Trade Mission Bangkok 2019

I was able to participate in the Trade Mission Bangkok 2019 during my second year as an International Business and Management Student. I chose to partake in this project since I am very interested in different cultures and how business is typically done in various countries. I am also interested in the continuous process of learning what one has to know and understand as a foreigner to those countries, in order to conduct market research as well as establishing business contacts and relationships with others.

During this project I was able to work in a team with two other students (one Dutch, one German) in close relation with “Bones Sportswear”. A company which licensed its operations for the German, Dutch and Belgium market from the company “Bones Original”. For us the start of the project was much earlier than March 2019, since we had to make a plan what we want to accomplish for our export plan that was to be written during this time. As a team, we developed a survey to be filled out by passerby’s on the street close to bigger shopping malls as well as within the shopping malls while being in Thailand. Additionally, we documented our observations of what the people were actually wearing to compare these observations with the outcomes of the survey. Moreover, we had our own stand at the Trade Fair that was held in Bangkok on March 11. This allowed us to display the samples we brought with us to Thailand and get the audiences first impression on the quality and design of the shirts and shorts. Furthermore, direct interaction with potential business partners allowed us to introduce the brand with its products to the Thai apparel market.

The official Trade Mission was from March 4-14, 2019, however, the students who participated in this project from the Leeuwarden campus of NHL Stenden, were able to extend their stay in Thailand which resulted in this trip being from March 1-17, 2019. This opened multiple opportunities to explore the Bangkok as well as Ko Samet, interact with as many people as possible, and get a better insight into the culture through the business aspects, vacation, and food.

Looking back at this experience, I am more than happy that I was able to be a part of this event and work this closely with a company that was interested in exporting to Thailand. I was able to broaden my network, develop leadership skills, become more open minded towards other cultures and their habits, become more understanding of how business is done in different countries, and to get out of my comfort zone through conduction not only desk research from the Netherlands but also field research in Thailand.