Adapting in testing times: Lessons we can learn from China Webinar

We were delighted to partner with Chamber members Zudu to deliver a webinar looking at 'Adapting in testing times: Lessons we can learn from China'. The session heard from James Buchan, Managing Director at Zudu & Stuart Hamilton, International Business and trade Specialist at Scottish Chamber of Commerce.

The webinar was opened by Keith Harvey, International Trade and Events Assistant at Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce (DACC) who gave a summary of what the Chamber have been doing to support businesses across the region during these difficult and turbulent times. Along with the dedicated Covid-19 Hub and Webinar programme the Chamber have been working with partners across the Tay Cities region to influence and advise Goverment on business needs.

Our key speaker James Buchan gave a thorough overview of the strategies that have been adapted by Chinese businesses in these trying times and how they have implemented new technologies to adapt their income revenues. James continued with ideas on how we can implement similar techniques in Scottish businesses and what companies may have to do in order to survive this difficult time. Some of the strategies we learned of included new medical technologies that allows doctors to examine patients who are still in their own homes, new community technology that allows the public to have access to where hub-spots of the virus are located, and how companies in the hospitality sector began offering pre-made meals which could be delivered to homes directly.

Stuart Hamilton finished the presentations with a review of the International Trade Partnership 2 programme, an investment programme by the Scottish Government providing funding for local Chambers of Commerce to organise and host international trade missions to key markets. He discussed the success that has been found by the Scottish Chamber of Commerce as well as others who have made use of the funding, particularly the ones in China. He encouraged the community to make sure they keep in touch with any international contacts they have to avoid relationships becoming stagnant and highlighted that there is high hopes that such trade missions may be moved online for the initial stages to allow local businesses to still interact with the wider international community.

The webinar was rounded up with a Q&A session with both James & Stuart taking questions from the audience, as with such an event there was not time to answer all questions, a review of those are available here. 

You can view the full webinar for yourself online or watch it below;

DACC are keen to share member news and any steps being put in place to become more resilient, if you have something you'd like shared please email news@dundeeandanguschamber.co.uk. There is also a web page being updated on a regular basis supporting the local food and drinks industry, a lot of businesses have had to react quickly to maintain some income and as a result we have seen a huge amount of collaborative work between these businesses. Please support them where possible, with veg boxes, dairy produce, home-cooked meals etc. all available for take-away and delivery there is something for everyone! Find out more on this dedicated webpage

All Chamber members are currently being reminded about their FREE member benefit at Quest which includes access to Chamber HR, Chamber Health & Safety, Chamber Legal and Chamber Tax. Every member should have already be reminded of their log in details, should you require access and do not have log in details please email membership@dundeeandanguschamber.co.uk.