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Businesses going global

After a year that no one could have predicted, many of us were eagerly anticipating the dawn of 2021. The New Year kicked off with some unexpected obstacles here in the USA including a post-holiday spike in COVID cases that prompted shutdowns across major cities. New York went into almost-hibernation, with schools requiring students to Zoom in for classes and restaurants closing all indoor dining, leaving customers the options of sub-zero outdoor seating or takeout. California hit its highest peak in COVID cases and Los Angeles issued a blanket shelter-in-place order for the city. 

Civil unrest gripped the nation in early January. Operations in Washington DC ground to a halt and the subsequent storming of the US Capitol in Washington DC had the country on edge. Although this raised questions among the diplomatic community around the upcoming Presidential transition, Joseph R Biden was peacefully inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States on Wednesday 20th January. 

Many saw the inauguration as a fresh start. Biden’s first day in office saw many significant executive orders being issued on topics ranging from COVID-19 to the environment. Signals of easing immigration policy bode well for Kiwis looking to work abroad in NAM. We have already seen new faces in the NAM network thanks to intra-company transfers and we are thrilled to see the network grow. This not only strengthens ties to Aotearoa, but also provides the much-needed ‘boots on the ground’ to further the efforts of Kiwis supporting one another overseas. 

Additionally, remote work continues to offer both opportunities and challenges in the region. Our San Francisco Trade Commissioner, Ruth McCleod, summarises it perfectly: “The remote working environment has leveled the playing field. There is no longer an expectation for in-person meetings. Every organisation has turned its attention to ramping up its digital marketing and lead generation activities, creating greater noise in the marketplace, and making getting the attention of potential customers possibly harder than ever. Customers that want to cut through the need to be extremely targeted, based on an in-depth understanding of their ideal customer persona, and consider how their solution provides either a cost-saving or boosts revenue, two business drivers that are front and center in the US.”

This is sage advice for our NZ companies looking at 2021 through the lens of COVID-19 restrictions. The newfound working situation means that people are open to taking cyber meetings no matter where in the world you are dialing in from. Your target clients may be open to conversations that may not have been possible in pre-COVID times.

CONTRIBUTOR

Ryan Mulcock

Regional Director, USA (East Coast)

Kea New Zealand

Kea member

Filed Under: Businesses going global, Global Kiwi, World changing Kiwi Tagged With: Business Growth, Industry insights, Market update, Politics, Remote working, United States

China signed the upgrading protocol of its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with New Zealand (via video link) on Tuesday 26th January. The new commitments show a positive sign of the Sino-NZ partnership to combat the pandemic as well as to support multilateralism and free trade. The New Zealand Ambassador to China, Clare Fearnley stated, “both NZ and Chinese exporters will benefit from the upgraded trade rules through easier processes, reduced compliance costs, and expanded market access in some areas.”

Hainan also issued the industry catalogue for its Free Trade Port (effective starting from 1st Jan 2021), which focuses on tourism, modern services, and new & high-tech industries. This is a clear signal of China’s commitment for opening up the country further and facilitating free trade and investment.

The upgraded FTA gave us a head start to 2021, and we can certainly expect rapid growth in bilateral trade & investment between China and New Zealand this year. 

CONTRIBUTOR

Ryan Mulcock

Regional Director, USA (East Coast)

Kea New Zealand

Kea member



HOW KEA CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS GROW

Kea Connect

Kea Connect is a free service that will help your business grow offshore. We connect you personally with regional, sector-specific experts and peers.

READ MORE

Resources

Kea is here to help New Zealand businesses grow offshore. Be inspired and hear advice from businesses who have created their export path.

READ MORE

Jobs Portal

Looking for the right talent for your team? Reach our global Kiwi community through the Kea international job portal. 

READ MORE

Filed Under: Businesses going global, Global Kiwi, World changing Kiwi Tagged With: Business Growth, China, Ciara Liu, Insights, Livestreaming, Regional

January 2021 hit hard. Although the grey days are getting longer and a flush of snow has brought some joy, we are all feeling the effects of Covid-19 groundhog days/weeks/months/quarters.  Stronger measures imposed by Governments around UK & Europe have seen retail and hospitality sectors closed (except for some takeaways and home deliveries). Schools remain closed to all but essential worker children, and parents are not only juggling their own virtual schedules, but those of their children.  Work days are longer, where we have no commuting time, this has been replaced with more ‘e-meetings’.  Parents are playing catch up on either side of the day with missed hours trying to navigate and fulfil their small people’s needs.

We now have an established habit of buying online and direct from producers.  We dearly miss the ability and option of browsing in stores and aisles, discovering new products, range extensions, and seasonal offerings.  Digital presence and cut through is paramount. 

57% of consumers now order at least some items direct from producers – a trend that will remain beyond Covid-19. “85 million parcels have been delivered direct to customers by manufacturers this year and that volume will grow almost 30% by 2023”  Lee Collinson, Head of Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics, Barclays

D2C will remain key for many and having a clear strategy to support this, difficult whilst being so many miles away for Kiwi businesses, but vital if you want to drive revenue streams from this region with so many retail and wholesale options limited.

Supermarkets continue to see steady growth. Specialist online retail is also increasing at around 34%, with food and drink retailers enjoying a boost. Unsurprisingly travel has been hit, but some early bounce back with confidence of the vaccine rollout and look to summer holidays/staycations.

Brexit has also brought about much confusion and frustration around the country, and also for our exporters as everyone tries to get to grip with what new requirements, labelling and logistics changes there have been.  Difficulty is emerging with movement of products to Europe from the UK and best ways to navigate this.  Time for our exporters to be even closer to their markets and partners and they’re understanding that things will take time to resolve.

It may be appropriate for business operations to be reassessed, explore new opportunities, evaluate where you operate from and how you go to market. Focus on your end customer and who they are, what their buying journey is and try to understand what they are facing in their day to day lives. The reality of the deal means that yes Brexit negotiations are officially at an end, but the UK & EU will now be engaged in negotiations of one kind or another for some years to come across many sectors.

Its not surprising that the sentiment is of frustration here and there is no clear end in sight. Dates are swirling around of a ‘hope’ to a return to school and some easing of restrictions on the 8th March in the UK. A dangerous date given its International Women’s Day, there could be the wrath of all mothers!

CONTRIBUTOR

Ryan Mulcock

Regional Director, USA (East Coast)

Kea New Zealand

Kea member

Filed Under: Businesses going global, Global Kiwi, World changing Kiwi Tagged With: Business Growth, Europe, Insights, Regional, Sara Fogarty, UK

Kia ora, 

Welcome to Kea’s first monthly report for 2021. The year is already ramping up with the World Class New Zealand Awards just a couple of months away, the team are very much looking forward to the year ahead. 

This month we talked to Bridget Scanlan, founder of KYT Bags, who worked with Kea Connect to gain expert advice to expand her business. We also highlight a new capital raising venture founded by Kea Community member Elizabeth van Rooyen, and feature Cognizance’s journey with Kea Connect to gain essential UK market insights.

New Zealand’s host year of APEC has officially kicked off, our Global Director of Government and Industry, Saya Wahrlich discusses the details and the positive future impact on Kiwi businesses.

Finally, our Kea Regional Directors give their monthly insights, including the impact new administrations and widespread vaccine campaigns are having on Kiwis living around the world. Did you realise that China’s box office surpassed the US for the first time?

  • GROWTH THROUGH KEA CONNECT
  • INSIGHTS FROM OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY
  • KEA CONNECT: SPOTLIGHT ON CAPITAL RAISING AND TECH CONSUMER INSIGHTS
  • IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
  • TRENDING AT KEA
  • CONNECTIONS THIS MONTH
  • HOW KEA CAN HELP


GROWTH THROUGH KEA CONNECT


Global growth through Kea Connect

Beautifully designed and award-winning KYT Bags has had global expansion in their sights from day one, with their mission to redesign what diabetes looks like and to empower and revolutionise the lives of people living with diabetes.
The team engaged our Kea Connect service in 2019 to gain advice on how to best approach upscaling production and expanding their already sell-out range.
Founder Bridget Scanlan spoke to Kea about the support gained through our Kea Connect community, the story behind KYT Bags and her experiences as a business leader. READ MORE



INSIGHTS FROM OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY


USA cityscape

USA

It was an uncharacteristically quiet close to the year for Kea North America. With spiking Covid-19 cases and further lockdowns across multiple states, many of our North America members have taken the chance to escape the winter and enjoy extended trips home to New Zealand. The US looks to 2021 as a year of change with a new president and the rollout of mass inoculation to combat the pandemic. Hopes are high among exporters and the wider North America community that there will be a growing sense of normality for travel and business opportunities as we approach the summer.

Ryan Mulcock, Kea USA Regional Director


London

UK & EUROPE

2020 finished with more last minute changes, leaving us all trying to navigate what we could and couldn’t do, who we could and couldn’t spend the festive holidays with, and adjusting to life under new lockdown tiers. There’s added uncertainty of how long this next lockdown would last for, alongside the fear of the numbers we receive each day and the devastating news that goes with this.  

During these first weeks at the Kea UK/Europe desk I have been blown away by the time and energy people are willing to share and contribute for Kiwis, to give back to New Zealand and New Zealand business off-shore. Although we can’t jump on a plane home when we want, the need to connect with what is happening at home has never been greater.  We are extremely proud of what New Zealand has achieved, but there are frustrations at the negative sentiment of those who have remained offshore, perhaps amplified by ‘UK Variant’ headlines in some New Zealand press. 

Vaccine rollouts bring a ray of hope. This will take time, so the opening of the markets, face to face events, and a return to life as we knew it here will be slower than we wish for. In the weeks ahead we look forward to positive ongoing NZ / UK FTA discussions and working together as we navigate Brexit (more on that next time).

Sara Fogarty, Kea UK/Europe Regional Director

Read more personal insights from our UK & Europe Kea Community in our new Voices of the Global Kea Community series, with our January edition: Living life through lockdown.
READ MORE


CHINA

China’s GDP rose by 2.3% percent in 2020 (101.5986 trillion), showing a steady recovery from the global pandemic. While the global luxury goods market shrunk by 23%, sales in China increased by 48% (totalling RMB 346 billion).  Online sales (of physical commodity products) increased by 14.8% (totalling RMB 9.76 trillion). 

China’s online education market has grown by 20.2% (totalling RMB 485.8 billion) and K-12 (kindergarten through twelfth grade) online education companies have raised more than RMB 50 billion of capital in 2020. This proposes an opportunity for NZ’s education providers (eg. schools & software developers) to offer online courses and programs for the Chinese audience. Start-ups in this sector may also consider financing themselves through China’s capital market. 

On 31st Dec, China’s box office reached RMB 20.417 billion. It is the first time that China’s box office has surpassed America’s, making China the world’s largest film market (America’s box office dropped by 80% in 2020). 

SOE Sinopharm’s Covid-19 vaccine has been approved for roll out in China. Stats from ongoing phase 3 clinical trials show that it is 79% effective. It is reported to offer over six months of immunity, meeting the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. The Chinese government announced that the vaccine will be offered for free, with a priority to people in high-risk groups.

Ciara Liu, Kea China Regional Director



GOVERNMENT INC UPDATE


What does APEC mean for the growth of New Zealand businesses? Hosting is a once-in-20-year opportunity for New Zealand and there is no other event on the calendar with such potential to shape our region’s future. Saya Wahrlich, our Global Director Government & Industry shares a few insights into APEC, its key programmes and Kea Community involvement. READ MORE.



SPOTLIGHT ON CAPITAL RAISING AND TECH CONSUMER INSIGHTS


SUPPORTING CAPITAL RAISING VENTURE WITH A FOCUS ON KIWI TECH STARTUPS

Kea spoke with Kea Community member Elizabeth van Rooyen about her exciting new venture tasked to shorten and improve the capital raising experience so founders can spend less time on the process and more time where it really matters. In an increasingly remote world, Diligr’s mission is to increase data-driven connectivity between investors and startups and provide them with the transparency they need to build meaningful relationships for long-term funding solutions. With a focus on Kiwi tech startups, we at Kea are excited to see this platform take shape and open up new opportunities for New Zealand businesses. Read more here.


AUDIENCE INTELLIGENCE & AD PERSONALISATION PLATFORM ZEROING IN ON THE UK

Kea Connect helped Cognizance obtain crucial digital and tech consumer insights on the UK market to help shape their market strategy. 

Cognizance is an audience intelligence platform that provides advertisers and marketers with unique, actionable guidance for personalizing display ad creative. Display ad design guidance is delivered in human or machine readable formats and integrates with creative workflows. Their vision is to enable advertisers and marketers to achieve significantly better results by identifying the purchasing mentality of individual website visitors and directing suitably crafted display ads to each visitor.

With a focus on the UK market, Cognizance sought to tap into the expertise of our community for digital and tech consumer insights. Kea Connect introduced Cognizance to both a Consumer Insight Director and a Business Growth expert, each who have extensive knowledge of the UK market. 

Director of Cognizance reported back and said very practical advice was received, which extended into further introductions to our member’s broader network. “Our conversation was one of the most helpful that I’ve had”.



IN CASE YOU MISSED IT


CHINESE OUTLOOK FOR 2021

China Skinny’s latest report ‘China 2021 Trends‘ showcases how some of the great minds of China view the year ahead. The white paper covers the perceived opportunities, challenges, and key focuses in 2021 for senior leaders from some of the most successful brands in China.

SMALL BUSINESS TRENDS IN 2021

Xero have released their Small Business Trends report for 2021, which looks at how small businesses behaved in 2020, and predictions for the coming year. This year’s report highlights in particular the growing resilience of businesses and their ability to adapt.

GLOBAL AND ECONOMIC TRADE UPDATE

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade have released their Global Economic and Trade Update for New Zealand Businesses. The report includes regional updates from the Pacific, Europe, and the Americas.


TRENDING AT KEA


KEA COMMUNITY VOICES OFFSHORE: LIVING LIFE THROUGH LOCKDOWN

As the pandemic continues to have far reaching effects in 2021, we reached out to our UK and Europe Kea Community to share their personal experiences of living life through lockdown. READ MORE

KEA GLOBAL KIWI PIE AND FLAT WHITE DIRECTORY

We reached out to our global community and asked where they get their local pie and flat white, and the response was astronomical. Find out where your local is, wherever you are.  READ MORE

KIRI NATHAN ON BUILDING HER TRIBE

We caught up with Kiwi fashion powerhouse Kiri Nathan on how she’s fared through Covid-19 and what’s next for the Kiri Nathan brand.  
READ MORE

NZ MORTGAGE RATE PREDICTIONS FOR 2021

Kea Independent Economist Tony Alexander shares his insights on mortgage rates, and how banks and everyday Kiwis are responding to the Covid-19 pandemic.  READ MORE



KEA CONNECT: BUSINESSES SUPPORTED THIS MONTH


38

Number of Kiwi businesses assisted this month

36

Number of connections made this month

242

Number of connections made this year to date*

Kea Connect connections by region in January 2021

SECTORS KEA CONNECT SUPPORTED THIS MONTH

Kea Connect connections by sector in January 2021

*Year to date reflects financial year commencing 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021

HOW KEA CAN HELP

Join

Join the Kea community, and stay connected to New Zealand, its people and businesses wherever you are in the world.

READ MORE

Jobs

Post job opportunities and attract internationally experienced Kiwi talent.

READ MORE

Kea Connect

Help Kiwi businesses explore their global potential through our worldwide community.

READ MORE


Filed Under: Businesses going global

Kia ora, 

As we reach the end of a tumultuous year and look forward to 2021 Kea is proud to share the last installment of our online monthly report for 2020. This month we talked to Kiwi SaaS company Touchpoint Group, about the pivotal role that Kea Connect played in their expansion into the UK and Australia. We also followed up with two Kiwi start ups: a Kiwi entrepreneur based in London looking to import organic New Zealand produce into the UK, as well as a Kiwi skincare business exploring their options in the Middle East.

We have our ongoing series of insights from US, China, UK & Europe, and Australia, updates from our extensive partner network and a Kea Community exclusive with Lucy von Sturmer, a returning Kiwi, on bringing her consultancy business to New Zealand.

The New Zealand Kea team, 2020
  • GROWTH THROUGH KEA CONNECT
  • INSIGHTS FROM OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY
  • KEA CONNECT: SPOTLIGHT ON NEW F&B VENTURE AND MIDDLE EAST EXPANSION
  • IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
  • TRENDING AT KEA
  • CONNECTIONS THIS MONTH
  • HOW KEA CAN HELP


GROWTH THROUGH KEA CONNECT


Global confidence and Covid-19 stability through Kea Connect

Touchpoint Group Founder and CEO, Frank van der Velden

Kiwi SaaS company, Touchpoint Group, have been part of the Kea Connect business community since 2018. Since then, we have worked with Frank, Co-Founder and CEO, to understand key opportunities Touchpoint globally, making key in-market introductions that directly led to new business opportunities, and global confidence. Once such introduction led to a successful PoC (Proof of Concept) with Barclays and stability during Covid-19. READ MORE



INSIGHTS FROM OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY


USA cityscape

USA

It has been a rather eventful month here in North America. Most conversations centered around the US Presidential Election, which became a close and contentious race won by Joe Biden. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reported a “very positive and warm” first phone call where the President-Elect spoke fondly of New Zealand. Further optimism came in the form of positive signals of a Covid-19 vaccine soon to be approved by the FDA and cleared for general distribution.

Market conditions for Direct To Consumer SMEs trading with the USA are buoyant, with Shopify hitting record-breaking sales of $5.1B over Black Friday/Cyber Monday. This surpassed Amazon’s $4.8B total for the same period. Alongside our NZ Inc partners, we are excited for the December launch of the Made with Care Campaign to support NZ products selling in the USA.

Ryan Mulcock, Kea USA Regional Director


London

UK & EUROPE

This month, Kea appointed a new Regional Director for UK & Europe, Sara Fogarty.

Sara shares her insights into consumer behaviour in the UK & Europe in the lead up to the holiday period with the UK emerging out of Lockdown and into a revised 3 Tier system, although perhaps not a lot of change in day-to-day life. Find out about the positive economic impact for New Zealand with both significant increases in online shopping and a desire for premium products at the back end of the year. READ MORE


CHINA

The Gross Merchandise Value for 11.11 – Singles Day (an online shopping festival on Nov 11th) exceeded $570B across all e-commerce platforms (JD, Tmall, Pinduoduo etc). This year, livestreaming has become a new driving force for sales. Livestreaming is used for a number of promotional purposes, including product releases, VIP sales events, seasonal events, as well as being a great way to engage in conversation with your customers.   Find out more about how Kiwi brands can utilise these channels, as well as free trade updates in Kea’s China Regional Director, Ciara Liu’s December update. READ MORE


AUSTRALIA

Melbourne was the last of the Australian cities to emerge from Covid-19 restrictions and also the city with the harshest lockdown (the second wave led to 111 days of lockdown, however most of us were in our homes from mid March). While Australians are feeling a little tender and looking at the rest of the world’s Covid-19 numbers with apprehension, there is also a feeling that we are indeed a lucky country and that Summer 20/21 is one to celebrate.

In terms of consumer sentiment, the feeling is reflective of the general mood. Two very different lines of thought show us to be either enthusiastically shopping and spending the money we’ve managed to save while at home. Or, cautious and selective about what we buy, burned from many jobs lost and some beloved industries (arts, hospitality, events, physical retail) damaged. Digital commerce, without doubt, has been the big winner. Online marketplaces, supermarkets and pharmacies have thrived.  ‘Shop Local’ has become a catch-cry with Australians lamenting the loss of much loved stores during earlier bushfires. We’re seeing significant support for small retailers and local brands. The goods news: New Zealand is seen as an extension of Australia. Not just the little sibling across the ditch, but an equal partner here down under. Australia welcomes smart NZ businesses with open arms.

Bella Katz, World Class New Zealander.



SPOTLIGHT ON NEW F&B VENTURE AND MIDDLE EAST EXPANSION


EXCITING ORGANIC FOOD VENTURE FOR KIWI IN LONDON

Kea Connect supported a Kiwi entrepreneur in his new venture involving the import of organic New Zealand food into the UK. 

This Kea Community member moved to the UK toward the end of 2019, and is working on a new exciting project involving the import of organic New Zealand food into the UK. He contacted Kea Connect seeing if we can connect him with expertise in our network who can advise on:

  • Brand positioning for New Zealand organic food products in UK+EU
  • Rollout of combo B2B / B2C models in UK for food
  • Experience approaching large retail partners
  • Industry pricing and margin targets

Kea Connect introduced him to an internationally experienced senior Marketing and Sales practitioner and brand enthusiast based in London.


DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS IN MIDDLE EAST REALISED FOR NEW ZEALAND INDIE BRAND

Kea is helping Kiwi business TE WAI understand distribution channels in the Middle East. 

TE WAI produce a New Zealand inspired, hydrating fine-mist facial spray infused with extracts Kawakawa, Manuka, Kowhai, Mamaku and Pohutukawa. With operations established in China, TE WAI conducted market research to validate other export markets, Middle East being one of them. 

CEO and Co-Founder of TE WAI wanted to speak with experts in our Kea community who know the landscape in the Middle East, have worked with industry partners in distribution/consumer goods, and would be willing to share any insights and help make further introductions where suitable. 

Kea introduced TE WAI to an Events expert based in Dubai, to discuss the business landscape and provide in-market channel suggestions.



IN CASE YOU MISSED IT


DIGITAL ESSENTIAL FOR SMALL BUSINESS

Xero Chief Product Officer and Kea Board Member Anna Curzon talks to the power of digitisation, especially in future-proofing small business. Covid-19 has emphasised the necessity of cloud-based operations, and the dependence businesses have on their systems to maintain success. Read more about Anna’s insights here.

AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY NAMES YOUNG LEADERS

The University of Auckland has released its 40 Under 40 list for 2020. Every year, the university releases a list of their inspiring young alumni who continue to shine in both their professional and personal lives.

NZTE SPEAKS DIGITAL

NZTE in partnership with Stuff have released a seven-part series, Digitally Speaking, on a range of digital commerce topics. The series includes a line-up of global digital leaders who share case studies, inspirational insights and tactical advice, with the purpose of providing insights into how businesses can build the digital channels and strategies you need to reach your customers online and grow your market reach.

THE YEAR THAT WAS: MFAT’S ANNUAL REPORT 2019-20

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade have released their annual report, which focuses on the Ministry’s Strategic Intentions and performance measures. In particular, it highlights the work MFAT did to support the New Zealand Government’s Covid-19 response.


TRENDING AT KEA


ANTIPODES ON THEIR GLOBAL AMBITIONS

Antipodes founder Elizabeth Barbalich about the decision to expand into the US, how Covid-19 impacted the expansion, and her advice to businesses looking to do the same.  READ MORE

LUCY VON STURMER: AMSTERDAM TO AOTEAROA

After years building her consultancy The Humblebrag in Amsterdam, Kea spoke to returner Lucy von Sturmer about her decision to move herself, and her business back to Aotearoa.  READ MORE

JAMIE MCLELLAN ON DESIGNING SUSTAINABLY

In 2011, Kiwi designer Jamie McLellan was approached by Tim Brown who had the idea to make a shoe out of wool. Fast forward to 2020 and Allbirds is revolutionising the footwear industry.   READ MORE



KEA CONNECT: BUSINESSES SUPPORTED THIS MONTH


26

Number of Kiwi businesses assisted this month

20

Number of connections made this month

707

Number of connections made this year to date

SECTORS KEA CONNECT SUPPORTED THIS MONTH

HOW KEA CAN HELP

Join

Join the Kea community, and stay connected to New Zealand, its people and businesses wherever you are in the world.

READ MORE

Jobs

Post job opportunities and attract internationally experienced Kiwi talent.

READ MORE

Kea Connect

Help Kiwi businesses explore their global potential through our worldwide community.

READ MORE


Filed Under: Businesses going global

Kia ora, 

Welcome to Kea New Zealand’s online monthly report, showcasing our highlights for the month including Kea Connect success stories, recent connections with Kiwis and Kiwi businesses going offshore, insights from around the globe, what’s trending with our global partners and a roundup of our most popular content.

This month we talked to Jenene Crossan of Powered by Flossie about her long-term journey with Kea. We also followed up with three Kiwi start ups – Vxt, JAVLN and CarbonClick – to understand how Kea Connect positively impacted their business and supported their plans for expansion.

We have a series of insights from US, China, UK & Europe, and Australia and updates from our extensive partner network amplifying stories and successes of Kiwis all around the world.

Toni Truslove, Kea CEO, 2020
  • GROWTH THROUGH KEA CONNECT
  • INSIGHTS FROM OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY
  • KEA CONNECT: SPOTLIGHT ON CLIMATE CHANGE, TELCO & FINTECH 
  • TRENDING AT KEA
  • IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
  • CONNECTIONS THIS MONTH
  • HOW KEA CAN HELP


GROWTH THROUGH KEA CONNECT


Moving into significant revenue since 2017

Jenene Crossan, Founder of Powered by Flossie, 2020

Jenene Crossan, Founder of Powered by Flossie, has been engaged with Kea Connect since 2017. The past few years has seen a period of significant growth and change for the business, including moving from a B2B marketplace to a B2B software and brand repositioning. We spoke with Jenene Crossan, Founder, about her relationship with Kea Connect, what it has been like scaling a global company in the ‘new normal’. READ MORE



INSIGHTS FROM OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY


USA cityscape

USA

As we move into winter here in New York, there has been an eager start to Q4. Local businesses are coming back to life and planning their projects through the end of the year despite a few unknowns around the US election and COVID lockdowns. 

Kea has seen an influx of requests from companies keen to engage with US-based expats for guidance on expanding in the current climate. We’ve been working alongside the ever-growing team of NZTE Business Development Managers to introduce World Class New Zealanders for Beachhead roles and are excited to build a successful Brand New Zealand campaign with our NZ Inc partners later this month.

Ryan Mulcock, Kea USA Regional Director


London

UK & EUROPE

John Alderman, World Class New Zealander, Brand Specialist & NZTE Beachheads Advisor for Europe, (Ex-Kraft Heinz, Ex- Unilever) has shared 4 insights this month for exporting to UK/Europe. With UK/Europe locked down but open for business, this is an article not to miss. READ MORE


CHINA

For New Zealand businesses looking to enter China, there are emerging opportunities around new energy vehicles (NEV)  and live streaming. The State Council unveiled a development plan spanning from 2021 – 2035 for the NEV industry that aims to accelerate China into an automotive powerhouse. This presents an opportunity for innovative New Zealand businesses in this industry to seek investment and partnership opportunities in China. Additionally, live streaming has become a new driving force for e-commerce sales, and New Zealand brands that are looking to enter China should consider this phenomenon while setting their market strategy.

Ciara Liu, Kea China Regional Director


AUSTRALIA

Recent weeks have been a period of elections and of increasing Covid freedom in Australia. Within Australia we’ve had the Queensland State election and the ACT election, the New Zealand election was followed closely here and as I write this the US election remains tight, not quite decided, and dominating news coverage. Amongst all this news it’s not been lost that Victoria has fought back strongly against Covid and this week people were able to start getting out and about after 112 days of lockdown. On top of this State and Territory borders are starting to open for domestic travel and Qantas announcing the opening of thousands of flights including the first time they will fly direct from Hobart to Perth.

Economic data has been better than expected with numbers around consumer spending, employment and housing giving some cause for short-term optimism. Continuing keys will be keeping the health situation under control, particularly as more and more opening up occurs, keeping people in jobs and giving consumers and businesses a degree of confidence in the immediate future.  

Glen Murphy, Regional Director, Australia Pacific, NZTE



KEA CONNECT: SPOTLIGHT ON CLIMATE CHANGE, TELCO & FINTECH  


HOW DO: BRANDS TAKE IMMEDIATE CLIMATE ACTION IN THE USA 

Kea harnessed our community in the USA to help inform CarbonClick’s strategy for the region.

CarbonClick makes carbon offsetting simple for all businesses and their customers. They offer a plug-in solution for e-commerce platforms, such as Shopify, as well as custom enterprise integrations. 

In a recent survey undertaken by CarbonClick, the team concluded that climate change is a main concern for every board and every CEO. Executive management teams have been charged with deploying a strategy across their organisations that reduces carbon emissions and engages customers. However, the prohibitive cost to deploy technology solutions has seen the pace of change too slow. 

CarbonClick is turning this situation on its head by engaging consumers to facilitate the change the world needs by purchasing carbon credits at point of purchase. The benefit to organisations is twofold – cost effective climate action together with enhanced brand reputation for companies seen to be doing their part.

As they focus on growth in the USA, Strategic Advisor Melanie Reece sought key insights from large e-commerce retailers around the importance of climate change to their business and customers, their responses, and any key insights to help inform CarbonClick’s strategy for the USA. 

Kea introduced Melanie to Vice President of a renowned Kiwi retail brand who successfully entered the USA, and International Sales Manager of a natural skincare brand making leaps and bounds in the USA.


REVOLUTIONARY TECH-START UP TAKES ON UK TELCO MARKET

Kea helped Christchurch based tech start-up, Vxt, get a holistic view of the telco market in the UK to help shape their strategy.

The Vxt team, 2020

Vxt is a software company revolutionising small business communications by providing a smart voicemail platform. Using artificial intelligence and other technology, Vxt’s mobile app saves user’s time by allowing them to read their voicemails, forward voicemails to email, prioritise messages and automate tasks.  

Founded in November 2018, Vxt have launched the platform in Canada and UK with 20,000 installs and 1,000 paying customers. See here for a short product demo.

Their vision is to be a holistic telco provider which is a challenger to the conventional telco services.  As they look to their next phase of growth, they are focusing on distribution channels, partnerships and a reseller strategy.  Co-Founder, Luke Campbell, sought expert advice from our community to help them understand the telco market in the UK, and provide advice that could steer their approach for obtaining new partnerships and reseller relationships in the UK. Kea facilitated introductions with Luke to two Telco experts with significant senior executive experience.


KEA HELPS KIWI-LED FINTECH SHAPE APPROACH TO UK MARKET ENTRY

Kea facilitated introductions for JAVLN to help them further their understanding of and approach to UK market entry. 

The insurance intermediary market has been underserviced with technology for many years and JAVLN, Kiwi-led fintech company, believes it is ripe for disruption. JAVLN sells SaaS to insurance intermediaries, enabling them to better manage their businesses more efficiently – reducing the time for a broker to get quotes from multiple insurers from minutes to seconds. They do this with automation, API connectivity to insurers and modern workflows. 

With entry into the UK market, CEO Dale Smith wanted to obtain insights on key trends in the insurance and brokerage space that will help them shape their approach with prospective clients. Specifically, Dale had initial questions on how the UK market approach compares to Broker Groups / Memberships, the key software vendors for SaaS insurance brokers, where the split between direct and intermediated insurance lies. 

Kea identified six members we determined best suited to help JAVLN, and to date has introduced Dale to one  former and one current insurance provider CEO’s both NZ & UK based.



TRENDING AT KEA


XERO HELPS SMALL BUSINESSES RECOVER AND PLAN FOR CONTINUITY

Xero have released a study which reveals how small businesses globally have reacted to COVID-19 and managed business continuity. The study offers five key recommendations to help small businesses both recover, and take practical action for continuity, resilience and success. 

HEALTHCARE PLATFORM WINS VELOCITY $100K  CHALLENGE

Rosterlab, a healthcare-centric rostering service provider is this year’s winner of the flagship competition within Velocity – New Zealand’s leading university entrepreneurship development programme. Rosterlab uses state-of-the-art artificial intelligence to build the ideal rosters for hospitals. Learn more about simple-to-use web application for roster creation, and the other innovative winners of the challenge here.

AGRIBUSINESS CHANGES MEAT INDUSTRY

Silver Fern Farms has introduced a new data-driven solution for forecasting offal yield. Through Digital Lean, A Callaghan Innovation programme, Silver Fern Farms identified a business opportunity around predicting offal yield, and used tech -driven methodologies to find solutions. They now are on a path to make large export gains through its data-driven solution. Read more here. 

KPMG INVESTS IN WORLD CLASS LEARNING 

In collaboration with LinkedIn, KPMG has launched Digital Now – a large scale two-year digital learning program. This initiative focuses on enabling KPMG employees to be future-ready, and ensure they are equipped for what’s next. Running across KPMG Asia Pacific, this program marks a significant investment in world class learning for KPMG’s employees in the region. See the full announcement here.


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT


RETURNING KIWIS COULD BE TRANSFORMATIONAL

The Kea Welcome home Survey highlighted that an historic opportunity is landing, Kea CEO Toni Truslove wants to know what New Zealand is going to do about it.  READ MORE

EMMY AWARD WINNING KIWI, BAZ IDOINE

Baz Idoine has worked on some of Hollywood’s biggest productions. We spoke to him about his recent work on The Mandalorian, which won him an Emmy for Outstanding Cinematography.  READ MORE

CHOOICE: ADVOCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESS

Chooice was created in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown as a way for Kiwi businesses to sell their products. We spoke to the team about how Kiwis living all around the world can get involved.   READ MORE



KEA CONNECT: BUSINESSES SUPPORTED THIS MONTH


35

Number of Kiwi businesses assisted this month

46

Number of connections made this month

SECTORS KEA CONNECT SUPPORTED THIS MONTH

HOW KEA CAN HELP

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Filed Under: Businesses going global

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