From a current issue ( Issue 11) of The Business Influencer Magazine in the UK, USA and Canada

Continuing with my theme of trying to help you to make strategic growth improvements to your current international operations, or to help you to start exporting and get success faster, this article has been influenced once again by a series of events that you will have been involved in. Yes you dear reader, whoever you are and wherever you are!
Let’s not be too controversial here, but there can be a ‘disconnect’ between ‘Government, Plc and public body world’ and that of the 97% plus labelled as SME’s. Let’s say that the latter are entrepreneurs, working blooming hard every day to survive and thrive and always, always, looking to the future, often without a safety net. Much to my initial surprise, I have been one of them since January 2005.
We have to temporarily look back around this time of year, to create accounts based on activity a year or more before. Particularly over the last few years, these figures can have been really good or really bad, almost entirely beyond the business and the entrepreneurs control. Yet to those in Government and the finance sector, they are what decisions on the economy are based on.
So let’s bring the international element in here shall we, as this is my specialism.
Those seeking information on Global markets, particularly if they get it through Government departments, have always heard a great deal about GDP, Inflation, Import and Export data and this won’t change anytime soon. But the information is outdated, despite what mainstream media may tell you and for the SME’s and Entrepreneurs ,  we want to know what is currently actually happening, or likely to happen and how it will affect US.
 We want to discover and find new opportunities for US, based on the next few months and years. We are (or should be) driven by the fact that even a small market share in a market worldwide, can equate to a large increase in our turnover and profits.
Hence my headline….. ‘What types of Market Intelligence do you really need?’

In my world, I have a very healthy interest in everything that happens in business in my specialist markets Globally, including because I have many contacts in these countries, spent lots of business time in them and we discover opportunities for our clients, sometimes through those ‘putting the world to rights conversations’. I discover what is really happening and how we can adapt offerings of clients to take advantage of opportunities. 
It is also fascinating to compare how Global Governments are tackling Global Issues, so ongoing conversations include……
Is it a better idea to set fuel and energy prices, so that inflation and the cost of living remains more under control and lower, so business  remains competitive and profits and employment grow?  (happening in one region at least).
To reduce the huge number of Government department employees ( and huge costs), who were guaranteed jobs previously, there are now incentives of up to 1 year salary if they leave and start a new business. This creates opportunities for clients in training, leadership and management, innovation and more.
Can immigration be tackled by cancelling visa’s, not renewing some and then measures including  stopping expats from driving to make life more difficult( happening in  a country), with the aim of reducing local unemployment? 
Do substantial  incentives for Free Zones and establishing them quickly, not only grow economies faster but also sound a lot more positive and energising than a phrase like ‘levelling up’?

The market intelligence that we receive daily, is also helping conversations that are helping decide the strategic growth directions and daily actions, for clients currently including involved in textile design, interior design, IT, Leadership and Management, various  Manufacturing, recruitment, internationalisation, innovation, business strategy, childrens products, food and drink and more.

We are discovering new routes to market and anticipating what may happen and where future opportunities may happen, in the Middle East, Far East, Australasia, Europe, USA, Canada and more. 
How could I forget, if you are reading this in one of those countries, please let me know, as I have been instrumental in getting The Business Influencer Magazine to USA, Canada and soon others to be added and it is such a thrill!

In summary, I guess I am suggesting that in our daily lives we are constantly bombarded with information and news, but the market intelligence that really has an impact on your business, is what will help you in the short, medium and long term, and much less about what happened in years gone by.  Business is simple, complicated by people.  
Until next time or just get in touch for a conversation or two over a cup of tea!.

Steve Parker   07854 655397    steve@steveparkericd.com   Steve Parker ICD International Company Development.