Trade Pilots - Trade Consultants
When hearing the word "pilot", most people will probably think of the men and women flying aircraft. Its original meaning however was a person guiding a ship through unknown waters. That is, the pilot would climb aboard a ship arriving from a distant location and provide instructions on how to steer through the harbor. This was to prevent the ship from running aground on the shallows of the harbor and to avoid locations with quick running currents so as to prevent trouble in the passage.
Trade consltants are simply speaking like "trade pilots". They point out shallows where their clients would run aground and fast currents so as to help ensure safe passage. If there were no pilot, the clients would have to gather information through sea charts etc. on their own and proceed with unease over shoals while leaving things half to luck.
On the other hand, while a pilot is on board and instructing steering, the crew of the ship can concentrate on their own assigned tasks. Getting a pilot on board is therefore a very efficient way to ensure safe passage of the ship.
When a company sets out into the unknown territory of a new overseas market,it comes face to face with risks different from those of domestic business. When risks are known, advance steps can be taken against them, but dealing with unknown risks is very difficult. Further, compared with companies wary about their own lack of knowledge regarding overseas trade, companies overly confident about their limited knowledge often fall into major difficulties. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing as is often said.
Business is only going to become more internationalized. Different companies will have different motives and reasons for internationalizing such as internal factors, external factors, the entry of other industries into their fields, etc., but I would hope that if they are going to do business overseas, they proceed efficiently and safely. Further, the approach taken by overseas partners will not necessarily always be suitable or efficient either. Be wary about leaving things to the other side in business negotiations. Companies about to set sail for overseas markets should consider getting a "trade pilot" on board to help guide them through the hazardous waters of international trade.
Copyright (c) 2005. Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).
All rights reserved.
Trade consltants are simply speaking like "trade pilots". They point out shallows where their clients would run aground and fast currents so as to help ensure safe passage. If there were no pilot, the clients would have to gather information through sea charts etc. on their own and proceed with unease over shoals while leaving things half to luck.
On the other hand, while a pilot is on board and instructing steering, the crew of the ship can concentrate on their own assigned tasks. Getting a pilot on board is therefore a very efficient way to ensure safe passage of the ship.
When a company sets out into the unknown territory of a new overseas market,it comes face to face with risks different from those of domestic business. When risks are known, advance steps can be taken against them, but dealing with unknown risks is very difficult. Further, compared with companies wary about their own lack of knowledge regarding overseas trade, companies overly confident about their limited knowledge often fall into major difficulties. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing as is often said.
Business is only going to become more internationalized. Different companies will have different motives and reasons for internationalizing such as internal factors, external factors, the entry of other industries into their fields, etc., but I would hope that if they are going to do business overseas, they proceed efficiently and safely. Further, the approach taken by overseas partners will not necessarily always be suitable or efficient either. Be wary about leaving things to the other side in business negotiations. Companies about to set sail for overseas markets should consider getting a "trade pilot" on board to help guide them through the hazardous waters of international trade.
Copyright (c) 2005. Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).
All rights reserved.
posted by Abacus Communications at 7:58 a.m.
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