Join host Sannah Vinding and guest David Luna, VP of Global Sales and Distribution at Knight Electronics and Orion Fans, as they delve into the essential strategies for navigating international markets and the interplay of globalization and localization in manufacturing. With over 40 years of experience, David provides a wealth of knowledge in elevating global sales and distribution operations.

In this episode, you will discover:

• The Importance of Brand Recognition: Learn from David's experience at Hannover Messe in realizing the need for local distributors to enhance brand presence in foreign markets.
• Cultural Nuances in Market Entry: Understand the significance of appreciating cultural differences and how small businesses can leverage local entities and governmental services to succeed.
• Effective International Collaboration: Explore strategies for setting up local distributors in key markets such as Germany, Italy, and France, supported by resources from the US Commercial Service.
• Navigating Latin American Markets: Gain insights into the challenges and opportunities in Brazil's telecom, Datacom, and medical sectors, and the necessity of having reliable local partners.
• Face-to-Face vs. Virtual Interactions: Hear why David still values face-to-face meetings despite the rise of virtual interactions and how they contribute to building robust international partnerships.
• Actionable Advice for International Expansion: David shares his advice on starting localization efforts in Europe and how resources provided by the US Commercial Service can be instrumental.

David's extensive experience and thoughtful approach to international sales and distribution will arm you with practical strategies and insights to navigate the dynamic global market successfully.

Tune in to boost your leadership capabilities and elevate your international operational strategies to the next level.

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Leadership In Manufacturing Podcast - Episode 98

You can reach David Luna here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-luna-ab9ba66/

Take Action Now – Enhance Your Growth Journey! Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/newsletter/

You can find Sannah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sannahvinding/ or visit https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/hello/

Stay curious and keep learning Thanks for listening!

Sannah & The Leadership in Manufacturing Team.

PS. The "Leadership in Manufacturing" podcast is ranked in the top 10 best electronics podcasts worth listening to in 2024.