Google Switzerland and Switzerland Global Enterprise launch "Market Finder

More and more SMEs are now looking beyond their traditional sales countries in Europe. This is in order to better compensate for future currency fluctuations and to prepare for the upheavals in the global economy, because by 2030, two-thirds of consumption will be in Asia. In the long term, more and more exporters are seeking to position themselves in distant markets. Our goal is to bring more SMEs closer to international value chains and to make this path easier for them with digital tools," says Daniel Küng, CEO of S-GE. "Digital tools help to get to know and understand a market as well as consumer behavior. This is especially relevant for SMEs that have fewer resources. Digital channels are now also indispensable components of a market entry strategy in many countries."

New channels open up additional opportunities

Tobias Wittmann, Director at Google for International Growth Strategy & Sales in EMEA adds: "Export offers completely new opportunities for companies via digital channels: Finding new customers in existing and new markets, better service, increased customer dialogue. Companies should invest their digital channels and digital know-how. We are pleased - together with Switzerland Global Enterprise - to be able to provide targeted support for Swiss exports with specific tools and free training, thus making a contribution to Switzerland as a business location. "Today, around 2.5 billion people worldwide are online. If one considers that in the coming decade around 5 billion more people will gain access to the Internet, the true dimension of the Internet's potential as an export and economic factor becomes even clearer.An export project can be driven forward in many ways via digital channels - starting with the analysis of demand for one's own products in potential target markets, the recording of customer potential through to online marketing and sales via e-commerce - increasingly also via mobile devices. The use of digital channels is therefore essential for Swiss companies today if they want to address consumers abroad and win new ones, regardless of whether they are in the B2B or B2C sector.

Digital tools as part of an export strategy

In many cases, however, SMEs lack capacities and know-how, both in terms of internationalization itself and in terms of digital tools for this purpose. In addition to digital channels, the target market also needs a good partner network and other marketing and sales channels. Cultural and regulatory differences should also not be underestimated. "Entering new markets remains a challenge. But digital tools can make market entry much easier. They must therefore be seen as part of an overall export strategy," says Daniel Küng.The "Market Finder" aims to impart the necessary digital know-how, provide practical tools and eLearning modules. The platform brings exporters together with Google, Switzerland Global Enterprise and other organizations. The aim is to offer answers to all kinds of export questions, from the strategy for internationalization to financing and hedging to technical issues around customs and taxes.The link to the platform: g.co/marketfinderBy the way: If you want to know more, our colleague Thomas Berner (Editor-in-Chief Organizer) has written an exclusive report from the launch event of the platform. You can find it here.