Denmark First Country To Use Social Media To Increase Its International Export

Feb. 7, 2010 - PRLog -- Denmark is the first country in the world to start utilizing social media to increase its country's international export opportunities and its citizens career opportunities abroad. A true national globalization strategy to not only increase export but also to minimize its country's brain drain.

Instead of the traditional ways of supporting international export through the foreign ministry or chambers of commerce. This concept builds on a grass root strategy where there is no cost in participating, and thereby increasing its reach. The platform is social media platforms such as Linkedin, Facebook and Ning, so there is no geographical limitations. And there is no formal administration, all activities are implemented locally by volunteering members, making it ultra dynamic to accommodate local culture.

The concept is named "DABGO" short for "Danes Abroad Business Group Online".
It 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.

"To understand what it is we are doing, try to visualize an airlines international flight map with lines that connects all the cities it flies between, and then think of it as a country connecting with its citizens abroad and tapping into each individuals experience, contacts and knowledge" says Founder of DABGO Jesper Lovendahl.

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

DABGO – Danes Abroad Business Group Online, has since its launch in October 2006 grown rapidly internationally and especially in the US, where the group now counts close to 2,000 members. Globally the network has over 8,000 members and is growing rapidly. The goal is 25,000 members or 10% of its nation’s citizens living abroad.

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

Website www.dabgo.net (note only in Danish)

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About DABGO: International Danish non-profit network organization. The network is run by volunteers and membership is free. Established in 2006.