A South West international trade consultancy has said demand for help in exploring export markets has put it on course for a "record year".
Barnstaple-based International Trade Matters, helps around 40 firms every month through strategic advice and tactical training. The firm confirmed that it is on target to increase sales by 25% to align with its national rollout of its Global Trade Blueprint (GTB).
Founded in 2017 by Linda Middleton-Jones, International Trade Matters' GTB promises to deliver a readiness tool for business recovery, growth and internationalisation. It hopes to give companies the opportunity to explore and unlock potential by accessing market intelligence to create building blocks that consider global volatility and different trading nuances.
Ms Middleton-Jones commented: “There was a major gap in international support between what the Chambers of Commerce provide and what the Department for Business & Trade delivers, that’s where International Trade Matters comes into its own.
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“We have built up our compliance specialisms to include IP, sector strengths in marine, automotive, and aerospace and in developing new market entry strategies – all fine-tuned into the new Global Trade Blueprint that supports businesses at any stage of their export journey.”
Ms Middleton-Jones was named Most Influential Woman in Multi-Sector Commerce last year, her firm's GTB is a four-week course that will take place online on Wednesday mornings. The sessions develop a framework tool to aid overseas market success by reducing risk.
Delegates will clarify their capacity, competency, and capability to meet the quality, cost, and delivery requirements in overseas markets before delivering a deep dive into the right markets for their products and services. They will also learn about their own leadership signatures, attitudes, and biases before providing a means to encourage, retain and sustain high performing teams.
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Middleton-Jones, who was also the architect behind the South West Manufacturing Advisory Service’s National Manufacturing Barometer, concluded: “There’s definitely a demand for independent specialist export assistance, so much so that we are seeing a significant increase in companies requesting our services. We are linking the principles of Lean into Export allowing companies to build on their competitive edge and visibility in overseas markets.
“The 海角视频’s reputation for manufacturing design, innovation, and new technology is still firmly in place and, despite all of the challenges and additional hurdles we have to contend with, international trade still remains a fantastic way to grow your business.”
More than 100 businesses have already gone through the Global Trade Blueprint and received assistance with understanding threats, compliance, distribution channels, and emerging markets – now and in the future.
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