Business Beyond Borders

In this episode I talk to global supply chain expert, Kim Winter.

Kim is the Group Managing Director of the Logistics Executive Group. He leads a global consulting, corporate advisory, M&A and executive search and media organisation from his base in Dubai, UAE.

Today we’re talking about the current landscape for global supply chains and what that means for international business.

Tune in to find out:

• How the pandemic affected supply chains in the Middle East and elsewhere
• What impact the war in Ukraine has had on supply lines
• What global supply chain trends Kim is seeing in 2022

To find out more about how Kim and his team can help you navigate global supply chains, visit the Logistics Executive Group website.

I hope you enjoyed this conversation with Kim. If you know someone who would benefit from this interview, please share this episode with them.

In this episode, I have a second conversation with Tom Griffith, Co-founder of Emma and Tom’s, which makes all-natural juices and other healthy drinks.

In our previous conversation we spoke about Emma and Tom’s genesis story and Tom’s experience with growing an international brand. This time around, we got into further detail about running an international business with a focus on Enterprise Resource Planning and how to effectively manage the resources within a company to scale internationally.

Tune in to find out:

• About Enterprise Resource Planning
• How to use ERP to manage resources within your company more effectively
• Why data is the new oil
• How to ensure that the priorities within the business are in order

… and more!

As usual, the conversation was highly informative and an absolute pleasure to record… remember to share it with a friend who needs inspiration this week.

Please Enjoy!

You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn or find out more at emmaandtom.com/

In this episode of Business Beyond Borders, my guest is Kathryn Read, an international sales and marketing consultant with more than 20 years’ experience developing niche products in emerging markets.

Kathryn helps small and medium companies to break through international barriers and she joins me today from Austria.

Join us to find out:
• How Austria handled the pandemic
• The current relationship between Europe and the UK post Brexit
• The importance of research when working internationally
• How not to choose an international market
• How to build an international network when you can’t travel

The importance of research is highlighted here, and Kathryn explains what can go wrong when you make snap judgements when it comes to choosing a new international market.

When you make ad-hoc decisions in the world of international business it becomes very easy to lose focus which then leads to frustration, wasted resources and disappointment. All this can be avoided by doing the research and building a network of people that align with your vision.

I had a great time recording this, and if you are interested in taking your company global, I have no doubt that you will get a huge amount of value from tuning in.

Please enjoy!

You can connect with Kathyrn on LinkedIn or find out more at https://kathrynread.com/.

You can also download a copy of How to Decide Which International Market to Enter here: https://colossal-leader-525.ck.page/c1c1dbf454

In this episode I am joined by Tatiana Miron as we discuss how to go about choosing the right market to launch your company and why having the right data is so important in that process.

Based out of Marseilles, France, Tatiana is not only one of our Senior Advisors here at Dearin & Associates, she is also the founder of Prime Target, a firm that provides advisory, business intelligence services and solutions for international development.

Join us to find out:
• The importance of doing your research before tackling a new market
• The current relationship between France and the UK post Brexit
• How companies and SMEs should use data to select a new international market
• Why going by ‘gut-feel’ can be detrimental to your international growth
• How to go about market selection and market segmentation

Many companies enter a new market with little to no research, and as we highlight in this episode, jumping in without the right information can cause huge problems for an international venture before it even gets off the ground. The importance of research cannot be understated, as the entire market entry strategy will be based on assumptions as opposed to quality data, and that is a recipe for disaster.

Taking your business global is certainly a massive opportunity that is available to most, and if you want to take that jump, join us to find out what kind of data you should be seeking when it comes to market selection, and how to go about finding it.

You can also check out the sample market report here.

Please enjoy!

In this episode I am joined by my friend David McCredie OBE, CEO of the Australia British Chamber of Commerce.

David is an experienced and thoughtful leader of people and business. He interacts regularly with a wide range of businesses providing him with a unique insight into government, large corporate entities and SME’s. His ability to gain cut through and give insights into the opportunities for businesses to perform better, to grow and to reach the right markets has made him a key asset to many of the companies that he has worked with.

Join us to find out:
• What has been happening in the UK over the last 18 months in relation to international trade and relations
• How the Australia British Chamber of Commerce helps companies expand their reach into the UK
• How the UK is working towards bouncing back from the pandemic
• The future of trading between the EU and the UK
• The bi-lateral trade relationship between Australia and China
• How Brexit has affected the way that the UK and Australia interact

Having led the Chamber for over a decade, David has witnessed many changes and considerable growth in this space during this time, including stock of investments between the UK and Australia going up by more than 100 billion dollars.

We focus on the relationships between some of the largest economies in the world… and all things considered, it is looking positive despite all the chaos over the last 18 months.

This is an eye-opening episode for anyone looking to understand the current relationships between the EU, the UK, Australia and China.

Please enjoy!

In this episode I chat to Zach Person who works closely with the team here at Dearin & Associates and is an expert when it comes to sales and business strategy.

Zach is on the ground in Chicago and we explore the US market, why foreign companies often struggle to get traction there and what you can do to break ground in what is often considered the “holy grail” for businesses around the world.

Join us to find out:

• What is happening in the United States right now
• How B2B sales work in the US, compared to elsewhere in the world
• The differences between each region and what you can do to branch out
• Why copy and pasting your strategy is just not going to work when expanding within the United States markets
• The top mistakes that companies make when entering the US

Although there are some key similarities across the US, there are some fundamental differences between each region, and Zach breaks down what you will need to do to adapt and succeed from a marketing and sales perspective.

The US has enormous potential for many international companies, but only for those that do it right. If the United States is on your list of countries you want to expand to, then this episode will highlight what you need to know to get started on the right foot.

Please enjoy!

In this episode I speak with Jason Hood, Founder of BourkeHood and his colleague Eva Dobrzabska, Head of Operations about research and development grants and how COVID-19 has sparked a wave of innovation across the globe.

While the global economy has been hit with this pandemic, governments around the world are finding ways to support and encourage growth through tax incentives and government grants.

Tune in to find out:

• What exactly are Research and Development Grants,
• Which industries can claim these incentives,
• How Research and Development Incentives work and who can access them,
• How Research and Development Schemes apply in the context of international expansion,
• The preparation you can do to make sure that your business is eligible for a Research and Development Grant in the future.
Both Jason and Eva have a wealth of knowledge, and they highlight that although most business owners think these incentives are only available in the Tech and Science space, this is a common misconception.
If taking your business to the next level is dependent on some form of research or development, then this episode is for you.

Please enjoy!

In this episode I catch up with Ram Gorlamandala, Founder and CEO at Tat Capital, which facilitates trade and investment between Australia, New Zealand and India through capital raising, M&A and international business development.

Ram founded Tat Capital in 2013 with a vision to help companies in Australia and the Indian sub-continent to engage in cross-border trade and investment, and to power growth with purpose.

Tune in to find out:

• Current trends that are shaping Australia’s relationship with India
• What’s going on in the political space at the moment
• What the key opportunities are for Aussie companies wanting to go to the region
• What Australian companies need to do (and avoid) to be successful in India

… and lots more!

Speaking to Ram was a real treat and I hope you get a buzz from this episode… remember to share it with a friend who needs inspiration this week!

It’s Cynthia Dearin here. Welcome to the Business Beyond Borders podcast and to our special series on COVID-19, how it’s affecting industries and businesses around the world and what it means for you.

As part of our special series on COVID-19, I’m talking to Rick Roache, Managing Director of Ebury, Australia about foreign exchange and why it’s so important, especially right now.

Tune in to find out:

• How COVID-19 is affecting currency markets
• The big mistakes that companies make when it comes to FX
• The right time for a company with international plans to think about FX…

… and lots more!

If COVID-19 has created challenges or opportunities for your company, check out the Crisis Support Package, which I’ve put together for businesses looking to make the most out of this very challenging time.

And if you enjoyed the show, remember to share it with a friend!

I hope you’re surviving the madness, wherever you are in the world today.

This week, to keep you powering through lockdown, I wanted to bring you something a little lighter and more inspirational than what you’ll get on mainstream channels

In this episode, I’m talking to Tom Griffith, Co-founder of Emma and Tom, which makes all-natural juices and other healthy drinks.

After a high-flying career as a CFO in London and Melbourne, Tom turned his back on the corporate world and started a juice company with his childhood friend, Emma Welsh. 16 years later, Emma and Tom is an international brand, sold in Jordan, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.

Tune in to find out:

• How the company started on the ski slopes of Aspen
• What to do when you have 8,000 bottles of juice and no customers
• The strategies that Tom and Emma use to launch into new international markets
• Tom’s tips for building great partnerships

… and lots more!

Speaking to Tom was a real treat and I hope you get a buzz from this episode… remember to share it with a friend who needs inspiration this week!

If COVID-19 has created challenges or opportunities for your company, check out the Crisis Support Package, which I’ve put together for businesses looking to make the most out of this very challenging time.

Market selection is a critical phase when it comes to international expansion.
Get it wrong, and you can tank your whole business… get it right and you can catapult it to new heights.

In Part Two of this episode around choosing the right market, we delve a little deeper into the market selection process, outlining what to consider before making the decision, and the questions you should be asking to assess the risk and increase your chances of success.

Tune in to find out:

• How to implement systems that will allow you to expand with ease
• The questions to ask before entering a new international market
• The market-entry strategy that will best suit your business
• Which trends and data to consider moving forward

And if you enjoyed the show, remember to subscribe so you don’t miss another episode and share it with a friend!

Welcome to our special series on COVID-19, how it’s affecting industries and businesses around the world, and what it means for you.

In this episode, I chat to Steve Hui, Founder and Chief Executive of I Fly Flat, about how the global pandemic is changing the way we do international travel.

Tune in to find out:

• How COVID-19 has affected airlines and travellers around the world
• What the long-term impact of decreased air travel is likely to be
• How business leaders can make the most of a period in which they can’t travel
• What to do with all those spare frequent flyer points

If COVID-19 has created challenges or opportunities for your company, check out the Crisis Support Package, which I’ve put together for businesses looking to make the most out of this very challenging time.

And if you enjoyed the show, remember to share it with a friend!

Welcome to our special series on COVID-19, how it’s affecting industries and businesses around the world, and what it means for you.

In this episode, I chat to Callan Anderson from Hong Kong Corporate Services Group, about how the global pandemic is affecting business in Hong Kong.

Tune in to find out:

• Why Hong Kong’s infection rate is so low
• How the crisis is affecting business in Hong Kong
• Callan’s advice for companies doing business in Hong Kong

If COVID-19 has created challenges or opportunities for your company, check out the Crisis Support Package, which I’ve put together for businesses looking to make the most out of this very challenging time.

And if you enjoyed the show, remember to share it with a friend!

This is the first in a series of special episodes on COVID-19, keeping you updated on how the pandemic is affecting industries and businesses around the world, and what it means for you.

In this episode I talk to global supply chain expert, Tim Gray.

Tim’s firm, Prophit Systems works with business leaders in Australia and Asia to solve complex supply chain process problems. Today we’re exploring how COVID-19 is affecting global supply chains and how to mitigate supply chain risks.

Tune in to find out:

• What the slowdown in China’s manufacturing sector means for global supply chains
• Which sectors will be hardest hit be shortages of goods and materials
• How COVID-19 is accelerating China’s move away from low value manufacturing
• What kind of opportunities global supply chain disruptions will create
• How retailers dealing with a surge in demand can mitigate their risk

To find out more about how Tim and his team can help you navigate global supply chains, visit the Prophit Systems website.

I really enjoyed this conversation with Tim, and I hope you do too. If you know someone who would benefit from this interview, please share this episode with them.

One key area that many business owners struggle with when it comes to expanding internationally is successfully choose the right market.

On this episode of Business Beyond Borders, Maher interviews Cynthia as she speaks about the market selection process and highlights the common mistakes that companies make when looking to enter a new international market.

This is Part One of a two-part interview, so keep an eye out for the next episode where we delve a little deeper into the market selection process, outlining what to consider before making the decision, and the questions you should be asking to assess the risk and increase your chances of success.

Over the last decade, digital marketing has had a profound impact on the way companies promote themselves and sell to their clients, both at home and in global markets.

In this episode I caught up with Andrew Raso, founder of Online Marketing Gurus, one of Australia’s fastest growing digital marketing agencies.

Andrew and his friend Mehrdad set up the company in 2012, not long after they left university. By 2019 they had 500 clients and almost $20 million in revenue and Andrew decided to start looking for growth opportunities offshore.

Andrew was kind enough to share the experiences he’s had in the international space and some of the lessons he’s learned.

Join me to find out:

•Why OMG chose the US and Singapore as its initial international markets
•How digital marketing varies from country to country
•Which digital marketing channels generate the best results in international markets
•Why it’s crucial to test an international market before jumping in

I had fun recording this conversation with Andrew, and I hope you get great value from it. If you know someone who would benefit from this interview, please share the episode with them.

In this episode, I chat to Bryan Santos, an investment banker with a difference. He helps businesses grow - at home and abroad, by taking a holistic approach to solving the challenges faced by individual companies.

Bryan and his team at the National Diversified Funding Corporation specialise in mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances and capital raising, but they don’t use a cookie-cutter approach.

Bryan has also developed his own program for small companies looking to grow. It’s called Grow by Acquisition and you can find it here.

Tune in to find out:

• How a company can grow internationally with very little funding of its own,
• Why understanding the gaps in your business is key to creating successful solutions for growth,
• Key criteria for sourcing funding for your company,
• How smaller companies can leverage funding for growth...
• and so much more

I really enjoyed this conversation with Bryan, and I hope you do too. If you know someone who would benefit from this interview, please share this episode with them.

Everybody’s talking about the Libra, a new cryptocurrency proposed by Facebook, which advocates claim could transform the businesses and the lives of billions of people around the world. So … what’s it all about?

I caught up with Heath Behncke, the Founder and Managing Director of Holon
Global Investments, and the Executive Chair of the Libra Association, to get his thoughts on why we need Libra, what it could mean for companies doing business internationally and whether the currency will become a reality, given the challenges it has faced in recent months.

Tune in to find out:

• Why Facebook decided to launch the Libra
• How the Libra is different to other crypto currencies
• How the Libra could transform the shape of global business, especially for SMEs
• When Libra is likely to launch, given the controversy around it in 2019.

I really enjoyed this conversation with Heath, and I hope you do too. If you know someone who would benefit from this interview, please share this episode with them.

In Episode 43, I talk to Alan Oppenheim, CEO of Ego Pharmaceuticals, an Australian company that exists to improve people’s lives through the science of healthy skin and sells its products around the world including the Middle East, Asia Pacific and the UK.

Ego has won numerous awards for it performance in the export space and it is one of Australia’s great international success stories.

Join Alan and I as we talk about:

• How Ego began on a kitchen table in Victoria, Australia
• Why Alan’s father, Gerald Oppenheim took the company global
• What to look for when choosing a new market to enter
• How to choose an international distributor for your product…
… and much more.

This is an episode with loads of value for anyone working with physical products, especially in the consumer space. Alan is generous with his insights and very easy to listen to.

I hope you enjoy our conversation - it was a pleasure to record.

For many companies looking to scale internationally, funding the expansion is one of the biggest challenges they face.

Without a strong track record, it can be hard to convince banks and financial institutions to back an international venture and in lots of places, finance is just downright hard to come by, especially if you’re small.

In Episode ?? of Business Beyond Borders, I talk to Les Szekely, a professional venture capitalist and angel investor, who focuses on start-ups, especially those with plans to take on the world.

Les and I talk about finding investment for your international expansion, so if that’s you, join us to find out:

• Which kinds of companies have the most potential to scale internationally
• The ‘right time’ for a company to scale internationally
• What investors look for
• The formula for the perfect pitch
• Key mistakes that founders making as they look for investment

I really enjoyed talking to Les, he had lots of great insights and practical tips for companies looking for investors. Don’t miss this episode!