Playing the export game

02 April, 2015

John Longworth, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said recently: “Exporting is like a ‘eureka’ moment for many companies – once they’ve done it for the first time, new business opportunities, ideas and profit follow.” However, he added that studies by the BCC suggest it is the usual export heroes who form the majority of our exporters, and who make the biggest contribution to Britain's trade performance. “This need not be the case,” Longworth continued. “Business and Government can and must work together to help more companies enter the export game, and ensure that the UK has a steady flow of firms keen to move beyond the domestic market for the first time.” The key, believes Longworth, is to make it easier for companies to consider trading internationally, and make it a bigger part of the UK’s business culture. “That's why building a strong global British business-to-business network is so important, since it helps a company from Bradford, Bristol or Belfast land on its feet in Bogota, Bangkok or Beijing,” added Longworth.

Becoming an active exporter can bring with it a host of benefits to your business. The export game is not just about increasing sales and increasing market share; a company can learn from the experience in order to further develop and enhance its goods and services, learn about new technologies and even improve the way it markets and promotes itself. Risk diversification can be another advantage. If one territory suffers a market decline then the company has a host of others to keep the wheels of commerce turning. And these advantages are only the tip of the iceberg. Let’s hope that business and Government can work together in an effective way that trounces the UK’s trade deficit, while also encouraging future growth.