Digital export manager (DEM): internationalization in a digital context

At this moment in history Italian firms that are strongly export-oriented have responded better to the blows of inflation, triggered by the rise of energy products and difficulties arising from the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

The secret of their success? The all-Italian ability to Produce anything uniquely and appreciated worldwide, with a flexible approach geared toward tailoring customization and a systematic pursuit of quality and excellence.

In this context, you know that the skills and qualities of management play a key role in determining the organization, productivity, and level of internationalization of companies.

Acquiring such skills, however, can be difficult, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Too often, in the more than 800 projects we have successfully completed, we have heard from entrepreneurs that they feel alone in developing foreign markets.

Indeed, the real challenge for Italian companies that want to internationalize is to understand that it is not enough just to have a product: the added value of that product must also be communicated, marketed and promoted on the correct channels.

However, SMEs do not always have the resources at their disposal to embark on internationalization, despite the fact that they have demonstrated that they have a high-quality product that performs very well in the domestic market.

Thus, there is a lack of an internal figure capable of drawing an international business development plan, identifying the best markets and managing the entire export process.

Who is and what does the digital export manager do

In this regard, today we hear with increasing insistence about the Temporary Export Manager, that is, a dedicated manager who works as an external consultant, supports and assists the company in a business expansion path, and is capable of managing export projects.

In addition to select markets, identify customers, subsequently managing the relationship and the follow-up phase, the TEM works in synergy with the company so as to leverage the technical skills, know-how, and knowledge of the entrepreneur and his or her employees thus leaving in the corporate assets all the material and information collected In the course of the activity.

In a world that is becoming increasingly digitized, the TEM has recently been joined by the figure of the Digital Export Manager who, in addition to traditional skills useful for developing exports on offline channels, has specific skills for Selling abroad through digital tools and leveraging the company's online presence.

The digital export manager thus represents the combination of export and digital technology. In other words, by leveraging the digital skills it possesses, the DEM uses databases, digital platforms and CRMs to search for potential customers and contacts in its target foreign markets.

Are you looking for a DEM?

If you are looking for a Temporary export manager (TEM) or a digital export manager (DEM), Octagona can help you in the international development of your business. In fact se are on Invitalia's list of accredited companies such as TEM and DTEM..

Thanks to the experience gained in 20 years of activity, we have completed more than 800 internationalization projects, contributing to the growth and development of Italian exports around the world.

With direct offices in India, Vietnam, Brazil and the U.S., and local partnerships in all the most important outlet markets for Italian companies such as the’Latin America, the ASEAN Area and Australia, as well as the countries of the European Union. This ubiquity has allowed us to get to know many international markets closely, to discover the secrets of specific business dynamics by collaborating with our multi-ethnic Team of more than 50 professionals, who work every day to make profitable the actions we carry out with the companies that have believed in us.

If you want to seize the opportunities that international markets can offer, then contact us and tell us about your internationalization project: We will study together the best solution for your needs.

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