For many in the corporate world, Friday the 20th will mark the last full working day. Slack and Teams channels are muted, out-of-office messages are switched on, and thank-you emails are sent to key clients, partners, and colleagues.
First, let’s spare a thought for the retail workers, the delivery drivers, the medical professionals, logistics, exporters, and everyone else who will still be doing their thing over the festive period to ensure the rest of us can enjoy some downtime en masse.
Like me, I’m sure you’re taking this moment to reflect on the year of work that is about to wrap up. Twelve months of graft, effort, overcoming challenges and well-earned successes.
2024 has been an especially busy period for Go Exporting and I’m proud of the new industry partnerships we’ve formed and businesses we’ve supported.
This year we have helped a record number of clients to develop, plan, and implement their export strategies. We’ve attended six international exhibitions and trebled the number of companies we’ve helped find international distributors.
We’ve managed a successful global launch of Highway Software, established and operated the UK and EU sales office for Avlock, delivered a successful LeadsTrack project for INEA, and became the UK-approved partner of the Asian Exporters Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
We’re not a company that enters ourselves into awards regularly, but it’s always nice to gain recognition when it comes. Being awarded the Most Trusted Export Consultancy by SME News was a particular highlight, as well as receiving recognition and commendation from the Corporate Live Wire Innovation & Excellence Global Awards and the AECCI.
Another key moment for me this year was launching our Client Charter. Through our own growth, we never lose sight that it is great service, professionalism, and positive outcomes that drive our client’s success – which is directly correlated with our own. Our Client Charter outlines the principles that guide our engagements and ensures our relationships with partners worldwide are built on mutual trust and respect.
A glance toward 2025
One thing is for sure, the next four years are set to be interesting, to say the least, for exporters, with a new presidency under Trump and the promise of huge import tariffs, the latest UK government’s hopes of re-establishing a healthier relationship with the EU, ongoing global conflicts, the increased focus on BRICS…
What we do know, and the last financial crisis highlighted as much, is that choppy commercial waters present opportunities for firms with tenacity, ingenuity, and a little bravery. Just because your competitors aren’t doing it, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. Just because you’ve not sold there before, doesn’t mean you can’t. Being strategic with growth plans, understanding markets and researching opportunities, can help find growth in territories that your existing saturated marketplace might not have to offer.
So, as we close out one year and start to look toward the next, there remain just two things to say:
First, if after a well-deserved festive break, you decide 2025 is the year to find new international customers and to ‘go for growth’, then have a read through our Exporting Growth Plan service. Mull it over, and send me a message if you’d like to discuss more in the New Year.
And second, from all of us here at Go Exporting, wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
