Welcome to Green Shoots International
Growing sales internationally and developing the next generation of managers to do so...
Growing Food & Drink Internationally...
Vision, Mission & Strategy
Vision, Mission & Strategy
Vision, Mission & Strategy
Develop international business strategy assessing brand proposition, company capability and export commitment drawing on experience, insight, network and available support.
Sales Development
Vision, Mission & Strategy
Vision, Mission & Strategy
Utilise direct connections, events, insight and wider network to make outreach and present brand propositions to potential customers, negotiating pricing and business to managing launch in market including packaging.
Account Management
Vision, Mission & Strategy
Export Sales Training
Key account manage direct to retail, distributors/importers with agreed budgets, joint business plans, forecasts, regular reviews and sales reporting, co-ordinating sales & marketing activities.
Export Sales Training
International Mentoring & NED
Export Sales Training
Offer tailor-made training from beginner to intermediate and experienced to develop understanding, know-how and confidence to implement a profitable and sustainable export strategy .
International Mentoring & NED
International Mentoring & NED
International Mentoring & NED
Tailored mentoring & Non-Executive Director support to develop insight, skills, capability and organisational process according to your needs.
Sourcing
International Mentoring & NED
International Mentoring & NED
Use network, store audits and market insight to connect buyers with unique, trending brands to an agreed brief.
Partners Current & Previous
Edwards Case Study
Edwards - The Welsh Butcher
Readiness...
Edwards has been supplying a couple of international markets for some time. Malaysia is significant and relatively simple to manage. A couple of containers of UK product, vet certification.
Export was not a focus. Some development work was done to explore opportunities in Denmark and Sweden a few years ago. There was tentative interest in the brand. Production capacity and focus on UK launches limited further development. Significant investment and expansion in the factory enabled Export to be a potential pillar for sales growth.
Research and network outreach...
Overall the management believed the opportunity for British sausages to be limited overseas, as most markets have their own tradition in sausages and Edwards would not be the first to market in the main UK ex-pat markets. Nevertheless, they were prepared to invest in exploring if there was an opportunity. The capability was not available inside the business. Green Shoots was engaged to do this. Edwards has also invested in Welsh Government supported market research in Far East and specialist route to market outreach in meat.
Events & Trade Mission...
The company has also actively participated in Gulfood in Feb'23, trade mission to Seoul, N.Korea in May'23 and be represented at Anuga in Oct'23 to continue on-going business conversations with customers in Europe, Middle, & Far East.
Sales Development...
The first stage of the outreach was to follow up with the leads generated from the trade mission to Denmark & Sweden, utilising Green Shoots network of buyers direct to retail, UK export wholesalers, importers and agents. The scope was widened to included foodservice, ship chandlers, cruise and airline lines, then further UK sales development into convenience, farm shop and wholesale outside of Wales.
Outputs...
Early engagement was generated with retail buyers, export wholesalers and importers began in October. Signs of real Interest in listing began very early in 2023. Edwards branding, quality, service and UK performance were the key drivers.
The supply chain of whether to merchandise as a chilled or frozen range proved to be a challenge. Extended buying decisions pushed out first orders until Jun'23 with further expected in August including launch into Hong Kong & UAE. Prospects in neighbouring markets to these look promising too.
Learnings...
As ever, generating international sales takes time, perseverance and patience. Exporting meat is more complex than ambient. Airfreight more expensive if chilled or frozen for test launches. Larger volumes of frozen in containers to lower freight burden is the goal. Communication and flexibility are required internally and externally. There are few quick wins to create sustainable and long term business.
About...
Nurturing brands and people overseas…
Nurturing brands and people overseas…
Nurturing brands and people overseas…
There’s a big, dynamic world out there. The UK has many brands that are very successful all across the globe. Buyers are curious about innovative, trending products and recognise the quality of goods from the UK and Europe.
Your company and people have to be prepared and dedicated to launch profitable, sustainable business in internationa
There’s a big, dynamic world out there. The UK has many brands that are very successful all across the globe. Buyers are curious about innovative, trending products and recognise the quality of goods from the UK and Europe.
Your company and people have to be prepared and dedicated to launch profitable, sustainable business in international markets.
Green Shoots International can help create and implement an international strategy, launch in markets, find and manage customers and train your export team.
We also assist retailers and importers to source innovative and unique brands that can add value to their product range.
25 years international experience…
Nurturing brands and people overseas…
Nurturing brands and people overseas…
I have worked for several well known brands with significant sales and profit being generated in export.
These include: Weetabix, Twinings, Dorset Cereals, Penotti and Amy’s Kitchen.
I have created and developed export strategies for new regions and existing markets, implemented and managed them, started new business and grown existing one
I have worked for several well known brands with significant sales and profit being generated in export.
These include: Weetabix, Twinings, Dorset Cereals, Penotti and Amy’s Kitchen.
I have created and developed export strategies for new regions and existing markets, implemented and managed them, started new business and grown existing ones substantially.
I’ve had major successes and my share of learnings too for the companies above and also those for my own consultancy Green Shoots International.
Green Shoots first client was Kabuto Noodles, who were the first to premiumise pot noodles in the UK. These innovative and unique flavours were too early for European and N.American markets.
Raw Bean Coffee percolate…
Nurturing brands and people overseas…
Raw Bean Coffee percolate…
Raw Bean Coffee bags are available in Sainsbury’s and Waitrose. They launched several years ago in these major UK retailers before the concept became a popular as a coffee format.
Green Shoots successfully introduced Raw Bean to Spinneys in the UAE three years ago and it continues to perform well on shelf there today.
i have worked in dept
Raw Bean Coffee bags are available in Sainsbury’s and Waitrose. They launched several years ago in these major UK retailers before the concept became a popular as a coffee format.
Green Shoots successfully introduced Raw Bean to Spinneys in the UAE three years ago and it continues to perform well on shelf there today.
i have worked in depth in all major regions of the world, established new and changed routes to markets, including direct and indirect customers, managed people internally and externally, cross functionally, culturally and remotely.
I leveraged my experience and network to launch Raw Bean.
