The Export Academy, from the Department for International Trade (DIT), gives small and micro-businesses the know-how to sell to customers around the world with confidence.
What is the Export Academy?
The Export Academy is a free programme of support, where you’ll learn directly from experts in international trade who are on hand to provide support across a range of sectors and businesses, from selling children’s clothes to Spain, to providing PR services for clients in the US.
Tuesday 13th July or Tuesday 20th July 2021
09:00 – 13:00
In this first four-hour session we will see an overview of the benefits and risks of export; explore the first steps to making informed decisions about internationalisation; and lay the foundations for an achievable export plan. We will move on to see an overview of export documentation, including customs declarations at home and abroad; as well as invoicing and evidence of export; and additional support.
We will get an understanding what constitutes effective market research; which key markets to prioritise; when your business should consider it; and why it’s important to profitability. We will then get to grips with price versus cost; export costing; researching prices in a given market; pricing strategies; and routes to market. We will round up with an recap of the key documentation, and legal requirements; an overview of prohibitions and restrictions; and touch on free trade agreements.
Wednesday 14th July or Wednesday 21st July 2021
09:00 – 13:00
Our second four-hour session starts with marketing your business overseas; building successful relationships; and considering factors that could open the door to opportunities. We’ll move on the Incoterm® 2020 rules and how they are related to the shipment of goods; we will consider what they are all about, and what they do and don’t cover; your responsibilities and liabilities
in the export process; and the impact on the cost of goods.
This will be followed by getting paid: financial regulation; economic considerations in the movement of money over international borders. We will come back to understanding export paperwork in a little more detail; particularly with regard to Rules and Certificates of Origin; VAT and place of service; and key documentation in the shipping process. And we will finish up the course with a look at institutional support available in your strategic planning; overseas visits; translation and interpretation; exhibitions and promotions; legal costs; and overseas partners and staff – and putting in place key action points as we look to help you expand your business into international markets
The North West Programme
Please see dates below for the North West specific workshop sessions as part of The Export Academy.
- Language and Culture for International Sales Success – 28th June, 3-4pm
- In this webinar we will look at the language and cultural factors that influence success when selling your services or goods internationally. We will explore why people think and communicate differently across cultures and how to adapt your sales and communications strategy accordingly. We will consider the importance of language localisation for your communications, website, packaging, digital and printed promotional material and how to select and manage translators and interpreters.
- Preparing to sell to DACH markets (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) – 5th July, 10-11am
- Key to export success is the understanding and acceptance that cultural and communication differences influence business and consumer behaviour. This webinar prepares businesses interested in the DACH markets (Germany, Austria and Switzerland), a predominantly German-speaking region of 100 million inhabitants and strong purchasing power, to embrace the business culture and local nuances of the region from the start in order to maximise market entry success.
- Food & Drink Master Class: The Recipe to Scale Up & Grow – 8th July, 2-3pm
- Sarah Peak, Export Manager with the DIT, has over 25 years’ experience working in the food industry across manufacturing, wholesale, and retail. A buyer for supermarkets and product development in own label, Sarah has worked with brands in ambient, chilled, and frozen and she understands the challenges food businesses face from setting up her own food and drink company. This webinar will give you a roadmap to help you focus on the priorities and see new business opportunities clearer.
- A Step by Step Guide to Internationalise your Marketing and Website – 12th July, 10am-12pm
- Developing your marketing and website for an international audience is vital to your export success – and can be a difficult process for busy exporters. This webinar will take you through 7 practical and productive steps using case study examples from successful exporters to help you win more export business from your marketing and website.
- LinkedIn – How to Win New International Business – 19th July, 10am-12pm
- Do you want to generate enough high-quality international leads on LinkedIn that convert more quickly? You may have a good LinkedIn profile, but are you getting the results you really want? Do you understand how to leverage LinkedIn in international markets? Working smart on LinkedIn can bring significant results, competitive edge, brand awareness and swift global reach. Join this webinar to find out how to make the most of this powerful platform.
- B2B Marketing Master Class: Achieving Sustainable Profitable Growth – 27th July, 11am-12pm
- Christos Kottis has worked in Marketing and Business Development for over 20 years across many industry sectors predominantly in B2B industries. This masterclass will give delegates an insight into B2B marketing and business development and the best way to compile a strategic marketing plan for your business in order to achieve profitable and sustainable growth.
- International Ecommerce and selling online overseas – What you need to know – 28th July, 11am-12pm
- John Baines is the DIT’s ecommerce specialist International Trade Adviser in the north-west, and works with businesses to increase their online sales potential around the world. This webinar will offer insight into the fundamentals of online trade, the major considerations of your ecommerce activity, and how to develop a digital marketing strategy to help raise visibility, awareness, traffic and sales across digital touchpoints.
You can find out more information about how the Department for International Trade can help your business here.
There is funding available for eligible businesses in England who are looking to grow their international trade. Find out more here.
For information on how to register for the Export Academy, please contact Lesley Robinson at lesleyr@cumbriachamber.co.uk.