Celebrating success; the winner and finalists of the most recent Open to Export Action Plan competition.
The countdown is underway to the October 14th deadline for SMEs to enter the next Open to Export Action Plan competition.
The competition has been created to support small UK-based businesses with fewer than 50 employees who are new to exporting.
With a chance to win £3000 in cash to ‘go global’, those who make the final will have the opportunity to pitch their export plans to a panel of judges at Going Global Live on 17th November 2016 at Olympia, London – and gain great brand awareness around the event!
Open to Export was set up and is supported by its founders the Institute of Export, the Department for International Trade, the Federation of Small Businesses, and Yell, as a digital solution to boost the UK’s SME exports. The Export Action Plan is the latest addition to its online offering, which is dedicated to helping businesses prepare to sell overseas by giving them free access to online, support and advice.
Using the tool allows businesses to take ownership of their export strategies, making decisions along each step of their international trade journey – from selecting a market to delivering products or services to new customers.
SMEs can get free online information and advice from an impressive line-up of experts on anything related to international growth and connect with the full range of organisations providing support for exporters. Thousands of companies use the service to connect, learn and talk about going global through forum, webinars, guides and useful contacts.
IOE director general, Lesley Batchelor OBE, said: “Feedback from finalists at our two previous exciting competition events demonstrates that the Export Action Plan is an excellent, easy-to-use resource, which helps business maximise the vibrant opportunities in in international trade.”
Previous competition winners are Glasgow-based Klik2Learn Ltd – a digital design company specialising in education and Wiltshire Chandlery, Charles Farris Ltd.
Eligible companies are those who submit their Export Action Plans by Friday 14th October and meet competition criteria. See www.opentoexport.com.