QThis article is updated in 2026 with new data, Market scenarios and insights on the role of TEM and DEM in the current international context. You can read the version updated here.
In the increasingly dynamic and interconnected global business environment, the figures of the Temporary Export Manager (TEM) and the Digital Export Manager (DM) have established themselves as essential for companies aspiring to expand into foreign markets. L’internationalization is no longer just an opportunity for growth, but a real necessity to ensure long-term competitiveness. For companies looking to grow and diversify their business, entering new markets offers significant advantages: access to a broader customer base, reduced dependence on the domestic market, and the opportunity to develop in high-growth areas.
However, international expansion is not without its complex challenges. Companies must deal with the peculiarities of individual markets, manage different business regulations and overcome local bureaucratic hurdles. This is precisely where the Temporary Export Manager and the Digital Export Manager, professional figures who offer ad hoc solutions for the internationalization needs of companies.
In fact, the skills required to successfully navigate these foreign markets are not always present internally, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The TEM and DEM are specialized export management professionals who can overcome these challenges and help plan winning strategies for successful penetration into foreign markets.
What are the distinctive competencies of the Temporary Export Manager (TEM) and the Digital Export Manager (DEM)?
The Temporary Export Manager is an international trade expert hired temporarily to support the company in the process of expanding into foreign markets. Unlike an internal export manager, the TEM focuses on specific, time-limited projects, offering specialized expertise in export and international trade management. He or she is able to develop effective strategies for entering new markets, identify business opportunities, and manage negotiations with potential international partners. In addition, this figure leads market research detailed and identifies the mode of communication best suited to reach target markets, ensuring a strategic and targeted approach to each internationalization initiative.
The Digital Export Manager instead specializes in using digital technologies and online marketing strategies to facilitate international expansion. This figure is responsible for creating and managing digital marketing campaigns, optimizing the company's online presence and leveraging digital platforms to reach customers around the world. The DEM analyzes market data and campaign performance to tailor strategies to local needs, ensuring that the company remains competitive in the global landscape.
From the above, the tangible benefits of working with a Temporary Export Manager for companies wishing to expand internationally. Among the main benefits we can highlight:
Also the Digital Export Manager is an emerging figure that increasingly plays a key role in the internationalization of companies in the digital age. Among the main benefits of employing a Digital Export Manager within an organization, we can highlight:
L’internationalization in the global marketplace is attracting increasing interest among companies seeking to seize new opportunities outside national borders. At the same time, competitiveness for entry into these markets continues to increase. In this scenario, outsourcing export management activities allows SMEs to access specialized expertise and develop sustainable growth strategies, while reducing the risks associated with international expansion.
As the role of export manager is becoming increasingly crucial, there are numerous calls and government actions to help companies in its acquisition. To better regulate this figure and his skills, a specific standard has also been implemented, the UNI 11823:2021 standard. Thanks to this document, it is possible to derive the specific responsibilities that professionals involved in internationalization can support, precisely defining their tasks.
There are also subsidized financing for the Temporary Manager figure, provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Simest.
Octagona employs experienced professionals who support companies in their internationalization journey, enabling them to gain a competitive advantage in international markets. These experts include the Temporary Export Manager and the Digital Export Manager, who are a central element of our business. With their expertise and established experience, they can make a difference in the export process, accompanying the company at every stage.
To learn more about the specifics of these roles and find out how they can interact with your business, feel free to contact us for more information.
The Temporary Export Manager is an international trade expert hired for a limited period of time, while the internal export manager is permanently part of the staff. The TEM works on specific and time-limited projects, such as entering a new market, bringing specialized expertise that many SMEs do not have in-house.
The Temporary Export Manager develops strategies for entering new markets, identifies business opportunities, and manages negotiations with potential international partners. He or she also conducts detailed market research and selects the communication methods most suited to the target markets, ensuring a strategic and targeted approach for each internationalization initiative.
The Digital Export Manager specializes in digital technologies and online marketing for international expansion. He creates and manages digital marketing campaigns, optimizes the company’s online presence, and leverages digital platforms to reach foreign customers. He analyzes market data and campaign performance to adapt strategies to local needs and improve ROI.
A SME that relies on a Temporary Export Manager obtains four main advantages: operational flexibility, because it does not have to invest in a full-time manager; specialist expertise in regulations and intercultural relations; reduced risks when entering new markets; and greater opportunities to increase foreign sales thanks to the identified opportunities.
Yes, UNI Standard 11823:2021 regulates the role of the export manager and its competencies. The document allows for the specific responsibilities of professionals involved in internationalization, defining their tasks with precision. It therefore serves companies as a reference for evaluating and classifying these professionals.
Yes, there are subsidized funding programs for the role of Temporary Manager, provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and by Simest. Alongside these instruments, numerous government tenders and actions support companies in acquiring an export manager, because his role is increasingly crucial for internationalization.
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