Export assessment

Whether you're new to exporting or already have a foothold in one or more overseas markets, our handy new export assessment tool will help you judge your company's readiness to export into new markets and find all the support we can offer.

Receive a free tailored report outlining the next steps that your business needs to take to grow in new international markets.

Go to the export assessment tool on the Scottish Development International website

Roadshow events

Throughout the year we host roadshow events up and down the country for Scottish-based companies looking to learn more about the opportunities that exist through exporting.

These awareness and information events kick off with discussions from the Smart Exporter team on all of the free or heavily subsidised trade support services that are available together with company case study presentations from some of Scotland's most inspiring export businesses.

There will also be the chance for you to network with like minded businesses and trade experts. 

Register to keep informed of Smart Exporter roadshow events in your area or call 0800 019 1953

Search for Smart Exporter events in your area on the Scottish Development International website

Know your market events 

Choosing an export market can seem a complicated business and you must prepare thoroughly before entering into new overseas markets.  Preparation will reduce financial risk and enhance the likelihood of success.

Before making your decision there are a number of factors to consider which include demand for your products, competition and any legal constraints that may hinder entry into new markets.

Smart Exporter's know your market events will open your eyes to the opportunities that exist across different international markets. These events consist of:

• An overview of the market
• The opportunities that exist relative to the key sectors for that market
• Presentations from Scottish companies already exporting to that market
• Networking opportunities with trade experts who know that market well

Register to keep informed of Smart Exporter know your market events in your area or call 0800 019 1953

Search for Smart Exporter events in your area on the Scottish Development International website

International strategy forums

Planning involves the need to focus on clear strategies. An international trade strategy should be aligned with your business plan. Smart Exporter’s international strategy forums provide insight into whether or not exporting is for you.

The forums typically involve around 10 businesses like yours that are thinking about exporting for the first time and companies that are new to exporting, and include:

• A short presentation on the importance of your company being ready for international trade, and planning to succeed in the international arena
• The chance to hear from a company that has developed its business internationally, how they did this and how their export business has grown
• Details of the practical support and guidance available to your company through Smart Exporter
• The opportunity to meet Smart Exporter staff and experts in the field to discuss the support that is most appropriate for your business

Benefits to your business

• Understanding the importance of preparation and planning before embarking on international growth
• Sharing experiences, concerns, challenges and opportunities with like-minded business leaders in your area
• Learning about the broad range of support available to companies from Scottish Development International

Register to keep informed of Smart Exporter strategy forums in your area or call 0800 019 1953

Search for Smart Exporter events in your area on the Scottish Development International website

Preparing to export online

Understanding the practicalities associated with exporting is key to successful entry into new markets.

Smart Exporter’s online preparing to export programme will ensure that your business is prepared for exporting by developing key skills and knowledge needed for international trade across a number of training modules.

Use our step-by-step online guide to refresh your thinking about exporting.

Six modules cover key topics and factors to consider when preparing to export.

• Understand how to analyse opportunities – and where to look for information
• Equip yourself with knowledge about international finance, contracts and logistics
• Determine the best means of entering new export markets
• Learn how to develop an export action plan for your business
• Pick up expert tips and be inspired by our case studies to refresh your knowledge
• Use our quiz questions to challenge your thinking and test your knowledge along the way

Our online guide is aimed at businesses new to exporting or those looking for a refresher on how to expand their business into new markets.

This tool will be available soon.

Register to find out more about our preparing to export online tool or call 0800 019 1953

More about Smart Exporter's preparing to export programme on the Scottish Development International website

Introductory level

Understanding the practicalities associated with exporting is key to successful transition into new markets.

Smart Exporter’s preparing to export programme will ensure that your business is prepared for exporting by developing key skills and knowledge needed for international trade across a number of training modules.

Delivered across three levels,

• Introductory
• Intermediate
• Advanced

these workshops are aimed at businesses at all stages of international growth, from those new to exporting to more experienced exporters looking to branch into new markets.

Our Introductory workshop series gets you started on the basics of preparing to export and includes:

• Market analysis
• Market research and identification
• Distribution channels
• Methods of market entry
• Market entry
• Support agencies and trade bodies
• Getting the most out of exhibitions and trade missions
• International marketing and promotion
• Establishing and managing an international sales and distribution function
• International finance, contracts and logistics
• Finance and pricing
• Trade regulations and contract terms
• Distribution channels and logistics
• Negotiating international contracts

Register to find out more about our preparing to export programme or call 0800 019 1953

More about Smart Exporter's preparing to export programme on the Scottish Development International website

Deepen your exporting knowledge

Direct and specific guidance and training is available from Smart Exporter in areas such as customs, duties and export documentation or to identify wider learning requirements.

Access our free support: 

Call 0800 019 1953

Register now to access our advisory service

Export documentation factsheets

Our Smart Exporter factsheets give a brief overview of some legal document terms used in international trade.

Gain a better understanding of these documents to better prepare yourself for exporting:

• Customs, duties and taxes
• Documentary letters of credit
• Intermediary agreements
• International sales contracts
• Payment methods

Coming soon

Export assessment

Whether you're new to exporting or already have a foothold in one or more overseas markets, our handy new export assessment tool will help you judge your company's readiness to export into new markets and find all the support we can offer.

Receive a free tailored report outlining the next steps that your business needs to take to grow in new international markets.

Go to the export assessment tool on the Scottish Development International website

Know your market events 

Choosing an export market can seem a complicated business and you must prepare thoroughly before entering into new overseas markets.  Preparation will reduce financial risk and enhance the likelihood of success.

Before making your decision there are a number of factors to consider which include demand for your products, competition and any legal constraints that may hinder entry into new markets.

Smart Exporter's know your market events will open your eyes to the opportunities that exist across different international markets. These events consist of:

• An overview of the market
• The opportunities that exist relative to the key sectors for that market
• Presentations from Scottish companies already exporting to that market
• Networking opportunities with trade experts who know that market well

Register to keep informed of Smart Exporter know your market events in your area or call 0800 019 1953

Search for Smart Exporter events in your area on the Scottish Development International website

International strategy workshops

Identify opportunities, anticipate risk and build an international growth strategy aligned to your business plan.

Smart Exporter international strategy workshops provide guidance to your senior management team in aligning your international strategy to your business model. These workshops will also enable your business/senior management team to build: 

• A clear map of investment opportunities and associated risks
• An action plan to take the product or service to market

More about our international strategy workshops can be found on the Scottish Development International website

A more in depth programme is also available to your management team in the form of an International Strategy Development Programme providing consultancy support over 10 – 20 days.

Intermediate level

Understanding the practicalities associated with exporting is key to successful transition into new markets.

Smart Exporter's preparing to export programme will ensure that your business is prepared for exporting by developing key skills and knowledge needed for international trade across a number of training modules.

Delivered across three levels,

• Introductory
• Intermediate
• Advanced

these workshops are aimed at businesses at all stages of international growth, from those new to exporting to experienced exporters looking to branch into new markets.

Our Intermediate workshop series is recommended for businesses already exporting in one or more markets and covers the following topics:

• Market research
• Market identification
• Support agencies
• Production issues
• Finance and pricing
• Advertising/promotion
• Developing an international culture
• Distribution channels and method of market entry
• E-Business aspects of international trade
• Trading and contractual terms
• Sales negotiation skills
• Producing and presenting an international action plan

Read more about the preparing to export programme on the Scottish Development International website

Advanced level

Learn how to overcome more complex business challenges to prepare for global investment and expansion.

Our Advanced workshop series covers 6-8 modules on a wide range of topics including:

• Finance and international value pricing
• Distribution channels and contracts
• E-Business
• International sales skills
• International communication/marketing skills
• Getting the best out of exhibitions and missions
• Licensing/franchising deals
• Strategic alliances/joint ventures
• Acquisitions
• Managing overseas operations
• Presenting an international market development plan

Read more about the programme on the Scottish Development International website

In-house training

Hire an in-house consultant to help your team with its international trade plans.

Your business may have a complex task ahead of you that needs someone with specific experience to help your management team through the process. For example, your business may lack the specific trade skills/expertise or the time to take forward your international strategic growth objectives.

Smart Exporter company in-house training can help address this issue by hiring a specialist consultant to work within your organisation and help tackle an aspect of your international trade plans.

Typical international trade issues for training can include: a joint venture, technology transfer, strategic alliances or licensing agreements.  

Benefits to your business:

• Provision of a highly qualified international trade specialist for up to 5 days
• Up skilling your senior management team across complex international trade topics
• Help with the development of a comprehensive action plan
• Clearer strategic goals for managing change more effectively  

More about this service can be found on the Scottish Development International website

Funding to hire an international manager

To successfully export companies may need to access specific skills and knowledge that are not available within existing management teams.

We can provide funding to help companies hire an expert international manager who can help fill gaps in skills and knowledge and support your export strategy.

How your company can benefit

This is a flexible service that allows companies like yours to benefit from the expertise of a specialist export business manager who will be able to identify and fill existing gaps in your company's skills and knowledge.

• Support for international development plans
• Ability for your company to determine the specific remit of the manager 
• Access to the skills and knowledge of Scotland's finest graduates

Companies can hire an international manager for:

• A period of three months or less as part of our introductory service
• A period of three to 12 months
• Option to tap into TalentScotland's Graduate Placement Programme to help deliver a specific export project

This initiative provides part funding (by application) for the support of a highly qualified business professional with extensive international expertise. 

The programme normally lasts from 3 to 12 months on a full-time basis. 

Ready to find out more?

More about funding for an international manager can be found on the Scottish Development International website

Call 0800 019 1953 for further details or register your interest

Read more about TalentScotland's Graduate Placement Programme

Deepen your exporting knowledge

Direct and specific guidance and training is available from Smart Exporter in areas such as customs, duties and export documentation or to identify wider learning requirements.

Access our free support: 

Call 0800 019 1953

Register now to access our advisory service

International trade guides

Our international trade guides offer deeper insight into a range of topics to support your international growth plans:

• Strategic alliances and joint ventures 
• Managing intellectual property, licensing and franchising
• Market entry strategies and distribution channel selection 
• Establishing and managing an overseas operation 
• International marketing communications 
• Currency and foreign exchange management

Register to access the international trade guides and automatically be entered into a free prize draw to win an iPad2.

Export documentation factsheets

Our Smart Exporter factsheets give a brief overview of some legal document terms used in international trade.

Gain a better understanding of these documents to better prepare yourself for exporting:

• Customs, duties and taxes
• Documentary letters of credit
• Intermediary agreements
• International sales contracts
• Payment methods

Coming soon