Why ‘no’ is the most common word used in French business

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France is the most visited tourist destination in the world. Almost 83 million visitors a year make the trip to one of the most culturally rich and diverse countries in the world – and it’s easy to see why.

But visiting as a tourist, as many Irish people do, only scrapes the surface of the French psyche. How France deals with visitors is not always the same as how French business is conducted and it is important to discern the difference.

Irish business culture has evolved into an open, often informal and flexible solution-based environment, driven both by Irish innovation and the requirements of multinational partners. Given that we are an export-driven economy, we are outward facing by default and used to finding bespoke solutions.

 

How French business culture differs from Ireland

It could not be a more contrasting picture in France. French business culture can appear formal to the point of excess, governed by layered hierarchy and tiered bureaucracy.

Combined with French pride in putting their native tongue foremost, it may appear, at first, a difficult cultural barrier to overcome.

At Enterprise Ireland’s most recent Ambition France event, Irish exporters shared first-hand experience of French business culture.

By following the well-trod path to the UK, the US and the English-language friendly Benelux regions, Irish firms could be missing out on opportunities to break into one of the world’s richest countries. France remains a €2.5trn economy, with consistent growth. It is the world’s seventh-largest economy and the third biggest in the Eurozone.

However, for an Irish business keen to enter France, who has done its market research and established its product fit, it will soon become clear why the formality and ‘red tape’ exists.

France loves detail. Bureaucracy is there to establish – and protect – quality. Rather than act as a barrier for entry to the market, it levels the playing field for all competitors. It also means negotiations can be lengthy, and unlike the transactional price-based nature of, for example, the Netherlands, quality and attention to detail will be weighted highly in French business.

“It can seem bewildering,” Michael Stack, Managing Director of Tricel, the Killarney-based composites manufacturer told the conference. 

“But the rules are applied fairly and squarely. No-one is trading within our market outside of the regulatory system. It’s not just a rules-based country, it’s a rules-based country where rules are enforced. That makes it fair for everyone.” says Stack.

 

How to do business in France

It’s why, when doing business in France, one of the most common words heard in meetings will be “Non”. This is not a negative but actually the first step on the road to “Oui”. “Non” forms the basis of a discussion with your intended partner or client that will deal heavily with specifics and navigating French regulatory compliance.

“No doesn’t always mean ‘no’,” Nicola-Marie O’Donovan, Senior Agile Coach from BlaBlaCar, told delegates. “It will likely be the start of a conversation. In Ireland, we tend to say ‘yes’ too quickly. In France, an argument is usually the precursor to a discussion.”

 Formality must not be disregarded, even in looser cultural environments, such as the tech sector. Resist the urge for small talk and never ask personal questions unless invited to do so.

Within French organisations, it would be expected to inform senior figures ahead of team members of developments, even if it would seem to be non-essential information. Protocol matters.

Language skills will be mandatory if an Irish firm is to deal successfully in France or deal with French business partners. French is preferred and having a native French speaker on staff sends a very strong signal of your intent. It is quite normal to have a presentation deck in English but the discussion in French.

Do not underestimate French pride in their language. Make the effort to have marketing and web material accurately translated, preferably by a native French speaker.

“We went to a trade show early on in our venture in France and set up our display with our banner in French but it contained a grammatical error. Every single person who walked by our stand stopped and pointed it out,” Stack told the conference.

 

Get support from Enterprise Ireland

Language can be resolved, of course, with key hires and outsourced translation. Enterprise Ireland’s own GradStart programme will part-fund salaries of individual graduates with a language qualification in the key market helping to get your own boots on the ground in-country, something the French value highly.

Being there matters, agreed Eoin Licken, the Grenoble-based Commercial Manager of Tekelek:

“There is often surprise when a prospect sees me ringing on a French mobile, in French, and you can see the change of tone in the conversation as a result.” Eoin Licken explains.

If your product fit is right for France and you are prepared to adapt to French culture, be prepared for a rewarding foray into the market, said Stack. He added: “If you a want a market where you can compete, where quality is valued rather than cost, then you should seriously consider doing business in France.”

team discussing market research plan

Access premium business intelligence reports with the Market Research Centre

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The main ways client companies can utilise the Enterprise Ireland Market Research Centre

 

If you are interested in entering a new market or diversifying into a new sector, Enterprise Ireland’s Market Research Centre can help. Read how you can best use this Enterprise Ireland support.

Conducting market research can help to reduce business risks and assist your company to map out its journey to growing exports. To support client companies, Enterprise Ireland has invested in access to premium business intelligence databases in Market Research Centres in Dublin and eight regional hubs.

But how can you best access the Market Research Centre? Follow these five steps to make the most of your time there.

 

  1. Create your research objective

First, consider what the information you need will be used for and in what type of resource it is likely to be found. Resources provided by the Market Research Centre include:

  • Market reports
  • Country reports
  • Industry and sector reports
  • Company listings for lead generation
  • Trend forecasts
  • Journal articles

All of this information and research is provided by respected publishers and can only be accessed by clients within the Market Research Centre. The Centre’s information specialists work with a range of providers to ensure your company has access to the most up-to-date knowledge available. Once your research objectives are clear, then you are ready to take the next step.

 

  1. Explore the databases online

Get a sense of the databases you would most like to access at the Market Research Centre online before you make an appointment. You can even search for specific report titles here. By preparing in advance, and checking in with the Market Research Centre before your visit, you can ensure that relevant material is available when you need it and that your time is spent efficiently.

 

  1. Book an appointment

Contact the Market Research Centre to discuss your research request and to arrange a visit to the main centre in Dublin or to any of the eight regional office hubs. Currently there are facilities in the following Enterprise Ireland regional offices: Athlone, Cork, Dundalk, Galway, Shannon, Sligo, Tralee and Waterford.

To book your appointment, contact:

Phone: (01) 727 2324

Email: market.research@enterprise-ireland.com

Opening Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.

 

  1. Stay up-to-date and social

The Market Research Centre blog is the best place to find the latest information about resources. This includes the most recent reports available to Enterprise Ireland clients, arranged into categories that are easy to search. From country-specific reports to individual sector research and Brexit-focused news, visiting the blog regularly will give you a sense of the breadth and depth of research and information available to consult during your visit.

You can also follow the Market Research Centre on Twitter to stay up-to-date with its latest news.

 

 

  1. Get guidance from information specialists

One big advantage of using the Market Research Centre is that you’re no longer alone. The Centre’s knowledgeable information specialists are readily available to guide you towards the most relevant reports and databases for your needs. The Market Research Centre’s information specialists can also help you to determine which reports are most relevant to your needs, or assist you with developing a plan of action on which sector or country you should start researching.

Conducting the right market research is vital for businesses to maintain their competitive edge and enjoy successful export growth. With Brexit a reminder of the importance of diversifying and discovering exciting new export opportunities, get the right support from Enterprise Ireland’s Market Research Centre.

GradStart

5 ways GradStart can help you to attract and retain graduates

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Talent is one of the business world’s most valuable resources. The ability to attract, recruit and retain, ambitious, highly skilled employees is a must for every Irish company aiming for success in exporting markets.

Irish companies with the ambition to grow exports, will benefit from developing a competitive edge to attract the motivated and highly skilled talent they need. Enterprise Ireland’s GradStart offers just that. In addition to financial support, GradStart provides invaluable guidance on how to attract, retain and build long-term relationships with graduates.

Here are five ways GradStart can help you.

 

1. Know your strengths

Competing for top talent can be difficult for SMEs, due to competition for skills in the marketplace. In some cases, smaller businesses can also lack a dedicated department to focus on skills attraction and promoting the company brand. However, it’s important for Irish companies to develop a talent attraction strategy and articulate the strengths that make them attractive employers for many graduates.

Helen McMahon, senior executive for Client Skills with Enterprise Ireland, comments:

“There’s something really exciting about working for an SME. Employees have access to more business areas than they might in large multinationals, where roles are often strictly defined. Graduates get the opportunity to work with senior management teams, have more exposure to a range of processes and systems, and the potential for more responsibility at an earlier stage in their career development. Above all, there’s a chance to really make a difference in a smaller company.”

Accessing GradStart helps companies to gain confidence and expertise in these benefits in order to market them to the highly skilled people that can help their business to reach the next level.

 

2. Define the role

Be clear about the skills your company needs and remember that it should include both hard and soft skills. Hard skills include technical expertise and knowledge of a particular system or a way of working. Soft skills, such as the ability to build relationships; work as part of a team, manage people effectively, and creative problem solving, are just as important.

Helen explains: “To apply for GradStart, a company needs to have defined a specific role for a graduate, and there must be an underlying business case for the role.”

For example, a company may want to attract a graduate with specific skills attached to a particular project. Not only must the company be clear in their GradStart application about why those skills are needed, but it should also be clear on the importance of the project to the company’s overall development and export growth. Clarity on the job role and project will make your company more attractive to discerning potential employees.

 

3. Build a career path

Bright ambitious candidates are interested in more than salary and perks. Particularly at the outset of their career, good candidates want to know that a job will enable them to develop their skills and expertise.

Helen adds: “It’s vital to show graduates that you are thinking of their career path as much as they are. You’re looking to build a long-term relationship and you need to show them that you are committed to helping them grow and develop.”

Investing in a good employee’s development is one of the best ways of ensuring they stay with your company. Research indicates one common reason people leave companies is that they feel they have stopped learning and developing. Very often, they go in search of new challenges, rather than more money.

As part of the GradStart programme, you are required to plan a career path for your potential recruit, the focus on which can also be attractive to potential candidates.

 

4. Think long term

If a graduate employee eventually leaves your company, it is often wise to maintain a strong relationship with them. Opportunities to collaborate may appear later, or a role that suits them perfectly may be created within your company in the future. A strong relationship with previous graduate employees can also be an on-going source of valuable industry intelligence.

Helen comments: “When you’re recruiting a graduate, you aren’t just selling the idea of joining your company, you’re selling the idea of becoming part of an industry or sector. You want them to feel that this is an exciting industry with lots of opportunities. Even if they do someday move on from your company, it can be very beneficial if they stay within your industry.”

 

5. Use recruitment tools

As part of GradStart, you will be supported through the graduate recruitment process. You will be encouraged to advertise your new position on Enterprise Ireland’s dedicated website for graduate offers and initiatives – gradhub.ie.  This site is directly linked to GradIreland, which has access to 80,000 graduates approximately. You can, of course, source a graduate yourself. It is important to remember that, to qualify for GradStart, the employee can’t have previously worked with the company or be working there currently.

 

What does GradStart offer?

GradStart provides financial support for a company to recruit up to three graduates for a duration of two years each. The support covers 50% of a graduate’s yearly salary, up to a maximum of €15,000 a year in grant aid (ie a salary of €30,000) for two years.

For graduates with proficiency in a language relevant to the business role, the grant increases to 70% of the salary, up to a maximum of €21,000 a year for two years.

It is available for Irish graduates or for overseas graduates, based either in Ireland or overseas. The graduate must be paid by an Irish company to access GradStart funding.

Get the support you need to step into new markets.  Check your company’s eligibility on this link below.

Apply for GradStart now.

Barry Napier, CEO Cubic Telecom

CASE: How automotive disruption offers huge opportunities for Irish tech companies

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The automotive industry is at a crossroads. In an era where digital technology is disrupting the status quo throughout the global economy, few industries are being so profoundly impacted as automotive.

Under pressure over emissions and sustainability, manufacturers are focused on transitioning from the internal combustion engine to a future of connected, autonomous, shared and electric vehicles,(CASE). Traditional supply chains are changing dramatically, as new technology providers force manufacturers to rethink where value can be created and by whom.

To assess the level of opportunity this offers Irish business, Enterprise Ireland asked a panel of experts what lies on the road head.

 

From hardware to software

Barry Napier, CEO of Irish company Cubic Telecom – who provides global mobile connectivity solutions for automotive manufacturers including Audi, Skoda and VW – believes the future will be driven by software rather than hardware.

“The mindset has changed,” he says. “Historically when you went to an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) and you said to them, we want to do something, there was panic in their faces because they had to go and change the hardware, and then there were multiple partners they had to talk to in order to do that.

“It’s easier to change software, so now they are looking to do as much as they can via software solutions, putting mainframe concepts into vehicles and then seeing how they can run that through the cloud. The mindset is there with the OEMs to make the car lighter, faster and doing it all via software.”says Napier.

Hiren Desai, Head of Strategy and Innovation North America for Continental, agrees that tier one suppliers will need to be able to create value by manufacturing intelligence rather than just parts.

Hiren says: “The supply chain is going to undergo disruption over the next 10 to 15 years significantly when it comes to software coming in and replacing all the hardware that companies are used to producing.

“Companies like Continental are experts in industrialisation, which essentially means manufacturing. Now, what we’re really talking about is having software factories able to produce intelligence, able to write code, able to produce artificial intelligence, that’s where it is heading.”

 

Automotive industry rethinks the car

Whether it is in vehicles that transport people, goods or freight, OEMs will be looking for partners who can help them meet this demand. Traditional players will have to adapt and make room for new entrants from non-automotive backgrounds.

For Dr Engelbert Wimmer, CEO and founder of German specialist automotive management consultancy and investment company E&Co (Entrepreneurs and Consultants), this level of disruption can be seized upon by Irish companies.

“We are reconsidering every bit and piece of the traditional car,” he says. “That means changing materials and a whole new supply chain because the concept and characteristics of a vehicle that you want to operate 90,000km a year on a shared mobility or on an autonomous platform will be completely different because the durability and ownership will be changing.

“This means we will need to change the materials that vehicles are made from – from the rubber in the tyres to the steel and the chassis. We need to do a lot on recycling and greening the car by what components we will need. For companies who have interesting materials, who operate in material science and can supply components that are recyclable, this is a massive opportunity.

“You’re not just talking about tech companies, you’re looking at companies such as plastic moulders, or in the textile sector. It could be somebody from surface technology. It could be somebody in glass technology. Glass is a super interesting surface with a lot of functions, such as integrated light and displays. All these technologies are being reborn at the moment.

“You’re looking at an awful lot of companies that couldn’t previously have looked at the automotive sector. Every time you have a disruption in that size and with this technology scope, new entrants will have a super chance.” says Napier.

 

Hub for CASE development

Many Irish companies enjoying success in the automotive sector are part of the Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) cluster, which is supported by Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland, Department of Transport, and the Lero research centre.

With Jaguar Land Rover’s Centre for Networked and Autonomous Vehicles at Shannon and French vehicle technology giant Valeo’s facility in Tuam as members, CAV Ireland is fast establishing the West of Ireland as a hub for CASE vehicle development.

CAV companies collaborate to identify products and services which can capitalise on export opportunities in the automotive supply chain. It is an approach which Engelbert believes fits well with the future of mobility.

He says: “Whether it is software or materials, it is not about one company producing all this. It is about collaboration and partnership. The tool chain has many, many links that need to be linked together.”

5 ways to make the most of your Market Discovery Fund project 

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Learning that your business has been approved for a support like Enterprise Ireland’s Market Discovery Fund is great news. But it is followed by an important question. How can you make the best use of that financial support to maximise its value to your business?

 

1.    Make the most of Enterprise Ireland’s resources

Use all of the resources available to you as a company supported by Enterprise Ireland while you carry out the project and conduct your research.

Your Development Adviser 

Stay in touch with your Development Adviser throughout the project. Let them know you’re interested in attending relevant market and sector events and they will keep you top of mind.

39 overseas offices* 

Make time to visit Enterprise Ireland’s most relevant overseas offices as part of your project. With offices in 39 locations worldwide, our advisers have expert knowledge of the markets and sectors of most importance to Irish exporters.

If you alert the in-market team to your visit well in advance, they may be able to arrange meetings with valuable local contacts. After your visit, remember to stay in touch with the market advisers you know to stay up-to-date with local opportunities and developments.

(*39 correct as of 3 December 2019, date of publication)

Market Research Centre

Conducting the right market research is vital to maintaining your competitive edge and enjoying successful export growth – but it can also cost time, money and resources for which your business must budget.

The information specialists at Enterprise Ireland’s Market Research Centre offer a wealth of experience available to guide you to the most relevant reports and databases for your needs, and to provide support before and during your visit. They can help you to access current market research reports from some of the world’s leading publishers, such as Euromonitor International, Frost & Sullivan, and Mintel. The Centre is available free-of-charge to companies supported by Enterprise Ireland across the regional office network.

 

2.    Focus on your most promising markets

One important rule of thumb is to consider no more than three markets within a Market Discovery Fund project. Carrying out a market prioritisation exercise and comparing the potential of two or three markets within a region can be a smart use of this type of support.

Whichever markets you consider, remember that internet research alone will only take you so far. Travel to each market you are considering where feasible. You will learn far more on the ground than you can from behind a screen.

Also think carefully about the bandwidth (covering both people and finance) required to manage the project. Projects such as this typically take no more than six months, unless you recruit a graduate or entry-level executive to undertake a more substantial piece of research.

 

3.    Assess trade fair options

If you are planning to exhibit at a trade fair, try to visit the year or season before, so you can assess if it really is a good fit for your business. The most important factor to look out for is if the right kind of buyers and decision-makers attend.

If it is a big fair, spend some time establishing which is the right hall for your company to exhibit in. Being in the wrong hall is a waste of time and resources and can leave you and your team feeling frustrated.

If you decide to exhibit next time around, get in touch with the organisers as early as possible to find out costings or packages in addition to availability, as previous exhibitors are likely to be given priority.

 

 

4.    Know the claims process and track everything

You can find all the information and forms you need to submit your claim(s) to the Market Discovery Fund here. This includes:

  • Instructions for making your claim
  • The claim form
  • A claim form checklist
  • A timesheet template
  • A Director’s Statement template
  • A progress report form
  • More information on the claims process.

 

While at this point your application has been approved, it is vital to keep detailed records of all expenditure relating to your project. This can include:

  • Timesheets for employees, as relevant wages and salaries can be covered, subject to conditions outlined here
  • Receipts and invoices for all foreign travel and subsistence expenses directly related to the project. Remember these must be incurred by company employees supported on the project
  • The cost of purchasing reports and databases relating to a new market or sector (when relevant and not accessible through the Market Research Centre).

 

5.    Understand the value of what you learn

At first, it might seem disappointing if research indicates that a valid opportunity to bring your product or service to a particular market or markets does not exist. But it is actually a great lesson.

It is far better to be aware of this insight before committing fully to a market, as discovering a lack of potential later will cost your business much more.

Knowing which markets not to prioritise can be just as important as understanding which ones are most worth investing your time and resources. Refining your overall market strategy is a valuable outcome of a successful Market Discovery Fund project.

Remember, you must contact your assigned Enterprise Ireland Adviser to discuss your Market Discovery Fund application before you submit it. If you’re a first-time applicant, you need to register on the Enterprise Ireland Online Application System.

To discover how your company can take the step into new markets, visit: globalambition.ie/steps.      

Help your company grow by using the Market Research Centre

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With Brexit a reminder of the importance of diversifying and discovering exciting new export opportunities, Enterprise Ireland’s Market Research Centre can help.

Conducting the right market research is vital for businesses to maintain their competitive edge and enjoy successful export growth. According to a recent Enterprise Ireland survey, more than four out of five businesses plan to diversify into the Eurozone – a smart move given its potential export market value of €38bn alone.

Enterprise Ireland-supported companies can benefit from support in their plans to expand their reach. Here are five ways that our Market Research Centre can help.

 

1. Access world-class market research

Conducting market research before exporting into new markets can cost time, money and resources for which your business must budget. The Market Research Centre can help by providing access to up-to-date premium market research reports from some of the world’s leading market research publishers, such as Euromonitor International, Frost & Sullivan, and Mintel.

The Centre provides access to:

  • Country reports
  • Global company profiles
  • Industry sector reports
  • Trend forecasts.

The Centre is available free-of-charge to companies supported by Enterprise Ireland across the regional office network.

With some individual reports costing tens of thousands of euro, the potential value of using the service is immense.

 

2. Know your markets

When planning to export, the most important step is to learn as much about your new target market as possible. Accessing the latest research available through the Market Research Centre will help you to understand potential export regions and the competitors already operating there. Questions you should consider include:

  • What is the size of the market?
  • Who are the big players?
  • Is there a dominant brand in the market

       

      3. Know your channels

      When Abcon, an abrasives and industrial hose manufacturer from Co. Cavan wanted to increase exports to the Eurozone after the Brexit referendum, they needed to understand the markets that would help to grow the business.

      With a high volume of sales driven by internet searches, accurate information about the names of products in local languages proved essential to underpinning successful international digital marketing tactics.

      Lyn Sharkey, Sales and Marketing Director for Abcon, says that the Market Research Centre’s information specialists helped the company to obtain such information, in addition to lists of potential leads and trade events to attend – all of which would have been far more difficult to source alone.

       

      4. Insights about your customers

      Understanding the demographics of a market and the competitors already succeeding there is of little value unless you also understand your new potential customers, and how your offerings should be tweaked or positioned to best appeal to them.

      One of the most vital considerations for any company is: “what does your customer want, and how does it differ from what you’re already doing and delivering?”.

      When Irish Dog Foods, the Naas-based pet food manufacturer, was planning to enter the South Korean market, they asked these same questions. The company turned to the Market Research Centre to learn which customers it should sell to.

      “One of the things we learned during our market research is that there are practically no large dogs in Korea,” says Darren Keating, Marketing Manager of Irish Dog Foods. “That meant we specifically targeted the owners of small dogs. That information came from the Market Research Centre.”

       

      5. Guidance from information specialists

      The Market Research Centre’s information specialists have a wealth of experience and are available to guide you to the most relevant reports and databases for your needs, and to provide support before and during your visit.

      Sometimes the best support is reassurance from a specialist that you are heading in the right direction, allowing you to use your time efficiently.

       

      Contact Us

      Contact the Market Research Centre to discuss your research request and to arrange a visit to our centre in Dublin or to any of our eight regional office hubs.

      Phone: +353 (1) 727 2324

      Email: market.research@enterprise-ireland.com

      Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

      World class Irish companies have rising ambition levels for Japan

      World class Irish companies have rising ambition levels for Japan

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      Pat O’Riordan, Overseas Manager for Japan and Korea at Enterprise Ireland, describes what Irish companies need to succeed in one of the world’s largest and most sophisticated markets.

      Irish exporters are waking up to fresh opportunities in the Land of the Rising Sun. While the country may not have regained the stellar growth rates it enjoyed in the 1980s, Japan remains the world’s third-largest economy. Japan’s corporates, driven by the stellar performance of the export sector, are cash rich with strong balance sheets.

      It’s also highly attractive, as a “rich, advanced and sophisticated market. It is respectful of intellectual property and open to world class innovation,” O’Riordan adds.

      Growing our ambition in Japan

      If we have in the past “lost concentration” on Japan, it may be because of the considerable barriers to entry. We are now fortunate to have an increasingly sophisticated and globally ambitious base of client companies, and a market which is more open to external trade.

      “Companies best positioned to win in Japan share particular attributes,” O’Riordan says. These are world-class technology, products or services; high levels of innovation, and management that is committed to – and able to handle – the lengthy sales cycles and demanding customer services levels common in the market.

      “Companies really need to be strategically interested in the market to engage. For those who do, the prize is a market of scale and sustainability.”

      A ‘hard sell’ rarely works. “Companies coming in here sometimes don’t appreciate how serious the Japanese are about detail. They will want to know who is funding you, how long you have been around for and how long you’re likely to be around for. Your first presentation slide should not be about your technology, or your value proposition, it’s about your heritage and sustainability as a long-term partner,” says O’Riordan.

      Be ready for Japan’s most pressing questions

      Expect demanding technology and customer service requirements. “Japanese people will ask multiple questions before they buy. They are data-driven, technology-driven, and very service driven. Take the questions as a compliment, they are investing their time in you,” he adds.

      While there is potential across a variety of sectors, from fintech to travel tech and medtech, opportunities often emerge as a result of policy and regulatory changes. That has occurred in relation to eldercare, as the country’s aging population generates demand for both assisted living solutions and medtech innovations. In relation to renewable energy, opportunities can be found in Japan’s search for ways to reduce its dependency on nuclear power.

      Changes in its visa rules have opened it up to unprecedented levels of tourism, with numbers on track to reach 40 million visitors per annum by 2020, driven also by the arrival of low-cost carriers into the country.

      Plan your market entry strategy for Japan

      Between 2014 and 2018, companies backed by Enterprise Ireland saw year-on-year growth of 14.5%.

      “Companies that get it right can and need to scale up in Japan. To succeed you need to be resilient on the way in and have an ambition and scale agenda to realise a return on investment.”

      Read how Connolly’s Red Mills became the largest importer of premium horse feeds in Japan

      Irish companies considering a market entry strategy for Japan should undertake high level-research and then carefully verify and validate it. Once you have established a good product/market fit, look for partners – Enterprise Ireland can assist with both.

      In Japan it’s not just the language that creates an additional barrier, but the business culture, which must be appreciated and understood. As such, we advise companies to expend shoe leather in market.  There is no substitute for visiting repeatedly to understand the nuances of the market. Ultimately it makes the decision to invest in an on the ground presence a much easier one.

      The recent EU Japan Economic Partnership Agreement provides for a much-improved free trade environment between EU and Japan across several categories, which “will add significant momentum to Ireland and Japan trade relations, not least in the food sector,” he says.

      Taking the time required to win your first customer will pay dividends. “If you can point to a satisfied Japanese customer, there is no more powerful reference customer across Asia,” says O’Riordan.

      The overarching message on Japan is that it very open to and welcoming of world class Irish companies with good product market fit and an ambition to scale. It is proving to be a very rewarding market for committed Irish companies, as is evidenced by the export performance of our clients in recent years and rising levels of ambition for the market.”

      How undertaking an agile project helped create a culture of innovation at two Irish companies

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      Innovation is crucial for companies to grow their business and maintain competitiveness. An increasing number of SMEs in Ireland must undertake research and development projects to develop innovative products and services.

      Identifying need and opportunity by talking to customers is at the heart of all good R&D. However, many companies are discovering that undertaking the process also allows them to identify further opportunities for growth and innovation.

       

      Two strong approaches to launching an agile project

      That has certainly been the case for TEAM Accessories and LaserTec, since they availed of Enterprise Ireland’s Agile Innovation Fund to support R&D projects.

      Aerospace company TEAM Accessories specialises in the maintenance, repair and overhaul of commercial jet engines at their purpose-built facility in Ballyboughal, Co. Dublin. At the start of 2018, the company decided to target expansion into new sectors.

      Speaking at an Enterprise Ireland Agile Innovation Support event in Dublin, Co-owner and Director Pat McEvoy talked about the opportunity they identified: “There was a fairly buoyant market in aviation, so the core business was okay, but we needed to do something new or different. We looked at where a commercial engine is used in different industrial applications – such as in the oil and gas sector, in the use of power generation, on ferries and ships all over the world.

      “We set about developing capability in sectors that would give us substantial growth. That was a big challenge because, although it’s the same technology, it’s completely different systems and components. We would have to figure out how to design and manufacture new parts, how to train people, how to develop our capability as a project.”

      Basil Cooney, Managing Director of Dublin-based electronics engineering manufacturer LaserTec, spoke at the event about his company’s plan to add 3D capability to their automated testing and validation solutions for the medical devices sector.

      He said: “Using 2D vision technology to inspect and measure products was very cumbersome to use and very expensive. The limitations of 2D means that the solutions were application specific – if you want to look at a different product or solve a different problem, you’re almost starting from scratch nearly every time.

      “We decided that we needed to come up with something really different; something that was easy to use, easy to communicate with, which could integrate into existing systems, and was affordable. Our idea was to develop a 3D sensor vision system that could scan a product and be able to read depth as well as length and width. You don’t get that with 2D.”

       

      How Enterprise Ireland’s Agile Innovation Fund supports agile projects

      Both LaserTec and TEAM Accessories applied for support from the Agile Innovation Fund. Designed to make undertaking R&D as easy as possible, it provides up to 50% funding for agile projects with a value of up to €300,000. The main feature of the Agile Innovation Fund is its fast turnaround time, and the applications for both LaserTec and TEAM Accessories were processed in weeks rather than months.

      Pat McEvoy said: “At first, we thought that agile wasn’t a good fit for us because we were thinking about design and manufacturing, but we talked to our DA (Development Advisor at Enterprise Ireland) and she reassured us that our project was innovation and would qualify.

      “I was so impressed by how quick the whole approval process was. It was very efficient, and we had really good input from our DA all the way through.” Pat McEvoy, Co-owner & Director, TEAM Accessories

      Basil Cooney: “Our experience was also very positive. I think engaging as early as possible with our DA was important, and not just a one-off thing but engaging on a continuous basis initially until we were up and running.

      “Initially we had a particular set of ideas for the project, but they changed as the project developed. With the Agile Fund that’s okay – it allows that flexibility to really go after what is required to make the project achieve its goals. Without it, we wouldn’t have achieved what we did.”

      Perhaps the most enduring impact the agile project will have on TEAM Accessories and LaserTec is the culture of innovation it has helped nurture.

      Pat said: “We have a couple of other things we’re looking at now that happened kind of by accident as a result of this project. We set out to develop capabilities in different sectors, now we’re also moving into an area – and this has come from customers and their feedback – which involves improving some of the existing designs of the engines. So agile has opened up different avenues for us.”

      Basil Cooney: “We’ve identified a number of products that we can develop from the core technology of a 3D sensor and software platform. The idea is to customise them for a bigger range of applications that use the same technology, such as scanning and checking boxes on an assembly line or verifying a manufacturing assembly as it’s happening.”

      Get more information about the Agile Innovation Fund.

      Transport & Logistics Industry Update – Webinar

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      The Covid-19 pandemic, Brexit and the re-shaping of transport routes brought a very turbulent start to 2021. Logistics and transportation companies involved in the movement, storage and flow of goods have been directly impacted and had to rapidly adapt to changing business landscape. Irish companies exporting their products or importing components or raw materials need to follow and understand these trends to stay competitive.

      This Enterprise Ireland webinar identifies these challenges and examines current developments with a panel of industry experts.

      The webinar is chaired by Enterprise Ireland’s Director UK & Northern Europe Marina Donohoe with insights from:

       • Gopal R, Global Leader, Supply Chain & Logistics, Frost & Sullivan

      • John Ward, Managing Director, Maurice Ward & Co. Ltd Ireland

      • Richard Nolan, CEO, Nolan Transport – Nolan Group

       

      Register now to attend the webinar.

      Business opportunities are heating up in Iberia

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      Irish travellers visit Iberia in their droves – at least two million last year alone. But while we have long since exported our tourism to Spain and Portugal, the same cannot be said for Irish firms.

      Given the proximity of Iberia’s Eurozone neighbours, with a GDP five times that of Ireland and offering gateways to growing domestic markets, as well as to Latin America and Africa, Irish exporters should take a closer look.

      While Spain and Portugal joined Ireland, Italy and Greece as the hardest-hit economies during the crash, they have emerged, like Ireland, as reformed models showing above-average Eurozone growth.

       

      New opportunities in Spain

      Spain is the powerhouse of the peninsula with the country’s real GDP and job growth set to exceed that of the euro area for the fourth year in a row.

      With 10 times the population of Ireland, Spain is the much larger market opportunity with a GDP of €1.2 trillion and a 2019 growth rate forecast at 2.1% by the IMF. While unemployment remains high at 14.7%, in key sectors such as telecoms, banking, travel tech and services, it has a wealth of expertise, as would be expected from a country home to telecoms and banking giants Telefónica and Banco Santander.

      Spain’s logistics infrastructure is excellent, hosting two of Europe’s biggest airports in Madrid and Barcelona, while its 46 ports serve the Atlantic and Mediterranean, and its internal rail network is one of the most advanced in Europe. It has the digital infrastructure to match and ranks fourth in the world for e-government services.

       

      Spain’s business renaissance

      While the market has been perceived as more difficult to enter for exporters, this is changing as Spain continues to experience a post-crisis renaissance. Language remains a traditional barrier for entry, as does the country’s regional devolution, which poses challenges to marketing and product fits between areas.

      At Enterprise Ireland’s Ambition Spain and Portugal event in Dublin, delegates heard how exports of companies supported by the agency totalled €338 million last year. Spain is a knowledge-based economy, where services account for around three-quarters of economic activity, the conference heard.

      Irish firms may look to some of the strongest growing sectors, such as telecommunications, life sciences and agriculture. Telecoms is expected to grow to around €21 billion by 2022, with agriculture growing to some €27.4 billion.

      Opportunities are there for Irish firms with innovative solutions willing to put in the market research, Gedeth Network founder Juan Millan told attendees.

      “Irish companies are very well known for their innovation and their technology,” said Millan. “Consequently, we are very interested in Irish offerings in medtech, life sciences and fintech.”

      Exporters should be aware that Spain acts as a bridge beyond the Eurozone, thanks to longstanding trade links from its colonial past to Latin America.

      “It’s a good place to access decision-makers for firms in Latin America, as they have headquarters in Madrid and Barcelona,” he said. “And remember, Irish firms have great access to North America, the UK and Australia, which is equally of interest to Spanish firms. There is a natural synergy to be had and you should use this if you have activity in these markets as part of your negotiating position.”

      Tourism remains huge at more than €180 billion per year – half the GDP of Ireland – and offers opportunities to Irish firms in travel tech. “Think not only about the sun and sangria,” Millan said. “But all the solutions you can offer to that market.”

       

      Economic growth in Portugal

      Being the smaller neighbour has not stopped Portugal transforming into a high-income advanced economy with a high living standard. Its growth forecast at 2.2% for 2019 is ahead of the likes of Germany, with unemployment steady at 6.8%.

      The country’s major cities, Lisbon and Oporto, are the country’s major industrial hubs, with Lisbon accounting for banking and financial services, oil and gas and ICT hubs – and is now home to the world-class Web Summit founded in Dublin – while to the north there is a focus on manufacturing. Tourism is a valuable sector looking for travel tech solutions in a market centred mainly in the Algarve and expected to grow from around €22 billion last year to €27 billion by 2023.

      Like its bigger neighbour, Portugal’s colonial legacy sees strong trade links remain, offering gateway trade opportunities to not only Brazil but African markets such as Angola.

      According to Professor Jorge Sa, from the Swiss Business School, Portugal presents an untapped export opportunity to Irish firms worth around €3 billion. “There are great chances for firms working in pharma, organic chemicals, electronic equipment, essential oils, machinery and plastics,” he said.

       

      Enterprise Ireland supports for expanding to Iberia

      Accessing either market requires thorough research, and there are, of course, traditional barriers to entry such as mature supply chains and language issues, but there are a range of Enterprise Ireland supports to aid firms looking to future-proof their export sales including the Market Discovery Fund and GradStart, which provides up to 70 per cent of two-year salaries for graduates with relevant market language skills.

      In the meantime, Enterprise Ireland’s office in Madrid is ready to assist Irish companies with ambitions to be more than just tourists to Iberia.

      Man with lightbulb representing Innovation

      Agile Innovation Fund: Easier than ever for companies of all sizes to access R&D funding

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      It is now easier than ever for Irish companies to access R&D funding to improve their products and services and compete internationally.

      That was the message from Enterprise Ireland and the national network of Local Enterprise Offices to representatives from more than 60 companies who attended a research, development and innovation event recently in Dublin.

      Enterprise Ireland and the LEOs pledged to use the Agile Innovation Fund to support companies of all sizes as they to seek to open new export markets and grow – promising a fast, flexible and simple application process.

       

      Find more information about the Agile Innovation Fund here.

      Speaking at the Agile Innovation Workshop, Eoghan Hanrahan, Enterprise Ireland Regional Director for the Dublin Region and Regional Development, said: “In doing R&D, companies have to challenge the norms, do something different, look at achieving some kind of technical innovation to try and future-proof their company.

       

      Get support for Agile Innovation

      “We recognise that R&D can be challenging but it is a very important step for any business to take and it’s also important that they are supported in doing so. Enterprise Ireland and the LEOs are here to assist people and companies who want to invest in R&D. The Agile Innovation Fund offers up to 50% funding to a maximum of €150,000 in grant aid.”

      Irish companies are spending less on R&D than most European competitors. Latest Eurostat figures show that spending in 2017 equated to 1.05% of GDP, almost half the EU average of 2.07% and well behind R&D leaders Sweden, Austria, Denmark and Germany – all of whom spent more than 3% of GDP.

      Of the €3bn that was invested in R&D in Ireland, €1bn was spent by indigenous companies. It is notable that in 2007, Ireland spent a higher percentage of GDP (1.23%) on R&D than it did in 2017.

      Joe Madden, Manager of In-Company R&D Supports at Enterprise Ireland, told the workshop that the Agile Innovation Fund was designed to counter the belief among SMEs that funding R&D is too costly and that securing state support for projects is too complex and geared towards larger operations.

       

      Flexible and fast access to Agile Innovation funding

      “The Agile innovation fund was introduced at the beginning of 2018 as a response to a very steep fall off in applications for R&D support,” Mr Madden said. “Companies were telling us that the standard R&D application process was too complicated and very often they would have a project finished before they even knew whether they were going to get approval to do it.

      “We needed to introduce something much more flexible, much faster and where the funding wasn’t as high so that we could apply a less onerous process for evaluating and approving applications.”

      The main feature of the Agile Innovation Fund is its fast turnaround time, with an application process that results in decisions in a few weeks rather than several months. More than 90 companies have drawn down around €20m in funding since it was launched last year, with 90% of them rating the application process as relatively simple in a survey.

      Madden added: “There are only two documents required to apply for the Agile Innovation Fund, an online application form and a project plan. The project plan is what the technical assessment of the application is based on. The technical assessors are looking for two things: is this eligible R&D and are the costs reasonable. To be eligible R&D, there has to be technical uncertainty – this means the project must demonstrate some kind of product or process development technical challenge.

      “Total expenditure on any single application is limited to €300,000, so if your project spend goes to €300,001, it is not eligible for funding. Typically for a smaller company, the funding would be 45% of the total cost, which equates to a maximum grant of €135,000. If a small company collaborates with a partner, this funding can rise to 50% and therefore the limit increases to €150,000.”

      The goal of the Agile Innovation Fund is to increase the amount of spending by indigenous companies of all sizes on R&D across the economy.

       

      Local Enterprise Office support

      Oisin Geoghegan, Head of Enterprise at LEO Fingal, advised companies that are not Enterprise Ireland clients to get in touch with their Local Enterprise Office.

      He said: “Providing assistance and funding for R&D projects or innovation is one of the core reasons why the Local Enterprise Offices are here. R&D is not just about wearing white coats and having a lab. Most of the businesses we are dealing with could potentially apply for and receive R&D grants

      “We want to see more applications from SMEs and the LEOs will work with you to give you advice and guidance on the application process. It’s called Agile for a reason, the application process is straightforward, it’s online and we want to see applications processed and approved quickly.”

      Apply for the Agile Innovation Fund now.

      John Ferguson Ambition Asia Pacific 2

      ‘Phenomenal’ middle class growth in Asia Pacific an opportunity for Irish companies

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      The growth of the middle class throughout Asia Pacific presents ambitious Irish companies with unprecedented opportunities, delegates at the recent Ambition Asia Pacific conference in Dublin heard.

      Some 23 million new ASEAN households are on track to earn more than US $35,000 a year by 2030 in what is “the fastest-growing, most dynamic region in the world,” said John Ferguson, Director of Country Analysis at the Economist Intelligence Unit, who provided an overview of growth trends and opportunities in the region.

       

      Growth rates in Asia Pacific countries

      In China, major strategic programmes such as Made in China 2025 and the long term Belt and Road construction initiative “are not going away”, he said.

      “Chinese growth is still just very modestly slowing down to around 6%,” he said. The government there is using monetary goals and fiscal policy to maintain that growth.

      Even allowing for the challenges facing China, “it’s still going to grow pretty reasonably well over the next couple of years,” he said.

      Growth prospects in Japan, at 1%, are much smaller, however. As a huge, developed and rich economy, it’s one in which there are still “a lot of opportunities” for Irish companies, he suggested.

      Much of that opportunity relates to Japan’s Society 5.0 initiative, the Japanese government’s focus on artificial intelligence, sensor technology and automation.

      “This is a huge initiative for the Japanese. That’s where some of the growth opportunities will present themselves in Japan, already a highly developed economy but really trying to push themselves with this fourth industrial revolution.”

      India represents a particularly “bright spot” in the global economy, said Ferguson, who predicted growth of around 7% on average likely over the next five years.John Ferguson Ambition Asia Pacific

      This compares with global growth of around 2% and Asian growth of between 4% and 5%. India’s growth outlook is “extraordinary”, he said.

      The primary opportunity in India, as in Asia Pacific countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia, is one of population development and subsequent growth in demand for consumer goods and services.

      With predicted growth levels of 5% and a large population, Indonesia is another really strong performer, again driven by the fast growth of its middle, or consuming, class, he said.

      Indonesia’s five-year growth rate forecast is almost double that of Singapore’s, at 2.9%. However, the additional opportunity in Singapore comes from its ease of doing business and its popular status as a launchpad from which to do business elsewhere in the Asia Pacific region, he said.

      So, while Singapore is growing a more slowly than some of the less well developed countries in the region, it’s still growing at “a pretty impressive rate of growth for economy at its stage of development.”

      South Korea is another mature market but still likely to show average growth of 2.7% over the next five years. “In our view, that’s a pretty reasonable growth for a country at that stage of development.”

      “The rising middle class in the Asia Pacific region is phenomenal. The world is moving east.” Kevin Sherry, executive director Global Business Development, Enterprise Ireland

      Australia – another frequent launchpad into the wider region for Irish companies – and New Zealand are both stable economies but, cautioned Ferguson, both are seeing climate change and immigration becoming significant political issues.

      Kevin Sherry at Ambition Asia Pacific Conf.For Irish businesses looking at these markets, either as part of their supply chain or as end markets, it’s worth keeping an eye on regulatory initiatives in relation to either, he said.

      Enterprise Ireland is working with more than 600 companies who are doing business in the Asia Pacific region.  “Irish companies are used to winning in the Asia Pacific markets,” said Kevin Sherry, executive director Global Business Development at Enterprise Ireland.  “The rising middle class in the Asia Pacific region is phenomenal. The world is moving east.”

      Depending on what happens in October in relation to Brexit, Ireland may be the only English speaking country in the EU, a fact that presents challenges but opportunities too, he pointed out.

      Enterprise Ireland is expanding its footprint in the Asia Pacific region to help support Irish companies looking to capitalise on the growing level of opportunities there, opening new offices in Auckland, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in Melbourne, Australia and in Shenzhen, China, he said.

       

      Read more Global Ambition articles on the opportunities for Irish companies in Asia.