Episode 15: Podcast with Kelsey Ngai - Going Global Without Guesswork: How SMEs Win in Cross-Border Trade

Going global sounds exciting, but where do you actually start?Going global is no longer about connections. It’s about data, tools, and execution. In this episode, Fiona Yeung sits down with Kelsey Ngai, Senior Marketing Executive (now Partnership Manager) at Alibaba.com, to unpack how SMEs can expand globally without relying on assumptions, guesswork, or trial and error.Drawing on her experience in cross-border e-commerce, Kelsey explains how businesses can use buyer signals, market data, and practical execution to choose the right markets, improve visibility, and create a more efficient route to growth. From Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area to France and beyond, this conversation offers a grounded view of what it takes to scale internationally.This is not theory. It’s a practical, step-by-step framework used by thousands of businesses already scaling across 200+ markets.What You’ll Discover:• How to validate demand before entering a new market• Why the right market is not always the biggest market• How to generate qualified leads in international e-commerce• Why trust, not price, is the real driver of cross-border success• How to use data, AI, and logistics to scale more efficiently• Post-sale strategies to turn one-time buyers into long-term partnersWhether you’re just starting or already exporting, this episode gives you clear, actionable moves you can apply immediately.A tactical conversation for entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals who want to build a smarter cross-border e-commerce strategy.Connect with the Guest:Kelsey Ngai (Senior Marketing Executive, Alibaba.com)https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsey-ngai-1b5704104/Connect with the Host:Fiona Yeung (Community Lead, La French Tech Hong Kong - Shenzhen)https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionayeung/