How to appoint an agent. Agency selection is critical and affects development of your whole export effort.The challenge is to appoint an agent who knows the export market and has influence with the key buying personnel in the appropriate sectors and, is committed to your business.The first step is to draw up a preliminary list with the assistance of embassies, Enterprise Ireland Office Network overseas (or your local Trade Promotion Government Agency), Chambers of Commerce, Banks and personal contacts.The next step is to write to the organisations and industrialists on that list giving your firm's background and export objectives, and checking whether they act for competitors in that market, and their terms of commission.The replies you receive form the basis of a short list, which in turn is the basis for interviews when you visit the market.Trade and banker's references can then be taken up and an appointment made.Agency AgreementAn agency agreement is a statement, in ...[Read article]