Case study of exporting used mixed shoes in Nigeria

Client Background:

 Large Lagos-based footwear wholesaler serving 5 West African countries

Communication Challenges:

Time zone difference: 7 hours between China and Nigeria

Language barrier: Client's English with local accent, our Chinese thinking

Cultural difference: African business pace differs from Chinese

Our Communication Solutions

Establishing Dedicated Communication System:

1.Bilingual coordinator: Assigned project manager fluent in Chinese/English, familiar with African culture

2.Golden time window: Daily 3-6pm Beijing time (8-11am Nigeria) for dedicated communication

3.Multiple communication channels:

WhatsApp business account: Daily instant communication

Weekly video meetings: Every Wednesday afternoon

Three Stages of Trust Building:

Stage 1: Small Trial Order Building Confidence (1 month)

Trial Order Plan:

Quantity: 1x20ft container, loaded with 8,000 pairs mixed shoes

Ratio: Sneakers 40%, Casual 30%, Slippers 20%, Sandals 10%

Trust-building Measures:

1.Full transparency: Client can view sorting, cleaning, packaging processes in real-time

2.Video inspection service: 2-hour video inspection before container loading

Stage 2: Moderate Cooperation Deepening Trust (3 months)

Order volume increase: From 1 to 3 containers/month

Communication level upgrade: Direct contact between business owners

Stage 3: Strategic Cooperation Full Trust (After 6 months)

Annual framework agreement: Signed 12-month supply contract

Price locking mechanism: Quarterly pricing to avoid market fluctuations

Joint inventory management: Share sales data to optimize inventory