Development Program for Export Consultants in Ukraine, Cycle 2

The Development Program for Export Consultants in Ukraine, Cycle 2, is an intensive educational initiative designed for Ukrainian consultants working in both the private and public sectors. The primary goal of this program is to significantly enhance the quality and availability of export consultancy services across Ukraine.

A key objective of the program is to establish or strengthen an existing network of national consultants specializing in export. By equipping these professionals with advanced skills and knowledge, the program aims to create a more robust and capable consulting ecosystem.

The program tracked several key outcomes. Notably, 17.6% of participants made their first sales of consulting services, while 35.3% who were already selling consulting services saw increased sales during the program. Only 6% did not succeed in sales.

Client network expansion was another significant achievement, with 58% of participants growing their client base. Specifically, 21.6% acquired new clients, and another 21.6% secured preliminary agreements for cooperation. For 15% of participants, the program fostered deeper engagement with their existing clients.

Improving client relationships was also a focus, and 37% of participants reported enhanced connections with their clients. In terms of service diversification, 20% introduced entirely new types of services, and 40% broadened their existing service offerings.

The program facilitated global connections, with 37% of participants establishing new partnerships in export countries through their work with real clients during the program. This highlights the practical and results-oriented nature of the training.

A major aim was to build export consulting capacity throughout Ukraine and professionalize consultancy work. Post-program data shows that 27.5% of participants plan to operate as individual consultants, and 6% intend to open their own consulting firms. A large segment, 42%, plans to further develop their existing consulting companies, while 22% will continue consulting alongside their main employment. Overall, a high percentage—96%—of participants are committed to remaining in consulting services after completing the program.

Participants project a substantial increase in their sales, with an average target of 500,000 UAH over the five months following the program. This demonstrates the tangible impact and confidence gained by the participants.

The quality of instruction was highly rated, with participants giving trainers an average score of 9.5 out of 10, underscoring the expertise of the international specialists involved.

The program structure combined online learning with leading international experts, featuring seven educational modules and seven intensive two-day online workshops. Due to COVID-19, all events until the end of 2022 were conducted online, which included status-check meetings, mentoring, feedback sessions, and a comprehensive final feedback day (adjusted after the Russian aggression). The curriculum was designed to instill practical consulting skills and a deep understanding of effective interaction mechanisms with businesses.