{"id":6676,"date":"2025-05-15T11:00:01","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T02:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/?p=6676"},"modified":"2026-02-06T12:06:26","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T03:06:26","slug":"research20250512","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/us\/2025\/05\/15\/research20250512\/","title":{"rendered":"[SMEs Seeking Breakthroughs for Sales Expansion] The #1 external factor hindering stagnant sales growth: &quot;Stagnation of domestic market demand.&quot; 50.5% companies are &quot;implementing\/considering&quot; overseas market development. ~What are the market challenges and potential new growth strategies facing SMEs?~"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>STANDAGE Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director &amp; CEO: Akinori Adachi) has conducted a survey targeting 103 managers and executives of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies (100 to less than 300 employees) that are facing challenges in expanding sales. The survey addresses the challenges faced by small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in terms of increasing sales.<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">01 | The top external factors contributing to sluggish sales growth are: 1st place: &quot;Stagnation of demand in the domestic market&quot; (49.51 TP3T), 2nd place: &quot;Intensified price competition&quot; (38.81 TP3T).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">02 | 50.5% of managers and executives of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies responded that they are &quot;implementing\/considering&quot; developing overseas sales channels.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">03 | The most common challenge in considering and implementing overseas market development is &quot;a shortage of personnel capable of handling overseas sales,&quot; at 56.51 TP3T.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Survey Overview<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Survey Name: Survey on the Current Situation of Challenges in Sales Expansion for Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturing Companies<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Survey method: Online survey planned by &quot;Risapee\u00ae,&quot; a research data marketing service provided by IDEATECH<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Survey period: April 21, 2025 - April 28, 2025<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Valid responses: 103 managers and executives of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies (100 to less than 300 employees) who are facing challenges in expanding sales.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*To arrive at a total of 100%, some values have been rounded. Therefore, there may be slight differences from the actual calculated value.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u226aTerms of use\u226b<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Please clearly state &quot;Omakase Trading&quot; as the source of the information.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2 If you use this content on a website, please include the following link as the source.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">URL:<a href=\"https:\/\/standage.co.jp\/omakase\">https:\/\/standage.co.jp\/omakase<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><b>\u25a0The top external factors contributing to sluggish sales growth are: 1st place &quot;Stagnation of demand in the domestic market,&quot; and 2nd place &quot;Intensified price competition.&quot;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u3000<\/span><b>&quot;Q1. What do you think are the external factors causing your company&#039;s sales to stagnate? (Multiple answers allowed)&quot;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When asked (n=103),<\/span><b>&quot;Stagnation of domestic market demand&quot; was cited at 49.51 TP3T, &quot;Intensified price competition&quot; at 38.81 TP3T, and &quot;Rising procurement costs for raw materials and parts&quot; at 37.91 TP3T.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The answer was:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6677\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/612f43071a2a0f44423b8bcb86c93e1a-1024x709.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/612f43071a2a0f44423b8bcb86c93e1a-1024x709.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/612f43071a2a0f44423b8bcb86c93e1a-300x208.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/612f43071a2a0f44423b8bcb86c93e1a-768x532.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/612f43071a2a0f44423b8bcb86c93e1a-1536x1063.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/612f43071a2a0f44423b8bcb86c93e1a-18x12.jpeg 18w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/612f43071a2a0f44423b8bcb86c93e1a-1568x1085.jpeg 1568w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/612f43071a2a0f44423b8bcb86c93e1a.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>\u30fbStagnation in domestic market demand: 49.5%<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>- Intensified price competition: 38.8%<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>- Rising procurement costs for raw materials and parts: 37.9%<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difficulty in acquiring new customers: 35.9%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Opportunity cost due to labor shortage: 29.1%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Decrease in orders from existing customers: 28.2%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Rise of competitors: 15.5%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Impact of exchange rate fluctuations: 14.6%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u30fbOther: 0.0%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 No external factors: 2.9%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u30fbI don&#039;t know\/cannot answer: 1.9%<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>\u25a0 External factors such as &quot;short product lifecycles&quot; and &quot;declining demand&quot; are also contributing factors.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>\u3000<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For those who answered anything other than &quot;There are no external factors&quot; or &quot;I don&#039;t know\/cannot answer&quot; in Q1,<\/span><b>&quot;Q2. Please tell us if there are any other external factors besides those you answered in Q1 that are causing your sales to stagnate. (Open-ended response)&quot;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When asked (n=98),<\/span><b>&quot;Short product lifecycle&quot; and &quot;decline in demand&quot;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We received 57 responses, including those mentioned above.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>&lt;Free answers, excerpts&gt;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 The product lifecycle is short.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Low brand recognition.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Reduction in public works due to austerity measures.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- The economic slowdown in China.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Decrease in capital investment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- A decline in demand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Decline in domestic purchasing power.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>\u25a0Internal challenges in expanding sales: 1st place: &quot;Shortage and training of sales personnel,&quot; 2nd place: &quot;Lack of resources for developing new businesses and new products&quot;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u3000<\/span><b>&quot;Q3. What internal challenges does your company face in order to increase sales? (Multiple answers allowed)&quot;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When asked (n=103),<\/span><b>&quot;Shortage and training of sales personnel&quot; was cited as 45.61 TP3T, &quot;Lack of resources for developing new businesses and new products&quot; as 35.01 TP3T, and &quot;Lack of differentiation of our own products and services&quot; as 31.11 TP3T.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The answer was:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6678\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/7fb8f1c748d490339c64aa37f2515920-1024x709.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/7fb8f1c748d490339c64aa37f2515920-1024x709.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/7fb8f1c748d490339c64aa37f2515920-300x208.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/7fb8f1c748d490339c64aa37f2515920-768x532.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/7fb8f1c748d490339c64aa37f2515920-1536x1063.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/7fb8f1c748d490339c64aa37f2515920-18x12.jpeg 18w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/7fb8f1c748d490339c64aa37f2515920-1568x1085.jpeg 1568w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/7fb8f1c748d490339c64aa37f2515920.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>- Shortage and training of sales personnel: 45.6%<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>- Lack of resources for developing new businesses and new products: 35.0%<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>- Insufficient differentiation of the company&#039;s products and services: 31.1%<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of marketing expertise: 22.3%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Low brand strength and recognition: 22.3%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Delays in promoting digitalization and DX within the company: 21.4%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Insufficient investment funds for expanding sales channels: 17.5%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of digital marketing skills and knowledge: 17.5%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difficulty in formulating and executing medium- to long-term strategies: 16.5%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Slow decision-making and organizational rigidity: 15.5%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Insufficient efforts to retain and strengthen relationships with existing customers: 14.6%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Lack of know-how and personnel for overseas expansion: 12.6%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other: 1.0%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Cost reduction<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 No internal issues: 6.8%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u30fbI don&#039;t know\/cannot answer: 1.0%<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>\u25a0Internal issues include &quot;stagnation of capital investment due to insufficient funds&quot; and &quot;inconsistencies in personnel across departments.&quot;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>\u3000<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For those who answered anything other than &quot;There are no internal issues&quot; or &quot;I don&#039;t know\/cannot answer&quot; in Q3,<\/span><b>&quot;Q4. In addition to the answers given in Q3, please feel free to tell us about any other internal challenges you are facing in order to expand sales. (Open-ended response)&quot;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When asked (n=95),<\/span><b>&quot;Stagnation of capital investment due to insufficient funds&quot; and &quot;Inconsistency in personnel across departments&quot;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We received 52 responses, including those mentioned above.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>&lt;Free answers, excerpts&gt;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u30fb<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stagnation of capital investment due to insufficient funds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Opportunity cost.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Management decisions are slow, and the management team is unable to present a strategy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Delays in new product development.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Inconsistent levels of personnel across departments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- The transmission of skills.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- The company does OEM manufacturing and therefore does not have its own brand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>\u25a053.4% implements &quot;acquiring new customers&quot; as a sales expansion measure.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u3000<\/span><b>&quot;Q5. Please tell us specifically what measures your company is currently taking to increase sales. (Multiple answers allowed)&quot;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When asked (n=103),<\/span><b>&quot;Acquiring new customers&quot; was 53.41 TP3T, &quot;Developing new products and services&quot; was 45.61 TP3T, and &quot;Increasing and training sales personnel&quot; was 32.01 TP3T.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The answer was:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6679\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/01e20b05948409296d32314122ce234d-1024x709.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/01e20b05948409296d32314122ce234d-1024x709.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/01e20b05948409296d32314122ce234d-300x208.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/01e20b05948409296d32314122ce234d-768x532.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/01e20b05948409296d32314122ce234d-1536x1063.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/01e20b05948409296d32314122ce234d-18x12.jpeg 18w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/01e20b05948409296d32314122ce234d-1568x1085.jpeg 1568w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/01e20b05948409296d32314122ce234d.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>\u2022 Acquiring new customers: 53.4%<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>\u2022 Development of new products and services: 45.6%<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>- Increasing and training sales personnel: 32.0%<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Review of pricing strategy: 29.1%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Strengthening cross-selling and upselling to existing customers: 22.3%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Strengthening our own branding: 22.3%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Participation in exhibitions, seminars, etc.: 22.3%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Diversification of sales channels: 21.4%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Expansion into overseas markets: 20.4%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Business partnerships and alliances with other companies: 15.5%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Strengthening digital marketing: 14.6%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Business expansion through M&amp;A (mergers and acquisitions): 7.8%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u30fbOther: 0.0%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Nothing in particular: 4.9%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u30fbI don&#039;t know\/cannot answer: 1.0%<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>\u25a0 50% of managers and executives of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies responded that they are &quot;implementing\/considering&quot; developing overseas sales channels.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u3000<\/span><b>&quot;Q6. Is your company considering developing overseas sales channels?&quot;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When asked (n=103),<\/span><b>&quot;Already implementing&quot; received 20.41 TP3T, &quot;Considering&quot; received 17.51 TP3T, and &quot;Somewhat considering&quot; received 12.61 TP3T.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The answer was:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6680\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/deb17bd5bd307fcd49379fd7617489d9-1024x709.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/deb17bd5bd307fcd49379fd7617489d9-1024x709.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/deb17bd5bd307fcd49379fd7617489d9-300x208.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/deb17bd5bd307fcd49379fd7617489d9-768x532.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/deb17bd5bd307fcd49379fd7617489d9-1536x1063.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/deb17bd5bd307fcd49379fd7617489d9-18x12.jpeg 18w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/deb17bd5bd307fcd49379fd7617489d9-1568x1085.jpeg 1568w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/deb17bd5bd307fcd49379fd7617489d9.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>\u2022 Already implemented: 20.4%<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>\u2022 Under consideration: 17.5%<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>\u30fbSomewhat under consideration: 12.6%<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Not really considered: 16.5%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Not considered at all: 30.1%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u30fbI don&#039;t know\/cannot answer: 2.9%<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>\u25a0The most common challenge in considering and implementing overseas market development is &quot;a shortage of personnel capable of handling overseas sales,&quot; cited by 56.51 TP3T respondents.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For those who answered anything other than &quot;I haven&#039;t considered it at all&quot; or &quot;I don&#039;t know\/cannot answer&quot; in Q6,<\/span><b>&quot;Q7. What are the specific challenges you face when considering and implementing overseas market development? (Multiple answers allowed)&quot;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When asked (n=69),<\/span><b>&quot;Shortage of personnel capable of handling overseas sales&quot; was cited as a challenge at 56.51 TP3T, &quot;Difficulty in finding and selecting local partners&quot; at 37.71 TP3T, and &quot;Dealing with differences in local business practices and culture&quot; at 31.91 TP3T.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The answer was:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6681\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/b5d634c30847f11a291ecf8d95ac5150-1024x709.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/b5d634c30847f11a291ecf8d95ac5150-1024x709.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/b5d634c30847f11a291ecf8d95ac5150-300x208.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/b5d634c30847f11a291ecf8d95ac5150-768x532.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/b5d634c30847f11a291ecf8d95ac5150-1536x1063.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/b5d634c30847f11a291ecf8d95ac5150-18x12.jpeg 18w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/b5d634c30847f11a291ecf8d95ac5150-1568x1085.jpeg 1568w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/b5d634c30847f11a291ecf8d95ac5150.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>- Shortage of personnel capable of handling overseas sales: 56.5%<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Difficulty in finding and selecting local partners: 37.7%<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>- Dealing with differences in local business practices and culture: 31.9%<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Language barrier: 26.1%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of knowledge in overall strategic planning and sales channel selection: 24.6%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Development and improvement of products and services for overseas markets: 23.2%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of expertise in overseas marketing: 18.8%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- The complexity of export procedures and compliance with various regulations: 17.4%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Logistics costs and delivery time management issues: 17.4%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Establishment of after-sales service system: 17.4%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Exchange rate risk mitigation: 15.9%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u30fbInsufficient funds: 13.0%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u30fbOther: 0.0%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 No particular challenges or obstacles: 4.3%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u30fbI don&#039;t know\/cannot answer: 5.8%<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>\u25a0 External support services for increasing sales: 9.71 TP3T &quot;Already using them,&quot; 42.71 TP3T &quot;Interested.&quot;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u3000<\/span><b>&quot;Q8. Are you interested in utilizing external support services to increase sales?&quot;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When asked (n=103),<\/span><b>&quot;Already using it&quot; received 9.71 TP3T, &quot;Strong interest&quot; received 12.61 TP3T, and &quot;Somewhat interested&quot; received 30.11 TP3T.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The answer was:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6682\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1802783db20269aba22a3ea93b92cabe-1024x709.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1802783db20269aba22a3ea93b92cabe-1024x709.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1802783db20269aba22a3ea93b92cabe-300x208.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1802783db20269aba22a3ea93b92cabe-768x532.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1802783db20269aba22a3ea93b92cabe-1536x1063.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1802783db20269aba22a3ea93b92cabe-18x12.jpeg 18w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1802783db20269aba22a3ea93b92cabe-1568x1085.jpeg 1568w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1802783db20269aba22a3ea93b92cabe.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>\u2022 Already in use: 9.7%<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>\u2022 Strong interest: 12.6%<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>- Somewhat interested: 30.1%<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u30fbNot very interested: 24.3%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u30fbNo interest at all: 15.5%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u30fbI don&#039;t know\/cannot answer: 7.8%<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>\u25a0 Regarding services that support sales expansion, there is a demand for &quot;comprehensive support for the practical aspects necessary for developing overseas sales channels&quot; and &quot;advisors who are well-versed in their own industry.&quot;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For those who answered &quot;Already using,&quot; &quot;Strongly interested,&quot; or &quot;Somewhat interested&quot; in Q8,<\/span><b>&quot;Q9. What functions and features do you look for in a service that supports sales growth? (Multiple answers allowed)&quot;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When asked (n=54),<\/span><b>&quot;They provide comprehensive support for the practical aspects necessary for developing overseas sales channels (export, translation, local partner development, etc.)&quot; received 33.31 TP3T, &quot;They assign an advisor who is well-versed in your industry&quot; received 31.51 TP3T, and &quot;They offer individual consulting from experts&quot; received 29.61 TP3T.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The answer was:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6683\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/7bbefb8f231d232d8ec6a01c33469eec-1024x709.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/7bbefb8f231d232d8ec6a01c33469eec-1024x709.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/7bbefb8f231d232d8ec6a01c33469eec-300x208.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/7bbefb8f231d232d8ec6a01c33469eec-768x532.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/7bbefb8f231d232d8ec6a01c33469eec-1536x1063.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/7bbefb8f231d232d8ec6a01c33469eec-18x12.jpeg 18w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/7bbefb8f231d232d8ec6a01c33469eec-1568x1085.jpeg 1568w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/7bbefb8f231d232d8ec6a01c33469eec.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>- Provides comprehensive support for all practical aspects of developing overseas sales channels (export, translation, local partner development, etc.): 33.3%<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>- You will be assigned an advisor who is well-versed in your industry: 31.5%<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>\u2022 Individual consultations with experts are available: 29.6%<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Data-driven market analysis reports are provided regularly: 27.8%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Supports the development of specific sales strategies: 27.8%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Branding support is available to highlight the strengths of your own products and services: 25.9%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Support is provided (hands-on) to help achieve sales targets: 24.1%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Support is provided for creating sales tools and marketing materials: 20.4%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Success stories and industry best practices are shared: 20.4%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 We have training programs for our sales representatives: 18.5%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Opportunities to match with new customers are provided: 18.5%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Provides concrete support for implementing digital marketing: 18.5%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 The fee structure is performance-based (success-based): 14.8%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u30fbOther: 0.0%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Nothing in particular: 1.9%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u30fbI don&#039;t know\/cannot answer: 1.9%<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>\u25a0 There are also calls for &quot;extensive support to compensate for the shortage of personnel and expertise&quot; and &quot;dynamic support using AI.&quot;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>\u3000<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For those who answered anything other than &quot;Nothing in particular&quot; or &quot;I don&#039;t know\/cannot answer&quot; in Q9,<\/span><b>&quot;Q10. In addition to the answers given in Q9, please feel free to tell us if there are any other functions or features you would like to see in a service that supports sales growth. (Open-ended response)&quot;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When asked (n=52),<\/span><b>&quot;Extensive support that compensates for our lack of personnel and expertise&quot; and &quot;Dynamic support powered by AI&quot;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We received 35 responses, including these.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>&lt;Free answers, excerpts&gt;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- You can receive proposals tailored to your company, rather than generic ones.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Excellent support that compensates for our company&#039;s shortage of personnel and expertise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Human resource development and retention.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Disclosure of information.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Flexible and prompt response to changes in product specifications.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Dynamic support provided by AI.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>\u25a0 Summary<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This time, we conducted a survey on the challenges of increasing sales in small and medium-sized manufacturing companies (with 100 to less than 300 employees) targeting 103 business owners and executives who are facing challenges in expanding sales.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The biggest reason for the sluggish sales growth of small and medium-sized manufacturers is &quot;stagnant demand in the domestic market&quot; (49.5%), and it is becoming clear that growth strategies dependent on a single market are no longer viable. In fact, factors such as &quot;intensified price competition&quot; (38.8%) and &quot;rising procurement costs for raw materials and parts&quot; (37.9%) are cited as reasons for the stagnant sales, and it can be said that improvement measures that are merely extensions of the past will not be enough to overcome these challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The structural challenges and their contributing factors facing small and medium-sized manufacturing companies have been clarified, and the result that 50.5% companies have already implemented or are considering &quot;developing overseas sales channels&quot; is evidence that SMEs are definitely beginning to focus on overseas markets. However, at the same time, the &quot;shortage of personnel capable of handling overseas sales&quot; (56.5%) is the main obstacle, and it seems that many companies are hesitant to take the plunge.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Against this backdrop, interest in services that provide one-stop support from strategy planning to sales channel development is rapidly increasing among small and medium-sized manufacturers considering overseas expansion. To achieve sustainable growth, actively developing global markets while leveraging comprehensive external support, centered on one&#039;s own strengths, may be one viable strategy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>\u25a0Handle all your trade needs with us | Trade agency service &quot;Omakase Trade&quot;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6685\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/945652cae3caacbe1aa3ead48885f1ba.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"602\" height=\"305\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/945652cae3caacbe1aa3ead48885f1ba.png 602w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/945652cae3caacbe1aa3ead48885f1ba-300x152.png 300w, https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/945652cae3caacbe1aa3ead48885f1ba-18x9.png 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 602px) 100vw, 602px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">STANDAGE will support you with all the tasks necessary for successful overseas expansion.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We provide one-stop support for all your trade operations, from developing sales channels to arranging logistics.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due to the recent sustained depreciation of the yen and the government&#039;s efforts to expand exports, Japan&#039;s overall export volume has been on a gradual upward trend. However, when looking at the export volume of small and medium-sized enterprises in urban and rural areas, the gap is still widening.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To enable small and medium-sized manufacturers throughout Japan to expand overseas more freely and easily, we offer a package service that handles everything from market development and contract negotiation to payment and logistics, providing a complete &quot;leave it to us&quot; trade creation process. As of February 2025, the number of companies using our service has reached approximately 300.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For more information:<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/standage.co.jp\/service\/omakase\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/standage.co.jp\/service\/omakase\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><b>\u25a0Company Profile<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Company name: STANDAGE Co., Ltd.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Established: March 7, 2017<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Representative: Akira Adachi, President and CEO<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Address: Sumitomo Fudosan Landmark Plaza 3F, 1-6-7 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0011, Japan<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Business Description: Development and provision of a digital trade platform based on blockchain and AI technologies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">URL:<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/standage.co.jp\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/standage.co.jp\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>STANDAGE Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director &amp; CEO: Akinori Adachi) conducted a survey of 103 managers and executives of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies (100 to less than 300 employees) that are facing challenges in expanding sales, regarding the challenges of sales growth in small and medium-sized manufacturing companies\u2026 <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/us\/2025\/05\/15\/research20250512\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">[SMEs Seeking Breakthroughs for Sales Expansion] The #1 external factor hindering stagnant sales growth: &quot;Stagnation of domestic market demand.&quot; 50.5% companies are &quot;implementing\/considering&quot; overseas market development. ~What are the market challenges and potential new growth strategies facing SMEs?~<\/span><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6684,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[136],"tags":[],"acf":{"en_news":{"custom_css":"","en_title":"","content":""},"author":{"author_image":"","author_name":"","author_image_link":"","introduction":""},"production_published":true},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6676"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6676"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6676\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6690,"href":"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6676\/revisions\/6690"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6684"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6676"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6676"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.standage.co.jp\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6676"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}