What are the duties of a Temporary Export Manager (TEM)? How can it support Italian companies in their international growth?
This figure is often mentioned when it comes to exports or the internationalization of companies, yet for many of these it is still not clear what precise functions a Temporary Export Manager performs. Even more, it is not clear why a MET could be of crucial importance for all those companies that want to expand your business abroad.
In this article we will clarify what the tasks of this position are, so that you understand whether it is also necessary for your business, in case you want to optimize your commercial activities.
Let's start from a fundamental concept: this professional role deals with everything related to the foreign market of a company. With the term "everything", we refer to that series of processes which, starting from the formulation of ad hoc strategies, then go on to cover the actions necessary to affirm the company's presence on an international level.
A Export Manager he must also be able to develop projects which envisage not only the maintenance of the results obtained, but also the objective of generate ever higher profits. In fact, this figure becomes crucial for planning all corporate growth processes involving foreign markets, and for this reason he generally works in close contact with the top management of the company. Specifically, its activities can be summarized as follows.
That is, identify the countries on which you want to focus for the sale of your products. In this way, the potential demand for the products to be sold by a specific market is evaluated. This search also includes all the information regarding any charges, such as taxes and customs. This preliminary analysis is carried out taking into account the company's target customers, and bearing in mind the geopolitical panorama in which all export actions will have to take place. Furthermore, a risk assessment must be carried out, in order to be able to adopt all those measures capable of minimizing it as much as possible.
This means formalising, within the company's economic plan, the activities to be undertaken to internationalize the company, for the first time or to tackle new markets. This elaboration provides for the definition of the objectives and the timing for their realization, as well as the choice of the figures to be involved and their duties, and the budget to be allocated to the project. The strategy set by the Temporary Export Manager must also include the methods of action to counter competitors, and the creation of a wide-ranging marketing plan, which also concerns the optimization of the digital presence, such as that deriving from social channels. Another aspect that will be tackled is that linked to the brand's website, which will have to be particularly looked after, even after the launch of the products. The company's online platform is in fact essential for generating new contacts and new conversions, and also for transmitting greater trust to all customers;
To identify the best techniques capable of promoting foreign trade of one or more products. Each sales methodology must be studied carefully, and always implemented keeping in mind the results of the preliminary analysis and the export strategy. In particular, a sales timing capable of keeping up with the purchasing timing must be guaranteed. Especially for the foreign market, it is essential that customers receive the goods they have bought as quickly and precisely as possible;
To have full control over product purchase trends, post-purchase feedback, logistics starting from the acquisition of the goods up to their shipment. The Temporary Export Manager will also be able to take care of the acquisition of certain certifications valid for the foreign markets of reference, and of any commercial contracts with local companies (and also distributors and agents) to facilitate the sales processes.
As the role of Export Manager is becoming more and more crucial, they are numerous tenders and government actions For help companies in its acquisition. To better regulate this figure and its responsibilities, a specific rule has also been implemented, the UNI 11823:2021 standard.
Thanks to this document, it is possible to derive the specific responsibilities that professionals who deal with internalisation can bear, precisely defining their duties.
If you want to expand your business in overseas market, whatever sector you operate in, the use of a Temporary Export Manager is almost obvious. As we have seen, this figure supports your company in setting up an internalisation strategy and putting it into practice, monitoring each phase of this process.
All this, starting from the analysis and identification of more profitable markets, up to the effective marketing in foreign countries, thanks to the preparation of an effective distribution network.
Do you want to transform your company from local to international? Hiring a Temporary Export Manager will allow you to minimize risks and to approach a new, more current and strategic way of doing business.
At Octagona we have figures from Temporary Export Manager, which are aimed at all those entrepreneurial realities intending to increase their business, through expansion on foreign markets.
For more information, you please contact us. We will reply quickly, providing you with all the explanations you need.
Also take a look at companies that we have helped to internationalise: you too could be among these, for your and our full satisfaction.
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