A business mission, also known as a road-show, is a modern and effective tool for promoting both domestic and foreign markets. In simple words, this is a clearly planned trip to a certain region, during which company representatives expand their business ties at the level of senior management. This happens through a large number of formal and informal B2B meetings, organized visits to large-scale events (exhibitions, forums, conferences), visits to enterprises, as well as through public speeches and presentations to the local target audience.
The roadshow has a particularly intensive program. The duration of such a mission is from 3 to 7 days. Depending on the goals set, a visit can be held in the framework of one or more regions.
Why does it work?
Such visits allow you to see with your own eyes the latest developments, test them, inspect production lines, make sure of quality, understand the real situation, and exchange experience. Indeed, there are often cases when pictures on the Internet and beautiful words on the phone are radically different from reality.
The result of such mission is to receive dozens of new contacts, useful personal acquaintances and connections. You can endlessly try to build relationships remotely, but it can never be compared with the effectiveness of live communication.
Speaking about doing business with Asian countries, it is difficult to find a more effective tool for constructive dialogue with partners, which will allow you to bypass the stage of unsuccessful, endless discussions by e-mail. In Asia, personal relationships are extremely important - before you get down to business, you need to become a good friend.
How to organize?
The organization of business missions requires special skills, as well as the presence of contacts and trusted contractors at all levels. This is of particular importance when it comes to a trip to Asian countries, where the mentality and approach to business is fundamentally different from ours.
The organization should be approached in advance and in several stages:
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The choice of region, dates and format - based on your goals and the desired result (3-4 months before the trip);
- Development of a visit program. It is made on the basis of a list of target companies, locations of major events and exhibitions that are interesting to visit. Create the widest possible wishlist. (3 months before the trip);
- Preparation of high-quality, adapted materials about your company, its distribution, preliminary negotiations on the possibility of holding meetings (3 months before the trip);
- Buying plane tickets, paying for accommodation, renting venues for presentations and negotiations (2 months before the trip);
- Selection of contractors (equipment, transfers, translators, escorts, etc.), conclusion of agreements (2 months before the trip);
- Confirmation of meetings, visits and event participation. Developmnet of the final program with a detailed description of logistics (a month before the trip);
- Preparing for the trip. Materials, presentations, documents, texts of speeches, agendas and schedule of meetings. Everything should be adapted to the language of the country you are traveling to (within a month before the trip);
- Final confirmation - meetings, visits to enterprises, arrangements with contractors and local organizers (a week before the trip);
- Carrying out a road show;
- Media coverage (during and within 2 weeks after the trip);
- Entering into remote negotiations.
It is important to take into account all the little things: arrival / departure times, connecting flights, logistics between objects taking into account the traffic situation and entry restrictions, accommodation, meals, translators, force majeure situations and much more. And this is all besides making appointments, preparing presentation materials and events, developing programs for participation in exhibitions and organizing formal dinners with partners. One mistake can disrupt the whole trip.
Business missions allow companies to significantly accelerate their development. But only on condition that the organization of travel is approached in advance, purposefully and with full responsibility. Otherwise, everything may turn out to be far from in your favor.
If you doubt your abilities, entrust the work to professionals!
The RAUIE has extensive experience in organizing road shows in Russia and Asia. The RAUIE members regularly attend exhibitions, where an individual program is organized; participate in business missions in Asian countries and Russia; are included in the work of intergovernmental commissions.
You can contact:
Maxim Kuznetsov - vice-president of the RAUIE
investment@raspp.ru
WeChat: maximkuznetsov
Gao Muyang - deputy Head of trade and economic development Department
businesscn@raspp.ru
WeChat ID: Sauron_1863
