Change, Engage and Communicate

Is it better to digitize or launch new products?

As engage the customer more?

Which communication strategy will work?

What are the current difficulties?  

These are just five of the most common questions that every entrepreneur or company manager finds himself having to answer on a daily basis in this historic moment dictated by uncertainty and constant change. The data of the latest Ipsos study "Covid-19 and companies" have given answers to these questions: interesting opportunities in Digital Export lie ahead for Italian companies. Here they are detailed below.

What will be the three pillars of the recovery?  

The study conducted by Ipsos "Covid-19 and companies" on 400 Italian companies speaks of change and optimism. For 61% of the interviewees it is the time for change and not for the crisis. 56% is inclined to review its business strategies. The 70% is ready to invest in new trends: export, digital and sustainability.

Is it better to digitize or launch new products?  

The Foreign Minister, Luigi di Maio said that the first quarter of 2021 «was very dynamic. The export data marks a +4% compared to 2020 but above all, in absolute values, we are at 118 billion euros: a value higher than the record of 2019»

According to Ipsos research, those who are dedicated to internationalization have more opportunities and digitization is preferred to the launch of new products.

How to involve the customer more?  

Marketing has always had a primary role but today even more. Above all, the companies that decide to export will have to, for keep the customer active (Ipsos data), bring their attention to personalized targeting (43%), develop customer contact tools such as e-mail marketing automation (38%), have an advanced CRM system to manage the customer at every stage (31%), make close attention to after-sales services (28%) and quality (26%).

Which communication strategy will work?  

First, it will be important to have one. 

The communication strategy is fundamental and will have to focus mainly on values and onsocial commitment of the brand without forgetting the product. A fundamental role will be that of manager who, in this phase, will have to guide the change and affirm the corporate vision.

What are the current difficulties?  

In our opinion there are 2 major difficulties to take into consideration:

– the first is connected to the sea freight of containers which have more than quintupled from June 2019 to today, while, at the same time, the punctuality of the arrival of ships in ports has dropped from a percentage of 80% to today's 35%;

– the second is the lack of experience and skills on Digital Export. A market is opening up where many companies would like to consult their clients on corporate internationalization issues; unfortunately, however, many have known this sector for too little time, or have never had direct experience.

We at Octagona we are able to open the right path for you, seizing the opportunities of Digital Export and thus supporting the growth of your business. With direct offices in India, Vietnam, Brazil, USA and with local partnerships throughout the rest of the world, Octagona is in fact one of the leading companies in International Advisory and among the top 5 in Italy: in almost 20 years we have successfully worked on over 750 projects of internationalization.

What can we do to grow your business? Click below and fill out the form to find out: we will contact you to study the best solution together: