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Bridges Across Borders Inbound Trade Mission
One-on-one meetings, informative seminars on conducting business across borders for service companies, and networking sessions were featured during an International Business Services Forum in May 2007 as part of an incoming trade mission organized by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Geneva. The two-day event showcased 25 women business owners from Asia, Africa and South America to Canada. Among the businesses represented were printers and publishers, call centres, lawyers, translators and trade development specialists.
A major takeaway was the dispelling of myths that North Americans hold about developing countries. Participants included very accomplished women who can hold their own as service providers and who are anxious to do business with North Americans. “This was one of the best trade missions in which I ever participated,” said Dudu Thabede, Managing Director of Brand Smart (dudu@brandsmart.co.za) in Johannesburg, South Africa. “It was the first one I had seen that focused on the services sector like management consulting, advertising, market research, translations, accounting and legal services, which meant I could spend the majority of my time speaking to businesses that could be potential strategic partners. And it was well-organized by the ITC team, including the preparation and advice they gave participants and the ‘Face Book Website’ created to familiarize participants in advance.”
The forum included presentations by experts on how to market and operate service-based businesses globally. Some of the tips from Doreen Conrad, Chief, Trade in Services Section, International Trade Centre, Geneva, Andrina Lever, President, Lever Enterprises, and Diane Girard, President, Global Links Network, included:
- Three quarters of your export preparation should take place in your home country. Research your target markets online, invest in world-class promotional literature since it’s a reflection of you, and get letters of recommendation from clients in your home market.
- Ensure you have a good website with excellent content that is updated regularly
- Work through women’s business associations, industry associations, and service clubs to find ways to showcase your expertise abroad and build credibility since you’re not selling a tangible item.
- Look for export markets where you might have a personal link.
- Set up progress payments, especially for longer-term contracts, to ensure you get paid along the way and can avoid cash-flow problems.
- Have tolerance and understanding when dealing with other cultures and, notwithstanding that there may still be gender challenges for women in some countries, always maintain the highest standards.
- Never give up…and have fun!
For more about the trade mission, contact Jenny Lofbom at the International Trade Centre at lofbom@intracen.org
(May 2007)
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