MAY 1998 BROADSHEET - The Internet for Exporting
As a taster for our possible closer ties with Business Link we were given a potted version of one of their Seminars at our last meeting on 23rd April. Our Club Secretary, Linda, and I attended the real thing entitled "Exporting on the Internet" at the end of March and found it both rivetting and a really useful introduction to effective exploitation of this new medium in reaching world-wide markets. The talks at the April meeting involved two out of the three speakers, David Earp and Colin Ward. We also had Jane Shute who has her own company, Netcentric Solutions.
David gave us a flying start with excellent graphics pointing out that we were already ahead of the field by virtue of our location. To quote, "Cambridge gives us Global access". The internet is a global medium both for obtaining market intelligence and direct selling. At Business Link they are dreaming up a new Virtual Export Club to share ideas and best practice in this area. Anyone interested in joining can learn more from him at Business Link, Cambridge by phoning 0345 882255. The next seminars are 6th May at St Neots, 20th May at Ely, and finally a breakfast seminar on 3rd June at The Welding Institute. Same telephone number to book.
Colin followed with the detailed nuts and bolts. He gave us ten tips - the final one being Act Now! Find out more by phoning him at Millenium Facilities Ltd, 01480 413934, or seeing how a good web site should be on http://www.milfac.co.uk
Jane's company, Netcentric Solutions, was in the thick of the action and had a number of case studies to expand on, both on the internet for small companies and with large company intranets. Her world's greatest involved the simultaneous live webcast and broadcast featuring Sir Paul McCartney. Her tips - start affordably and keep changing. Jane can be reached on 01223 213716 or try her site: http://www.netcentric.co.uk
As was brought out in all three talks it is no advantage having the most wonderful website in the world if no one visits it. All sorts of dodges are resorted to, mutual links, press coverage, business cards, product labels, webcards, cinema adverts, games to play, oodles of useful links to make it a fun site to discover an ever changing scene, etc, etc,...... Any ideas for persuading people to look at our website?
As well as negotiations with Business Link, we are also in discussion with the Eastern Region Innovation Relay Centre which is based on the St John's Innovation Centre. This is 50% Common Market funded and concentrates on finding licencing partners throughout Europe for Technology Transfer. It works both ways and is a link to technologies and industry across Europe. Alex Smeets, the Manager, is just setting up their website, but in the meantime you can contact him for more information on 01223 422210 or relaycentre@stjohns.co.uk
If you want an impressive website try Schlumberger. Such a simple address too - www.slb.com but leading on to a wealth of information about the oil drilling business. Not only 3D virtual reality, which we are promised on our visit to the big top on the 21st, but 4D monitoring as well.
The Club is very fortunate in benefiting from the sponsorship of the following organisations:-
There are also other companies who give us generous help with specific meetings and services.
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