Exporting Your Services
You don't need a shipping container to trade internationally.
Over half of everything the world trades isn't a physical good — it's expertise, software, advice and know-how, crossing borders with nothing but an internet connection. If you run a service business, you may already be an exporter waiting to happen.
Built from The Global Services Trade Revolution, a global trade study by Oxford Economics & Western Union Business Solutions — reframed here for the business owner weighing their first export sale.
of all global trade flows are services — not goods.
moved across borders as services in 2019 alone.
forecast growth in global services trade by 2025.
the pace services trade grew vs. goods trade, 2010–2019.
"International trade" sounds abstract. This is what it's actually made of.
Trade economists sort cross-border services into a handful of categories. Most business owners have never seen this list — click each one to see what it could look like for a business your size, and how fast it's forecast to grow to 2025.
There's a seventh category, public services, but it's almost entirely government-to-government contracting — not much use for private planning, so it's left out here.
2020 forced the test run — and digital services barely stumbled.
Zoom calls replaced site visits. Cloud tools replaced filing cabinets. While international travel and goods trade collapsed, the modern, digitally-delivered end of services trade proved something important: it doesn't need proximity to function.
"As trade in services becomes increasingly important, a critical differentiator for firms will be digital resources and access to talent — those with the ability to generate the best ideas, drive innovation and serve customers in new ways."
Andrew Summerill, President, Payments — Western Uniondip in modern B2B, ICT & financial services trade in 2020 — vs. –18% for total services trade.
of IT leaders kept or increased digital investment straight through the pandemic.
Every category of services trade is set to grow. Some far faster than others.
Hover or tap a row for what's driving each forecast.
Central-scenario forecast, value increase 2019–2025. Source: Oxford Economics, WTO.
Australia is named as one of the world's next services-export hotspots.
The same report singles out Australia and New Zealand as economies "well positioned to grow exports in knowledge-intensive services industries as distance becomes less relevant to trade."
The tyranny of distance that once held Australian exporters back barely applies to a service business anymore.
The list of "non-exportable" services is shrinking fast.
Telepresence, remote-controlled devices and connected sensors are turning things that once required being in the room into things you can sell from anywhere.
Could your business export its services?
Curious what this actually looks like for your business?
We've spent 20+ years helping business owners work out whether exporting their service makes sense — and if it does, what the first sale actually looks like. No hard pitch. Just a straight conversation.
Figures and forecasts on this page are drawn from The Global Services Trade Revolution (2020), a report produced by Western Union Business Solutions in partnership with Oxford Economics. Palaudin Consulting is not affiliated with Western Union; data is reproduced here for educational purposes, with sourcing noted, and reflects that report's central-scenario projections as published.
Frequently Asked Questions
What industries do you specialise in?
We take pride in our ability to learn the fundamentals of virtually any industry or technology quickly. Some of the markets we have served include internet/e-commerce, professional services, construction, manufacturing, mining, retail, food service, media and more. Having said that, we believe the value we bring to the table is not industry expertise but rather an understanding of what it takes to be successful export markets.
What size companies do you work with?
We collaborate with organisations of all sizes, including small businesses, local councils, state and federal governments, industry associations and large corporations. We offer tailored business advisory solutions to meet the needs of your organisation.
What geographical area do you service?
We are headquartered in Brisbane, Australia and have operations in Hong Kong. We provide consulting services to businesses all across the globe. We believe in face-to-face interactions, and where possible, we will come to you. We also communicate by phone, e-mail and online meeting tools.
Do you work with business not interested in export?
Yes we do. We offer business coaching and consulting services to businesses who want to grow and expand domestically.
What are your qualifications?
Over the past 20 years, we have provided consultation services to numerous businesses in the areas of change management and market development. Our expertise extends beyond theoretical teaching; we also manage separate companies that export food products from Australia to various markets worldwide.
What can a business advisor do for me and my business?
A business advisor from Palaudin Consulting functions as a strategic partner, working closely with you to understand the intricacies of your business. We assist in identifying growth opportunities, mitigating potential risks, improving operational efficiencies, and implementing best industry practices. In essence, we provide the expertise and external perspective often needed to drive significant positive change.
What other work do you do for clients?
In the past we have helped businesses run international product launches, arranged the delivery of samples into new markets on behalf of domestic customers, developed print and visual promotional materials and ran large scale industry events.
How do I know which training is best for me?
If you are unsure where to get started or which training resource is right for
you, talk to a member of our team. We will conduct a free assessment to determine your business's position and ascertain if you are export ready. We will then provide you with tailored recommendations to help you and your business build capacity.
What does it cost to work with Palaudin Consulting?
We offer a range of training options to suit any budget. Contact us for more information.
Have questions that aren't answered here?
Reach out to us info@palaudinconsulting.com and a member of our team will get back to you shortly.
