The team responsible for EMRS is based in Coventry, UK. However, each Research Adviser and Coordinator is responsible for a different region of the UK; so you may receive contact from several different Project Coordinators.
Purpose of the scheme
The Export Marketing Research Scheme helps and encourages UK companies to undertake overseas marketing research prior to developing a strategy for market entry or further investment in an overseas market. This entails the systematic and objective collection of information about an overseas market, to help companies reach sound decisions on issues such as:
- Whether or not to export to a new market
- How best to deliver products / services in the market
- Whether to, and how best to invest in the country
The scheme aims to ensure that UK companies undertake or commission marketing research based on sound methods.
Click here for details on eligibility criteria for the Export Marketing Research Scheme »
Who assists companies in planning their research programme?
A small team of Research Advisers provides independent, professional advice free of charge to all companies. Often an Adviser will visit a company to assist in designing the research before the company applies for financial support from the scheme. If an International Trade Adviser is working with the company, they may also attend this meeting, or indeed themselves may assist the company in planning research.
Advice might include:
- helping companies to compare markets based on comparable data, and prioritise markets for research
- encouraging companies to consider the elements of a market entry strategy, and illustrating how researching the market contributes to a more effective strategy
- identifying key information to be obtained
- signposting companies to sources of secondary information – this may include suggesting the company talk to their International Trade Adviser about commissioning OMIS services, such as background and initial contacts for the market
- defining an appropriate range of fact-holders to be interviewed during a visit to the market, and assistance with planning suitable questioning techniques
Each Research Adviser has a professional background in marketing research, and all have worked in exporting companies.
Click here for more on the advice we offer to companies »
How are local International Trade Teams involved?
We notify the local International Trade Team of all applications from companies in their region. More often than not, the company is already working with an International Trade Adviser, who has referred the company to the scheme. In this way we aim to ensure that the scheme is presented to companies at an appropriate time in their export development, alongside other UK Trade & Investment services which may be relevant.
It is likely that the International Trade Adviser may already have contacted Post with an initial query, or perhaps have commissioned OMIS services on behalf of the company.
How is the Export Marketing Research Scheme different from the Overseas Market Introduction Service?
Some of the activities offered through OMIS can be very useful for companies conducting an overseas marketing research project:
- background information and overview of the market, confirming whether or not the market is worth research in more depth
- contacts and general local market introductions who can provide more information to help the company, and may be interviewed during a visit to the market to conduct detailed research
- appointment making and assistance with arranging interpreters can provide essential practical support for company executives embarking on their own field research project.
The Export Marketing Research Scheme may then provide financial support to enable the company to conduct more in-depth research to ascertain how best to establish a strategic presence in the market, usually by visiting the market to interview key fact-holders.
In some instances, OMIS support may be relevant after an export marketing research project has been carried out, for example if a company carries out field research which identifies a particular route to market, post may then be able to provide a shortlist of potential business partners meeting the criteria identified by the marketing research project.
Alternatively, a company may commission a professional marketing research agency to study the market in-depth on their behalf.
Click here for more details of financial support available to companies »