"Agent export turned into self-operated export, is it an opportunity or a challenge?

In the current globalized business wave, foreign trade business is both an opportunity and a challenge for many enterprises. Among them, turning from agent export to self-operated export is an important transformation that many enterprises are considering or have already started. Today, let's explore the mysteries behind this transformation together.

I. The "Merits and Demerits" of Agent Export

The agent export model often plays a significant role in the initial stage of enterprise development. For some enterprises with limited resources and insufficient foreign trade experience, with the help of professional agent agencies, they can quickly open up the international market. The agent is familiar with various export processes and has rich experience in customs declaration and inspection, which can help enterprises smoothly complete a series of operations such as the export transportation of goods. Enterprises only need to focus on product production, which is worry-free and labor-saving.

However, agent export also has some limitations. For example, enterprises have a weak control over end customers, and most customer information is in the hands of the agent, which will cause certain obstacles to the subsequent business expansion and in-depth understanding of market demand of enterprises. Moreover, in terms of profit distribution, enterprises need to pay certain fees to the agent, which compresses their profit space to a certain extent.

II. Advantages and Challenges of Self-Operated Export

When enterprises develop to a certain stage, self-operated export becomes an extremely attractive option. The biggest advantage of self-operated export lies in that enterprises can directly control the entire export business process. From the negotiation with customers, the signing of orders, to the transportation and after-sales of products, all can be carried out according to the enterprise's own plans and standards. In this way, enterprises can have a deeper understanding of customer needs, adjust product strategies in a timely manner, improve customer satisfaction, and thus enhance their competitiveness in the international market.

However, self-operated export is by no means an easy task. Enterprises need to build their own foreign trade teams and cultivate or recruit professionals who are familiar with international trade rules, foreign languages, customs declaration and inspection and other aspects of knowledge and skills. At the same time, a large amount of funds also need to be invested to improve the infrastructure related to export business, such as the logistics distribution system. These are all no small challenges for enterprises.

III. Learning from Zhongshitong's Transformation Path

During the transformation process from agent export to self-operated export, Zhongshitong has accumulated a lot of valuable experience. At first, Zhongshitong also relied on the agent export model. With the continuous expansion of business and the enhancement of its own strength, it decided to take the step of self-operated export.

They first focused on the cultivation and introduction of talents, recruited a group of experienced foreign trade elites to form a professional foreign trade team. Then, they invested funds to optimize the internal process and established a perfect logistics tracking and customer service system. Through these measures, Zhongshitong gradually established a firm foothold in the field of self-operated export and achieved steady growth of business.

IV. How to Realize the Transformation Smoothly

• Make full plans and preparations, evaluate the enterprise's own strength and resources, and determine whether the transformation opportunity is mature.
• Pay attention to the construction of the talent team, cultivate or recruit professional foreign trade talents to ensure that there are people available and capable of doing well in each business link.
• Arrange funds reasonably, not only invest in hardware aspects such as infrastructure construction, but also pay attention to software aspects such as the improvement of information systems.

In short, turning from agent export to self-operated export is an important leap on the enterprise's foreign trade development path. Although it will face many challenges, as long as enterprises make full preparations, learn from successful experiences and promote steadily, they are expected to open up a new world in the field of self-operated export and achieve new breakthroughs in foreign trade business. Business owners, you might as well think carefully about whether this transformation path is suitable for your own enterprises according to your own situations.