Summit Training

Training based on trust wins business in the Middle East

An exciting synergy between UK Trade & Investment’s export services and a dynamic business consultancy and training company based in Halifax has caused ripples of interest in the Middle East.

The ripples which have quickly turned into full-sized waves are sweeping Summit Training onto the international map.

But how does a small company based in Yorkshire with no sales force and no publicity brochure, get a foothold on the world business scene?

Scott Watson, managing director of Summit Training explained: “The key to our success has been the great working relationship we have developed with UK Trade & Investment in West Yorkshire. That relationship, a great website, and knowing we can deliver a training package that produces real long-term results in the workplace, has been our strong starting point.”

Added Watson: “Brian Aungiers, our international trade adviser, had already identified the Middle East, and in particular, Saudi Arabia, as a potential high value export market where our services could have an impact. Our excellent track record in the UK with premier companies such as Orange and GE gave us a head start. So when UK Trade & Investment organized a Saudi cultural awareness day led by Brian, we were keen to attend. Following this, a colleague and I, took part in the overseas trade mission to Al Khobar with a brief stopover in Bahrain in April this year.

“During this trip we were able to see first-hand, how well the local UKTI operation in Yorkshire works with its overseas arms in the embassies and consulates. In Al Khobar Brian introduced us to his colleague based there, Neil Wilson. A great guide to doing business in Saudi, Neil has since been influential in helping Summit build some strong links in the region.”

However, it was the whistle-stop visit to Bahrain that paid off solid dividends. It was here at a British Embassy-hosted introductory evening that the company had a chance to speak with a number of senior executives based in Bahrain who gave some very positive feedback about Summit’s business potential in the region.

Watson added: “Following the event in Bahrain we felt extremely positive about our business prospects there, and on the strength of this, we commissioned a local business report from the UKTI team in the Bahrain Embassy. The Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) supplied us with a comprehensive report which was tailored to our company. The report gave us an in-depth view of the real possibilities for business for us in Bahrain and it was backed up with some high quality business leads and contacts. Subsequent meetings with some of these contacts have led to us being awarded a contract out there and there’s every reason to believe that there may be more to come.”

Website: www.summittraining.co.uk