The DHL Atlas Export Awards as a reflection of a thriving foreign sector

Interview with Nicolas Mouze, Marketing and Sales Director at DHL Express

The crisis that has occurred in recent years has meant that more and more SMEs have made the decision to export their products or services to other countries, with the aim of diversifying risks and reaching a greater number of consumers.

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In a globalized context where commercial opportunities multiply, Spanish SMEs are positioned as key players on the international scene. DHL Express, aware of this fundamental role, launches the IX edition of the DHL Atlas Export Awards, an initiative that seeks to recognize and reward small and medium-sized companies that stand out for their innovation, sustainability, growth in the e-commerce and international expansion.

More than 270 applications in the previous edition

In the last edition of the awards broke records with 270 applications submitted by 141 companies, which represents an increase of 42,4% in the number of participating companies. This growth shows the interest of SMEs in this recognition that allows them to obtain visibility and recognition for their export work.

To learn more about this important initiative and its impact on the Spanish business sector, we spoke with Nicolas Mouze, Marketing and Sales Director at DHL Express. about this new call for the DHL Atlas export awards where he shares his vision on the importance of supporting and promoting the export work of Spanish SMEs.

 

What is the history and evolution of the DHL Atlas Awards that make them a reference for Spanish exporting SMEs?

 

Nicolas Mouze. It is the 9th edition of the awards and they are focused on exporting SMEs so that they encourage others to have good practices. The important thing is that since we have been there for nine years, a total of 1070 companies have submitted to these awards. Compared to last year we have grown 42%, which is a record. What we look for and encourage is that they are small and medium-sized companies with good practices.

 

What new features are presented this year?

 

NM: This year we are going to measure two, two very important elements. The first is the innovation. We already did it the previous years, measuring the patents, the brands. But we see that innovation is a very important criterion in the life span of exporting companies, so we are going to measure it and the second part is everything we call ESG. It's the whole sustainability part. Sustainability, as you can see, is seen in SMEs, which are measuring their carbon footprint, that is, they have already started the whole process of I'm going to see what my industrial or export process is and how it is located, what it is. my carbon footprint in each of the different established stages. The famous three are the three levels of carbon footprint measurement and then the action plans that have been effectively initiated to mitigate this carbon footprint. The second is going to be the whole theme of diversity of people, that is, diversity.

Also with the inclusion of different genres and women in management positions such as positions directly linked to exports. And the last one, which is the G for governance, which is the entire aspect of compliance, because we also see that a company that does things well, that follows both customs regulations, for example, is what allows it, it is also what what society asks of you, but also what it asks for, what you ask for from a reliable exporter.

 

In what categories can companies participate?

 

NM: Companies can choose to submit to one or several awards. You can submit the award to the innovation, the sustainability award or the e-commerce award, which can be ecommerce, B2B or B2C.

 

What are the selection criteria for the winners?

 

NM: The selection criteria for the winners, as always defined by the jury and is a totally independent jury, made up of several renowned companies or entities in Spain that are supporting the international trade. The Honorary Presidency is held by the representative of the Secretary of State for Commerce and the members of the jury are made up of Adigital Chamber of Commerce of Spain, CESCE Exporters Club, Forum of Renowned Spanish Brands and ICEX. Spain. Export and Investment and DHL Express Spain. The criteria analyzed by the jury are the growth of the company and exports in previous years. Then the number of patents and trademarks and the different product registrations.

Then the number of markets. When we talk about exports, it will be the number of open markets, and also the volume of merchandise sold. And if these companies have subsidiaries in these departments. Then we actually see the innovation part. We also look at whether they use e-commerce to market their products. Then we have all the aspects. Then the team, the team they have to export, that is, diversity and what plans they are making and. And finally, the entire responsibility policies, Corporate social responsibility, which in the end are very important elements when it comes to exporting. And what we seek through these awards is to reward a career, but also a future. And we consider that all these elements are very important when selecting candidates.

 

What benefits do winning companies obtain?

 

NM: The winning companies first have a recognition that we do during these awards, where all the different actors that normally support Spanish exports are represented. And this is a very important factor because you normally need help when you export and you also need to know who the main actors are that can help you in the different markets. I would say this is the main element. And then you have a communication element with which we help publicize your company through different media and social networks. As a final element for the Grand Prize, it should be noted that we accompany a commercial mission to open new markets for the award-winning company. 

That is, in the Grand Prix there is a financial prize, but above all it is focused on opening markets and continuing to grow.

 

How can companies register?

 

NM: The registration period opens from April 2 to August 30. There are five months in which companies can present their candidacy. Companies can register on the website through awardsdhlatlas.com where you will find the form to fill out the data so that we can validate if the application is complete. That is to say, there will be a lot of data that will be confidential, where we will request billing in the destination countries for example. But it is a form, there is no need to add any additional documents at the moment in the first phase of registering applications.

 

What advice would you give to SMEs that are thinking about participating in the awards?

 

NM: Good that above all they show up. Because? Because the prizes are free and if you show up and win there are only advantages: recognition, meeting more people, making your project known, and having your brand promoted. Because indeed, once you are the winner of the different awards, we are going to take care of you, make your brand known, make known what you do and also use you as an example of good practices that other export companies have to follow. Another very important issue is an award for SMEs, that is, it is not an award for large companies.

 

Exporting is complicated and certainly requires a great deal of effort, but also a lot of passion, which is what we want to reward and what we have rewarded so far. If you visit our website, you'll see past winners and nominees. All companies like yours that are working hard, that live and breathe it, that are striving to make their products known abroad. Furthermore, the jury takes great care in studying each application and understanding how each company operates, who is involved, what product they offer, how they are doing, their track record…

 

What role does DHL play in supporting the internationalization of Spanish companies? 

 

NM: We try to help because what we see is that today exporting is complex. Because? Because we see that in all destination countries one of the first obstacles are customs, through which we try to help them and make them known. The Atlas awards are a reflection of what we do. It is to publicize good practices so that companies are encouraged and that more and more go out. In DHL we are a great company, we are in more than 220 countries, In Spain we have more than 20.000 clients, but the 20.000 clients we have in Spain are small and medium-sized companies that I mentioned before. They are all fighting, opening, traveling and always looking for new outlets, new market niches for their products and what we humbly aim to do is help them so that they are more successful and we grow with them.

 

The DHL Atlas Export Awards are consolidated as a fundamental initiative for the development of the Spanish business fabric in an increasingly interconnected world.