Wednesday 29th September 2010 / 12:15 – 14:00

Are you ready for exporting?

If you are about to take your first steps in exporting; if you are already doing so, but wish to improve existing markets or explore new ones; then this Forum, sponsored by HSBC, is for you.

Guest speaker David Bax, International Trade Adviser at UK Trade & Investment South East, will open the meeting by covering the questions businesses should answer before launching into exporting (Why export? What is unique about my offer? What help and funding are available? What are the routes to market?). He will also run through practical aspects, such as the export documentation required, as well export controls and licensing issues.

Our second speaker,  Rajendra S Shirolé, Director MBA Programmes at the Kent Business School, University of Kent, will explore the value and significance of the role of culture in international business - why accepting cultural difference and the need for cultural adaptation and appreciating difference is so significant to the value of an organization's business proposition and particularly to international business practice.

As all International Business Forum meetings, this will be an interactive session aimed at giving all  participants the opportunity to engage in a discussion on key issues relating to exporting.

The International Business Forum, chaired by Olga D’Silva, Head of Zên Languages, is intended as an open discussion among people who are thinking of taking their first steps, or currently trade overseas and are looking for new foreign markets and new opportunities. Expert speakers help us explore specific areas of interest in more detail.  The objective is to facilitate introductions and bring like-minded professionals together around a table to discuss opportunities on the international markets and how to take advantage of them.

The venue will move to various locations around Kent, and for the fourth meeting our hosts will be the University of Kent, where we will be at the Canterbury Innovation Centre, a workspace that receives academic support, and which is dedicated to innovative businesses or entrepreneurs.

By design places are strictly limited, so if you’d like to join us, please book now.

Date:   Wednesday 29^th September 2010 / 12:15 – 14:00 (working lunch provided)

Venue:  Canterbury Innovation Centre (University of Kent)

Topic for discussion:  Are you ready for exporting?

Price:  Member £15 / Non-member £25 +VAT

Booking:  Tel: 01795 435918   Website http://www.iod.com/kent