Social networking for exports: the exemple of Dabgo

Social networking is increasingly popular, and have become wildly popular with a varied demographic. The birth of the social networking phenomenon has seen a shift in the way that many people browse the web, and especially in the way that people interact socially.  LinkedIn, MySpace and Twitter are among other plethora of social networking sites out there on the net. They seem to have become unavoidable, and spring up wherever you go.

Denmark was one of the first country to start using the social web to increase its country’s exports, as well as to improve its citizens career opportunities abroad. With social medias, some entrepreneurs managed to create a truly national globalization strategy to increase export, and also to minimize its country’s brain drain.

Behind this concept, named “DABGO” short for “Danes Abroad Business Group Online”, there is a social media platform such as Linkedin, Facebook or Ning, with there is no geographical limitations, and no cost is charged in participation.. And there is no formal administration, all activities are implemented locally by volunteering members, making it highly efficient to accommodate local culture.

DABGO has already grown so strong that the Danish Foreign Ministry utilizes its reach for research and to connect with its citizens abroad for export opportunities, connecting with its citizens abroad and tapping into each individuals experience.

But it is not only working online, it is also quickly spreading  offline. One of the new initiatives in DABGO is  called“Stambord”, a Danish expression meaning regular gatherings around the same table at a bar or at a restaurant. The Stambord concept is created for DABGO members and Danish business people to meet in casual places with no agenda to make both social and business connections. Stambord is held on the First Wednesday of every month in approximately 40 international cities across 6 continents from Tokyo, Cape Town, Sydney, Beijing,Copenhagen, New York, Sao Paolo to London.

DABGO was launched  in October 2006 and has grown rapidly internationally since, especially in the US, where the group now counts nearly 2,000 members. Globally the network has over 8,000 members.  The goal is to reach 25,000 members or 10% of the Danese citizens living abroad.

DABGO has been developed in the spare time by Danish business men with a some voluntary help of“Group Managers” giving their time to establish a strong local network. DABGO utilizes the strength of the internet and social media, to attract and uncover Danish knowledge and connections internationally. This combined with the energy that the members and Group Managers put into DABGO, will ensure that they not only remains the largest Danish international network, but also  creates a real and positive impact on Danish international trade.