DIT support “underpins commercial success” for international markets
International #TradeWeek may be coming to a close, but the Department for Business and Trade is still on hand to help businesses of all shapes and sizes to maximise their global potential.
You may ask yourself, why should I export? Well, it can not only increase your turnover and profitability, but you will also be creating stability by spreading risk across different markets.
Services are exports too.?But exporting isn’t just about making products and selling them overseas.?Services are now a significant export.
My business, #MarkBrooksEducation, has been ‘exporting services’ for more than 20 years and as an #ExportChampion for #DIT, I would like to share my experience of ‘exporting’ to the wonderful nations of #Ghana and #Nigeria.?
Or to put it more precisely, my company has been recruiting talented students from West Africa to join exceptional #Britishboarding schools.?With invaluable guidance from the DIT along every step of the way.
UK education a significant export.?The UK independent #boardingschools sector is one of Britain’s unseen, but most successful, exports.?There are almost 25,000 girls and boys from overseas studying in one of the country’s outstanding establishments.?
My boutique company recruited a record number of students this September - which equated to more than ￡6.5m of school fee income for the duration of these children.
Record numbers are joining these schools from #WestAfrica today.?And our exhibitions in #Accra and #Lagos last month, with 16 schools on the mission, experienced the largest turnout of families ever!
This is the region where I have enjoyed working as an educational consultant for more than 14 years.
Essential support from the DIT.?Since 2015 we have benefitted from and relied upon the superb market insights, high level connections and practical support and profile of the Department for International Trade (DIT) teams alongside British High Commission leaders in Nigeria - and more recently in Ghana as well.
Mr Dave Watkin , Assistant Head of Culford School in #Suffolk has participated in these boarding school exhibitions organised by Mark Brooks Education for many years.?
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“The proactive and steadfast reliability of the DIT in supporting British business in West Africa has created the confidence to ensure that British boarding remains at the forefront of educational provision both in the region, and across the world,” explains Mr Watkin.????
Last week I presented a case study at a well-attended Market Awareness webinar on Nigeria, brilliantly organised by the DIT #Midlands region.
I shared my three Golden Rules to bear in mind when reaching and maintaining a new market.
Share your ethos.?People, and in this case, principals and parents, want to be reassured not just by what you can offer but why you offer them – your vision and values.?
Appropriate communication. Through understanding your customer, you gain insights into their minds and hearts.?This ensures that your verbal, written and social media communications will be relevant and memorable.
Build on relationships. In these days of virtual meetings, we have a fresh appreciation of the tangible and long-lasting impact of a VIP reception hosted by the British High Commission, or a leadership seminar in country.
Mr Watkin adds: “The partnership Mark Brooks has established with the Department for International Trade ensures schools benefit from access to overseas markets.?This in turn underpins our international commercial success.”??
?“The support of DIT provides the stability and continuity that generates confidence to work in these and new markets… for the long term.”
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The recent mission included ACS International Schools , Cardiff Sixth Form College , Culford School , Earlscliffe , Bromsgrove School , Harrogate Ladies' College , Lancing College , LVS Ascot , Mount Kelly , Westonbirt School & Westonbirt Prep , TASIS England , Padworth College , Wellington School . Millfield School , CATS Global Schools