to watch the video and read the article below:

http://www.ted.com/talks/seth_godin_on_sliced_bread.html

http://www.forbes.com/sites/danschawbel/2013/04/25/jonah-berger-how-to-make-your-marketing-campaigns-go-viral/

An international trade term you have to know: HS Code

Since, Salesupp.NET has became online, I contact with many company representatives, which are directly involved into international trade. On Salesupp.NET, sign up page, we ask companies to choose their products’ chapter numbers in order to classify them according to a known term on international trade (Well, at least we have thought that they should know if they export or importJ). But, it made me surprise that I have taken many questions about chapter numbers, even though it is really important to know and is required in many cases, such as online market research, transportation documents, tariffs etc. So, I have decided to explain what HS code and chapter number are in this post.

Harmonized system or HS has been developed by World Customs Organization (WOC) as 6 digits to classify commodities, which are object to international trade. It has 21 sections and 97 chapter numbers, which represent 5000 commodity classes. Chapter number is the first two digits of HS code. Chapter number 77 has been remained empty for future needs. Chapter numbers 98 and 99 are for use of Custom Administrations. So, HS code starts with chapter number. After chapter number, HS code continues with heading, which means the first four digits. The last step of HS code is sub-heading which contains all six digits of HS code. Every step is designed to specify commodities with more detail. To illustrate the issue, we better go with an example.

Let’s assume our commodity is cherry tomato (I know very specific exampleJ). Chapter number of our commodity is 07, “Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers” (chapter number is the number you will choose on sign up page of Salesupp.NET). We go more specific and our heading number is 0702, “tomatoes, fresh or chilled”. And finally we end up with sub-heading, which is 0702.10, “Cherry”. 

HS code is a must-known term in international trade and you especially need chapter number for Salesupp.NET J Don’t forget, knowing specific terms are compulsory in networking process, which we always insist on as you remember from our previous posts. After all, international trade is profit of networking. You remember our motto, don’t you? J

For whole list of HS codes, you can check this page: 

http://www.foreign-trade.com/reference/hscode.htm

Effective communication in international trade

As Salesupp.NET (www.salesupp.net), we work hard to promote our website. Therefore, I am in contact with many businessmen/women. In this process, what I noticed is that we suffer from lack of communication. I don’t mean that we are not talking, messaging or emailing. We do much time. But still there is something missing. We don’t listen really what the other side is talking about or we don’t read the messages and emails, we receive, carefully. We are over focused on planned conversations and most of time we want to tell about our business. But, this doesn’t work. We are in international trade world and as I always insist on, the most important aspect of international trade is forming confidence between sides. This can be done only with close personal relations.

For more effective communication, there is something can be done. But, we should approach the issue in our two roles: sender and receiver. As sender we should be careful about the points below:

·       -  Don’t talk much and don’t write long. People are busy and cannot share time for long talks and messages. Try to explain yourself and your business with short words and let the other side to ask you.

·    

          -  Don’t be automatic. Being personal always works in human relations, which trade is about. Ask personal questions while talking or writing. It is not a good idea to send always same messages and emails.

·         -Find related person. This is very important issue. When you talk about your business, be sure that other side is the right person. If you deal with a person, who cannot be buyer of your products or is not in your interest field, you will just waste your time. I know this sounds weird. But, this is issue and I witnessed many time.

·         -Ask. I get many messages and emails, which are quite long and informative, but at the end of the email, there is no word about what is expected from me. Ask people what you would like them to do. If you introduce a product, ask them if they want to see and try product. Don’t say that “if you are interested in, let me know”. People are open to questions.

 As receiver, we have something to do as well:

·         -Listen and read. For better understanding, pay attention to real listening and reading. I know sometimes it can be difficult to read long messages, but at least try to catch main points. Maybe you can miss the many important issues due to this reason.

·         -Reply. Try to reply all calls and emails. This represents how much respect you show to other side. Even though, your reply is negative, tell it to people kindly. This will improve your reputation and can provide you new connections.

·        - Confirm. In your reply, confirm sender about you understand what they want to tell you. Don’t send them automatic reply (This is always problem in international trade unfortunately). When you confirm them, people will listen or read your words.

Effective communication is the most essential part of international trade. By developing close and personal relations, you can get sustainable trade. Enlarge your networks and try to stay in touch with companies as much as you can. After all, international trade is the profit of networking and close relations, as we always repeatJ

How to write appealing messages for your business

Writing emails, messages and posts is one of the most important parts of business life. I got a lot of emails and messages. But, what grabbed my attention is I am not willing to read most of them, probably like you are. Even though, I really pay attention to every single email and message and to reply them, sometimes it can become exhausted. Because, generally messages I get is not looking appealing. They are too long, overloaded and nothing special to read. This is especially case in international trade. In this post, I would like to explain how to write attention grabbing messages or emails for business. 

There are 3 main points you better follow while writing message or email:

1.       Keep it short: It is better not to write too long emails. Because people are busy and not willing to spare time for long messages. So do not discourage them with long messages.

2.       Start with your basic point: When you start with the main reason why you write email is a good way to make reader’s mind clear. Make it interesting and let receiver to read the rest of email.

3.       Go through why, how and what circles: As I have explained in my previous post, (“The art of persuasion, http://bit.ly/X9fEIW) following the path of why, how and what circles is a good way as Simon Sinek explained. After writing main idea of message, explain why you write this email, how reader can do what you want from him or her and what you expect exactly. It is also good to write the main idea of email here at the end again.

Out of these 3 main points, let me give you some tips to make your emails more attracting. Jamie Turner explains in his post 14 effective words in marketing and I think they can work in emailsJ:

-Free   -Now   -You   -Save   -Money   -Easy   -Guarantee   -Health   -Results   -New

-Love   -Discovery   -Proven   -Safety

Effective communication is essential in international trade. It is especially important on Salesupp.NET, where you can create your sales and supply networks on. Because, the main idea of Salesupp.NET is networking in international trade. So, let’s make our messages and emails interesting and more readable. 

THE ART OF PERSUASION

Persuading people for any purpose is very complicated issue in every area of the life. People can be uninterested in your point or simply they can be uninformed. Or, the message you are transmitting can be mispercevied due to various reasons. In business life convincing people is the major concern otherwise there will be no value of what you are creating, producing or selling. In International trade even it gets more complicated due to cultural differences and different type of business minds. When I was thinking about this issue, a speech of Simon Sinek, which I had watched several months ago, has come to my mind, “How great leaders inspire action”.

In this video, Mr. Sinek explains how to affect people in the scope of leadership. But, leadership can be at anywhere. So this approach, which I really like, can be applied in international trade. He draws a simple schema, which looks like below, to explain where to start and to understand intrinsic forces of persuading people.

According to this schema, before we tell people what we want from them,  we should start with why we want. This point represents sharing passion you feel. If you are not excited about what you are doing, you cannot get what you want. This is obvious.The second step includes learning process. This can be about product itself, type of business doing, transactions and so on. We should clarify the path in front of people, whom we want to convince. At that point, I strongly recommend to stay close with them and forming warm relationships. Being in business doesn’t mean that we have to be always business focused. Ask people how they are doing in daily life. People likes to be taken care of. But, do it sincerly not for business purposes.  In this perspective, our business will get easier in the last step, where we will ask people about what we want.

I really like this approach to persuade people. I certainly believe that personal relationships are the most important part of business life, especiallay in international trade. That is why we have developed Salesupp.NET, which allows companies to create their networks and to set up continuous relations. We are not automatic working machines. Enjoy personal links, get into more conversations and at the same time persuade people for what you want. The key is to be more human. 

LET'S CREATE OUR TRADE WORLD ALL TOGETHER !

In my previous posts, I have always emphasized on how important having large and effective network is. You know our mottoJ: “Trade is all about human relations”. Yes, these are easy-to-say words. In international trade there are a lot of issues and details, which can be problematic. Such as physical distance. All we know that face-to-face meetings are cornerstones of builing mutual trust, which is crucial for trade. But, physical distance is matter. We have a passion: To create an online trade world. For this purpose, we have created the first form of our platform, Salesupp.NET. This is just the beginnig. We will create our trade world all together.

I want to inform you about this new platform. Firstly, you will be able to create your sales and supply networks, which is really important in order to set up continuous relations. International trade is not one day work or not a few transactions. It is a progressing  process. To get expected return you should be close to your buyer/supplier companies. Continuous relation is the key and the only way to do that is networking. You will find the best way of it on Salesupp.NET.

Ok you have high number of companies in both of your sales and supply networks. What to do then?  Salesupp.NET presents you very effective tools for communication. You can create promotional or informative “posts” or trade lead “posts” and send them to companies in your networks. Also, you can send your posts to whole your sales or supply networks by just one click.

 Let’s assume that you need a product. You already have companies in your supply networks, which you are close with thank to networking. The only thing you should do is to create a “demand” for product you need  and send them to suppliers you will choose. Again, if you wish you can send this demand to whole your supply network with one click. Is demand tool on Salesupp.NET guarantee buyer companies exact return in the shortest time and suppliers to have trustable demands? That is for sure J

Besides, these three function, you can search for companies in any country, in any chapter number or by firm name. You can monitor their pages and assess if they are appropriate business partners for you. You can message with firms in your networks at any time and keep contacting. 

You will be able to use all these functions on a very user-friendly and stylish platform. No banners, no information overolad, no many links and nothing will make you confused. As I have mentioned at the beginning of my words, this is just the initial form of our trade world. There are many other tools, which will help you, are on the way. All we need is your feedbacks. Because, we want to create a trade world with you. If you want to see anything on the platform, just tell us.

We are waiting to see as many users as possible on our website. We want to have a effective and easily affordable trade platform for all of us. So, we want to see you as signed up member. Is it enough ? No J We kindly ask you to invite your friends to our platform as well. Because, international trade is all about networking and more valuable with more companies around. 

Let’s start to create our trade world all together !!!

 

Salesupp.NET – where sustainable trade is

www.salesupp.net

info@salesupp.net

THE LEAN TRADING

Probably most of you heard that there is a popular book in entrepreneurship field, which is written by Eric Ries and called as “The Lean Startup”. It is a really great book and I strongly recommend you to read to enlarge your business mind. In this book, one of the most important points the author emphsizes on is the learning in as the shortest time as possible and developing startups according to this learning process. This will help you enourmously to reduce the time and cost while starting a new business. While I was reading, I was thinking that starting export/import operations or entering a new market also can be seen as a startup. This is exactly what Ries asserts by saying that “Entrepreneurs are everywhere”. Also, a few days ago I have read an article of Meghan M. Biro and I really like one definition in it, which is “Learning and Development (L&D)”. Both of the book and the article explain how learning and getting first-hand information are important. This is exactly the secret of success in international trade and the base of our startup,Salesupp.NET.

I always emphasizes on the importance of having large and effective networks for success in export/import. Because, international trade has highly changeable dynamics and requires continuous efforts. Therefore, setting up close relations with potential partner firms is crucial in order to follow the market you are in or interested in and to incrase profit as well. Networking is a gradual process of learning. But, at this point we can use the appraoch, which is explained in the book, “The Lean Startup”. We can test validation of market for our porducts or services by launching our minimum viable product (MVP), as it is named in the book. Our MVP is creating a limited network in target market. We can get connection with small number of suppliers and/or buyers from target country and set up intesive continuous relationships with them. By doing so, we can learn from them and decide whether to enlarge the network or to move to another country. This is not difficult to do and can save time and cost for us. 

International trade is all about networking”. This is what I always say. When you have a large and effective network, you can learn from updated information, create a trust atmosphere between you and potential/existing trade partners and increase your level of adaptation. By launching Salesupp.NET, we aim exactly to present these benefits. I am finishing my words with a new statementJ:

“International trade is profit of networking”.

LET’S WRITE THIS POST TOGETHER!

On my posts I always emphasize on how having large and effective networks is important. So let’s make it real in this post and share our ideas, difficulties we face and issues we think are important. For initial guidance I wrote 10 general points of international trade. You can write comments about these issues or add other issues to discuss.

Here are the points I am adding:

1. Decision to go for export/import operations.

2.Difficulties of export/import terms (such as HS code, delivery terms, payment terms, tarifs etc.) and procedures

3. Doing market research and getting decision for which market to enter

4. Promotions and increasing awareness of company or/and product name

5. Finding customers from other countries and developing large and effective networks

6. Product adaptation for needs of customers

7. Cultural differences and different ways of businesses in different countries

8. Transportation in terms of finding right company, customs issues, cost etc.  

9. Insurance issues

10. Post-sale operations and customer loyalty

Which issues above are most problematic for you? What can be done? What kind of solutions would you want to have? Or in addtion to topics above, what other issues do you think are problematic?

So, let’s share our ideas and create a first-hand reliable post. After all, you are intelligent business people and others,including me, can learn from youJ

Please join our LinkedIn group: http://linkd.in/VlyLja

Salesupp.NET - where sustainable trade is

www.salesupp.net

A SIMPLE METHOD OF MARKET RESEARCH

When you get involved into export/import, you will find yourself in profitable and excited world of international trade. You will have challenges and take decisions on this way. The first move you have to take is to to decide which market to enter. This is a very important point in order to get return you expect in exchange of your time and effort as I have mentioned in my another post: “Road map of export/import for SMEs”, http://bit.ly/YkX2of. In this post, I will tell you how to make a simple desk market research without any cost. 

We will benefit of the website of international trade center: www.intracen.org. When we open the main page, firstly, we will click on “ITC FOR EXPORTERS” link.

On the opening page, we will click on the sub-link of “Trade statistics” under the “Market Data & Information” link.

We are looking for importer countries of our products. So, we will click on “Imports” according to product group and country.

When we click on “Imports” link, we will see a very important page where chapter numbers are on. Chapter number is the first two digits of custome code (HS code), which represents the same product category in every country. If you want to sell abroad, you have to know chapter number of your product. On our website, www.salesupp.net, you will choose your category according to chapter numbers of your products. On the opening page, we click on the first option, “01-Live animals”, just to show. If you want, you can open heading numbers (the first four digits of custom code) to go for more detail.

When you click on chapter number you will choose, you will a page like below. You will see which countries are top importers of your product type.

Now, you know which countries can be your potential markets. But, top importer countries cannot be your real target. What I recommend you is to make a list of 20 or 30 top countries and then to evaluate them according to issues you should consider such as physical distance, tariffs, free trade agreements, cultural similarities and so on. In this stage, you can pick up top 10 countries you think you can enter. Then, you can click on the countries you have choosen one by one on the page as above to see which countries they buy in order to understand countries, your competitor companies are coming from. When you click on your potential target market, you will see a page like below:

You should assess your competitiveness against companies from countries, where generally your target markets import from. Then, you better pick up top 5 countries to enter. Initially, beginning with less number of countries is better to focus more. Ok, you have choosen your target markets. So, are you done? The answer is no J Now, you should search for details about these countries. For this purpose, you can write me an email to your commercial counsellor in target markets. Or you can check websites of chambers of commerce.

This is a simple but effective way about how you can search for suitable markets for your product. Next step is finding buyers from choosen countries and starting to create trade networks. From my previous posts you already know how having a large and effective network is crucial.

To meet companies from different countries and to share your ideas please join our LinkedIn group: http://linkd.in/VlyLja

You can follow us from Facebook: http://on.fb.me/15pfjUw

Salesupp.NET – where sustainable trade is

www.salesupp.net

info@salesupp.net

SIX CORNERSTONES OF SUCCESS IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE

A few months ago I watched a video and Richard St. John was telling how to achieve to success. Success… The word all of us want to see beside our names. What Richard St. John was explaining was what leads to success in general meaning. But, as we know business has many different dynamics that can require different kind of mentality. Moreover, we are in B2B’s magical world J and this makes things different too. So, I was thinking “Ok, he is right about what he is telling us. But, what exactly leads to success in international trade?” Till that time, I have come up with 6 very essential factors to get more return from international trade in exchange of our efforts. 

·    Network. International trade is all about having a large and effective network. Then, you will be able to understand what actually you have to constitute or reshape by setting up continuous relationships with companies in your networks. In this way, you will reduce your learning time and have first-hand information which will help you a lot.

·       Well-preparation for procedures. International trade operations have many procedures and paper works. To be well-prepared for these jobs in order to speed up the process is very important. Yes, I know they are not that interesting to doJ but still have to be done.

·       Being persistent. Due to many different factors, export/import operations are time-takers and will force you to work a little bit harder. But, as it is case in every situation, hard-working brings a lot. You will face many things you haven’t encountered before but you shouldn’t give up. After handling first export/import transactions with any new partner, further operations will be easier and more profitable.

·    Welcome differences. Two parts involve any international trade operations bring differences with them. What you should do is to welcome any kind of differences. They can be cultural, operational, strategic, bureaucratic etc. Don’t judge any of them. Don’t ask why. Just accept them and go on for further steps.

·     Engagement into conversations. The most important factor in trade is human relations. Setting up trust between you and your business partner is very essential. That is why you need to be effective in your networks. But, don’t treat other side only with business mind. After all, people like warm conversations. Sometimes calling your buyers or suppliers just to ask how they are doing can be very beneficial. Another important issue is replying questions or requests coming from partners as quick as possible. You will always have time to do that.

·      High adaptation level. Features of any product can be different from country to country. Also, the way of business doing is not same in every region. Therefore, being flexible and having high level of adaptation can provide you many advantages. This will help you to keep your target market circle larger and correspondingly your company reputation much better.

There are six important factors to achieve sustainable success in international trade. Of course, export/import operations include many details within but, getting these six as your cornerstones will present you new paths to go and new visions to capture.

To share your ideas and see what is happening in international trade, please join our LinkedIn group, “Network in international trade”: http://linkd.in/VlyLja

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HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING IN EXPORT/IMPORT?

As a result of incredibly increasing internet usage all around the world, many business transactions have moved towards online platforms and this migration can been seen enormously in marketing. After integration of the internet into marketing process, we had a new cool path, “Social media marketing”. Since social networking sites provides very large audience to transmit messages and are relatively cheaper, they have been considered as an important marketing tool. You have internet and there are a lot of people online, so go and contact with them and tell yourself. But, is everything such as easy? No! You have to pay attentions on many details and besides, reaching target audience is not that easy as it seems. When it comes to social media marketing in export/import, you will have to differentiate your approaches. Because this B2B, which we loveJ So, let me tell you how to use social media tools effectively to improve your businesses.

There are plenty of social network websites to benefit however, in order to save time, determining the most useful ones is very essential. As I have mentioned, we are in B2B world and we should consider this when selecting which tools to use. You can see most popular ones on the picture, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, RSS, YouTube and many others. But, at that point I will strongly recommend you two of them: blogging and LinkedIn. I don’t mean that you should stop to use others and just concentrate on these two. What I mention is that, put your blog and LinkedIn at the core your social media marketing strategy and reinforce them with others. 

Why LinkedIn and blog? Because, we are seeking for companies and LinkedIn is specialized for that. You can find many representatives of firms from many different countries. Moreover, what I likes and certainly recommend you to use is groups. There are a lot of industry and/or country specific group pages which you can find exactly your target audience in. You can post there, leave trade leaads and comments and contact with peoples in these groups. Even, if you need or want, you can create your own group. Your blog is another important tool because of that you can show your competence by publishing interesting and informative posts. Blogging will increase willingness of people about your company and to take advantage of this, you can leave follow us buttons on your blog to encourage visitors to see your other social media pages.  

Presence on social media is not enough. You should be effective and efficient as well. Let me give you FIVE tips to get return in exchange of your efforts:

·         One company or product advertisement per day. Introduce your company or product once a day on your pages and in groups. Don’t make it more than one otherwise you will lose attention on you.

·         Share interesting and informative links. Don’t be just business focused. Get into conversation with people. You can share a few links a day and ask people what they think about. Links you share don’t have to be related with business. They can be about daily life, latest trends, quotations and so on.

·         Welcome any comments and messages. Thank people to join you and to make contributions to your shares.

·         Share pre-event, event-time and post-event posts. Let’s say you are about to publish a post on your blog. Before publishing, tell people that your new post is on the way. When you publish your post, let people know that your post is online. Then after a few days, remind people if they have checked your post. This approach can be done for any event you are about to launch.

·         Write different things in separate lines. In your posts or messages, write different points in different lines. This is a good strategy not to make people minds overloaded and confused. But, don’t make posts or messages so long otherwise, people will not read them.

You can use social media very effectively by considering these issues. But, I would like to remind you that don’t spend so much time on social media by doing nothing but watching what is happening. At the end of the day, social media marketing is just a part of your strategy but important one!

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