In my earlier Exporting Challenge blog I invited you to come along to our event on 12 December in the Concorde Suite at Manchester Airport to learn about how you could join in. I’m delighted to report back that we had a fantastic meeting this week, with around 250 people attending. We had some terrific speeches from participants and an inspiring keynote address from Lord Green. I closed the event with my personal challenge to the North West to find 1000 new exporters in 2012, a tall order but one which, all working together, we can roll our sleeves up and make happen.
I’m especially delighted that so many in the audience stepped up to the plate to take on our exporting challenge but I was particularly thrilled to be accosted immediately afterwards by Tracy Barlow of 24/7 Uptime Ltd who told me enthusiastically she was going to be one of my 1000 new exporters. Well, as they may say, only 999 to go! Well done, Tracy. You deserve to succeed with your enthusiasm. I look forward to following your progress during the next year.
Given such a challenge, what are we going to do to help? Well, in addition to several national innovations such as new products from UK Export Finance, a series of minister led trade missions and a new online digital platform for sharing exporting experiences in conjunction with Yell, I though some ideas for more local initiatives we will be launching during 2012 might give you a flavour:
• A new mentoring programme where really experienced exporters will be given a small number of new exporters to provide solid practical help with starting their journey
• A series of initiatives with business support organisations including IOD, CBI, FPB and the Chambers of Commerce targeting firms new to export.
• Forming groups of professional services firms to reach out to their client base
• Working with HSBC and the Chamber to establish a new Export Hub, providing expert advice to new exporters
• The creation during 2012 of a small number of Ambassadors for Exporting to spread the message across the region
• A new programme of trade missions specifically to help new exporters to markets of real growth for the future
We have a big job to do, but I know that we can do it and if we continue to do it we will see a major difference to the economy here in the North West. My overriding memory, though, of yesterday was just what a magnificent venue the Concorde Suite is (see my photograph). I recall, as a schoolboy on a trip to Whipsnade Zoo in 1969 seeing one of the first flights of Concorde. We were amazed then, continued to be amazed as the plane regularly arrived in New York before the time it took off from the UK, and personally I am amazed to this day just at the sheer beauty of the plane. We have always had a magnificent track record of innovative brilliance, epitomised, by Concorde. The North West has the biggest aerospace cluster in the whole of the UK and with that sense of adventure and innovation, coupled with the tremendous energy and determination of the people attending yesterday, we really can succeed. Let’s get exporting in 2012!
2 comments
Comment by Tim Meehan posted on
Clive,
Having read the above post, I'm delighted to say that I have at least one new client with an export plan for 2012, going in to Turkey and perhaps other markets in the middle east later in the year. I found the Manchester event exciting and full of high value insight. Well done to all your team on getting more NW business people focussed on exporting.
Best wishes,
Tim Meehan
Comment by Clive Drinkwater posted on
Tim,
Great stuff. Now we only have a further 998 to go! Seriously though, let's make sure we meet up early in 2012 to see what more we can do together.
Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year,
Clive