Development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has launched a series of free international trade workshops for businesses which want to sell overseas via the web, but lack the expertise to do it.
Open to any company in the region, the one-day sessions will cover all aspects of exporting online, including identifying markets, pricing strategies, legal requirements and overcoming language barriers.
HIE said the drive was its latest move to “develop greater global ambition in the region and to embed an international mindset across business owners in the Highlands and islands.”
Among online experts and HIE staff delivering the training will be digital marketing consultant and chief executive of Orthic Consulting, Stephen Whitelaw, along with international trade consultants David Gass and Ewan Ramsay.
Mr Whitelaw, a regular keynote speaker at companies such as Google, Microsoft, GroupOn and Oracle, has launched and sold a number of technology businesses and worked with a range of start-up firms.
He said: “Things happen so quickly in the world of digital technology and businesses who fail to keep abreast with the latest online sales and global marketing techniques simply won’t survive. Lack of information, lack of confidence and the fear of bureaucracy can discourage any business owner from overseas expansion.
“These workshops are designed specifically around breaking down those barriers through education and advice to allow any aspiring business to develop its online global presence and reap the rewards of doing so.”
Martin Johnson, HIE’s regional head of international trade, added: “Research shows that businesses that trade internationally grow faster, show higher levels of productivity and are more innovative than their respective industry base.
“We would encourage any business hoping to maintain a competitive edge to capitalise on the wealth of opportunities abroad and selling online is fundamental to achieving this. At Highlands and Islands Enterprise, we can provide the support, information, advice and funding to grow business through overseas trade.”
The workshops start in Forres on April 17, and, after visiting Inveraray, Shetland, Orkney, Fort William and Stornoway, concludes in Inverness on May 14.
