New Zealand Trade and Enterprise has launched two new services designed to help exporters optimise their sales and digital capability.

The Sales service has been specifically designed to help businesses with their sales methodology so it becomes relationship driven, highly targeted and profitable. New Zealand businesses in industries such as construction, engineering, healthcare and technology often operate in complex buying environments, competing against established organisations many times their size. 
The Sales service delivers proven frameworks to benchmark against best practice and build sales capability. 

NZTE Beachheads Advisor Erik Dijkstra frequently observes New Zealand organisations not closing deals due to weak sales management processes and capability. 
“In almost every case I have been engaged working with New Zealand companies, there is a lack of understanding of the true meaning of the word ‘sales’,” he says. 
“Sales is THE subject which, if applied in a more professional manner, can deliver significantly better results for most New Zealand companies.”

Meanwhile the Digital service helps build and unlock digital capability for exporting businesses, to help them scale effectively.

Suzie Marsden, GM for Services at NZTE, says taking the time to properly address the digital needs of a business can be overwhelming.
“The pace at which technology moves is challenging and embarking on a digital strategy can be daunting for many companies - and seem too high-risk. However, the risk of not implementing technology is becoming too great for exporters to ignore. 
“New Zealand sits far from most of our export markets. To compete and grow on the global stage, New Zealand companies cannot afford to stand still in this space.” 

The Digital service complements the Government’s Digital Economy Work Programme, a key part of the Government’s on-going commitment to building innovation through a wide range of initiatives that support New Zealand’s growing digital economy, enabling New Zealand to become a leading digital nation.

Both Services are available to NZTE customers. NZTE has also partnered with Tech City UK to deliver Digital Business Academy courses, available for all New Zealand businesses. 
The free online resource covers a range of essential business skills to help companies increase digital knowledge and understanding through a collection of self-directed online modules. A New Zealand postcode is needed to register. Access it here.

Photo: Erik Dijkstra