The MSME’s guide to expanding business globally

Global interconnectivity, new supply chains, and technology have transformed today’s entrepreneurial landscape, giving small businesses an opportunity to connect to new customers and expand on a global scale.

Despite global economic uncertainty, the spirit of creativity and innovation are still driving the growth of companies in the APAC region with exports accounting for 68 percent of Asia Pacific SMEs’ total annual revenue of $1.43 million. While the opportunities are exciting, the exporting journey may seem daunting to most.

To help, FedEx Express shares six tips for MSMEs to strengthen their op- erations and successfully reach global markets:

• Research is key. Gather information that can help you develop an effective business model that promotes a strong brand image and streamlined operations, helping you to eventually penetrate your target market.

• Know your export requirements. Each country or market has its own exportation requirements, so it is important for you to ensure you have all the necessary documents to move your products, such as commercial invoices, packing lists, shipping notes, certificates of shipment, or any certificates of origin or commercial licenses, before shipping international orders.

You can employ the expertise and services of a globally established logistics provider to help you process all documents, especially one that offers electronic services to save you time and money.

• Choose the right service for your business. Meeting the demands of the market is crucial to one’s business growth. In some circumstances, your customer’s shipment may require extraordinary care, for example, additional security, temperature control, or compliance documentation. Consider industryspecific solutions to ensure shipments arrive in the best possible condition.

• Keep an eye on your shipments. Tracking features are important for safety and security. Work with a transportation and logistics solutions provider that allow businesses to nickname their package, create a personal watch list, or filter shipments to see the necessary details from their desktop or mobile device.

• Offer your customers hassle-free international returns. With FedEx Global Returns, you can create return labels and customs documents at the same time as the outbound shipment, or create them just for the return leg. Nothing says legitimate e-commerce business as a clear return system.

• Always go the extra mile. A sign of a good business is exemplary customer service, and accommodating fast delivery services for excited customers is a testament to this. You can now avail of next day delivery services to keep your customers happy, increasing the chances of getting repeat orders from satisfied and loyal customers.