PetQuip director general Amanda Sizer Barrett has urged British pet businesses not to neglect reviewing the ways in which they handle their overseas business.
She says: “In order to gain a competitive edge, UK exporters need to reconsider often neglected aspects of doing business overseas.
"You might not regard cross-cultural awareness and protected intellectual property rights as vital components in the marketing mix, yet applied properly they can give you a significant advantage over competitors.”
Amanda’s message comes at an opportune time, as the Federation is deeply involved in the planning of the British pavilion at the leading international garden and leisure show, spoga+gafa in Cologne, which attracts buyers from every corner of the world.
She cites significant details when making new international business contacts, such as the importance of the ritual of presenting and receiving of business cards in East Asian markets, and the significance of the colours used in a company brand as among the key factors in achieving sales in overseas territories.
“Colours can be valuable intellectual property rights and the proper protection of those rights can help you succeed overseas. A trade mark, for example, assures the buyer of the quality of your product and gives protection against passing-off and piracy. While intellectual property can be a complex process to protect globally, it is, nevertheless, extremely important that businesses have a clear understanding of what is involved and take a strategic approach to protecting their rights”, she stated.
Within Amanda Sizer Barrett’s article in ‘Gardenex & PetQuip News’, she quotes various sources of help and advice that are available to British companies through bodies such as UK Trade & Investment and The Intellectual Property Office website, and via the Federation’s own business services.
“One of the many benefits of membership of either Gardenex or PetQuip is that companies can use the Federation’s own trade mark protection service as well as to access a leading patent and trade market attorney for free advice and obtain a substantial discount on their services.”
