Coaching Trade Information Trainers in Vietnam

One of the projects we were involved in, in 2009,  was a Train the Trainers programme with Vietrade in Hanoi, Vietnam. The assignment was conducted on behalf of the United Nations International Trade Centre (ITC). In 3 short missions, we coached two local trainers to develop and implement a 3 days workshop on trade information management for business support organisations. We did the same with two local trainers on the subject of market research and analysis.

In a period of 4 months, a training needs analysis was carried out, detailed training briefings were developed, training methodologies selected, presentations and assignments prepared. The final stage was a pilot training course, conducted in Hanoi by the local trainers and supervised by Alfons van Duijvenbode and Bastiaan Bijl.

Around 20 participants from various business associations participated. They gained knowledge and skills in trade information collection through systematic market research and analysis, processing of trade information and dissemination methodologies. On top of that they exchanged ideas on improving their strategies, adding value to their trade information service, and using social networks to promote their services. The workshop was evaluated by the participants as excellent and will be replicated by the local trainers in 2010 in several regions.