In recognition of the end of the furlough scheme later this month (September), the IOE&IT has developed the ‘Step into International Trade’ training programme.

The programme

The free-of-charge training is in two phases.

First, learners will take an introductory two-day course to learn about the basics of international trade.

After successfully completing the two-day course, if learners decide a career in international trade is right for them, they can move on to take the Certificate in International Trade, Customs and Logistics, a Level 3 Qualification awarded by the institute.

Career path insight

To give learners a flavour for what a career in international trade looks like, the IOE&IT has spoken with its own team of trade experts to get real insight into this career path.

In the first of our series we speak with Sandra Isabel Cooper, trade and customs consultant at the IOE&IT, about her career.

Q: How did you start your career in international trade?

Sandra: I did my bachelor’s degree in international business management back in Mexico. Back then it was a brand-new professional qualification and my university, the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, was one of the leading business schools in Latin America in the 1990s.

Q: Why did you decide on this career path?

I initially opted for completing a bachelor’s degree in International Relations, as I am passionate about policy, regulations, diplomacy and international liaisons.

However, I realised I would not have the same sense of achievement as with trading internationally – that is, helping companies with their transfers of goods and services – so I swapped to international business and specialised in international agribusiness.

This is a career that will always have a future, as goods and services will continue to move around the globe”

Q: What career opportunities have arisen since you started working in international trade?

I started as an export administrative executive in 1999 and then other domestic and international sales-related jobs back in Mexico. After moving to the UK, I took on operational roles such as logistics coordinator and then moved into exports business development management, allowing me to help my employer succeed in specific regions of the world such as Latin America.

In 2017 my vocation adviser pushed me to pursue a career as an international trade adviser (ITA) – first at the Northwest Lancashire Chamber of Commerce. I was then recruited by the Department for International Trade (DIT) in the Northwest of England as an ITA, where I account-managed more than 140 companies in the region wanting to develop their exports around the world.

I also became the organisation’s Latin America Business Specialist, leading the Agri-Tech and Automotive sectors.

I am now fortunate to have joined the Institute of Export & International Trade as a trade and customs consultant as part of the TSS (Trader Support Services) team.

Q: Is it a rewarding career path to follow?

It’s extremely rewarding, giving me the satisfaction of contributing to my employer’s success internationally and as a consultant/advisor.

To know I can make a difference assisting many exporters from a wide variety of sectors to grow internationally is the ultimate fulfilment.

Q: What advice would you offer to someone thinking of changing career and moving into international trade?

This is a career that will always have a future, as goods and services will continue to move around the globe. Choose this career and you will be able to learn the ins and outs of these exchanges and get a clear insight on how to make products and services available to consumers, manufacturers and distributors.

The knowledge you gain about industries and markets around the world is invaluable and doors will open to new opportunities regularly. In addition, be prepared to get to know a variety of cultures and people you probably would not have had the opportunity to meet in any other profession.

No one day is the same when you work in international trade.

Applicants for the free-of-charge Step into International Trade programme should be either on furlough, at risk of redundancy or have been recently made redundant. To learn more about the programme and to sign up, please click here.

The post What a career in import and export is really like: Sandra’s story appeared first on Open to Export.

Export Minister Graham Stuart MP 

Wednesday 7 October, 2–2.30pm 

With three months to go until the end of the EU transition period, exporters are sizing up the opportunities that a liberalised UK trading economy offers. 

There could be no better time for the IOE&IT, whose mission includes enhancing the performance of exporters, to catch up with the UK’s Export Minister, Graham Stuart MP.  

In this interactive session, the UK’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for International Trade will field questions from Marco Forgione and IOE&IT members, highlighting the new horizons for UK exporters and how the government will help them realise their ambitions. 

Register for free now >>

The post An export-led recovery appeared first on Open to Export.

This article was originally published in World Trade Matters – the quarterly journal from the Institute of Export & International Trade.

Latin America offers many opportunities for developing Cross Border Trade. Each country has its own Customs procedures and controls, but with existing and potential future preferential trade agreements, this region is one where research now will benefit UK companies.

Working with a Distributor or Agent

One way to get market access in Latin America is to work with a distributor or agent, as doing this will you to develop your products’ relevance in the market a lot quicker.

However, while finding a partner is not that difficult, finding a proactive partner who will promote your goods can be, so it is important to profile the type of partner you require. It is very easy to accept the first company who comes along, however, if they do not fit your ideal profile then this could just be a waste of time and money.

In Latin America the business culture is very much based on “face to face” interactions and you may find efforts of email marketing to be not as successful as  in other regions, hence why trade shows, trade missions or field visits will help you verify partners in this region.

A strong unique selling point (USP) in this region is to be able to supply from stock. Therefore, this should be a key factor in any potential partner profile.

What are the benefits of a partner in Latin America?

• Knowledge of the market
• Knowledge of the industry sector for your products
• Knowledge of competitors
• Existing customer base in the country – Faster route to market
• Communication in local language
• Better website ranking locally

You do need a plan to ensure your partner can offer the best service possible, hence things you may want to consider:

• Do they sell other products that compliment yours?
• Do they list products from a direct competitor? – This could be a warning sign?
• Do they offer local product support? This is really important in Latin America.
• Do they install products or can they repair/re-furbish products?
• How much of the country do they cover?
• Do they have resellers in other countries?
• Do they have a network of national sales reps?
• Do they hold stock or have the facility to hold stock (service levels)?
• Do a Dun and Bradstreet check of their financial status?
• What is the function of the people who would be in regular contact with you, for technical enquiries, placing orders?
• What is the level of understanding of English of the staff in each department?
• Would employing a local language speaker be beneficial?

Translation for Material/Instructions

If you need to have any marketing material and instruction manuals for Latin American customers, these need to be translated into Spanish. This would mean having it done correctly and not by Google translate. Also, any products that operate via a software system need to have the text that would be displayed to a user translated into Spanish.

When doing business in this region, the products need to be as user friendly as possible, so how to use or install them needs to be in a format that can be understood easily.

Visit the Region

If you are going to travel to the region then ideally you would need some level of competence in Spanish. You will find that a lot of the potential customers you may meet will be Spanish-only speakers. This is where having a partner is a huge advantage as this will help you communicate to potential customers.

Not being able to attempt to communicate can be viewed negatively and could hinder sales. It is not going to stop companies doing business, however, in this region it does help a lot and should be a key consideration in your long-term strategy.

Cost and Benefit Analysis

A good thing to bear in mind is that country listed import costs are based on the cost of getting the goods to the countries border for example:

• Goods Value + Shipping Cost + Insurance = Value for Customs

So, an export pricing review per region may be worth looking at, as well as FCL (Full Container Loads) shipments rather than LCL (Less than Container Loads) to possibly reduce the percentage cost of freight and insurance per shipment.

It is also worth remembering that internal land transport is significant within regions of Latin America and can cost more than the main sea or air freight cost to the region. Although this is not a dutiable value (in most cases), it does form part of the landed cost of your product, so it is good business sense to be aware of this.

To travel to the region is a large capital expense for most companies, so to ensure that you do maximise the return on investment, do simple research before you go. This research should primarily focus on price and service, to enable you to plan a long-term sales strategy and not just a short-term fix.

Understand Latin America has a different culture, being aware of these cultural differences will benefit your efforts. Latin America is a long way from the UK, so you want to make sure you give yourself the best opportunity to get positive results from any marketing activities and visits the company undertakes.

The post Latin America – Future Trade Opportunities? appeared first on Open to Export.

With Brexit likely to dominate the trade agenda for the UK once again, we will be running several webinars updating you on the trade negotiations with the EU and what you need to plan for the UK’s eventual future trading relationship with the bloc.

We will also be continuing to run webinars on key areas of global trade like Customs processes, Intellectual Property, Insurance and more.

If you are interested in taking part in one of our webinars as a speaker or sponsor, please get in touch at admin@opentoexport.com.

Catch up with all of our previous webinars at opentoexport.com/webinars. You can also look back at any webinar from the 2019 programme.

Open to Export webinars are powered by the Institute of Export & International Trade – the UK’s only professional body representing international trade.

The 2020 Webinar Programme

January: What you need to know about Brexit in 2020 

February: Export Controls and Licences

March: Working with freight forwarders and Customs agents

March: International IP, Copyrights, Trademarks and Patents

March: Covid-19 – What you need to know 

April: Covid-19: Funding for UK SMEs trading overseas

April: Covid-19: What have we learnt so far

April: Covid-19: Impact on Export Controls and Licenses 

April: Covid-19: The latest information for UK exporters and importers

May: Reaching customers overseas – tips for digital marketing in international markets

June: 3 phase plan for post transition checks on EU to UK imports explained

June: Covid 19: Advice for exporters and importers for as lockdown eases

July: Making sure you’re covered – what insurance options exporters need to consider 

August: Looking ahead to the end of the transition period

September: Supply chains in a post-Covid world 

October: An export-led recovery: IOE&IT webinar featuring director general Marco Forgione in conversation with Export Minister Graham

October: How to successfully trade and do business with the US

November: Getting paid on time and in full – Q&A

The post The 2020 Webinar Programme appeared first on Open to Export.

What does your company do at the moment and what’s next?

We manufacture technical textiles with exports representing around 25% of turnover. New flame-retardant membranes should increase sales in the UK and worldwide.

How are the exports going?

From £20K to £ 2.5 million in 15 years, we are now selling to around 30 countries.

How has the Export Action Plan helped with your exports?

It helped concentrate our minds for expansion into Russia.

How have you found the experience of the final today?

It was very interesting seeing how other companies with very different products and customer bases choose to operate.

I am a little cynical about the competition aspect of these events on several levels, however, the networking opportunities are very valuable and make the event worthwhile. They are also a good opportunity for publicity.

What three tips would you give to other new exporters?

1. Start with baby steps.
2. Offer DDP terms or at least DAP in local currency wherever possible
3. Offer credit terms via factoring bank.

About Industrial Textiles & Plastics Ltd

Established in 1989, ITP is a leading producer of protective engineered textiles for buildings and construction. The company’s expertise is in flame retardant and chemical resistant technologies.

ITP’s products are woven fabrics, coated textiles, membranes and non-woven composites, with four ranges of use:  ground and gas barrier membranes; building membranes; containment and weather protection systems; and chemical protective materials

ITP has considerable technical expertise in producing complex composite materials for many different performance requirements. Principle markets are the construction, environmental protection, petrochemical, marine and offshore, military and civil defence. 

Advanced manufacturing technology ensures consistent high standards and reliability, and ITP is ISOQAR Quality Assured and certified to ISO 9001. The company is active at an industry level, working closely with standards committees and trade associations.

In the 1990s, ITP developed a new barrier material for the Ministry of Defence to produce a new generation of COLPRO shelters resistant to chemical and biological warfare agents, which were subsequently used by British Forces during the Gulf War. 

In 2002, ITP responded to customers’ requirements for specific materials by moving into manufacturing to provide engineered textiles and membranes designed to meet market demands. The product range has now grown to hundreds of materials in different sizes, specifications and uses. Included in this are innovative gas and chemical barrier membranes for environmental protection and brownfield site development. 

Expansion into the international market began in 2003, with materials being created specifically for Scandinavian weather and containment protection systems. Growth was rapid and ITP acquired a warehouse in Gothenburg to provide next-day deliveries to the region.

ITP’s products are sold worldwide and company staff members speak more than seven languages with exports accounting for up to 30% of their business.

Website: www.itpltd.com

LinkedIn: @industrial-textiles-&-plastics-ltd

Twitter: @itpltd_uk

Instagram:@industrialtextilesplasticsltd

Facebook: @industrialtextilesandplastics

The post Exporter Case Study: Industrial Textiles & Plastics Ltd appeared first on Open to Export.

What does your company do at the moment and what’s next?

Honey Corn is a natural skincare brand. We will expand our range and export to the Czech Republic.

How are the exports going?

I am at contact stage with a central European distributor.

How has the Export Action Plan helped with your exports?

It has been great for keeping me on track with my business plans.

How have you found the experience of the final today?

I have loved the experience and it was great to network.

What tips would you give to other new exporters?

Get in touch with the Department for International Trade – they are fantastic.

About Honey Corn Limited

HONEY CORN is a boutique, gender-neutral, skincare range made with natural and organic ingredients. Our skincare range contains Honey , know as “liquid gold”. Honey Corn’s potent anti-ageing properties; promote healthy, radiant, supple skin. Our essential mix of Honey, botanic, organic and natural plant-based ingredients have been formulated to nourish, hydrate and protect skin from the elements. The Honey Corn range is a rich fusion of pure, clean and superior ingredients, high in essential fatty acids, anti-oxidants, vitamins together with a high mineral content. Honey Corn makes your skin glow – whatever the season.

Honey Corn was born out of the desire to create clean botanic, organic, natural skincare products which possess curative properties that promote and maintain healthy skin. Our products contain high quality plant-based ingredients and Honey. Our philosophy is always BOTANIC ORGANIC NATURAL.

Positive Sustainability

As part of our “Bee a Keeper” campaign, Honey Corn is working towards establishing a network of beekeepers across the developing world. The aim, to help the bee population whilst enabling farmers to gain a crop yields and financial stability.

Whilst closer to home in the UK our mission is to help sow the seeds of wildflowers with the goal of increasing bee numbers.  

It was Einstein who said “If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would have only four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man.”

We like to think of Honey Corn as a global citizen brand, for at its heart is arguably one the world’s key ingredients produced by one of the world’s most vital species. Our goal is to have a positive environmental and social impact on the world.

www.honeycornuk.com

Instagram – @honeycornuk

Twitter – @HoneyCornUK

 The Open to Export Competition

The Open to Export Action Plan is an intuitive online planning tool which takes you through 5 key steps to export success. It is simple to use and works by asking you to complete tasks and set actions, helping you to establish what you need to know and do to start selling overseas. 

Once you have completed the steps, you will generate an action plan which is a brilliant showpiece to take to your bank, business advisor or international trade advisor. You can also enter your plan into one of our regular competitions for the chance to win £3000 towards its implementation.

More information: https://opentoexport.com/info/export-action-plan-competition/

Instagram – @honeycornuk

Twitter – @HoneyCornUK

 The Open to Export Competition

The Open to Export Action Plan is an intuitive online planning tool which takes you through 5 key steps to export success. It is simple to use and works by asking you to complete tasks and set actions, helping you to establish what you need to know and do to start selling overseas. 

Once you have completed the steps, you will generate an action plan which is a brilliant showpiece to take to your bank, business advisor or international trade advisor. You can also enter your plan into one of our regular competitions for the chance to win £3000 towards its implementation.

More information: https://opentoexport.com/info/export-action-plan-competition/

The post Exporter Case Study: Honey Corn Limited appeared first on Open to Export.

What does your company do at the moment and what’s next?

Today we are reinventing swimwear. In the future we will take on all bodywear including shapewear, lingerie and sportswear.

How are the exports going?

It’s early days at the moment; we export primarily through ecommerce and B2C.

How has the Export Action Plan helped with your exports?

It has helped me clarify my thinking around target markets and export strategy.

How have you found the experience of the final today?

I really enjoyed the summit – I learnt a lot! It’s also been great networking.

What three tips would you give to other new exporters?

1. Ask lots of questions
2. Visit local target markets
3. Take advantage of the advice and resources available from DIT, IOE&IT and OTE.

About Deakin and Blue

Deakin and Blue is an award-winning, transformational women’s bodywear brand. Today we are reinventing swimwear.  In the future, we take on all bodywear: from sportswear to shapewear to lingerie.

Why?

A lack of well-designed, well-fitting kit stops women from participating in sport and life, every day. (1 in 2 mums are put off taking their child to learn to swim and 500,000 women have given up swimming, because of body image concerns).

What?

At Deakin and Blue we’re on a mission to change that with a range of pieces that are transformational – in how they feel, how they look and how they are made. We combine highly sculpting fabrics made from regenerated ocean waste, revolutionary production methods and a ground-breaking sizing system, to produce a set of garments showcased on a range of body shapes and sizes.

Over 1,000 women have told us that our swimsuits have changed the way they feel about their bodies. And we’re just getting started.

 Our traction to date

Deakin and Blue has been trading since July 2017. Since its launch, Deakin and Blue has won a range of awards (including The Independent’s Best Buy Sports Swimwear 2018 and 2019) and has been recognised for its inclusivity, sizing and product innovation by a range of leading publications and sports people, including The Telegraph, The Sunday Times, Vanity Fair & Forbes.

What next?

Our 2020 strategy includes an exciting set of plans for taking our swimwear to new geographical markets with a similar demographic profile to the UK. We are already selling direct to consumer in markets including Europe, New Zealand, Australia & America and are looking to scale these efforts with a considered and tailored strategy for the individual markets we seek to address. We are also in discussion with a number of UK based major retailers about partnership opportunities.

• deakinandblue.com
• facebook.com/deakinandblue
• instagram.com/deakinandblue
• twitter.com/deakinandblue

 The Open to Export Competition

The Open to Export Action Plan is an intuitive online planning tool which takes you through 5 key steps to export success. It is simple to use and works by asking you to complete tasks and set actions, helping you to establish what you need to know and do to start selling overseas.

Once you have completed the steps, you will generate an action plan which is a brilliant showpiece to take to your bank, business advisor or international trade advisor. You can also enter your plan into one of our regular competitions for the chance to win £3000 towards its implementation.

More information: https://opentoexport.com/info/export-action-plan-competition/

The post Exporter Case Study: Deakin and Blue appeared first on Open to Export.

What does your company do at the moment and what’s next?

We make products for the paper crafting industry, which we sell worldwide through wholesale and retail outlets. We are expanding further into more retail and wholesale outlets in the USA in 2020.

How are the exports going?

Wholesale exports are 135% up in 2019 vs 2018 – so great!

How has the Export Action Plan helped with your exports?

The plan is a great resource which can be regularly updated to guide processes and focus on your export requirements. It’s been a huge help in identifying the key areas we need to address.

How have you found the experience of the final today?

Excellent! It was very interesting to hear relevant experts and insights at the Birmingham World Trade Summit before hearing about the experiences of other businesses in the final.

What three tips would you give to other new exporters?

1. Definitely use the Export Action Plan tool. Even if you’re an experienced exporter it can give real clarity to your strategy.
2. I’d also suggest attending as many trade shows as possible as you can make great contacts
3. Concentrate on one area until you achieve your goals. That way you won’t lose focus and waste opportunities by spreading yourself too thin.

About Polkadoodles

Polkadoodles Crafts are based in York, manufacturing and selling products to Crafters and Retail stores worldwide through their website.

Formed in 2009, Polkadoodles designs and manufactures a range of products including photopolymer stamps, paper products, steel dies and digital artwork which are used by Papercraft hobbyists all around the world to create their own handmade greeting cards, crafts and home décor items.

In addition, Polkadoodles’ artwork is also sold digitally to crafters who download images they can print at home and use on their craft projects – meaning they have instant access to products 24/7 and can create something on their desk within 2 minutes of purchase – great for when they need a last minute birthday card!

Nikky is regularly seen demonstrating the latest products live on dedicated Craft TV shopping channels in the UK which has helped the brand become well renowned in the UK industry where they have a very loyal fan base of consumers and retailers, but in 2016, recognising the far reaching effects of Brexit, Nikky and Kris set ambitious goals to build a substantial global customer base by focusing on wholesale and distribution markets, concentrating mainly on Europe and the US.

Using the Export Action Plan and guidance from the Institute of Export’s website, Nikky and Kris identified the areas of the business which needed improvement to achieve those business goals and targets, with the ultimate goal to have a substantially larger wholesale base by the Brexit deadline.

Wholesale orders increased gradually month on month, resulting in the appointment of 2 new European distributors in 2018 which helped double the Company’s turnover in 2019.  As a direct result of hard work and determination, Polkadoodles products are now found in Retail outlets across the US, Europe, Australia, Peru, Mexico and beyond, with exciting developments around the corner in 2020 which will reinforce their presence on the global Paper Craft market.

The Open to Export Competition

The Open to Export Action Plan is an intuitive online planning tool which takes you through 5 key steps to export success. It is simple to use and works by asking you to complete tasks and set actions, helping you to establish what you need to know and do to start selling overseas.

Once you have completed the steps, you will generate an action plan which is a brilliant showpiece to take to your bank, business advisor or international trade advisor. You can also enter your plan into one of our regular competitions for the chance to win £3000 towards its implementation.

More information: https://opentoexport.com/info/export-action-plan-competition/

The post Exporter Case Study: Polkadoodles appeared first on Open to Export.

They won the Open to Export Action Plan Competition with their pitch to expand sales into the Netherlands and Germany. They imprssed the judges with their focused plan to translate their website and marketing messaging for the Dutch and German markets, while also investing in social media campaigns to test each market.

The competition concluded with a showcase final at Bibby Financial Services’ (BFS) Birmingham offices. 8 SMEs pitched their international plans to a panel of expert judges for the chance to win the £3000 prize sponsored by BFS.

All the finalists entered the competition by submitting export plans generated using an online planning tool provided by the Institute of Export & International Trade on www.opentoexport.com

Upon winning the competition, Lisa Lessware, Co-Founder of The Bshirt said:

“It was incredible. We’ve been working so hard for the last 3 years and it felt so good to get some recognition for how far we’ve come. To present to a panel of such accomplished business people was very daunting but it was such a great opportunity to showcase our amazing business and our export plans.

“We’re a small business with big dreams and we now have the support in place with prize money but also with the 1-year membership and training courses to gain the skills and expertise we need to make our exports a success. We’re very excited about what the next year will bring.”

Richard Bartlett, Director of Business Development at the Institute of Export & International Trade and a judge for the competition, also said:

“The Bshirt company were worthy winners amongst an impressive field of entrants. Their plans were coherent, and they had a clear pitch for how they’d use the £3000 towards their international growth. We look forward to watching their progress with great interest.”

The competition was sponsored by BFS as part of their commitment to increasing the number of small businesses in the UK selling into overseas markets.

Jim Davis, Managing Director for Export at BFS, said:

“We were blown away by all of the finalists’ pitches, but we were particularly excited by The Bshirt’s ambition to expand into new markets with such an innovative product. We look forward to seeing the business grow and make the most of the opportunities that international trade can bring.”

A list of the judges and finalists is below.

Export Action Plan Finalists

• Deakin and Blue –visit website
• Honey Corn Limited – visit website
• Industrial Textiles and Plastics – visit website
• Polkadoodles Ltd – visit website
• Quinola Mothergrain – visit website
• Sea Chips – visit website
• The Jacket Club Ltd – visit website
• The Bshirt– visit website

The judges

• Kelly Hamill – Head of Sales, Bibby Financial Services [UK] Limited
• Richard Bartlett – Director of Business Development, Institute of Export & International Trade
• Keith Stokes-Smith – President, Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce
• John Newton – Group Marketing Director, Clickthrough Marketing
• Tony Allen – Founder and Head, Age Check Certification Scheme (and a previous Open to Export winner)

To find out more about the Open to Export competitions, please visit:

https://opentoexport.com/info/export-action-plan-competition/

Sharing best practice to make the most of global markets

The showcase final took place as part of the Institute of Export & International Trade’s Birmingham World Trade Summit.

The Institute’s regional trade summit programme gathers exporters, importers and global trade professionals together to network and share best practices, ensuring the UK’s business community can make the most of the opportunities and challenges international markets present.

At the Birmingham summit there were a variety of presentations covering markets beyond the EU, including the Commonwealth, China and Russia.

About The Bshirt

The Bshirt is the UK’s only ethical breastfeeding clothing brand dedicated to reducing clothing waste and empowering women to breastfeed with confidence.

Started by two mums who wanted to wear normal clothes while breastfeeding, the Bshirt is deceptively simple – it’s a vest top that transforms a woman’s existing wardrobe to become breastfeeding friendly.

And it works – 83% of our customers say breastfeeding in their Bshirt makes them feel more confident than any other top.

Now trading in its 3rd year, the Bshirt is going from strength to strength. Its customers simply love the simplicity of the product and the ethics of the brand.

The Bshirt only uses organic cotton, fairtrade factories, and plastic-free packaging. The Bshirt is leading the way in ethical consumerism while helping mums achieve their goals.

www.thebshirt.co.uk

Twitter: @thebshirt

About Bibby Financial Services

Bibby Financial Services (BFS) is a leading independent financial services partner to over 10,000 businesses worldwide.  With over 40 operations in 14 countries spanning Asia, Europe and North America, BFS provides specialist and adaptable FX services, trade, asset and working capital finance, helping businesses to grow in domestic and international markets. Formed in 1982, BFS is part of the Bibby Line Group (BLG), a diverse and forward-looking family business delivering personal, responsive and flexible customer solutions for over 200 years.

To find out more about Bibby Financial Services, visit: https://www.bibbyfinancialservices.com/

The post Report from the 12th Export Action Plan Final appeared first on Open to Export.

We spoke to Lisa Lessware and Philippa Doyle, the founders of The Bshirt brand, following their success.

How did it feel to win the competition?

It was incredible. We’ve been working so hard for the last 3 years and it felt so good to get some recognition for how far we’ve come. To present to a panel of such accomplished business people was very daunting but it was such a great opportunity to showcase our amazing business and our export plans.

We’re a small business with big dreams and we now have the support in place with prize money but also with the 1-year membership and training courses to gain the skills and expertise we need to make our exports a success. We’re very excited about what the next year will bring.

What does your company do at the moment and what’s next?

We’re an ethical breastfeeding clothing brand that designs breastfeeding tops for women to either layer with their pre-pregnancy clothes or wear on their own as a pretty vest, short sleeved or long-sleeved top. We believe in empowering women to express their own style and avoid the ‘mum uniform’ as well as reducing clothing waste.

Our products are ethically made using organic cotton and our garment bags are home compostable. We have flexible working hours for all our employees and recognise and value the roles and responsibilities our staff have outside of their jobs (i.e.: family commitments).

We’re expanding our range of products with an amazing and innovative feeding top scheduled for launch in Spring 2020. We’re also expanding our product range to include essential products that support a woman’s breastfeeding journey.

How are the exports going?

We have a UK website which sells mainly to UK customers, with a small percentage of sales going overseas. We have a USA website and have sent stock to Amazon to be fulfilled by Amazon in the States.

We are now in the process of launching an EU version of our website to allow us to capture payments in Euros and start actively exporting to EU countries. We are planning to advertise this new website to the Netherlands, Germany, Spain & Belgium throughout the course of 2020.

How has the Export Action Plan helped with your exports?

The Export Action Plan greatly helped. When we first started this process, we knew we wanted to export but we weren’t sure how, where or when. The action plan really helped us to focus our research into which new markets to target and how to target them. Based on this we set goals and we now have a detailed action plan to implement.

How have you found the experience of the final today?

The final was nerve wracking but fun! It was great to watch the other finalists and to learn about how other SMEs are approaching similar challenges. The opportunity to network with other contestants and the judges was invaluable too.

We have come away with potential contacts to help with our Amazon advertising, trade finance, advice on trade shows and possible new collaborations.

To be selected as winners was truly the icing on the cake!!

What three tips would you give to other new exporters?

1. Do your research
2. Get help – there’s lots of great advice out there
3. Don’t be afraid to get it wrong, because it’s a learning curve

About The Bshirt

The Bshirt is the UK’s only ethical breastfeeding clothing brand dedicated to reducing clothing waste and empowering women to breastfeed with confidence.

Started by two mums who wanted to wear normal clothes while breastfeeding, the Bshirt is deceptively simple – it’s a vest top that transforms a woman’s existing wardrobe to become breastfeeding friendly.

And it works – 83% of our customers say breastfeeding in their Bshirt makes them feel more confident than any other top.

Now trading in its 3rd year, the Bshirt is going from strength to strength. Its customers simply love the simplicity of the product and the ethics of the brand.

The Bshirt only uses organic cotton, fairtrade factories, and plastic-free packaging. The Bshirt is leading the way in ethical consumerism while helping mums achieve their goals.

www.thebshirt.co.uk

Twitter: @thebshirt

The Open to Export Competition

The Open to Export Action Plan is an intuitive online planning tool which takes you through 5 key steps to export success. It is simple to use and works by asking you to complete tasks and set actions, helping you to establish what you need to know and do to start selling overseas.

Once you have completed the steps, you will generate an action plan which is a brilliant showpiece to take to your bank, business advisor or international trade advisor. You can also enter your plan into one of our regular competitions for the chance to win £3000 towards its implementation.

More information: https://opentoexport.com/info/export-action-plan-competition/

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