Growing your Business in Europe

Köln before Cork!

Brian O’KennedyDublin Chamber of Commerce, Wednesday 30th September 2015

• Clearstream Solutions and Sustainability

• Our International Journey

• The Opportunity ….competitive

advantage

• The Challenges …..But

Agenda

Elephant in the Room!

Global Warming !

In August of this year, Polish industry suffered a major blow when the government was forced to ration electricity due to the heatwave and the lack of water. Their coal powered plants were unable to function and some river transport was also disrupted.

Reuters 10 August 2015

I can’t hear you…………!

Precautionary principle!

Humans: Uniquely capable of destruction!

Oil stained Spanish paratroopers carry a bucket filled with fuel oil during cleaning work on the Camelle coast.

Humans – Our waste!

A child eats breakfast in a garbage dump, where hundreds of people live and make a living by recycling waste and making charcoal, in Tondo, Manila

• Cost• Risk reduction• Competitive pressures• Process improvements and innovation• Management strategy and vision• Legislation• Brand Image

Corporate Sustainability

boooooooo

Our clients – over 50% Export

Our Competitive Advantage

Being Irish – according to Google Images

Competitive Advantage…..how? • Selling Knowledge• A consultant… ……‘Guy from out of town with slides’.• Network of global contacts• Selling Sustainability – brand Ireland

association (Origin Green and Supply Chain)• Irish friends & diaspora• Everyone has an Irish story

The opportunity – I suggest…….• Its just like home…. but bigger• Play to your strengths• Look ‘International’ – website, languages, phone numbers, international office.• Local agents and partnerships• Countries that ‘fit’ your service• Multinationals with local Ireland offices – ask for local

contacts or peer connections• Awards and recognition• Support from EI, EB, Chambers, Trade Associations, Embassy,

Banks.

It can be difficult but…………• Cost of travel and communications – but

Skype is free and Ireland has great air connections

• Takes time – but they will give you more time• No local network – but EI can help• Risk as Contracts are larger – but good payers• Currency (non Euro €) – but foreign currency

accounts and banking support• Language barrier – but ‘try’ and they will

typically speak back in English