PwC Herald Talks: Going Global - Fady Mishriki

Fady Mishriki, Co-Founder, Executive Vice President and PowerbyProxi has shared his experiences on becoming a groundbreaking technology company and how to gain attention from international businesses.

At PWC Herald Talks yesterday Mishriki was quick to point out that businesses can be born global from day one, with good old fashioned networking critical for success.

"You'd be surprised how connected we are locally here in New Zealand. You can hire good local staff to build your work base, but it's not a substitute for traveling.

Your overseas clients expect to see the founders, they want to meet the people behind the business. It's important to be present at overseas expos and industry events relevant to your business as it's the perfect place to build contacts."

A panel discussion on Going Global featured Tim Green General Manager, International New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Phil Veal CEO Rangatira Fund and Global Chair of KEA New Zealand and Erica Crawford, CEO Loveblock Wines and co-founder of Kim Crawford Wines. NZME Editorial Director - Business Fran O'Sullivan led the discussions as the adjudicator.

Veal says the wonderful thing about us kiwis is that we are the world's best travellers.

"At Kea we are trying to create a borderless community. Kiwis are starting to come back on shore and bring those ideas home. None of us are there in business because it's easy" he says.

Green agrees with Veal in that there are no easy markets when it comes to global business.

"As my business mentor say it's either hard or harder! The best way to teach is not to preach but try and unlock the power to the people. We support global growth projects. We are in a volatile, dynamic time - watch things closely - we are dealing with a falling dollar and changing dairy prices."

Crawford is a business pioneer having created a new business model-a virtual wine company that is now common place. Crawford grew Kim Crawford Wines from a small family-owned business to a significant international player that is sold in more than 30 countries. Today, it is New Zealand's biggest wine brand in the USA and Canada and tops the general sauvignon blanc category in both of these important export markets.

Crawford highlighted that the global journey never ends.
"In the early days selling into the US you had to push New Zealand as a sovereign nation and then push your brand second to that, But that's changed and now they know New Zealand.

Coming back after being our restraint of trade period it was a different world out there.

The way we sell is changing. Internationally we trade on our pure clean and green Kiwi image but we really have to check things. I think we are in a grey area and there are businesses that could be following better 'best practice' out there."

PwC Herald Talks has been launched by NZME to encourage business leaders to share knowledge, insight and strategies, grow and diversify business in New Zealand. This is the second event in a series of four running from July 1 through to December.