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Finding finance will be a continuous challenge, warns John Teeling.
Early exporting
MENTORS
Dr Aidan O’Boyle
Dr Aidan O'Boyle has a PhD in clinical biochemistry from UCD and following a period in the Departments of Pharmacology and Surgery in UCD he spent 10 years in France and Belgium in a marketing capacity with the IDA/CII. Dr. O'Boyle is currently joint managing director of Aalto Bio Reagents Ltd.
Early exporting
18.02.2010
Dr Aidan O’Boyle, joint managing director of Aalto Bio Reagents and chairman of the Small Firms Association, gives the following advice to start-up companies considering exporting for the first time:
“Define your product range with a brochure or website. Just tackle one or two key markets to gain experience, small firms often make the mistake of trying to do too much too soon.
MEETING FACE-TO-FACE IS VITAL
“Despite the fact that the Internet and email are so widely used, remember you can only do business with people, so visiting people who are likely to be important to you is crucial. There is no substitute for face-to-face meetings.
“Identify key trade fairs and which existing and potential customers are likely to be present. Go a couple of times just to get a feel for things, gain contacts and information before setting up a stand. Don’t forget State resources such as the capability of Enterprise Ireland to facilitate introductions in more difficult markets such as France."
Photo: Dr Aidan O'Boyle is joint managing director of Aalto Bio Reagents and chairman of the Small Firms Association
Contributed by
Dr Aidan O’Boyle
Aalto Bio Reagents Ltd
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