BUNDLE: Exporting
Tools & Resources
Whether you are sending products and services overseas for the first time or a seasoned exporter looking to become more productive and efficient, there is always more you can learn and new technologies you can adopt. To support our Scottish Export Index and the Northern Powerhouse Export Awards campaigns, this bundle brings together export readiness checklists with shipping tools and the latest guidance to help you navigate the international trading landscape.
Split into some food for thought to help your strategic thinking, practical advice for building firm foundations, and tools and resources to keep strengthening your strategies and processes, scroll down to what you're interested in and click each title to read more...
Feed your strategic thinking...
Read these interviews with our Scottish Export Index and Northern Powerhouse Export Awards partners and contributors to give you a high-level view of the export opportunities available and the support you can access to overcome any challenges:
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A world of opportunity for Northern Powerhouse exporters to explore
It can be daunting to navigate the complexities of exporting, especially if you're new to the game. However, there is a wealth of support available to Northern Powerhouse (NPH) exporters to make it easier to achieve success in new markets. In this article, Liz Bennington, Director for International Trade and Investment, North of England, talks us through the exciting opportunities available and how the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) can help.
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Tees Valley: a leading light in Northern export
With its proud industrial heritage that was pivotal in building the modern world, Tees Valley is now leveraging its strengths to help save it. The region aims to power Britain’s journey to Net Zero – its strongest opportunity at home and internationally – and is pursuing it at pace. Metro Mayor of the Tees Valley, Ben Houchen, is unmistakably passionate about the region’s prospects. We caught up with him about the exciting developments in the region, and how they are supporting businesses across the Northern Powerhouse to realise their export potential.
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Driving export success in Scotland’s largest and closest market
Although London is often thought of as a domestic market, it is of vital strategic importance to achieving Scotland’s global ambitions. A partner of the Scottish Export Index, John Webster, Director of Scotland House London, spoke with us about the power of networks, and how its membership helps organisations on their journey.
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Opportunities in China
As the world’s second largest economy and home to a population of 1.4 billion, China could well be a land of opportunity for UK businesses. In this article, HSBC UK – our partner for the Scottish Export Index – takes a deeper look at where these opportunities might lie, what you need to be aware of if you’re considering trading with China, and shares practical tips on how to access the market.
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Finding opportunities in an uncertain world
The businesses that put the power in Northern Powerhouse have a long history of exporting pedigree, which is being well and truly tested by current economic headwinds. But in an uncertain world, international trade still has an essential role to play, spreading prosperity and business opportunity between countries. According to Sally Jones, UK Trade Strategy and Brexit Leader at EY, the key to unlocking the North’s exporting potential is for companies to plan ahead and take a balanced portfolio of risk.
Get started with exporting
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Trading internationally
Whether it be sourcing materials from abroad or selling your own products and services in foreign markets, trading overseas boasts many benefits. In this article, we talk through the principles of importing and exporting and include some useful resources to help your business embrace global commerce.
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An introduction to exporting products
Finding new markets for your products and services can help you increase revenue and business resilience. In this article, we explain how exporting works and what rules you must follow when selling abroad.
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What are freeports and how can they benefit my business?
Freeports have become a common talking point in the UK over the last few years, with the first ones in England becoming operational in December 2022. In this article, we’ll introduce what freeports are and their potential benefits to your business.
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Key things to consider when choosing exporting markets
Before you start exporting in a new market, it's important to gain a deeper understanding of the barriers, competition and costs you might face. In this article, we highlight the key things to consider when choosing exporting markets.
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Export readiness checklist
If you’ve had a lot of success selling your goods and services at a local or national level, you might be thinking seriously about exporting. With this Export Readiness Checklist, you can get a better understanding of the questions you need to answer if you’re serious about trading internationally.
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8 export support schemes available to Scottish businesses
Exporting is a journey you’ll find much easier with a guide at your side, so we have pulled together a list of schemes to help you with exporting if you’re based in Scotland.
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9 export support schemes available in the Northern Powerhouse
The Northern Powerhouse is worth over £330 billion a year to the UK economy, and since 2014 its exports have steadily increased. The region now supports around 20% of total UK goods exports – worth £60 billion.
Exporting is a journey you’ll find much easier with a guide at your side, so we have pulled together a list of schemes to help you with exporting if you’re based in the Northern Powerhouse.
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PODCAST: Lisa Hart Shepherd on growing an international business
Lisa Hart Shepherd is a market researcher and serial entrepreneur who expanded her market research business all over the world before selling it to Thomson Reuters in 2019. Acritas is well known by global top 100 law firms for developing the Sharplegal programme, which has become the world’s most comprehensive annual study of the legal market. Passionate about building relationships and making connections, Lisa is now turning her focus to growing The Lamp House - a shared office and coworking space in the North East.
Strengthen your export strategies and processes
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What to look for in an international trade partner
As an exporter, you have a range of routes to market available, from direct selling to establishing a business in your target country. A common choice for many businesses is to seek a relationship with an agent or distributor – often referred to as a trade partner. If this is your chosen route, follow the tips in this article to help you choose a trusted trade partner to help you export.
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Free Shipping Tools To Get You Exporting
Sending goods overseas? This article will help you source courier services and customs agents, as well as giving you information to help you understand any new duty or taxes for hundreds of destinations worldwide.
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Klearnow import & export tool
If you're an SME looking for support with import and export procedures? KlearNow offers a hassle free, no contract service to importers, exporters, freight forwarders, customs agents/brokers and hauliers. With an easy to navigate system and access to 24/7 customer support, KlearNow makes it easier for you to trade internationally.
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How technology can help you grow international sales
There is a wealth of opportunity in export markets, but many business leaders are put off by the challenges, particularly those arising from a technology perspective. In this article, we introduce some of the innovative TradeTech you can use to improve the international customer journey and make more global sales.
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Webinar series: global sales and marketing
The UK’s departure from the EU opens exciting opportunities for exporters in the UK to grow their international customers through access to new, emerging and high-growth markets. In this video series, we explain how to internationalise your marketing and business development strategies in response to the UK's new global trading relationship.
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Grow your international sales by upskilling your team
Export can offer a world of opportunities for your business. While it may feel daunting to take your first steps or scale your export activities, equipping your team with the right skills and resources will make the journey easier and more successful. In this article, you’ll find an outline of the steps you can take to upskill your team and links to some great resources to get you started.
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Building a robust supply chain
A resilient supply chain is an essential support for your growing business, but with recent shocks exposing fragility, how can you shore up your supply chain to prepare for growth? In this article, HSBC UK shares the steps you can take to prepare your business for any disruption and mitigate against the effects.