Since Alibaba was founded in 1999 it has been helping to provide a gateway into the Chinese market for people who may otherwise have lacked the expertise and the contacts to effectively enter it.  So, it seems appropriate that the training and education arm of the group has recently started a six-week masterclass to help small business owners tap into the Chinese market.

During the Alibaba Netpreneur Masterclass UK, entrepreneurs will gain insight into the digital trends underway in the Chinese market from a company with the first-hand experience of growing a behemoth in one of the most fascinating digital marketplaces in the world.  The course, which is free to attend, also gives participants access to leaders from both Alibaba themselves and from across China.

“The Alibaba Netpreneur Masterclass programme has been set up to support UK SMEs in their digital transformation as well as to help them adapt to a world where digital is disrupting everything, from manufacturing to consumption and everything in between,” says Alibaba’s David Lloyd.  “What we have also seen as a result of the pandemic is that the pace of innovation has accelerated, and that a strong digital strategy can be a key driver for recovery. This programme draws upon Alibaba’s rich history: we want to use that history to support UK SMEs, who we believe are critical to the global economy.”

Digital success

With the pandemic accelerating the digital transformation both of individual companies but also markets as a whole, the ability to successfully capitalize on the possibilities presented by this shift is crucial for any business.

The lessons in the masterclass will help participants understand the digital and platform economies that are dominating in China and how companies can utilize them to grow their businesses.  This will include an exploration of the various business models and strategies they can deploy, and the various leadership styles required to succeed in China.

“Alibaba has played a key role in building China’s digital economy over the past 20 years which has helped us to garner tremendous insights and create best practices,” says Alibaba’s Zhang Yu. “The global pandemic has further highlighted the need for digital transformation so we have evolved our programme to a mix of online and offline to be able to reach more entrepreneurs and business owners, more quickly. With this programme we hope to share our experience with participants and enable them to transform their businesses and in turn the wider economy in these challenging times.“