Generation Global: Business for the Young
Young ones to watch
Jodie Fried is the chief executive of Bholu, an ethical homewares design company based in Sydney. She took home the NSW Young Exporter Award in 2009.
Garrick Harvison is the export manager for Yarraman Estate, an Australian winery with an established international reputation located in the Hunter Valley. He shared the 2009 NSW Young Exporter Award with Fried.
Alex Vega is the founder of Elegre, championing quality food products such as cooking wine for commercial chefs, and premium antipasto. Elegre is the upmarket brand for his other business, All Service Food Associates, which already has clients in Australia and Asia.
Jason Theuma is the founder and materials designer for Victorian marine supplier Glowfast Marine, which manufactures glow-in-the-dark safety and performance products. Glowfast products already appear on leading blue water racers internationally.
The future of export
Last year, the Australian Institute of Export launched its Future Leaders in Export (FLEx) Club in Victoria and will look to roll out the concept nationwide throughout 2010. FLEx is specially designed for the next generation of exporters and international business people to create a community with, and to share and leverage the experience of, potential, new and established exporters. AIEx state manager for Victoria Collins Rex spoke to FLEx member Bijan Asgari about his experience in the club.
CR: Why did you join FLEx?
BA: FLEx was, and still is, the only place for my professional networking with actual exporters, especially since it is free of charge for AIEx members. I joined FLEx to see if they are solely exporters, manufacturer-exporters and/or importer-exporters, to compare my knowledge with their proficiency, to find any opportunities, to pick their brains about their marketing areas and how to target their markets, which are completely new for me, and to find out what are their main concerns and how/which authorities respond to them.
CR: Has FLEx helped you so far?
BA: I am happy with my achievements in FLEx sessions while I have been updating my knowledge in a very friendly environment. Since FLEx sessions have been running particularly different subjects, I have refreshed my knowledge on the titles of each consulting sessions.
It has expanded my awareness on a number of subjects:
Branding: How to create a progressive but real business image, how to build a business brand in challenging exporting markets and how it can help to stretch my legs into new markets.
Training courses: To be informed of available courses including online.
Website design: What are the elements of a professional website: impression, credibility, time efficiency, simplicity, achievable strategy, etc. Also web security.
CR: Will you continue to attend FLEx consultations?
BA: I will be more than happy to be a member of FLEx in 2010. Also, I would like to express my sincere thanks to you for your efforts to gather a number of active exporters, official authorities and experts from a variety of sources to help new exporters to be more successful.
Find out more about the FLEx club at www.aiex.com.au/programs/flex/flex
Got something to say? Join the export forum here at DynamicExport.com.au.
