CIMA members investigate international trade for business success
CIMA members investigate international trade for business success
Export evening proves a big draw
Whilst most business professionals are concerned about extending credit, or not as the climate dictates, Members from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and the Institute of Directors were focused on extending horizons at an evening dedicated to international trade this week. “Learning from the Export Experts” provided an opportunity to hear how other businesses had succeeded and gave attendees the chance to put questions to a panel of experts.
Over 60 members and guests heard Colin Gore, Director & Joint owner of Skymart Worldwide speak about his experiences, how he has built up the business, some of the issues he has faced and overcome and some hints and tips about working overseas.
Colin then joined the panel of experts with Bernard Dennis, National Council Member and consultant with the Institute of Export, David Booth, an international trade adviser for UKTI specialising in hi-tech and knowledge based industries and Kerry Brown from the Liverpool Shanghai Partnership, who was also able to update the audience on the success of the recent Shanghai delegation.
Key topics for discussion included the importance of developing partnerships with people who have local knowledge, the fact that in some cultures “yes” can very often mean “no” and very topically, given the volatility of the financial markets, whether now is the right time to look for international success (the answer was yes and that this is probably even more of a reason to do so).
The evening was held at Daresbury Innovation Centre near Warrington and also included a buffet and chance to network. The evening"s format was so successful that it is likely to be repeated.
It is recommended as a first “port of call” on export/import that you speak with UKTI which has an excellent advisory and support service. www.uktinorthwest.co.uk Anyone interested in requesting copies of the booklet “A Simple Guide to Importing” or in attending a similar event on international trade in the future should register with jane@marketingprojects.co.uk
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
Colin Gore, Director & Joint owner of Skymart Worldwide, Air & Sea Freight Specialists.
Colin joined Skymart Worldwide (2001) as a Far East Route Development Manager, promoted to Commercial Manager in 2003, Commercial Director (non share holding) in 2004 and following a MBO in June 2005 became Director and co-owner of the business. Skymart Worldwide has UK offices Manchester and London with an overseas network of 243 independent offices. www.skymartworldwide.com
Bernard Dennis, National Council Member and consultant with the Institute of Export. Bernard was previously a director of an SME initially with Export turnover of around £2M and was awarded the MBE for his services to international business development. The IoE is affiliated to the University of Liverpool Management School. www.export.org.uk
David Booth, an international trade adviser for UKTI specialising in hi-tech and knowledge based industries. He can provide an insight into opportunities in these areas as well as a brief overview of the services offered by UKTI to help businesses succeed in this area. www.uktinorthwest.co.uk or www.ukti.org.uk
Kerry Brown from the Liverpool Shanghai Partnership. Kerry is a specialist on China; finding partners, what sort of goods are now reaching markets there, and setting up an infrastructure. He worked at the British Embassy from 2000 to 2003 in Beijing and has been part of and can report on the recent delegation visiting Shanghai. www.l-s-p.org.uk
Chairman, Ian Ross studied Mathematics at Oxford and is a member of CIMA and the Chartered Management Institute and Institute of Interim Managers. In his early career, he worked for Rolls-Royce and Fisons and held senior financial positions in Philips Electronics, Whitecroft plc and Worthington Manufacturing Ltd. Since 2000, Ian has worked as an interim manager with a wide variety of large and small businesses. He delivers workshops on Finance for Non-Financial Managers and speaks at CIMA workshops on Working for Yourself and Managing a Consultancy.
FUTURE CIMA North West EVENTS
The Robert Cain Brewery tour
Date: 11 October 2008 Location: Liverpool
Career Profile workshop
Date: 21 October 2008 Location: Nr. Bolton
Controls and risk management
Date: 23 October 2008 Location: Lancashire
CIMA President’s North West dinner and dance
Date: 1 November 2008 Location: Liverpool
Self-employed – the CIMA route
Date: 4 November 2008 Location: Manchester
Spotlight North Wales: Sustainable future
Date: 7 November 2008 Location: North Wales
Assertiveness for leadership
Date: 10 November 2008 Location: Nr. Bolton
Planning for the future
Date: 24 November 2008 Location: Warrington
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
CIMA North West operates on a regional board structure supported by the operational tier of groups who are responsible for the delivery of services to members and students. The groups are Business, Learning, Education and Development, Student, Networking and Social.
The Honorary Officer roles within the Region are Regional President, Regional Secretary and Regional Treasurer.
More details from Local Event Coordinator, Caroline Webb. Tel: 020 8849 2429 Fax: 020 8849 2455 Email: caroline.webb@cimaglobal.com
From its headquarters in London and twelve offices outside the UK, CIMA supports over 164,000 members and students in 161 countries. CIMA works with leading employers in the UK and around the world to train and qualify financial managers. CIMA prides itself on the commercial relevance of syllabus, which is continually enhanced to reflect the latest developments in business. In an age of growing globalisation and intensified competition, Chartered Management Accountants are fully prepared to meet the need for timely and accurate financial information.
CIMA’s vision is CIMA members driving the world’s successful organisations.
• Our members and students work across all business sectors at all levels throughout the world, demonstrating the flexibility of the qualification.
• CIMA has enjoyed 23% membership growth over the last five years, growing from 59,782 in 2002 to 73,356 in 2007.
• 14% of working members are finance directors (including CFOs) and 14% are financial controllers (CIMA Member Survey 2006).
• 7% of working members are chief executive officers, managing directors or other directors (CIMA Member Survey 2006).
• 124 members operate at group board level in the FTSE 350.
• 16% of UK members who are employed are based in the public sector (CIMA Member Survey 2006).
• 34% of members earn 50-99k, whilst 8% earn 100,000K or more (CIMA Member Survey 2006).
• 62% of working members in the UK are employed by an organisation with an annual turnover of 50 million or more (CIMA Member Survey 2006).
• In an independent salary survey conducted by the Robert Walters recruitment agency, ACMAs working in London were found to earn between 11 – 18% more than ACCAs.
CIMA has offices in Australia, Botswana, China, Dubai, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland and Zambia.
Press Contacts: Jane Harrad-Roberts Mob: 07785 395705
Phil Brotherhood Mob: 07884 493370
Tel: 01244 330000
MARKETING PROJECTS
Email: info@marketingprojects.co.uk
