Brand Vietnam creates a real buzz in the UK

Vietnam is causing a real buzz around UK and European business right now. Firstly through the Ministry of UK Trade and Investment and secondly featured in Lord Digby Jones annual Lecture.

Last week I ran Vietnam business clinics at the Asia Taskforce seminars on emerging markets seminar in both London and Manchester. Vietnam proved to be one of the most sought after clinics with a high proportion of delegates wanting to learn about doing business in Vietnam. I spoke about Harvey Nash’s success in Vietnam, about our software development business, the high skill levels of our energetic work force in Vietnam.

I would like to think it was something to do with my charisma or indeed Tim Brownbill Director of Trade and Investment, Vietnam who really presented an objective view of the country. Of course it was nothing to do with me, it was "Brand Vietnam" The Q&A session was one of the liveliest I’ve experienced with questions coming from a wide spectrum of sectors, energy, education, retail, technology, manufacturing and financial services. There was a huge interest in how Harvey Nash engaged and made such a great success of building a software business in Vietnam.

Lord Mandelson, first Minister of State talked about the imperative for UK business to export and to globalise to help build the economy and Lord Powell, joint Chair of the Asia Taskforce talked about how well respected the Brits are in the region.

This leads me to Lord Digby Jones who spoke at Harvey Nash’s Annual lecture for the fifth time on Wednesday 10th June. Yes there was a tube strike but that did not stop 270 senior business executives turning up!

Digby, who talked of his high opinion of Vietnam, really stressed the importance of engaging with Asia both from an export and an outsourcing perspective. His opinion is supported by the traction gained by our international competitors and by the need for the UK to remain competitive. His vision of the future describes the UK as a knowledge based economy driving ideas and innovation rather than trying to compete with Asia on a cost platform.

Having seen UK businesses struggling to remain competitive in the software environment the decision to outsource development to Asia whilst retaining their Knowledge base and IPR can revitalise their business and inject much needed financial resources into marketing and sales efforts.

June 15, 2009 09:30 AM | Permalink