MTSCO team members Erin and Mickey recently returned from their customer visits to North America. Erin shared her experiences and insights from this important trip, giving us a closer look at their client interactions.
Detailed Preparations Before the Trip
The main destinations for this trip were Houston in the USA, and Toronto and Calgary in Canada. Before departing, the team made thorough preparations to ensure efficient and organized visits. Erin mentioned, "We made significant adjustments to our company introduction PPT, particularly by adding a 'How about 2024' section and placing it at the beginning to highlight our latest achievements in 2024, such as new projects, certification applications, and trade show participation. We wanted our clients to know about MTSCO's latest developments immediately." These changes significantly enhanced the company's professional image in the eyes of the clients.
Erin also emphasized the importance of expressing expectations when inviting clients: "In every invitation email and call, I repeatedly mentioned that we hope to meet all members of the client's team, especially their boss. Fortunately, we received positive responses and met with the client's team."
Precise Guidance During Visits
During the visits, Erin engaged in in-depth discussions with clients by seizing every opportunity: "We prepared detailed background documents in advance, including client inquiries and our test reports, and openly shared all our materials with the clients. This allowed us to present relevant information at any time during the meetings and engage in substantial discussions, demonstrating MTSCO's professionalism."
She shared an example: "When introducing MTSCO's sales growth, we particularly emphasized significant performance improvement after we made nickel alloy a strategic product in 2015-2016. This client is also focusing on nickel alloy, and he was visibly interested."
Challenges and Solutions
The trip was not without its challenges. Erin recalled a particular incident: "In Houston, we encountered a tornado, and everywhere lost power, including traffic lights. Despite this, we persisted in visiting clients unannounced. Eventually, we found the boss at one company and successfully handed over our brochures and business cards."
Reflecting on the moment, Erin felt deeply moved: "As we were leaving, I noticed the boss quietly examining our brochure at the door. I took a photo of that moment. There were many surprises on this trip, and these meaningful moments made it all worthwhile."
Unique Experiences During the Trip
Erin's account included not only business success but also many unforgettable experiences: "We chose to rent a car and take a train to cross the border between the USA and Canada. This not only saved costs but also allowed us to see beautiful scenery along the way, such as Buffalo in New York and Niagara Falls. It was an amazing experience."
She also mentioned a serendipitous encounter with a client: "In Toronto, we decided to have a meal at McDonald's for the first time during this trip. We unexpectedly saw the truck of a client we had missed visiting in another city parked there. It was a delightful surprise, perhaps a twist of fate."
New Knowledge and Growth
Throughout the trip, Erin not only improved her business skills but also learned new cultural and communication methods: "North American clients really value their weekend plans, which became an effective way for us to make small talk. Moreover, I found that expressing emotions in English felt less awkward, making communication more natural and friendly."
She concluded, " Look at the world, look at yourself. Each of us has a lot of potential waiting to be discovered. The world is boundless, and so are we. Moving forward, MTSCO will continue to delve into markets, understand the latest trends, meet customer needs, and convey our company's values and service concepts. "