Meet the Adviser - Sandra Warne, International Trade Adviser

Sandra Warne, International Trade Adviser at the Department for International Trade (DIT), explains how she helps South West businesses with their exporting needs.

What does your typical working week look like?

• Visits to clients, or tele & skype meetings with clients
• Identifying export opportunities
• Conducting customised market research for clients
• Building a network of decision making contacts
• Export win research

What is the role of the Exporting is GREAT campaign?

To help businesses increase their export sales, help with their growth and stability by selling overseas.

What are the top three pieces of advice you would give to a small business looking to break into a new, international market?

Research, research, research.

1. Know what you want to achieve from the market and what you have to offer the market
2. Get your price right
3. Identify best route to market

Sandra Warne

How does your previous experience help you in this role?

I have lived and worked in a number of countries e.g. South Africa, Malaysia, Singapore and all of my roles have involved helping British Companies enter those markets. I have helped find potential buyers and provided information on best routes to market. Now as an ITA my work involves helping companies to develop their international trade strategies and advising on export processes and procedures.

What do successful exporters have in common?

Commitment

Why did you become a DIT adviser?

To be able to put my past work experience to good use by helping exporters or potential exporters.  It’s a challenging but very rewarding job.