Developing New Business Areas

In my opinion, successful business does not happen by just identifying opportunities and selling the right products that will satisfy customers needs. In this ever changing world  successful business happens by anticipating new  market trends and its main actors. Therefore it is important to be aware of decisions made by government and how these can create new markets.

The video attached to this blog is from a meeting at the Chilean Minister of Energy. The video showcases Andres Romero, Advisor for the Energy Minister and Claudio Huepe, Chief of Studies Development. On the video, the Energy Advisor refers to how is looking forward to working with the British Embassy. "I have had an excellent experience working previously with  the British Embassy (Maria Pia)on the healthcare reform. In the area of energy, we think there is scope for collaboration, since there are many issues to be addressed". The Chief of Studies Development added that "in the area of studies, we are working with the Embassy on a rather unexplored issue which is marine energy, in which the UK already has expertise".

The main challenge for this Department, which was created this year, is to combat  an energy crisis due to a reduction of gas supply from Argentina and to diversify the energy grid, as well as to define a renewable energy policy and establish an energy sector reform in Chile. At the British Embassy Santiago, we are supporting this process and encouraging the creation of new areas for businesss and support businesses looking to invest or introduce new technologies, as well as expertise.

Transcript

(Andres) I have had an excellent experience working previously with the British Embassy, Maria Pia, on the healthcare reform. In the area of energy, we think there is scope for collaboration, since there are many issues to be addressed.

(Claudio) In the areas of studies we are working with the Embassy on a rather unexplored issues which is marine energy, in which the UK already has expertise.

Posted at 16:00 05 December 2007 by Maria Pia Gazzella  |  Comments[1]

SHORT (LONG) WEEK

This week has been a week unlike all the rest. Monday was a Bank Holiday in Chile and on Tuesday my eldest son had an operation, so I took off one and a half days. I wanted to be with him to help him get better more quickly. I finally got back to work yesterday afternoon. It was an intense afternoon with a lot of general enquiries and coordination of meetings and activities.  In the evening I took part in a charity supper hosted by a foundation that some of my MBA colleagues and I are doing some free-consultancy work for.

Today I am representing the Ambassador at the Santiago Chamber of Commerce’s Business Meeting (CCS) with diplomatic delegates. Later on this afternoon, I will be participating in the International Environmental Conference at the ExpoAmbiental 2007 environmental fair. British companies will participate at the fair, and today’s event will be attended by Energy Minister and the Environmental Minister. There will also be an official supper tonight for industry and government representatives. The environment sector offers two areas of special interest in which the Embassy has been working recently: CDM and climate change, and waste and waste water (especially in the mining industry). These areas offer specific opportunities for British companies, some of which are already working successfully in the marketplace. 

Tomorrow, I am attending a meeting with the Chilean Construction Chamber (CCS) and the Technological Development Corporation (CDT). They will give me a debriefing on their visit to the UK that I helped coordinate. The visit, which took place toward the end of September, enabled Chilean government and construction industry representatives to attend the Constructing Excellence Forum on technological innovation in the construction sector. The attendees also met up with industry companies and associations such as British Expertise. Last week, in the context of the FCO’s climate change objectives, a British expert was invited to participate in the conference on sustainable construction organised by CDT. The visit was co-ordinated by the Embassy`s political section. In the same context, toward the end of 2007 we will participate in a technological delegation to the UK whereby Chilean architects will meet up with their British peers. The event is being organized by Monica Eggers from the commercial section. The aim of these activities is to promote British technologies and management models and to strengthen the trade links between Chile and the UK, via the transfer of information and knowledge.

Well, given that this has been a two and a half day week, I’ve still got a lot to do… so I’m off to the CCS meeting. 

Posted at 14:40 19 October 2007 by Maria Pia Gazzella  |  Comments[1]