Caribbean Export OUTLOOK 2016 - 2017

Exporters’ Insights

General Recommendation on Support Needed by Exporters 1. Assistance in conducting the necessary Market Research: often time secondary data for a given sector/industry is not readily available in certainmarkets. Market research is such a powerful tool in helping companies to understand the market potential, the customer base, predicting market trends and for overall decision making. Assistance in navigating the local jurisdictions: there is a need for well documented procedures and expert knowledge as to how to do business in each jurisdiction. Having access toMentors who have successfully walked the export route in a given sector/industry is also needed by businesses looking to export. Business Coaching: entrepreneurs need the right business guidance- someone to help them see the bigger picture. All successful sports teams need a good coach; likewise successful businesses need a great coach. 2. 3.

that secondary data is not always readily available.

your venture, listen to the feedback from your customers, adequately manage your finances and consistently innovate based on market trends and new opportunities.

Support Received In 2010 GeoTechVision benefited from an accelerated grant that was used in developing trainingmaterials. Thesematerials were also used in our training in export markets. Name of Award presented to your company Special Award- Excellence in Services Export Key Success Factors In this sector, it is easy to get caught in the trap of just providing a cookie cutter service- believing that one size fits all. However, as a company, we pride ourselves on delivering user-specific solutions to our clients. This ensures that return on investment (ROI) is maximized; whichmakes for happy clients. Additionally, we offer a unique customer experience- our clients love to work with the team because of the level of customer service we provide.

Greatest Exporting Lessons Learnt 1.

The availability of capital to move business forward in export markets is critical. Stick to your plan for growing your business in spite all the ‘hype’ – promised support sometimes does not always materialize as you expect. Well documented procedures and expert knowledge as to how to do business in each jurisdiction is usually not readily available and so you have to ‘learn on the fly’ and it costs you as you go along. The value of having systems and procedures in place and keeping themup to date cannot be overemphasized; especially as you export. A rigorous business risk management process is needed from the onset. In depth market research is needed for any venture and it is useful to be aware

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