External Resource Solutions for Import and Export Businesses
External Resource Solutions for International Companies
I have been working with international businesses for over 30 years, and I have delivered many logistics, supply chain, and import/export projects and programmes for clients. I provide external resource solutions for import and export businesses to help them address international business challenges, such as completing global projects, managing business transformation, business growth, specialised skills shortages, and headcount limitations. I provide clients with flexible end-to-end international supply chain and business support via four resource solutions, which have been tried and tested to achieve international supply chain success.
Third-Party Resource Solutions
The business practice of hiring a third-party service was initially seen as a way to cut costs; however, in business today, it is also a strategy management option. Based on the positive results I have provided, my clients have recognised that third-party resource solutions are a preferable option for encouraging the growth and development of their businesses during challenging times and beyond.
Currently, there is a shortage of necessary international trade skills within many businesses. Therefore, my external resource solutions for import and export businesses are a viable solution for providing a high level of skills and expertise to reduce immediate and long-term operational challenges.
Consultancy Services
Clients normally engage me as a consultant to offer my expert opinions and advice to improve their international supply chain performance, implement changes, and solve problems. As an external resource, I can identify strategies to effectively manage client’s end-to-end supply chains, decreasing inherent risks and costs while ensuring excellent customer service. My advice can be invaluable, but it is often up to the client to implement the recommended solutions. If a client requires a more hands-on approach for implementing advice and business change, then my interim service solution is more appropriate.
Interim Executive Services
I typically join a client’s business as an experienced interim executive or manager to address their immediate and short-term operational challenges. I work as part of the management team but not as an employee of the business. I operate through my own limited company, ICS Global Services Limited. As an interim, I help companies navigate business change, leadership gaps, or operational improvements. Most companies undergo change or transformation. As an external resource, I navigate and implement these changes while managing both internal and external resources, training internal candidates, or assisting with recruitment. When you engage my subcontracted solutions, you pay only for the services that you need and when you need them. This will provide substantial savings over engaging a salaried employee with the same level of expertise to complete similar tasks. Hiring an employee rather than outsourcing can get costly with having to pay for national insurance, employment taxes, benefits, pension contributions, workspace, technology, and more.
Outsourcing Services
Managing complicated import, export, and international supply chain processes while complying with international regulations can be time-consuming, labour-intensive, and very costly when businesses get it wrong. That’s why so many companies are turning to external resource partners, like ICS Global Services Limited, as they explore the possibilities for outsourcing their international supply chains and trade compliance activities. Clients find that outsourcing their international activities helps to reduce operational costs, allows their business to focus on its core competencies, meets customer demands more effectively, provides greater flexibility, and reduces labour costs. There are many reasons why clients may choose to outsource their imports, exports and international supply chain management, such as reducing certain responsibilities and risks or obtaining international capabilities and facilities otherwise not accessible.
Bespoke Training
Import, export, and international trade are a combination of complicated subjects that require in-depth expertise and practical experience within this area. As an external resource, I can help your business gain a comprehensive understanding of the complex international supply chain requirements that will need to be adhered too when importing and exporting. My bespoke training provides employees with a comprehensive understanding of the complex regulations and requirements that need to be followed when managing imports, exports, and international supply chains. Helping them gain an understanding of key international supply chain processes such as import, export, purchasing, planning, production, inventory, logistics, and distribution.
Benefits of External Resources
A Fresh Perspective
As an independent external resource, I often bring a fresh perspective to a client’s organisation while facilitating meaningful discussions with stakeholders. I am not subject to the politics and culture of the company as a short-term subcontracted resource. Therefore, I can focus on what’s best for the business and achieve specific goals without being seen as a threat to the current management team.
My external resource solutions for import and export businesses will help them to reduce their operational costs, focus on core competencies, and reduce labour costs.
Achieving Short-Term Goals
It can be difficult to implement short-term goals when they involve utilising skill sets not readily available within the business. My subcontracted solutions will provide instant assistance for a business that needs to draw on specific expertise and capabilities at short notice.
My external resource solutions for import and export businesses often save substantial time and money that would have been necessary when recruiting employees, prioritising their schedules, and executing a new strategy.
Immediate Business Impact
Due to my high level of skill and expertise, I can address clients immediate and short-term operational challenges while providing immediate impact with very little guidance. My external resource solutions for import and export businesses will focus on the results and tasks required without the normal business distractions, and therefore, I am able to deliver results at speed.
Due to my extensive professional networks and breadth of experience, I am in a unique position to provide an organisation with an outside viewpoint and focus, as well as to share lessons learned and best practices from past contracts.
Leveraging Outsourced Expertise
The main advantage of engaging outsourced resources is that it will provide the client with knowledge, expert skills, and influence that the business may not currently have internally. Working with a variety of different businesses, my external resource solutions for import and export businesses can provide a broader and deeper knowledge of international business trends, operational challenges, and processes. As an outsourced resource, I can often provide best practices, improve operations, and navigate business change effectively.
Bespoke Solutions
My external resource solutions for import and export businesses do not provide a one-size-fits-all business solution. My solutions offer customised and tailored support to address your organisation’s challenges. The value comes from learning about the client’s business and goals and providing advice and strategies to meet specific challenges that the business faces. These bespoke subcontracted solutions are a popular way for clients to lower international operational costs and streamline operations while concentrating on the company’s core competencies.
Project Management
Businesses worldwide engage in many projects to improve profitability, but often lack the internal expertise to deliver these international projects. During change and transformation projects, an outsourced resource can offer expertise and a fresh perspective, which is invaluable for any business during the process of change.
My external resource solutions for import and export businesses provide a temporary outsourced solution when a business requires professional support to manage the five typical project phases of initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and control, and completion.
Overhead Cost Savings
When you engage my subcontracted solutions, you pay only for the services that you need and when you need them. This will provide substantial savings over engaging a salaried employee with the same level of expertise to complete similar tasks. Hiring an employee rather than outsourcing can get costly with having to pay for national insurance, employment taxes, benefits, pension contributions, workspace, technology, and more.
My external resource solutions for import and export businesses will enable companies to focus on other areas of their business while still meeting their staffing needs. My cost-cutting strategy can be very beneficial for smaller businesses or those with tight budgets.
Client Testimonials
“Ian worked with us as a consultant for three months to identify ways to improve our international logistics function. Ian’s experience, dedication, and analytical skills were impressive throughout. His report was exactly what we asked for: clear objectives and a plan for achieving them. I would recommend Ian to other companies looking for experienced external input on logistics.”
Chief Operating Officer
“During Ian's ongoing assignment with us, which still hasn't come fully to an end, he has been a pleasure to work with, been really professional, and has provided valuable trade, compliance, and import knowledge. Throughout our entire process, Ian has been an absolute pleasure to work with. I would personally highly recommend Ian's services.”
Sr. Director International Expansion
“During his interim consultancy role with Seqirus, Ian has provided excellent direction and support to our business within the area of international trade. His knowledge and professionalism have helped our business navigate the difficult U.S. supply chain challenges imposed by government agencies. Following the submission of a detailed argument to challenge the U.S. government import requirements, a new, fully compliant end-to-end process was accepted. The new U.S. import process removed unnecessary documentation and administration and resulted in earlier product releases to the U.S. market. This was a very significant achievement.”
Head of Global Logistics and Customs Compliance
Resource Case Studies
Thanks to an increasing number of successful outsourcing case studies, business owners are starting to consider how my external resource solutions for import and export businesses can benefit their companies.
Get in touch for External Resource Solutions
For details of my external resource solutions for import and export businesses, please complete this form, and I will get back to you.
Contact Us