Open to Export have launched a competition for the chance to win £3000 towards your companies export strategy

We spoke to the team about the Open to Export Action Plan Competition

Grow beyond the EU

This autumn Trade Finance Global are all about encouraging businesses to take time to do research, plan and strategize for the years ahead when it comes to export. Planning is always key ingredient when it comes to looking to expand internationally. Companies who fail to look through all the different aspects of international trade face the risk of coming unstuck, whether that’s through goods held up in customs or not getting paid in time and cash flow issues from then on.

The need to plan is particularly pertinent now that Brexit is on the way. The trading climate for British companies is set to change dramatically and some important realities will hit home once the UK has left the union. As per VoucherBin, in their article on Post-Brexit Recovery, British companies have had a relatively easy ride when it comes to sending their goods overseas. But the amount of cargoes going over the British border that are counted as exports – things which are liable to export documentation, tariffs, and more – will increase from 90 million to 300 million should the UK leave the customs union. This will, in all likelihood, increase the costs and time involved in sending goods overseas – at least initially while new trade deals are agreed.

We’ve spoken before about how our Export Action Plan tool is ideal for companies looking to ensure they’ve covered all their bases when it comes to implementing their international strategy. This tool is only going to become more useful with Brexit on the horizon, especially sections like the market weighting tool which helps you to compare different prospective markets – both outside and within the EU. This autumn we’re also running an Export Action Plan competition. Should you enter your completed action plan before September 29th, you could stand to win £3000 cash and over £2000 more in prizes from ecommerce specialists Thrive Digital, the British Library, and the Institute of Export & International Trade.

Sponsored by Bibby Financial Services, the competition final will also be a fabulous networking and pitching event, taking place at the Swiss Embassy on November 2nd.

Previous competitions have been truly inspiring with a fantastic range of UK SMEs showing that they have what it takes to go global. Completing the tool is a worthwhile exercise in any case, especially with Brexit on the horizon; but if you enter the competition you could get the jumpstart you need to make your international strategy really happen.

You can start your Export Action Plan today and if you complete it before the end of September, you can enter Open to Export’s competition in which one company could win £3000 towards their export strategy.