Interactive online tool helps Local Enterprise Office clients assess their export-readiness
A new Prepare to Export Scorecard, developed by Enterprise Ireland, can help Local Enterprise Office clients audit their export potential and open doors for them to new markets. The interactive online facility is free to small business owners and acts as a starting point for companies interested in exporting and reaching overseas markets.
The Prepare to Export Scorecard analyses answers submitted to a range of questions and generates an immediate report. The on-the-spot assessment focuses on the company’s level of export-readiness across six key business pillars: business planning, people management, operations, sales and marketing, innovation, and finance. Users can opt to submit their report and request to be personally contacted by the Enterprise Ireland exporter development team.
Local Enterprise Office Carlow client, Burren Precast Concrete, were the winners of the Best Export Business at this year’s National Enterprise Awards”
By focusing on key aspects of business, the Prepare to Export Scorecard helps emerging and potential exporters to consider where to start as well as defining the practical steps that can be taken to plan and begin their export journey. The tool also includes a peer learning element allowing users to access video case studies in which fellow SME teams share their learnings from planning and implementing their export strategies.
Oisin Geoghegan, Chair of the Network of Local Enterprise Offices, said; “Businesses of all sizes can now export successfully given the advances in technology and this opens doors across the world for our LEO clients and prospective clients. The Enterprise Ireland Prepare to Export Scorecard is an excellent resource that gives businesses the opportunity to evaluate their suitability for exporting and can help guide small businesses on how best to test the export market. This scorecard, in addition to the Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters’ grant from the Local Enterprise Offices, are among the tools to help small business owners grow internationally. With Brexit looming, the need for companies to diversify their markets has never been more significant.”
Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD said: “Many Irish companies have the talent and ambition to succeed in global markets, but do not know how to get started. Therefore, I welcome the launch of Enterprise Ireland’s new Prepare to Export Scorecard, which aims to help companies not only assess their current position, but to identify practical steps that they can take to become export ready. I particularly welcome the on-line tool showing good practices in export strategies. To be resilient in the face of potential economic shocks, such as Brexit, Irish exporting companies need to be innovative, competitive and have a diversified global footprint. The new Prepare to Export Scorecard is an important addition to the existing range of supports available through Enterprise Ireland in that regard.”
Garrett Murray, Manager, Exporter Development, Enterprise Ireland said: “Enterprise Ireland is focused on supporting new and emerging exporters to expand their global reach and diversify into new markets. With the prospect of Brexit and the associated challenges and opportunities, we are working to help existing companies to commence exporting and to achieve their global ambition. Companies thinking about exporting may be unsure about how to make that first step. Our new Prepare to Export Scorecard is a useful starting point for SMEs looking to assess their export preparedness for expansion into new overseas markets.”
If you feel your business has the potential to export then contact your Local Enterprise Office (LEO) on the next steps you can take including availing of a Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters (TAME) grant through your LEO. Find out more about the Prepare to Export Scorecard here.
