Exporting Tips - FAQs

We would like to strengthen our company's international strategy, where do we start?

It may be beneficial for you to meet up with one of the BGI advisers to discuss taking your international strategy forward. For more details contact Colin Crabbe, colin.crabbe@scotent.co.uk

For a more intensive assessment of your strategic aims and objectives you may be interested in carrying out an International Strategy Workshop as offered by Scottish Enterprise Grampian. The Strategy Workshop follows your company's aims and will assist you in creating an action plan in taking your internationalisation forward. For more details please contact Claire Rannou, claire.rannou@scotent.co.uk

I have undertaken some desk research and would like to follow up with a visit to the market. What is the best way to go about doing this?

It is well worth your while finding out if there are any forthcoming trade missions to the country you are interested in that you may wish to participate in. These tend to be organised by public bodies or trade associations, and may be sector specific, ie. Oil and gas / food / engineering / etc. The local councils and Chamber of Commerce organise a number of trade missions in this area.

There are many benefits associated with group trade missions:
•Pre market briefing session
•Fully supported mission programme
•Organised travel and accommodation arrangements
•Networking with other UK companies
•Assistance with setting up individual appointments
•In country briefings
•Increased profile / in market promotion of companies
•Access to key industry individuals
•Support of mission managers

Many trade missions are sponsored by the UK Government which means that you may receive a travel grant.

Learning Journeys are another excellent way for you to visit a market for the first time. These are run by Scottish Development International and are specifically targeted at companies that are new to the market. They incorporate an element of market research to identify opportunities and contacts for your company, and they tend to involve fewer participants than trade missions to ensure a greater level of support.

Further details of forthcoming missions and learning journeys can be found in:
• the Events Diary section on this site
• the Scottish Exhibitions and Missions Programme at www.scottish-enterprise.com
• the UK Trade and Investment events database at www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk

How do I find an overseas sales agent?

A number of organisations and sources can help you find the right sales agent (also called a commercial agent or commission agent).

UK Trade & Investment provides a range of export-related services. Commercial officers in British embassies abroad can help you find suitable agents and also provide tailored market reports through the On Line Market Introductory Scheme (OMIS). Fees are charged for such work, which is commissioned through Business Gateway International . Please contact the Business Gateway Information Service, who will provide you with the appropriate application form, Tel: 0845 609 6611 or Email: bg-grampian@scotent.co.uk

Trade associations and trade press for your industry may hold information on agents locally and abroad in your target market. Publications such as 'Agents News' and 'Trade Channel' also advertise export opportunities and may prove useful in finding agents:

"Trade Channel"
Trade Channel Organisations
Tel: 01273 881130

"Agents News"
Pixel Publications
Tel: 01205 354547

Agents Associations in many countries may, for a fee, provide you with a list of agents who already have experience in selling a particular product or who have experessed an interest in selling a new product. The International Union of Commercial Agents and Brokers (IUCAB) represents 17 national associations of independent commercial brokers in Europe and the USA http://www.iucab.nl/index.html

Your local Chamber of Commerce may be able to help or to provide you with details of overseas Chambers or contacts who may be able to offer guidance. Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce Tel: 01224 620621

The Business Gateway Information Service subscribe to the Kompass International Products & Services Database. They will undertake a free search for agents on your behalf, Tel: 0845 609 6611 or Email: bg-grampian@scotent.co.uk
bg-grampian@scotent.co.uk

My company is planning to open an office in Europe and wants to recruit locally. How do I go about this ?

Jobcentre Plus offer a service which helps with recruitment from anywhere within the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland. This service is offered via EURES which is a network linking all the public employment services in the EEA and Switzerland. They have a team of over 500 specialist advisors who not only offer advice and guidance but who also:

- Assist with practical recruitment arrangements such as interview facilities and pre-selection of applications.

- Take care of advertising and promotion in other countries.

To advertise your vacancy in EURES all you need to do is contact Employer Direct on 0845 601 2001 or complete a vacancy form online at www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Within 48 hours your vacancy will be available in employment agencies across Europe and will also appear on the EURES website at www.eures-jobs.com