A highly successful business trip to China has enabled Crewe-based marketing firm SMART to build the foundations for future partnerships with key suppliers to China's growing economy.

Representatives from SMART were invited to join a delegation of British businesses and UK regional development agencies to learn more about how one part of China, the Yangtze River region of Jiangsu Province, is making a significant investment in its science parks, human resources and communications infrastructure.

SMART's Chief Executive, Simon Carter, says his company is excited by the growth in China's economy, however the recent visit to Jiangsu Province highlighted that many Chinese companies will need commercial support to enable them to maximise the opportunites now opening up.

The delegates found there has been tremendous investment in up-skilling local people and to make the area attractive to returning overseas-educated Chinese specialists, but there are still some challenges to overcome expecially with training in western management styles and communication processes. Both China's public and private sectors will benefit from utilising established commercial expertise, as a lack of these skills could inhibit their efficiency and future commercial success.

Simon Carter said: "A proven marketing infrastructure will enable businesses in China to operate effectively within a global market. We already have these proven processes in place to help them achieve this growth and development."

During the six day visit the group saw how China's transition from traditional manufacturing to high technology services is fast evolving. Indeed the clear message was that both the government and business groups are working closely together to further develop the region west of Shanghai as an IT and communications hub. The SMART delegates were particularly interested in the region's plans to become a leading supplier of outsourced customer contact and call handling services, supporting companies from both domestic and international markets with telephony, helpdesk and business services.

Simon said: "International exhibitions and commercial conferences such as this provide a unique opportunity to make contact with prospective new partners and we're all looking forward to working within this exciting new market".

SMART is an established commercial marketing operation that has supported a wide portfolio of public and private sector organisations, and represented major brand names in both the UK and US; encompassing a broad spectrum of commercial and industrial sectors. Their expertise helps clients' to achieve sustainable growth and business development both in the UK and global markets.

During the past decade SMART's contact centre in Crewe has gained an enviable reputation for successful business development, with excellent customer relationship management and intelligent profiling at its core. The company specialises in building strong relationships on behalf of clients with customers; be that with existing customers, sourcing and profiling potential new customers, or generating qualified sales appointments.

PHOTO CAPTION:
The delegates enjoy a sightseeing trip. Left to right: Edward Carter, Team Manager at SMART; Paul Crookes, Senior Consultant at China Business Solutions; Paul Graham, Board Director at the National Outsourcing Association; Dennis McGlynn, Business Development Manager Technology at East of England International; Simon Carter, CEO at SMART and Mr Fan Zhigang, China Jiangsu Representative in the UK.

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