Exporters quickly find they cannot do everything themselves. And that relinquishing a degree of control, while uncomfortable, is a necessary part of the process. In this sense, the exporter becomes another customer, with the same dependency that the customer has on a reliable level of service. This is most effective at a local level. But local does not mean restricting global access. It is about ensuring that the point of contact has a clear, direct line of communication to the people who matter when it comes to delivery.
Forming Local Relationships
No one can be everywhere at once, and by its nature, overseas trade involves distances across continents. This is why exporters have to really work at local relationships, to ensure that their connections can be trusted to act in their interests and to go above and beyond what is required in certain situations.
Any exporter is only as good as their contacts. While the larger multinationals might appear to have all the control, for many exporters a more personalised approach to customer care and professional relationships can be more effective.
“Events that have an unexpected impact on international shipping usually take place locally,” Chris Houghton of Freedom Logistics points out. “This is where a reliable, local point of contact, a telephone call away from local carriers, can make all the difference.”
“A multinational might be able to offer a degree of corporate reassurance. Sometimes they can seem monolithic and slow to react. Exporters should consider how they can best respond quickly to events happening on the other side of the world”
Chris Houghton, Freedom Logistics
Maintaining Connections
Regular and clear communication is the key to building and maintaining crucial relationships and shoring up trusted local contacts for exporting. If exporters are to make the most of an agile, non-standard service, enabling them to compete with the bigger players, then keeping key interested parties on side and informed comes with the territory.
“Modern business management technology makes being connected easier,” concludes Chris, “with software playing a vital, unifying role. But never play down the human element. Successful exporting is about relationships, and particularly ones involving local knowledge. These are what a sound, export network is built on.”
For further information:
- Call Freedom Logistics on 0800 012 4369
- Visit freedomlogisticsuk.co.uk to find out about their network
- Download their guide, The Power of the Network
