Profile of Company F

【Business】Manufacture, sale, wholesale, and installation of exterior environmental improvement products

【Capital】3 million yen

【Sales】170 million yen

【Number of employees】13

【Head Office】Saga, Japan

【Establishment】1983

Inquiries and issues

We want to create an internal structure that will allow us to continue international transactions.

We seek the capability to engage in direct trade.

We would like to gain insights into trade practices.

We are interested in learning how to expand our business internationally.

We would like to discuss the details of a contract we have signed with an international distributor.

Paccloa’s Proposals and Support

Maintenance of internal English-language hinagata documents and English-language presentation materials

Implemented training on trade practices

Organize the flow of inquiries from international companies and present specific actions required.

English e-mail writing service for international companies

Contract modification and negotiation with international companies

Accompanying business meetings in Hong Kong and Brunei

Outcome

New business development (first order of 3 million yen from Slovenia via e-mail communication only)

Direct Trade Self-Run

Self-supporting international marketing

Understand the points to be aware of when signing a contract with an international agency

Improved ability to negotiate with international distributors

Testimonial from Former Director’s Comment

(Note: After our support, the director and her husband sold the company through M&A and are now living abroad every few months in early retirement.)

Q1 What was the status of your company’s international expansion at the beginning?

We used to export only in response to inquiries, but since we were seeking further sales expansion and also started to be requested by overseas clients, we needed information on regulations, business customs, and other cultures in each country overseas for this purpose.

In addition, all international projects were conducted in English, and since my English proficiency was limited to that of a junior high school graduate, it was imperative that I cultivate the ability to deal with trade and business English.

Q2 Did the advice you received from Paccloa have a positive impact on your international expansion?

We have made great progress.

By learning the basics of how to build business relationships through on-the-job training, I was able to conduct trials and errors with Ms. Ogawa before presenting a proposal to a client.

As a result, the number of times I received the same inquiries repeatedly from clients decreased drastically, and I was able to work in a way that got right to the point.

Q3 What did you think of the sometimes harsh advice?

Ms. Ogawa’s harsh advice certainly brought me down many times.

On the other hand, Ms. Ogawa was very happy that I was able to learn and practice through on-the-job training, so I did not consider it a great hardship.

I was always facing Ms. Ogawa, envisioning what would happen after I overcame the ordeal.

(Now we laugh about the times we were depressed.)

Q4 Have you consulted with any other experts or consultants regarding international expansion?

The main difference between Paccloa and other companies is that Paccloa “works with us (the company).

First, they know the product, then they know the company, and even though they are consultants, their position is always on our (the company’s) side.

As a company that requested support for international expansion, we were very happy to know that they knew our product well enough to work with us to find ways to appeal to our international customers and to promote our product.

Q5 What, if anything, has made a lasting impression on you?

It was very important for us to realize that there is a difference between the information that customers are looking for and the information that a company wants to provide.

As a manufacturer, you want to convey the passion you put into a product and place importance on it as material for sales promotion, but is that really the case on the side of the seekers (customers)?

Ms. Ogawa is also an accomplished marketer.

Ms. Ogawa not only teaches a wide range of international trading business, but also how to create a website and accurately promote your company to your target customers, which can certainly be applied to market expansion in Japan.