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INTERNATIONAL B2B NETWORKS:



        WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOUR BUSINESS?




                    Monique Labat,                                                                                              Financial Stability of
                     Specialist in B2B                                                                                          International Partners
                     Market Linkages
                                                                                                                                 Another important
                       New markets                                                                                              consideration is the financial
                                                                                                                                stability of potential partners
                          nternational                                                                                          overseas. It is essential that
                          business                                                                                              businesses do their due
                       Ilinkages can                                                                                            diligence on foreign companies
                         provide your                                                                                           before entering into any
                          business                                                                                              agreements; after all, you don’t
                          with a                                                                                                want your hard-earned money
                          number of                                                                                             going down the drain because
        potential benefits, including access                                                                                    your partner couldn’t keep up
        to new markets, improved supplier                                                                                       their end of the bargain!
        and customer relationships,
        increased innovation, and the   channels. This is especially   learn about new technologies and   can expand their customer   Specialist Skills and Networks
        ability to learn from best practices   important for small and medium   best practices from around the   base, increase profits, and learn   There are many reasons to
        abroad.                       sized companies, which may not   world. This knowledge can then be  new techniques. However,   pursue international linkages
                                      have the resources to break into   used to improve operations back   before entering into any type of
         By establishing links with   new markets on their own. By   at home base. By working closely   partnership or agreement with a   as part of an export growth
        businesses in other countries,   teaming up with other companies   with foreign partners, companies   company in another country, there   strategy. Let a specialist with
        you can gain exposure to new   in foreign countries, businesses   may gain a better understanding   are several things that should be   B2B networks and export
        markets and cultures that may be   can share costs and marketing   of cultural norms in other   considered.             experience open doors and
        different from your own. This can   resources, making it easier to   countries – something that could                   facilitate the export growth
        help you expand your customer   penetrate these markets.    come in handy if they decide to   Legal Implications of Doing   strategy for you. It will save you
        base and reach new consumers                                expand operations there in the   Business Internationally   time and money and the targeted
        who may be interested in your   Key Customers and Key Suppliers  future being able to learn from   The first thing to consider is   focus will render greater benefits
        products or services.          Another benefit of pursuing   the best practices of companies in   the legal implications of doing   and results. 
                                      international linkages is that it can  other countries can help improve   business internationally.
         Working with businesses in   help businesses build relationships                                                       Information on B2B matchmaking and
        other countries can help improve   with key customers and suppliers   your own operations.   Every country has its own laws   market linkages to secure new markets,
        relationships with suppliers and   abroad. These relationships can   When it comes time to do   and regulations governing trade   new suppliers or new clients available
        customers overseas. This could   be beneficial in terms of securing   business in another country   and commerce, so it is important   from Monique Labat
        lead to increased efficiency and   contracts and business deals down   yourself, you will have a better   to make sure that both parties are   E: monique@moniquelabat.com or
        better communication when doing   the road. Additionally, strong   understanding of what needs to   aware of them and are willing to   T: +27 (0)82 924 6349
        business internationally.     relationships with foreign partners   be done thanks to the knowledge   comply with them. Additionally,
                                      often lead to increased trade   gained from working with foreign   businesses should have a clear
        Export Growth Strategy                                      businesses.
                                      between countries, which helps                              understanding of the cultural
         As a manufacturer, there     boost economic growth rates on                              differences between themselves
        are many reasons to pursue    both sides.                   International B2B Linkages    and their potential international   SCAN
        international linkages as part of                            International business linkages   partners. Misunderstandings can   QR CODE
        an export growth strategy. One of   New Technologies and Best   can be extremely beneficial for   often lead to conflict and litigation,
        the most important benefits is that   Practices             businesses of all sizes. By forming   so it is important for both parties   TO SEE
        these can help businesses access   Finally, pursuing international   partnerships with companies   to be aware of each other’s customs   VIDEO
        new markets and distribution   linkages can also help businesses   in other countries, businesses   and expectations.



        REMEMBERING GLENN DELVE



               lenn Delve, the national   to conclude a commercial   For young people embarking   often found time to be outdoors
               commercial director    agreement is a highlight      on a shipping career, Delve had   and especially to be in the bush.   SCAN
        Gof the Mediterranean         on every occasion; each       this advice, “Work hard and the   His closing words much
        Shipping Company (MSC),       circumstance is different and   rewards will be there”. However,   reflect his life and are an ethos   QR CODE
        South Africa died peacefully on   has different requirements.   he said, “It is not an industry for   for which he will be fondly   TO SEE
        the 26 June 2022.             Over the years, we have had to   the faint hearted.” He added that   remembered, “Just love life,   VIDEO
                                      negotiate complex multinational   it is also important to work your
          At school his aptitude tests   contracts. Each takes a lot of                           work hard and play hard!”  
        predicted him becoming a      time and it is very rewarding to   way up from the bottom so that
        chartered accountant or a     see the conclusion.”          you have a good understanding
        chemical engineer, but he                                   of the different aspects of the
        wanted something different.    In a past interview Delve    shipping industry. Glenn Delve’s
        Delve’s professional journey   commented that he was old    advice to anyone wanting to
        began in 1978, when he accepted   school and was proud to have   follow in his footsteps is “Not to
        a post as a management trainee   worked for so many years for   lose focus and don’t lose sight of
        in a shipping company. His    the same company, which is    other people”.
        natural aptitude for learning   a different mindset to young   Delve said life today is
        saw him complete several      employees nowadays. He also   challenging as there is a lot to
        training courses in the field of   said that he had enjoyed his   keep on top of and it’s more
        shipping, which he said, “gave   long working relationship    difficult now to find time for
        his career a good grounding”.  with the Chief Executive     the things you used to do in
                                      Officer Captain Salvatore
          Delve’s journey with MSC    Sarno and MSC founder         the past. However, out of office
        has ensured that his career   Chairman Gianluigi Aponte.    hours, he participated in varied
        has had many highlights, not   He said, “The company has    activities, and said that “if it
        the least was his appointment   always treated its employees   involves water even better”.
        as a director of MSC in 2006.   not only as assets but as    Delve enjoyed going to gym and
        He commented, “Being able     family members.”              played squash as well. He also




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