One of Turkey’s largest and most prestigious Chambers of Commerce appointed JMB to deliver a 3-day mission for a select consortium of 15 of their members.
Focusing on the textile and fashion sector, the mission’s objective was two-fold. Firstly, to educate and immerse the delegation in UK’s buying culture, the buying process and enhance the delegation’s understanding of how to do business in the UK.
The second objective was to create a tailored programme for each delegate to meet with UK buyers whom were fully qualified and presented a viable opportunity to do business.
The JMB Approach.
Working closely with our client, JMB devised a highly targeted agenda.
As a first phase JMB conducted a thorough Market Insight report to identify key opportunities and illustrate the marketing landscape.
JMB then travelled to Istanbul to present these finding and conduct a workshop session to educate the delegation and enhance the development of their export strategies.
During this trip, individual briefing sessions with each participating company were conducted.
These 1-2-1 briefing sessions defined individual objectives and the company’s prospect profile, thus ensuring that each delegates requirements were addressed and matchmaking activity as effective as possible.
Once the briefings and market research had been conducted, JMB initiated an outbound telemarketing campaign to recruit prospects that matched the delegate criteria.
Prospects were approached to establish suitability, interest and level of commercial opportunity. If prospects met the specified criteria, they were offered the opportunity to meet with the relevant delegation during the match-making event on day 2 of the mission.
The Delivery.
The mission agenda was designed to be educational whilst presenting direct commercial opportunities for the delegation to capitalise on.
Day 1: Introduction to the UK
A series of presentations and seminars were held discussing the opportunities within the UK and how to capitalise on them.
The afternoon included a site visit to London Fashion Centre, the incubation centre for London fashion design, followed by a networking session with relevant trade bodies and associations.
The day was concluded, with a drinks reception & dinner with the Turkish Ambassador.
Day 2: “Meet the Buyer” Meeting Programme
Located in Central London, delegates had the opportunity to showcase their products whilst conducting pre-arranged meetings with potential buyers. This enabled the Turkish delegation to gain direct feedback and develop 1-2-1 relations with the prospective buyers.
Day 3: UK Wide Meetings
Delegates had the opportunity to meet with other potential buyers situated throughout the UK dependent on their individual plans and programme. This was facilitated through tailored logistical support, prior to returning to Turkey.
The Results
- Highly successfully 3-day trade mission for 15 Turkish clothing manufacturers
- Over 73 commercially successfully meetings secured with leading UK retailers including John Lewis, House of Frazer, Thomas Pink & Mamas & Papas
- Direct orders discussed during the ‘Meet the Buyer’ event and direct relations and contract discussions continued after event