For Kingsley Borello, international trade has been more than just a career path, it’s been a calling since childhood. His earliest memories are of peering through the glass walls of his father’s meeting room, watching conversations unfold in languages he didn’t yet understand.

“I was fascinated how he could speak incomprehensible languages, and work in such a fascinating job: cheering people, spending hours at restaurants and travelling around the world,” he recalls. “What a fantastic job, I thought!”

That sense of wonder never left him. As he began his university education, he committed himself to business and languages, determined to one day follow in his father’s footsteps. What began as a childhood dream turned into a lifelong adventure that has taken him across continents, industries, business models, and eventually to his current role as CEO and Founder of TradeToWorld Marketplace.

An unforgettable hands-on introduction to global trade

While many professionals start their international trade journey with textbooks and case studies, Kingsley’s first real experience came through an extraordinary trip  that changed the trajectory of his life. In 1991, he travelled with his father to Conakry, Guinea in West Africa, where they explored the possibility of launching a new fish export business. Kingsley remembers the excitement of sailing alongside local fishermen and witnessing the inner workings of international business at such a young age.

“It was amazing: meeting people from around the globe side by side with my father, sailing in a fishing boat, and sitting with him in his business meetings with local authorities and businessmen”.

Eventually, his father successfully launched this venture, exporting fresh fish to Europe from Africa. But, as is frequently the case in international business, unforeseen circumstances required him to pivot. Understanding the repercussions of the political instability in the region, his father took a risk-averse approach and minimized his investments, keeping his trade infrastructure to a minimal level.

He then shifted gears with a smart and sustainable strategy. Rather than investing in expensive offshore fleets, he partnered with individual fishermen to generate enough fresh product for rapid export.

“Upon a collective agreement, he had a dozen of them leaving early in the morning, fishing and putting the fish is small thermal containers with ice, coming back by lunchtime, dropping all fish to some couriers at the port who were bringing the boxes in collecting points, where everything was consolidated on pallets and directly sent to the airport – all in the same evening!”

For Kingsley, the experience was unforgettable and formative. It instilled a deep appreciation for local partnerships, cultural understanding, and risk-aware planning, themes that would become cornerstones of his own career.

A career built on global entrepreneurship

Kingsley has since built a vibrant international career, spanning multiple countries, industries, and innovative business ventures. He describes his entrepreneurial path with joyful enthusiasm, and it’s clear he has never stopped seeking new challenges.

Some of his notable achievements include:

• Publishing his first book at just 25 years old, and, later, a second book that has been translated and sold internationally
• Supplying The Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, Texas, through a local import/export venture
• Negotiating two major master franchising agreements for a coffee roaster with investors in Saudi Arabia and the UK
• Being appointed to the board of a company managed by a Saudi Royal Family office member
• Opening a flagship store in Singapore and managing everything from company formation and hiring to importing goods and launching sales

These milestones illustrate a professional life marked by versatility, resilience, and a strong drive to expand possibilities in global markets. And through it all, he has never stopped learning.

“You have to be curious and fascinated by other cultures,” he advises.

“Try to speak their language, understand how they live and what they think. And possess an entrepreneurially creative spirit. These two key ingredients naturally create trade opportunities and business.”

Formalizing expertise with FITTskills Training

After years of hands-on experience, Kingsley decided it was time to reinforce his international trade knowledge with formal FITTskills training. Returning to studies proved valuable and invigorating:

“It was indeed interesting to come back to theoretical studies after a long period of trade experience in the field. You always learn new things.”

Though he found all the FITTskills courses interesting, one stood out: International Trade Finance. He enjoyed its technical and informative approach to finance, two attributes which are important when competing in ever-fluctuating international markets and currencies.

A clear vision of international business certification

Taking the FITTskills courses bolstered Kingsley’s formal training, but he knew from the get-go that he wanted to earn his CITP designation:

“In reality, since the beginning of my FITT courses, I knew that once I passed, I would apply for the CITP designation.”

The move would help him open doors in the North American market while offering industry-backed credibility to his already impressive global trade experience.

“Being a newcomer with a limited network versus my wider international relationships, I feel that the CITP designation brings more awareness of my professional background and capabilities, especially in Canada.”

Once he earned his certification, he felt a sense of belonging in the FITT community:

“It was a great pleasure to join the FITT family with the recognition of my experience.”

What’s next?

Kingsley sees the CITP as a vital marker of credibility, a signal to potential partners, investors, and collaborators that his global expertise meets recognized professional standards.

The CITP designation has already helped Kingsley engage with the Canadian trade community more quickly and confidently, which is opening doors for his latest venture.

TradeToWorld Marketplace reflects his belief in global inclusivity, small-business innovation, and the power of technology to unite markets that traditionally struggled to connect, a huge part of his upbringing that he hopes to elevate with his business. The innovative B2B marketplace was designed to empower thriving, ethical, cross-border commerce partnerships.

From watching his father work with independent fishermen in West Africa to writing books and starting several businesses, Kingsley has lived life fully and shows no signs of slowing down. He remains driven by the same passion that started it all—the excitement of building relationships across cultures.

In addition to learning about trade, “you have to live it,” he states.

And there’s no doubt that he is doing just that, every single day.

The post CITP Spotlight: Kingsley Borello, CEO & Founder of TradeToWorld Marketplace appeared first on Trade Ready.

Abedin Kader believes that a combination of passion for international trade and great teachers spurred the beginning of his successful career. Roughly 10 years ago, during his undergraduate studies, he was enrolled in international economics courses and achieved excellent grades with ease. He believes his academic success was partly due to how much he enjoyed the topics, but mostly because his lecturers and professors were so inspirational.

Exceptional beginnings leading to broad horizons

Eventually, he decided to pursue a master’s degree in international economics and finance. It wasn’t long before he was working for a local trading conglomerate, an endeavor that took place shortly after he moved back to  Bangladesh in 2016. This organization imported and sold commercial products and Abedin was responsible for conducting necessary market research and strategy formulation. He also helped them develop business opportunities and diversify their product portfolio.

Joining the Danish Foreign Ministry and discovering his true calling

Though Abedin’s assignments were highly dynamic—he was dealing with varying products and segments at the same time—it was not until he joined the Danish Foreign Ministry’s Trade Mission in Bangladesh that he truly realized his passion for the field of international trade.

For over two years, he led the market intelligence and communications efforts for the trade team, and this, in turn, facilitated Danish enterprises to expand not just in Bangladesh but across South Asia. “I thoroughly enjoyed learning the intricacies of commercial diplomacy, navigating through the layers of trade policies, and developing a wide network in South Asia and Scandinavia,” he says of this learning experience.

Great teams, coffee breaks, and comedy

Among Abedin’s favourite career stories are those that were spent with his team. “To be honest, every day, working with my team has been a blessing. I think my favourite stories always took place while working with them on the most intense and sensitive projects.” While he cannot discuss the details of some of these projects, he can say that his humorous coffee break discussions from this time may, someday, make their light to the public in what will be his “first stand-up comedy performance,” he jokes. 

Taking pride in professional achievements, from Bangladesh to Denmark

Abedin has a wealth of professional achievements under his belt. These include

• Facilitating the first roadshow from Bangladesh to Denmark for Foreign Direct and Portfolio Investment, targeting institutional Danish investors
• Spearheading a series of exhibitions to promote green technology and minimalist culture, which he believes is undoubtedly essential for fast-paced and densely populated emerging markets
• Managing multiple assessments to study the scope of Danish green solutions in Bangladesh and translating the results into viable business opportunities

The importance of understanding and applying cultural sensitivity in everyday life

If there is one nugget of wisdom Abedin wishes to impart to his international trade counterparts, it is this: “Understand the significant importance of cultural sensitivity in every aspect of life, whether personal or professional. It not only helps one to be a better person but can also help one to better understand the needs of their peers and clients.”

Want to learn more about the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP®|FIBP®) designation? See why it’s the world’s most recognized designation for competency and credibility in global business.

Earning the CITP designation to transition into the Canadian Market

In September of 2021, Abedin moved permanently to Toronto, Canada. This move pushed him to look for a credential that would help him transition smoothly into the Canadian market while also getting his past work experience recognized by employers.  It wasn’t long before he came across the CITP designation: “During this search, I found out about the CITP®|FIBP® designation and about the prominence it holds in this field of work, and I immediately signed up for it,” he notes.

An illuminating FITTskills experience

Abedin’s experience with FITTskills training was positively enriching. He was able to improve his understanding in several areas, noting that

“My Achilles heel in international trade always has been the supply chain aspect of it. I believe the course on Global Value Chain certainly has improved my working knowledge in the subject matter.”

He also adds, “My favorite three courses were: Feasibility of International Trade, International Market Entry Strategies, and International Sales & Marketing. I always enjoyed working in these areas and would like to specialize in these areas going forward as well.”

Learn whether international opportunities are viable for your business through critical research and analysis in the FITTskills online course Feasibility of International  Trade. 

Validating years of hard work with the CITP®|FIBP® credential

Abedin feels that earning the CITP designation validates his years of efforts and this “feels amazing.” For him, it is the first-ever professional designation that he has achieved, and thus, holds a special place in his heart.

He also says,

“I am sincerely excited about connecting with fellow professionals in Toronto who are similarly passionate enough to invest in themselves by pursuing this designation. I also hope to collaborate with them, learn about their experiences, and further expand my horizon.”

Of course, with so many successes already achieved, including a contract position as a Business Development & Project Coordinator with the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Inc., Abedin’s career horizon is already bright and promising. We have no doubt that he will have many more extraordinary accomplishments in the near future.

The post CITP Spotlight: Abedin Kader, Business Development & Project Coordinator, Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Inc. appeared first on Trade Ready.

Swaran Singh began his career in international trade while transitioning career paths. Coming from a French-speaking province with an IT background, he was finding it difficult to find field-related jobs. That’s when one of his friends got him into a FedEx Ground hiring seminar. It wasn’t long before he was hired and realized that international trade was something he was always interested in—especially the notion that international trade professionals connect people all around the world together. “During this time, I developed an interest in the import-export process and how to go global with your business,” he adds.

Adversity as one of the greatest career lessons

Before transitioning into international business, Swaran experienced many difficulties landing work. But, as it turns out, these adversities proved to be one of his greatest career lessons and achievements. He notes: “Just like Jack Ma, I got so many refusals for the jobs that everybody was getting hired for. I had so many job refusals that I forgot the count. But what’s important is that I never let myself get distracted by these refusals. I keep my focus and worked on perfecting my skill set.”

Now, as an operations manager at FedEx, he has certainly used the difficult moments in his career to his advantage. Though he is proud of his role, he knows the road ahead will be challenging, so he is looking forward to the many great moments to come. 

Constant improvement as a daily goal

Swaran uses a piece of advice from a former manager to guide him daily: “ I’ll never forget one thing my manager said to me. He said: ‘Don’t go for the next thing until you are perfect in the first one.’ So I always focus on getting better every day.”

A fruitful FITTskills experience

As a perpetual learner, it’s no surprise that Swaran decided to enroll in FITTskills training at Collège LaSalle to improve his international business acumen. He had been searching for import-export training and came across the CITP®|FIBP® (Certified International Trade Professional) designation. Understanding the potential with the training, he became convinced after seeing that it was endorsed by EDC (Export Development Canada) too. 

For him, the experience gave him important business training and skills but also introduced him to other people and cultures. “The experience was great. I met a lot of students in the class from around the world. It was a wonderful opportunity to know other countries and their specialties, their culture,” he notes.

During his studies, he also got to dig deep into an area of interest: the flow of goods:

“I think the most important part in any business is the flow of goods. You need to have a better understanding of how the international financial sector works to ensure your business stays afloat. For that reason, my favorite course was International Trade Finance.”

Learn everything an importer or exporter needs to know when it comes to payment, risk mitigation, financing, and the flow of goods and services with the FITTskills online International Trade Finance course.

Swaran became CITP certified in June of 2021 and feels “great” about the achievement.

“I am currently working on my dream project and I hope with the help of this knowledge and designation I will be able to achieve my target.”

We have no doubt that with his determination, ambition, and capacity for endless learning Swaran’s target will become a reality soon.

Want to learn more about the CITP designation? Discover why it is the world’s most recognized professional designation for international business.

The post CITP Spotlight: Swaran Singh, Operations Manager, FedEx Ground appeared first on Trade Ready.

Warren Senkowski began his career in international trade back in 2016, when he became a Trade Commissioner in the Pacific Regional Office for Global Affairs Canada in Vancouver. Throughout his career, he’s learned much about the different industries related to trade, and currently, helps companies expand into international markets with a focus on infrastructure and wood products. 

Being part of the resurgence of wood as a structural building material 

Warren has many favourite stories about his work with Global Affairs Canada, but chief among them are his experiences working with the Vancouver Economic Commission and wood industry associations to promote mass timber and tall wood buildings to an international audience. He notes:

“Seeing the resurgence of wood as a structural building material for high-rise buildings thanks to advocacy and changes in regulations has been fascinating. It is also considered a green building product due to being a carbon sink, and British Columbia offers the full range of products and services to supply tall wood buildings to the world.”

Throughout his work, Warren has not only highlighted the benefits of wood products to the world but he’s also been able to network with CEOs and high-level government officials, connecting his clients to international projects and opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have known about. “Watching small businesses grow and succeed on a global scale is a point of pride for me,” he says. 

Learning from those with experience 

After many years of working in international trade, Warren has some great advice for those just starting out. 

“Schedule more one-on-one meetings with colleagues and clients that have more experience than you in a particular sector or geographic region to learn about it.”

These practices have served him well throughout his endeavors to encourage the country’s international trade initiatives.

Gaining a deeper knowledge of international trade with the FITTskills courses 

Warren wanted to deepen his knowledge of international trade by understanding all the factors that need to be considered at every step of the export journey. To do so, he began taking FITTskills courses finding them to be beneficial to his work in many ways: 

“The courses were very well written, clear and easy to understand. They have given me better discussion topics to raise with clients that are beginning to export.”

He also had a favourite course: “I found the Global Value Chain course a great learning experience since I wasn’t aware of Incoterms and will definitely use this knowledge in the future.” 

Learn how to effectively manage your business’s supply chain and logistics with the FITTskills Global Value Chain online course.

On becoming a CITP 

Warren applied for his CITP designation in 2021, achieving it in February of the same year. He believes it will give him a broader toolkit with which to serve companies and new perspectives for analyzing problems and developing solutions. 

Of this accomplishment, he says: “I am happy to have reached this milestone.”  

With so many accomplishments already, we know that this is only one of many successes in a future filled with international trade achievements.  

The post CITP Spotlight: Warren Senkowski, Trade Commissioner, Global Affairs Canada appeared first on Trade Ready.

Jade Lee began her career in international trade when she joined BRF, the largest poultry exporter in the world in 2015.

 “I first started with a planning role for S.E.A & Pacific region. After working for 1.5 years in this role, my manager asked me whether I would like to move to the front line (sales) by taking up a small portfolio (Pacific region). Subsequently, management decided to add on my job scope by taking up South East Asia region,” she says, highlighting her quick progression within her job and ability to tackle new markets.

Learn how to enter new markets with the International Market Entry Strategies FITTskills online course .

Currently, she is responsible for frozen meat sales across 12 South East Asia and Pacific Islands markets and total account management function, including increasing sales, securing renewals, and channel and profitability management, in addition to many other responsibilities.

A career filled with intriguing international projects

Jade has been part of several fascinating projects in different countries throughout her career. One of her favourites includes when she was tasked to open retail and foodservice channels in Vietnam.

“In 2020, I managed to open retail and foodservice channels with the 2 largest players in the market. Everyone knows that Vietnam is one of the fast-recovering countries in South East Asia in regards to the pandemic,” she notes.  “However, this doesn’t mean one can easily grab a piece of this prosperity during this period. I spent quite some time building my network with the Brazilian Embassy in Vietnam, as well as building a network with local importers. Subsequently, I managed to get in touch with the decision-makers in the food service-retail channel.” 

She’s also had great experiences when interacting with Pacific Islands and Timor Leste buyers. For the Pacific Islands, she had to be careful not to push for too much volume given the size of the island and population. She also needed to fully understand the culture and market situation before introducing any new items to the region. While For Timor Leste, she’s found intriguing opportunities for business. “Though it is named as the poorest country in Asia, that doesn’t mean there are no business opportunities at all. Likewise, understanding the market conditions, eating habits, and culture will help in business planning,” she states.

Advice on personal networks 

Jade has a great piece of advice for her peers in international trade.

“Apart from the branding and quality of your products, your personal network is also key to being successful in international trade. Consistently engage with big and small players in the market for the latest market updates.”

Broadening her knowledge with FITTskills Training

With many skills to her credit, Jade decided to increase her international business acumen with FITTskills training. She searched around for international trading courses, and because FITTskills were endorsed by EDC, GAC, and TCS, she decided to take up the internationally recognized training.

By taking the courses she realized that there many things that she could still learn. She remarks, “It is good to always improve your international trading knowledge by taking FITTskills courses or by revisiting the e-textbook.” Jade also believes that, in every one of the 6 courses, she learned something she did not understand fully before. She believes the courses are fundamental to understanding the international trading business.

Once she achieved the CITP designation, she “felt great.”

“The tests are of a pretty high standard and the designation allows trading professionals to improve not only their experience but also informational knowledge.”

Furthering her career as a CITP 

Jade sees the CITP designation playing a significant role in her future career. She finds that it gives her confidence in understanding the trading world better and she hopes that it will help her to work with Canadian meat companies. With so many accomplishments already under her belt, we have no doubt that Jade will reach her goal easily.

The post CITP Spotlight: Jade Lee, Regional Sales Manager (S.E.A. and Pacific Islands) at BRF appeared first on Trade Ready.

As far back as he can remember, Maxime Anselme Laleye had envisioned a career in international trade. Initially, his goal was to sell manufactured agricultural products across borders. After completing his Bachelor’s in Business Management at Ecole Nationale d’Economie Appliquée et de Management, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Benin, and gathering a few years of professional experience, he decided to enroll in a master’s in business management program in the same school. 

“My objective was to develop an analytical capacity to be able to solve entrepreneurial problems and understand the opportunities that a company could seize, both in the national and regional markets.”

His interest in international markets and the ban on small Beninese companies from marketing seafood in European markets spurred his research work for his master’s degree that entailed analyzing the complexity of regulations that governed the continuous supply of products to international markets. 

This set the trajectory for his career in global trade as he found his niche in guiding small and medium-sized enterprises/industries on how to seize opportunities in international markets. 

Recommending solutions that helped boost international purchases 

While working as a Head of Administrative Service in a company where a large part of the activities was import-oriented, his CEO asked him to form a team to collaborate with an external purchasing consultant. Maxime then came up with a well-researched document that recommended solutions to translate the objectives of the collaboration into measurable actions. His efforts were immensely appreciated, and he was publicly applauded by the top management, which also resulted in an upgrade to his professional responsibilities. 

Contributing his skills to the design of a unique project 

Maxime’s proudest professional accomplishment happened when he was working as Marketing and Sales Manager in a company that designed and manufactured light equipment for processing agricultural products like cashew nuts and palm nuts. These production processes greatly increased the volume of goods customers were able to manufacture. He began by collecting information on regional markets and succeeded in identifying a few niches of captive markets. 

This is when his skills were called upon to contribute to the design of the “Project for the popularization of construction techniques and the use of light agricultural product processing equipment”—a project that aimed to: 

• improve the arduousness of artisanal transformation processes through the popularization of construction techniques and the use of semi-mechanized processing equipment for agricultural products (cassava, palm nuts, cashews, etc.)
• strengthen the marketing of goods to improve the income of small and medium-sized enterprises

The rewarding aspect of this project was getting to analyze and identify regional captive markets and offering turnkey project solutions:

“Providing high value-added solutions that improve the manufacturing practices of small and medium-sized enterprises and seeking regional market opportunities that increase the income of manufacturers and vulnerable layers is rewarding and empowering.” 

Find a happy middle ground that satisfies all parties 

Maxime believes that each market and every customer has its own set of constraints and specificities; nothing is concrete until a transaction is completed to the satisfaction of all stakeholders. Therefore, although the process of settling an international transaction can be very laborious, he recommends ensuring the conformity of all commercial documents and building a relationship of trust with the stakeholders. 

Maxime’s favourite FITTskills course 

“That’s a difficult question to answer, but I’d say my favourite is “Products and Services for a Global Market.” 

Learn how to adapt and conform your products and services to different regulatory, legal, cultural, and consumer/client requirements in international markets with the online FITTskills course, Products & Services for a Global Market.

Creating trust and establishing business relationships with a designation that spells excellence 

Maxime had been aiming to earn the elite CITP | FIBP designation since 2012 to be able to truly embody all that it stands for. Being conferred with the designation is the culmination of a goal that he had envisioned for himself almost a decade ago.  

“It is a feeling of accomplishment. I am proud to belong to this elite group. As a CITP, I am an asset to any organization with which I can interact”

Maxime now looks to expand his expertise to newer horizons. He is confident that his qualifications and credentials will lead him to exciting opportunities in Canada within the international trade finance industry, where he could gainfully use his skills to help companies go global. 

With his single-minded focus and keen business acumen, Maxime is all set to expand his horizons to limitless possibilities. 

The post CITP Spotlight: Maxime Anselme Laleye, Export Trade Specialist  appeared first on Trade Ready.

It was a short-term summer job way back in 1993 that introduced Subha Sundarajan to the fascinating world of international trade. To gain some work experience before starting her post-graduate study, she joined the British Embassy in Chennai, India, to fill a six-week temporary vacancy. That brief tenure gave her a taste of the kind of work the commercial sector was involved in and it spurred her on to equip herself with the skills necessary for a career in international trade. 

Subha completed an MBA, a Diploma in Export Management and also obtained an Advanced Certificate in International Trade from the Institute of Export, UK. Through her career journey spanning 28 years, she has worked on a range of sectors including agribusiness, automotive, clean technologies, infrastructure, ICT, life sciences, oil & gas, forestry, etc for British and Canadian clients. 

Playing a pivotal role in resolving a two-year payment dispute 

Business disputes are an inevitable part of international trade and that’s where problem-solving skills come into play. Subha’s favourite career story consists of the time she helped an SME to rightfully get back the dues owed to them. Products had been supplied for a project in a third market by a Canadian company and they were unsuccessful in receiving payment for over 2 years.  

“The client approached me for help as the HQ of their customer was based in India. Finding the right connection and approach resulted in getting dues settled in a couple of months. The client was an SME and would not have stayed in business without this payment.”

Providing end-to-end support for a multi-million dollar auto industry project in Chennai

Subha’s proudest professional accomplishment includes managing a project consisting of an investment of CAD 200 million in an auto-industry venture. The scope of her work ranged from getting approvals to setting up three manufacturing facilities, identifying potential partners, offering advice on leveraging funding, and problem-solving to meet deadlines for the commencement of production. 

International business best-practice—always cross-check facts 

A valuable nugget of wisdom gathered from Subha’s long and rich repertoire of experience in international trade is to double-check and confirm all information received, leaving no room for any assumptions. This proves to be a critical point especially while dealing with business disputes. 

“Acting on incomplete or inaccurate information can be disastrous.” 

Validating decades of work experience by earning a global credential 

Knowing that she already had the requisite experience and qualifications to be considered an expert in her field, Subha wished to progress her professional profile to the next level. She believed that the  CITP®|FIBP® designation would give her clients added confidence in her abilities to provide support to their business. The application process also offered her an opportunity to brush up her skills in international trade. Subha earned the prestigious, globally recognized designation in July 2021. 

“I feel the CITP adds to my professional credibility. Interactions with Canadian clients are mostly online, and I feel the CITP is a brand that is recognized by clients for excellence in professional skills and the ability to understand their business requirements. It highlights my capability to provide high-quality service.”

With a wealth of knowledge and experience in international trade, Subha already has a plethora of achievements to her credit. Now equipped with a designation that vouches for her expertise, there is no limit to how high her career graph is set to soar.  

Twitter: @subhasundarajan

The post CITP Spotlight: Subha Sundarajan, Trade Commissioner at Global Affairs Canada  appeared first on Trade Ready.

Originally hailing from China, Lannia MacAleer was only eleven years old when she first began helping her parents with their business. At 13, she took to learning English as a second language, and this piqued her interest in getting to know more about foreign cultures. 

“After teaching English as a second language for 5 years, in 2002, I had an opportunity to work with an international trading company responsible for product sourcing from China for American clients. I have been fascinated with doing business with people across four continents ever since.” 

Memorable career highlights 

Some of Lannia’s favourite stories from her exciting career journey include the following: 

• Sourcing and shipping 400 containers of fabrication parts overseas in one year with a small team 
• Creatively transforming Prince Edward Island Malpeque oysters into uniquely branded and packaged world-class oysters that wowed industry pioneers and gained popularity in top restaurants in New York City 
• Participating in the International Oyster Shucking Relay Competition on the Great Wall of China with national oyster shucking champions from 10 countries during a trade mission promoting Atlantic Canadian oysters 
• Learning about how different kinds of machinery work with technical terms in two languages at the same time 

Where there is a will, there is a way 

Lannia’s firm belief that everything is possible if you’ve got the determination to accomplish it spurs her to create win-win solutions during challenging business negotiations. Her proudest achievements in international trade have been making successful business deals with people and companies across the globe. 

Think from the buyer’s perspective 

When asked about the most valuable insight her career journey has taught her, Lannia says it’s all about solving the problem for the buyer. 

“One piece of advice I’d like to share is that, in order to attract the attention and have deeper conversations with buyers, always ask yourself the question and search for the answer: What problem is the buyer facing? What solution could I offer to solve that problem and increase value for that buyer?”

Trade training that added new skills to boost professional performance 

Lannia undertook FITTskills training to develop a deeper understanding of the many facets of international trade. She finds the training to be comprehensive, practical, and straightforward. 

“The training is practical and straightforward. It not only reinforced my existing knowledge on international trade but also imparted me with new skills that I can utilize in my daily work helping companies expand their international businesses.” 

On her favourite FITTskills course: 

“My favorite FITTskills course is International Sales and Marketing. I’ve always been interested in the process of creating or adapting products for specific international markets, developing and promoting a brand that appeals to the values and preferences of the target market, and establishing sales channels.”

Adding the stamp of excellence to her profile 

After accomplishing the FITT Diploma in International Trade, Lannia’s next goal was to apply for the elite CITP®|FIBP® designation, which she earned in April 2021. With this credential added to her profile, she now joins a distinguished community of professionals globally validated as experts in their field and committed to furthering the cause of international trade. 

“The CITP designation is a prestigious and globally recognized designation built on competency standards and credibility for global trade professionals. I wanted to put this stamp of excellence on my prole and enhance my professional performance and credibility.” 

Lannia now feels renewed confidence in her knowledge and expertise to help businesses accomplish their expansion goals. She also looks forward to greater networking opportunities with her peers located in every corner of the world. 

With a solid foundation in international trade and inspired by a motto that spells success, Lannia has everything she needs to carve a bright and fulfilling future. 

The post CITP Spotlight: Lannia MacAleer, Global Trade Development Officer  appeared first on Trade Ready.

When Shailesh Yadav began his professional journey by joining the telecommunications industry, he was still unsure of his true calling. After completing his post-graduate degree in Banking, he realized that international trade was indeed his preferred career choice. His first role at the bank was as a Trade Desk Manager.  

As Shailesh gained experience, he saw the range and diversity of the scope of work within the industry. By exploring the different sections in Banking, such as Incoterms, Letters of Credit, Bank Guarantees, Buyer’s credit, and other types of transactions, he better understood the use and benefits of each. The insights whetted Shailesh’s appetite to acquire a deeper understanding of these topics with further study. This, in turn, prompted him to pursue an AEC course related to International Business, after which, he applied for a FITT diploma to fine-tune his knowledge of international trade. 

A career journey that progressed from ambiguity to clarity, confidence, and expertise 

Shailesh remembers an incident when he received a transaction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). At the time, he was not aware of how to process the transaction and, as the client was new to the bank with no prior FDI transactions done, the transaction needed to be processed with due diligence. Shailesh spoke with the Regional Processing Centre and read through the master circular issued by RBI to get the information on processing the transaction.  

“After conducting all the necessary checks, I was able to process that transaction. It was a great learning experience.” 

Awards and recognition 

The proudest moment for Shailesh was when he received the Service Excellence award for being the best Trade Desk Manager in the province. Another feather in his cap came when he was nominated as one of the top three in the country to provide the best service to customers and maintain documentation for audit purposes. 

A piece of career advice for his professional peers 

“Make sure you’re familiar with FX deal booking and its importance in processing trade transactions before beginning work in international trade.”

Trade training to understand the intricacies of global business 

Shailesh enrolled in FITTskills courses to understand international trade at a detailed, granular level.  

“FITTskills training has helped me to understand the involvement of all the various sectors in completing even a single trade transaction, while also understanding the supply chain relationships.” 

When asked to pick a favourite, he said: 

“International Trade Finance is one of my favourite FITTskills courses, as it clears the understanding of the use and issuance of a Letter of Credit and also defines the roles and involvement of every party in a transaction.”

Upon completing his FITT Diploma in International Trade, Shailesh set his eyes on his next goal: earning the prestigious CITP®|FIBP® designation. The value this would add to his professional credentials and the connections it would help him foster within the global CITP community were the main driver for him to pursue this.

He was conferred with the designation in March 2021 and feels an added confidence in his skills and abilities in addition to a renewed dedication to international trade. 

“It is definitely a valuable asset to my career. Being a holder of the CITP designation will surely boost my credibility among clients and employers and open doors to professional growth and progression.” 

Equipped with the knowledge, credentials, and confidence, Shailesh has gotten his career off to a great start, and he appears all set for an exciting professional trajectory in the years ahead.  

The post CITP Spotlight: Shailesh Yadav, Trade Desk Manager, ICICI Bank  appeared first on Trade Ready.

Ahmad Malek’s journey in international trade began in 2012 when he joined the Schlumberger Dubai office in the finance team of the logistics and distribution department. The oil and gas company primarily conducted business across borders, which opened doors to Ahmad’s newer opportunities. He soon made the move to the supply chain industry by joining Dubai media Inc. as Procurement Specialist. In this role, he was responsible for dealing with all kinds of purchasing and supplies within the UAE and outside, which offered him a broader picture from the buyer’s point of view.

A job that was always fun and happening

For Ahmad, his job at Dubai Inc. has given him some of his most memorable and favourite career stories. Working with TV channels and radio stations meant getting access to special events like horse and camel races or celebrating the new year at the Burj Khalifa. For him, there was never a dull moment and always something new to look forward to.

Earning the supply chain designation—a feather in his cap

Soon after completing his Master’s degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from Heriot-Watt University, Ahmad was awarded the MCIPS, the Chartered member designation of the Chartered Institute Procurement. Ahmad considers this as one of his proudest professional accomplishments in his career so far.

Find yourself a mentor in your field

According to Ahmad, it’s impossible to overemphasize the importance of seeking the guidance of a mentor at every stage of your professional journey.

“A mentor is not only someone who teaches you what you don’t know but is someone who will help you broaden your horizons and achieve more than you expected to.”

Ahmad’s advice to all his counterparts in the industry would be to benefit from the experience and advice of a mentor. They can help you navigate the complexities and challenges that the ever-changing global business environment can throw your way.

International trade training that builds critical thinking abilities

The next step for Ahmad was to upgrade his international business skills and know-how by enrolling in FITTskills accredited training. He found the courses to be excellent resources with the latest and most relevant knowledge spanning the various aspects of international trade, from market entry and finance to supply chain and product development.

The case studies proved particularly insightful to him:

“The case studies are amazing extracts from real examples that happened, and by going through them you become familiar with potential problems that might be similar to what you have faced, and you will have a sense of the solution that others have used.”

With his keen inclination towards finance and supply chain, it comes as no surprise that International Trade Finance and Global Value Chain are Ahmad’s favourite FITTskills courses:

“Studying my favourite topics in detail gives me more confidence and keeps me up to date with the newest terms and trends in the industry.”

The next career goal that Ahmad envisions for himself is to join the Trade Commissioner services. To help him  move closer to this goal he sought to complete the FITT Diploma in International Trade and subsequently the prestigious, industry-backed CITP®|FIBP® designation.

Ahmad was awarded the designation in February 2021, and it marked the successful completion of a milestone aim that he had set for himself. Earning the elite credential adds to Ahmad’s optimism for the future as he prepares to connect with the other members of the CITP community and broaden his network.

Spurred on by a love for his profession and a keen ambition to expand his horizons, we have no doubt that Ahmad will easily exceed the goals he has set for himself.

The post CITP Spotlight: Ahmad Malek, Procurement Officer appeared first on Trade Ready.