IEX
PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL TRAINING IN EXPORTS
The world of exporting offers exciting, challenging and dynamic opportunities to the individual who is prepared to meet the respective diversities and responsibilities, who is proactive, competitive and a strategist, all of which are synonymous with this rewarding career.
The rapidly expanding environment of international trade and investment presents a vast array of prospects, and well qualified people with a hunger and a penchant for success in this industry can take up on these opportunities.
Increased export capability and professionalism in southern Africa's international-trade operations are essential to the economic well being of the region. In its endeavours to build export capacity within southern Africa while taking up the challenges of international trade requires specialised skills and knowledge, the IEX Diploma in Export Management, offered by the IMM Graduate School of Marketing, covers all essential practical and theoretical aspects of the export management process and is designed to provide immediate, hands-on benefits to those working within the export environment – enabling progression from export administration to managing an entire export department. In essence, it provides a stepping stone to global competitiveness in exports.
This three-year qualification is offered through selected IMM Student Support Centres, as well as through the convenience of distance learning for management and international trade staff alike, who benefit from the flexibility of this mode of delivery. The diploma provides a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles of foreign trade and practical aspects of the multi-faceted export process. The IEX diploma enables the skills and knowledge necessary to function efficiently and profitably in the international trade arena and the international division of a company. The programme also assists students develop expertise in problem-solving and critical analysis pertaining to business of export.
Export management is essential for identifying opportunities, effectively structuring and managing the necessary functions and co-ordinating and implementing the export strategy. By focusing on the management and the environment of business, with respect to the economic, politico-legal, socio-cultural and technological, the export manager becomes well-equipped with the relevant skills and knowledge to run a successful export business or international division.
The efficiency of export administration is the thread which keeps the export wheel moving. Therefore it is vital that staff involved in export administration receive in-depth training in aspects of the export industry, such as export policies and procedures, legislation, packing requirements, insurance, custom procedures, transport variables and documentation requirements, amongst many others. Besides the requirements in South Africa with respect to exporting, different countries have different restrictions, policies and procedures, and these have to be understood and adhered to if exporting to them.
By identifying those factors that will promote South African exports, understanding the challenges and considering the global competitiveness, exporters can then strategise their marketing efforts with the goal of successfully accessing and accomplishing foreign trade. The marketing strategy must encompass a communication strategy, relationship marketing, socially responsible marketing, as well as the fundamentals of marketing, such as identifying potential markets, research and a strategic export marketing plan – all elements that are included in the focus of the diploma.
Although marketing is considered a fairly new discipline, the history of marketing dates way back to human behaviour that included the exchanging of goods (products), bartering (pricing / value), the branding of livestock (branding) and scurvy prevention (packaging)! And even though the practice of marketing has become far more sophisticated and choices of products are so vast and varied, marketers continuously strive to meet the needs and wants of their customers better than their competition – a global competitiveness that applies very much to exporters.
In dealing with foreign countries, knowledge of the legal consequences of international payment methods is imperative, as well as the particular financial requirements – from exchange rates to cross rates and forward rates, risk, fluctuations, export-related costs, bills of exchange, bank collection, etc. Therefore understanding the financial jargon and applications, and being able to handle the changing economies is vital in ensuring a successful and profitable business. Equally so, the exporter must have a clear understanding of the environment of international trade law – all the implications and requirements that fall within under this discipline.
IEX Diploma graduate, Vincent Zikhali, said that the reputation of the IEX Diploma was the reason behind his choice of programme. “Understanding international trade and global trends is of paramount importance to me. Therefore, International Marketing, Export Management, and Export Administration were elements of the diploma that I enjoyed most as not only is one exposed to research market opportunities, but also taught how to handle the whole exports process from an administrative perspective.”
Said Zikhali, who is the team leader of imports and exports at SARS Customs: “My current job includes implementing an operational plan for the team, managing the team, ensuring that their skills are relevant and planning training intervention for staff. I am able to handle all challenges and queries with ease and since graduating, I have confidently been able to advise so many small and medium sized businesses regarding international trade.”
For further information contact the IMM Graduate School of Marketing on 011 628 2000 or visit www.imm.co.za.