No textbook theory. In this section I share market analyses, operational strategies and real-world insights to help SMEs sell abroad with method, leveraging new digital tools and avoiding the most costly mistakes.
There’s one sentence I hear more and more often when I sit down with business owners to talk about export strategy: “Pier Paolo, uncertainty weighs more than tariffs.” Trade wars (and not only those), sudden shifts in the geopolitical landscape … Continue reading
When some German customers reduce their orders, we tend to say that “Germany has come to a standstill”. But those figures describe our customer portfolio, not necessarily the German market as a whole. This is an important distinction, especially for … Continue reading
A few weeks ago, during a meeting of Confindustria Vicenza’s Mercati in Vista service, I analyzed the foreign sales network of a manufacturing SME. The company policy was clear: one distributor per country. On paper, France, the United Kingdom and … Continue reading
Digital platforms and artificial intelligence have dramatically reduced the cost of sales research. Today, an SME can quickly identify hundreds of potential customers, distributors or partners. It can analyse their websites, find the right people to contact and collect information … Continue reading
One project, one team Over the past few months, I have had the opportunity to support Lanulfi Moulds Srl in an export development project launched within Export Booster, the initiative promoted by Confindustria Vicenza – FarExport desk – and co-financed … Continue reading
A month ago, I wrote that Spain is Europe’s locomotive: GDP growth at +2.9% in 2025, several expanding sectors, and European funds still waiting to be allocated. If you read that article, you probably agreed. But agreeing is not enough. … Continue reading
And Along Came the Tariff That Stopped the Market… To Understand the Global Economy, Look to a Medieval Nursery Rhyme Continue reading
In recent weeks, speaking with many SME entrepreneurs, the central theme remains the same: trade fairs. They are essential stages—there is no denying it. Human contact, a handshake, and the ability to show a product in person remain irreplaceable pillars … Continue reading
In recent months, headlines have been dominated by tariffs and protectionism. For exporters, the risk is being slowed down by geopolitical uncertainty. But there is one fact that often goes unnoticed: while barriers are rising overseas, Europe is opening fast … Continue reading
2025 left us with a very clear message: the international competitive landscape is changing faster than many companies can react. We see it every day. Markets that once felt “safe” are slowing down, new competitors are entering the game, buyers … Continue reading