Welcome To
Green Shoots International
A Food & Drink Consultancy Specialising in Enabling SMEs and People to Grow Their Brands in Export Markets
OUR Food & Drink Consultancy SERVICES
Mission & Strategy
Sales & Marketing Development
Sales & Marketing Development
Develop international business mission and strategy assessing company and brand story, product proposition, capability and insight, drawing on extensive experience.
Sales & Marketing Development
Sales & Marketing Development
Sales & Marketing Development
Use insight, events, and network to make export ready, conduct export outreach, present brands to target customers and develop commercial conversations for launch.
Account Management
Sales & Marketing Development
Mentoring & Non-Executive Support
Direct to retail, distributors/importers, joint business planning, forecasting, reviews and sales reporting, co-ordination sales & marketing activities.
Mentoring & Non-Executive Support
Mentoring & Non-Executive Support
Mentoring & Non-Executive Support
Enable effective, profitable, and sustainable export business development and growth.
Export Sales Training
Mentoring & Non-Executive Support
Export Sales Training
Tailor-made training for senior executives and new export managers to develop understanding, skills, capability.
Sourcing
Mentoring & Non-Executive Support
Export Sales Training
Use network and market insight to connect buyers with unique, trending brands.
Partners Current & Previous
About...
Nurturing brands and people overseas…
Nurturing brands and people overseas…
Nurturing brands and people overseas…
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 ca
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.
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.
Introducing MindMe Coaching
We inspire people to find balance, belief and bravery in their personal and professional lives so they can shine and smile brighter.