Graham began his career in international trade as a small business consultant, gaining valuable experience for his next role as lead consultant of the Global Business Centre, launched by Global Affairs Canada. The centre had been initiated with the aim of supporting Canadian import/export businesses, and his new role provided him with the perfect opportunity to build on his earlier experience. 

“As the lead consultant of the Global Business Centre, I used my foundation of small business fundamentals to build further knowledge and experience working with trade-related businesses.” 

Nothing more satisfying than watching clients take their project from concept to fruition  

After having worked with several hundred businesses over the past five years, Graham has accumulated many interesting stories to tell. The most rewarding of those is hearing back from clients who have either successfully made their first shipment to an overseas customer, or who have successfully received and sold imported goods. 

“I have assisted many early-stage clients.  Seeing them move from the idea stage to execution is very rewarding.” 

Developing trade-related resources and researching target markets 

The launch of the Halton Global Business Centre has been one of Graham’s most interesting projects. What made it particularly challenging was creating a strong value proposition and a library of resources for businesses engaged in trade. It allowed him to work with trade professionals at the provincial and federal levels, as well as a wide range of businesses from start-ups to established international companies.  

Also among his proudest accomplishments has been developing the Foreign Direct Investment for the Town of Halton Hills. This gave him the opportunity to think outside the box and apply his international trade knowledge in a different way. This included researching key target markets, developing investment business cases, identifying leads and planning trade missions.  

Valuable lessons Graham has learnt from his journey in international trade 

Always do your research and don’t re-invent the wheel if you don’t need to.

According to Graham, there’s a lot one can learn and appropriate by simply studying how other companies manage their trade activities.  

Always maintain focus and set realistic goals.

It’s best to focus on the core task rather than trying to do too many things at once. For example – exploring several markets or products simultaneously drastically reduces chances of success. 

The importance of investing in ongoing professional development

Completing the FITTskills courses provided Graham with a solid overview of all aspects of international trade. What impressed him the most is how the training familiarized him with the myriad processes of international trade, giving him a more wholesome understanding of the topics. 

The whole spectrum of activities is covered, along with lots of pertinent case study examples and critical thinking exercises. The content was immediately applicable to my clients.

The self-directed study method and the flexible process worked well with his schedule and enabled him to complete FITTskills training exactly as he had planned. 

The Global Value Chain course was a highlight and a particularly pithy course. It was quite challenging, but also addressed the major questions that my clients have related to distribution, inventory and logistics.

Preparing for the transition to international trade consulting 

Graham felt that it was time to expand the scope of his career from small business consulting to offering consultation services at an international level. He believed that earning the elite CITP®|FIBP® designation would validate his international business knowledge and make the transition to international trade consulting a smooth one.  

Equipped with an international credential, Graham feels greater confidence in his knowledge and skillsets and better prepared to take on new international trade initiatives.  

Having the CITP designation will certainly indicate to others (foreign investment influencers, overseas business leads, etc.) that I have a solid foundation of knowledge in international trade-related matters. I also foresee being able to tap into the established network of CITP professionals as a significant benefit as well.

The journey ahead looks to be full of promise for Graham as he continues to guide businesses to achieve their goals, helping the economy thrive and prosper.  

The post CITP Spotlight: Graham Lowe – Senior Economic Development Officer appeared first on Trade Ready.

For Rodrigo Osorio, it all began in Shanghai, China where he was working to develop his Chinese language skills in a corporate environment. At the time, he came across a position at an international trading company doing business between the Americas and China. This presented itself as a win-win opportunity for him, as it would not only help him further hone his Chinese language skills, but also allow him to leverage his fluency in Spanish to communicate with clients. It was this exposure that formed his interest in international trade, and since then there has been no looking back. 

“The exposure the procurement position gave me to Chinese and international business when visiting export expos such as the Canton Fair, various supplier factories, and trade negotiations immediately gave me a passion for the industry.” 

Opening his eyes to opportunity

Attending the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, China proved to be a turning point in Rodrigo’s career in international business. The eye-opening experience drove home the fact that China was an important player in global trade and this could surely open the doors to greater business opportunities with countries and continents across the world.

“Physically seeing the number of suppliers and products at the Chinese Expo illustrated the importance China has and will have in the business world, where there will surely be even more business opportunities opening between the country and the Americas.” 

How knowledge of Chinese facilitated important negotiations 

According to Rodrigo, one of his proudest professional accomplishments was conducting trade negotiations with suppliers in China on behalf of buyers who could only speak Spanish. It was his efforts and commitment to learn the Chinese language that made possible his professional achievements in the form of successful discussions and business deals. 

“Studying Chinese has been a huge investment of resources and time, so being able to use it as a tool in a professional environment is a super rewarding accomplishment”  

A piece of career advice from Rodrigo – “Learn as much from various business sectors as you can” 

International business spans every industry we can think of, which means that there’s much to learn from the various sectors. As a business professional, it’s essential to take advantage of the wide exposure to diverse industries and try to grasp the nuances of their products, market trends, and strategies. Gathering industry-specific knowledge is key to assessing potential business ideas and making plans for future ventures.  

“Whenever a client or supplier approaches you with their product, take the time to understand their market and competitive advantage to identify possible business initiatives.” 

It is perhaps this desire to better understand the various aspects of international business that prompted Rodrigo to formalize his professional experience into a solid foundation in global trade. Therefore his logical next step was to sign up for FITTskills courses to build upon his business skills and drive career growth.  

Completing the FITT courses allowed me obtain an understanding of valuable terms and transactions important in international business….

Not surprisingly, Rodrigo’s favorite course is International Trade Finance, as it helped fill all the gaps between finance and international business functions.  

I enjoyed International Trade Finance the most as it provided me with a deep understanding of how transactions are conducted and how risk is handled in international business.

Earning a designation that spells competence and credibility  

After completing his FITT Diploma in International Trade, Rodrigo went on to apply for the CITP®|FIBP® designation to achieve the benchmark for excellence in international business and trade that earning it brings. The designation demonstrates proficiency in both theoretical and practical aspects of international trade, thus recognizing the credential holder as an expert in his field.  

For Rodrigo, the FIBP® designation marks the culmination of several years of dedication, discipline, and hard work. It spurs him to continue using his skills and experience to challenge his abilities and advance his career.  

It’s very pleasing to see my dedication to excellence in both work and study throughout the years come to fruition.

Opening up new possibilities as an FIBP®   

The value of the FIBP® designation is that it validates his industry-backed competence as a global trade professional to his clients, partners and peers. Rodrigo believes that the credential greatly enhances his profile and will therefore open windows to new possibilities. 

Currently working as Procurement Manager at Asia Grupo, Rodrigo continues to use his skills and experience to help companies in Latin America accomplish successful business transactions in China.  

We’re confident that Rodrigo’s efforts and talents will open many doors for him and take his career trajectory ever upwards in the years ahead.  

The post CITP Spotlight: Rodrigo Osorio – Procurement Manager at Asia Grupo appeared first on Trade Ready.

As a student of International Relations, Ozgun Papan Kasik developed a keen interest in intercultural communications. Her involvement in several international projects during her years at the university further fuelled her passion to work in a multicultural environment.  

“After receiving my bachelor’s degree, I chose to pursue a career in international business that would help me improve my skills in intercultural communication and equip me with necessary professional tools in this field.” 

Ozgun’s first job involved the operations process of international trade shows, where she worked for more than a year, until another amazing opportunity in the commercial airline business came her way. She was offered the role of International Relations and Commercial Agreements Specialist by Turkish Airlines, and it was here that she gathered a solid six-year experience. This proved to be an invaluable tenure for Ozgun, as it gave her the chance to interact and do business with people from several countries in Asia and the Far East. 

“I also had the opportunity to visit more than 30 countries for both business and leisure thanks to the industry I was in.” 

A successful negotiation for a win-win cooperation  

Eight months into her job with Turkish Airlines, Ozgun was tasked with attending her first business meeting in Colombo. As per the original plan, she was to accompany the head of her department at the meeting, where they would be joined by the client company’s country manager. The agenda entailed a negotiation with a Sri Lankan company about a new commercial venture. 

As an unexpected, last-minute development, the head of her department was required to attend another meeting in a different country.  Since the agenda was specifically related to her department, Ozgun was faced with the prospect of representing her company by herself at her first international meeting. Excited and confident, Ozgun felt well-prepared to handle the negotiations with the country manager of the client company. The meeting went on to become a success and became the first feather in her cap, as she managed to secure a mutually beneficial deal for both parties.  

In recognition of her talents and efforts, she was offered the post of Marketing Supervisor by her company’s country manager. “I was flattered by the offer, but I had to kindly reject it because I was happy working at an international level at my department and thought I had a lot more to learn there.” 

Understanding the role of cultural differences in the success of international business 

A project that Ozgun counts to be among her proudest accomplishments was the preparation of an international negotiation guideline for India and China – two markets believed to have substantial cooperation potential.  

Working along with a colleague from her department, Ozgun conducted thorough research on the cultural characteristics and business etiquette in those countries and prepared a detailed report. This was presented to the heads of all departments that dealt with intercultural communications. Ozgun adds, “It was an enlightening process for us, and we learned a lot about the cultural differences which could play a significant role in the success of international business.” 

Earning industry-recognized credentials to back her skills and experience 

Ozgun completed a program in international business management, and followed this up with international trade  training from Fanshawe college, one of FITT’s accredited partners. She then decided to take the next step in formalizing her professional credentials by applying for the prestigious CITP | FIBP designation which would add official validation to her knowledge and experience.  

I felt proud to earn the CITP®|FIBP® designation and become a part of this elite professional group. I am pleased to be officially certified by FITT as a professional in my field.

Ozgun currently works as an international partnerships and business development strategist who helps businesses explore opportunities, build effective partnerships and negotiate win-win deals at global levels. She is confident that her designation will help achieve her goals and will be a credible testimony to her expertise in international trade. 

I believe this designation will help me advance further in my career since it proves my competency and experience in the field of international trade and business.

Ozgun already has a remarkable professional journey to her credit and we have no doubt that in the years to come, she’ll be adding many more chapters to her success story.   

The post CITP Spotlight: Ozgun Papan Kasik, International Partnerships & Business Development Strategist appeared first on Trade Ready.

As Hadi Alshawaf says, 

“I enjoy working in a diverse work environment, improving my communication skills, and working with people from other backgrounds as it exposes me to different working styles and ideas.” 

It’s no surprise then, that after completing his pharmacy bachelor’s degree from a university in Jordan, Hadi joined an international pharmaceutical company, helping them promote their products in Saudi Arabian markets. He specifically chose to work with an international organization as it would provide him valuable exposure to the various aspects of international business, including the opportunity for work–related travel and networking. It was during this tenure that Hadi made business trips to 20 countries around the world – an experience that made a huge positive impact on his communication skills. 

The importance of “the right time” and “the right way”

Working in the pharmaceutical industry, Hadi knew firsthand the importance of timely delivery of the medical products to patients that needed them. He is proud to have been a part of a team that had achieved a smooth and efficient supply chain process, ensuring continuous availability of the medicines to their customers. 

An accomplishment to cherish and a valuable experience

As a student at Fanshawe College, Hadi was a part of the 2019 team that represented the institution in a Canada-wide SCMA (Supply Chain Management Association) student case competition. They competed against 22 teams from various institutions across Canada and came in second place. Hadi remembers the practice sessions with his teammates when they analyzed a case every week and then presented the same to their professors, seeking their tips and guidance. This experience taught Hadi valuable lessons in team spirit, critical thinking and presentation abilities – skills that he’s sure will stand him in excellent stead throughout his professional journey.  

Enhancing professional experience with industry-backed business education

For Hadi, it was a natural progression to equip himself with broader business know-how by completing the FITTskills courses in international trade. 

One FITTskills course had a particularly strong impact on him: 

International Market Entry Strategies provided me with excellent approaches to make the right decisions regarding internationalization, which market to enter, entry mode, distribution and pricing decisions.

Hadi positively recommends FITTskills courses for anyone keen on or planning a career in international business and trade.  

The road to the CITP®|FIBP® designation

After being totally immersed in building his professional skills and working hard at acquiring valuable experience, Hadi took the next step to boost his credentials by earning the professional stamp of expertise as an international trade practitioner.  

I see that the CITP®|FIBP® designation officially validates the level of professional competency of international trade professionals worldwide, which will give my employers, clients and colleagues additional confidence in my skills.

Hadi applied for and went on to be awarded the CITP in January 2020. He is immensely proud to have earned the elite designation as it not only validates his knowledge and experience but distinguishes him as a an internationally certified trade practitioner.  

Dreams of becoming a leader and a mentor

Hadi is confident that the designation will help him connect with entrepreneurs, trade professionals and reputed companies which will open the doors to more possibilities for career growth.  

He believes that the journey is all about learning, more than just reaching a destination. In the future, he hopes to take on the role of an international trade consultant, offering guidance, ideas and strategy to those that are just beginning their career.   

I’ve had amazing mentors and managers in my past positions, so I’d like to be able to provide similar guidance, potentially taking on a leadership role.

With his compelling enthusiasm, interest and self-motivation, we’re sure Hadi has everything it takes to build a successful career and achieve his goals. 

The post CITP Spotlight: Hadi AlShawaf, Logistics & Supply Chain Professional appeared first on Trade Ready.