I want to act as an agent for French imported brands. How should I negotiate?
Solved#Import agent#
I've always been interested in acting as an agent for imported goods. Recently, I've taken a fancy to several French imported brands and want to negotiate agency cooperation with them. But I don't have much experience before and don't know where to start. I'd like to ask, what preparations do I need to make when negotiating agency with French imported brands? What are the precautions during the negotiation? How can I increase the chances of successfully obtaining the agency? I hope experienced friends can give me some suggestions.
Professional consultant answers
Emily LiuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Settlement and payment expertConsult
First of all, you need to conduct a full investigation of the target French imported brand, including its brand history, product features, market positioning, sales situation in France and other regions, etc., to understand its advantages and potential market space.
Prepare a detailed business plan covering your company (or personal) situation, market promotion strategy, sales channel planning, etc., to demonstrate your ability to successfully introduce the brand to the local market.
Before the negotiation, clarify your agency demands, such as agency region, agency term, purchase price, return and exchange policy, etc.
During the negotiation, maintain professionalism and integrity, clearly express your own advantages and enthusiasm for the brand, listen to the brand side's needs and try to meet them, find a balance of interests between both sides, so as to increase the chances of successfully obtaining the agency.
Elizabeth LiYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Compliance and risk managerConsult
Language communication is very important. If you don't understand French, it's better to find a professional translator to avoid misunderstandings due to language problems. For the initial contact, you can first introduce yourself and your cooperation intention via email. Before the formal negotiation, communicate by phone to confirm the time, agenda, etc.
Andrew HuangYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Supply chain optimization expertConsult
Find out about the existing agency situation of this brand in China. If there is any, see how others do it and learn from it. In addition, demonstrate your familiarity with the local market, which will make the brand side more assured to give you the agency.
Joseph ZhouYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior foreign trade managerConsult
Pay attention to understanding the brand side's assessment standards for agents, such as sales performance requirements, etc. Strive for reasonable assessment indicators during the negotiation. If the standards are set too high at the beginning and you can't meet them later, it may cause trouble.
Sarah ZhangYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Document expertConsult
You can first collect some price data of similar French brand products in the domestic market. During the negotiation, you can discuss a reasonable supply price based on this and strive for a better profit margin.
Jennifer WangYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Market development consultantConsult
Mention the after-sales service plan during the negotiation, such as how to handle product quality problems, customer complaints, etc. A complete after-sales service can enhance the brand image and increase the brand side's recognition of you.
David LiYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Senior customs declaration consultantConsult
Prepare some past successful cooperation cases (if any). If not, you can also prepare creative ideas for the future promotion of this brand to show your ability and innovative thinking.
Robert ChenYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Customer service consultantConsult
Don't be too hasty during the negotiation. If you feel that an agreement can't be reached on the spot, you can agree on the next communication time, leaving some thinking time for yourself and the other side. Also, don't show an eagerness that you must have this brand.
Amanda YangYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Cost control consultantConsult
Find out about the industry exhibitions and other activities that the brand side participates in. If there is a chance, go to the site to make contact. Negotiating agency in the activity atmosphere may shorten the distance between both sides and increase the possibility of cooperation.
Michelle ChenYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Business coordination consultantConsult
Prepare all kinds of qualification documents in advance, such as business license, etc. You can provide them immediately when the brand side inspects you, showing your professionalism and work efficiency.