TINA DUSTDAR: The Beachheads programme is a unique partnership between New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and successful internationally based executives, who are willing to share their experience, skills and business networks to help New Zealand businesses looking to establish and expand their offshore presence.
PETER LENNOX: The Beachheads programme is so successful because of its simplicity. We have access to international advisers who help New Zealand companies overview their business plans and give faster access to more professional networks.
GREG CROSS: There are three principal roles of the New Zealand team. The first is working with the NZTE staff to identify and recruit the right companies for the Beachheads programme. The second role is access to the programme, making sure that the companies that are applying to join the programme have actually done their homework in the market. The third thing is actually being the interface with offshore advisers and making sure they are well briefed and understand the requirements of our client companies.
CHUAN SENG LEE: The role of the offshore board is to provide access to networks in the region at a very high level. And basically these people will give access to very high level networks. Instead of companies knocking on the door and seeing very junior executives, they will be able to see people at a much more senior level; managing directors, chief executives, chief operating officers, and so on.
BRIDGET LIDDELL: In the US it is fundamental that you have a network of contacts that assist you to develop the relationships that you will need to do business. Without those networks of contacts, coming in as an outsider, so to speak, it is extremely difficult to win trust and to get the access to the market opportunities that are very necessary in order to grow in that market.
MAHMOUD HAIDAR: The Beachheads programme in the Middle East currently provides in-market services for business and also support and advice in their own business lines.
ALAN CROFTS: So eligibility for the programme is slightly different from other government grant programs. So we do an assessment process through an advisory board and we look for some key criteria, the main one being the clients are looking to establish a presence offshore with their senior team. And then we look at a broad range of measures, including external governance, intellectual property protection, understanding and knowledge of the market they're going to, strong finances, and a strong management team.
MARK TEMPLETON: It's been a very beneficial experience for us. I think the minister summed it up; it's all about networking. And it's amazing just the contacts that have been opened up for us.
COLYN DEVEREUX: We were first sent information about it, we had it explained to us, and I thought this is absolutely fantastic because business and exporting is all about contacts.
ALEX MORCOM: Having access to the Beachheads Advisory Board is to give us some guidance on, you know, the best way to enter the market, how best to structure our company, all the compliance locally but, most importantly, giving us access to that market and connections through their networks that help us sell quicker.
I'd say engage with the Beachheads programme. There's no downside.
« Back to video
