Craig Ford Email & Phone Number

Gold Coast, Qld, Au

Gold Coast, Qld, Au

Mexico City, Mexico

I lead three teams, the first two are Austrade multi-sector offices in Mexico and Colombia focused on export of products and services in the Food and Agriculture, Education and METS sectors, with projects in Nearshoring and E-commerce. I see my role as a multi-sector Executive Director of Export Market Development, driving teams, strategy and relationships to deliver commercial outcomes in specifically chosen sectors/markets, while aligning with government priorities to contribute to Australia’s economic growth and geo-political interests. The diplomatic aspect of the role involves working closely with DFAT and attached agencies in embassies in Mexico City and Bogota and the High Commission in Trinadad and Tobago to drive Australia's strategic economic interests across the region.The third and largest team is Education, where I am Sector Lead for Latin America driving the increase of education exports principally from Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile and Brazil. The sector in LATAM is worth almost $3bn in export revenue to the Australian economy, and an important contributor to Australia's national skills and intellectual property agenda.

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Gold Coast, Australia

I worked with small and large businesses on the Gold Coast to help them export overseas. The role is contracted to the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade), and I worked with the City of Gold Coast to deliver these export advisory services.Here is what I did* First I determine what the product is, and why it should be exported* I then work out which markets/countries will best suit the product - customer demand and size* We then tackle barriers to market - mostly regulatory, logistical, financial and cultural barriers* I then provide specific advice, training and resources to overcome these barriers Next we worked out a combination of market entry methods - it might be via distributors supported by digital marketing for lead generation, or it might be a sales agent or office. Whichever it is, we talk to overseas offices to get product and market feedback and undertake testing prior to launch.Launch may be a trade show or one to one matching with identified B2B customers. I continue to work with the business to refine their export market entry and product development for the market after they launch.Key skills include:* Communication across cultural barriers* Cross industry experience - Health, ICT, food, marine, professional services, manufacturing and more* International trade and application of export/import market development strategies* Market entry and launch implementation* Product development* B2B online and offline marketing* Export sales partner selection and negotiation* Agreement close and ongoing overseas partner support and development

Gold Coast, Australia

Brisbane, Australia

We help business bring product to market, from any market, to any market. We have clients in Australia, Singapore, New Zealand and even as far as Spain.Not just importing but also launching to market B2B. We work with some really big businesses, and also start-ups - the principals are the same really. A finite budget, new product to market and implementing our knowledge and systems to reduce the risk, and maximise the product reach into market.I also have a tonne of experience exporting from Australia. I recognised that my export clients were also importing components, so I started My Import Label to help clients like these to improve their supply chain. So we offer hands-on import advice, sourcing support, B2B advice and easy to use technologies to overcome the challenges of importing and launching new products.Where do we import from? Anywhere that is commercially viable. China is obvious but there are so many other places, some of our clients even develop their product and decide to manufacture locally.I now utilise a robust global network to bring product to market, from the initial product idea, to finding suppliers, product development, risk mitigation, contract and negotiation across borders, then freight and launch.We really focus on B2B, because we want our clients to sell in scale. We apply the same process we have used for technology products, and apply it to much less complex products.

Brisbane, Australia

I helped ChilliDB implement a marketing plan to expand the company's profle and sales away from the medicare local sector. Here is what I did:* Developed a new brand to fit the product* Launched a new website to funnel interest increase traffic and capture B2B leads* Created training and marketing videos to streamline communication* Helped launch a feedback channel so customers can prioritise new systems development requests* Opened a new channel of email communication with clients* Developed a new client implementation training plan* Developed and implemented a new lead acquisition plan

Brisbane, Australia

I won the exclusive Federal Government contract for the Brisbane region to deliver export advisory services to small businesses. Clients include local industrial manufacturers, software and hardware developers, education providers, designers (fashion and industrial), mining supply services and technology providers, industrial components, technology manufacturers and developers just to name a few. I advised these companies how to:* Start exporting, including selection of export markets* Develop market launch strategies for entering new markets - most common markets are US, UK, HK, India, China, Singapore and Korea, while some of the random export markets included Kazakhstan, eastern block countries, and Central West Africa. * Advise appropriate market entry strategies including partnerships, distributorships, direct market entry, local offices, sales agents, wholesalers and 3PL facilities* Facilitate support and outcomes for representation at trade shows The role required an innate understanding of SME business growth strategies, the use of technology to manage operations and as a platform for growth, and of course exporting - consumer goods, technologies and industrial components.I left this role to commence My Import Label and my wife has gone back into the role. She is currently the No. 1 ranked Export Adviser in Australia (of 31) and she focuses her client activities around fashion, natural and health products, technology and consumer goods.

Brisbane, Australia

Performance information systems for the mining industry. MinVu aggregates all reporting systems on a mine site into a single standardised reporting system, enabling line staff, area managers and senior management to make whole of operation decisions. The software is used in any mining operation, including coal, diamonds and gold.The reporting system aggregates data and provides real time intelligence reporting in html and excel interface. Data sources include GPS fleet management systems, dragline and truck monitoring systems and ERP's including Mincom and SAP.

Brisbane, Australia

Managing programs that developed business opportunities for independent software vendors in vertical market sectors - Not for Profit, Construction, Mining and Tourism sectors. The role required me to work with vertical market industry associations and market productivity opportunities achievable through the uptake of technology solutions.

Export Market Development to South Asia. Finding export opportunities in India for mining technology, aviation and tourism services companies, then securing the support of Queensland companies with relevant supply capabilities. The role required me to develop an innate understanding of the mining and aviation sectors in India, then recruit Queensland companies to participate in export market development programs

International Business, International Management, Spanish, Gpa 5.99

Masters Of Information Technology, Web Development, Digital Marketing, Database Systems

Activities and Societies: Development and implementation of information systems.

Ilab, Technology Accelerator

Activities and Societies: Start-up hub