SEPPES Chairman Yang Yuanjia Delivers Keynote on Global Brand Strategy at Alibaba.com Foreign Trade Summit
SUZHOU, CHINA, September 23, 2025 – Yang Yuanjia, Chairman of SEPPES (Seppes Door Industry (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.), delivered an insightful keynote presentation on brand internationalization at the 12th "Breakthrough Growth" Foreign Trade Summit, hosted by Alibaba.com at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Suzhou. Addressing over 200 business leaders from Suzhou and surrounding regions, Mr. Yang shared practical, battle-tested strategies for navigating the complexities of the modern global market, earning enthusiastic applause from the assembled entrepreneurs.
The summit was convened to address critical challenges facing businesses in today's competitive foreign trade landscape, a world shaped by the rapid evolution of AI technology and diverse regional market demands. Many entrepreneurs grapple with fundamental questions: "How can we enter foreign trade without prior experience?", "How do we transition from a traditional business model?", and "How can we effectively implement new technologies?"
Mr. Yang's presentation, titled "Building Global Competitiveness from the Ground Up," directly confronted these issues. Drawing on over a decade of SEPPES's own successful transition from a domestic player to a global brand, he demystified the process, transforming complex trade theories into a clear, actionable roadmap.
From "Tech Anxiety" to Actionable Strategy
A core message of his speech was a reassurance to business owners who feel they lack the technical expertise for global e-commerce. "Many leaders believe that without a deep understanding of foreign trade or e-commerce, they can't succeed globally," Mr. Yang stated. "But the truth is, precise market insight and a well-executed strategy are far more critical than technical know-how."
He illustrated this by detailing SEPPES's early journey, breaking down key steps like "testing overseas markets with minimal cost" and "optimizing products based on initial customer feedback." He emphasized that global expansion is not about a complete overhaul, but a process of "taking small steps, learning from mistakes, and iterating quickly."
Harnessing AI to Empower, Not Replace, People
Addressing the popular topic of artificial intelligence, Mr. Yang moved beyond theory to offer concrete solutions. He explained how SEPPES has integrated AI into three core areas of its operations:
Client Development: Using AI tools to screen for high-intent customers, boosting the sales team's follow-up efficiency by 40%.
Product Design: Leveraging AI modeling to rapidly generate product designs tailored to the specific demands of different regional markets, significantly shortening the R&D cycle.
Customer Service: Implementing an AI-powered chatbot system to provide real-time responses to international inquiries, overcoming service delays caused by time zone differences.
"AI is not here to replace people," he argued. "It's a tool to help your team focus on higher-value decisions, thereby reshaping your company's core competitiveness." This perspective resonated strongly with the audience.
A Blueprint for Global Market Entry
Mr. Yang also provided a nuanced analysis of five major global markets, offering differentiated strategies for each:
Europe: Success requires a focus on premium quality and sustainability standards, building brand value through certifications.
Middle East: Strong demand for high-end, customized solutions necessitates a focus on personalized service and a highly responsive supply chain.
Southeast Asia & Africa: These high-potential markets are also highly competitive, making cost-effective products the key to rapidly gaining market share.
The Americas: A strong emphasis on after-sales support means that establishing a local service network is a prerequisite for success.
Each piece of advice was supported by real-world case studies from SEPPES's own international partnerships, making abstract market data tangible and relatable.
The presentation concluded with a lively Q&A session, where Mr. Yang offered tailored advice to entrepreneurs. "Mr. Yang's sharing was free of empty talk; it was all practical, actionable advice," commented a machinery company executive from Zhangjiagang. "We came here concerned about the risks of global expansion, and now we have a clear path forward."
As an experienced entrepreneur and a leading voice in the foreign trade sector, Chairman Yang Yuanjia's participation in the summit has provided a new and clearer vision for many businesses aspiring to go global. SEPPES is committed to continuing to share its expertise and resources, empowering more Chinese brands to achieve high-quality, sustainable growth in the international marketplace.