What we have learned in the field.
117 articles on B2B sales, international markets, LinkedIn and AI. Choose a topic or search for the article you need.
Blog articles
How to sell in 2026
B2B sales in 2026 means moving from transactional selling to value guided by data. This guide looks at how predictive AI and social selling help you reach decision-makers and shorten sales cycles.
Prospect research: platform limits, dirty data and what AI changes
B2B prospect research works when databases, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, sales engagement platforms and AI are combined with a clear view of each one’s limits. AI speeds up profiling and context analysis, but first contact stays in human hands.
Exporting to the United Kingdom: what Italian companies need to know today
Exporting to the United Kingdom means adapting to the new customs rules and mapping the right sales channels after Brexit. An analysis of consumer trends helps Italian SMEs position themselves in the UK market.
How to optimise your LinkedIn profile to generate B2B leads in 2026
How senior managers position themselves on LinkedIn in 2026 is a core asset for social selling and corporate reputation. This guide for B2B managers shows how to build content plans geared to thought leadership and engagement with decision-makers.
December grants: digital and green transition, cybersecurity
December's grants for the digital transition offer non-repayable funding and subsidised loans for businesses investing in technology. See who can apply and which costs are eligible, from AI software and CRM to IT infrastructure.
Black Friday for B2B: strategic opportunity or risk to avoid?
Applying Black Friday tactics to B2B markets can speed up conversions, but it can also erode margins. A look at how to structure promotions strategically while protecting brand value and long-term contracts.
The United Arab Emirates: not just a market but a geopolitical hub
The UAE is more than a B2B market: it is a global geopolitical platform for trade, investment and innovation. Companies that combine an internationalisation strategy with sales intelligence and networking can enter and grow in this highly competitive, interconnected ecosystem.
LinkedIn: from job-search platform to strategic tool for B2B growth
LinkedIn has grown from a noticeboard for CVs into a strategic tool for B2B growth. We trace how it got there and how companies can use social selling, personal branding and sales intelligence to generate qualified leads and new business.
Digitalisation grants, August 2025: fund your business transformation
The main digitalisation grants open to Italian businesses in August 2025, from Lombardy to Sardinia: who can apply, which costs are covered, how much is on offer and when each call closes.
Digitalisation grants, July 2025: secure funding with our support
July, August, September… the months fly by, so don’t miss the new subsidised finance opportunities we have found for your business. From application to final reporting, Mallei can handle everything – and the grants can fund our services too.
Grants for business digitalisation: June 2025 opportunities
June is full of subsidised finance opportunities for digitalising your business, in almost every Italian region. Here are the month’s most interesting grants, with dates, eligible costs and amounts.
April 2025 grants: digitalisation and technological innovation
April has plenty in store for businesses that stay awake. Here are this month’s most interesting subsidised finance opportunities, from cybersecurity and digital marketing grants in Piedmont to digital transformation funding in Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Tuscany.
Osaka 2025: an unmissable opportunity to expand into Japan
Expo 2025 Osaka will be a global stage for Made in Italy. Our guide to Japan covers what the Expo offers Italian companies, how to adapt your brand and communication for Japanese customers, and the cultural rules that shape doing business there.
Grants for March 2025: time to blossom
Spring is on its way, and the funding opportunities we have tracked down this month are ideal for helping your company blossom, and for financing our services.
February 2025 grants: all you need is love and…
…new opportunities to fund our services. Our monthly round-up covers the latest in subsidised finance for your company, from the Nuova Sabatini to regional digitalisation calls and the Fondo Nuove Competenze.
Grants in January 2025: the start of a lucky year?
Our grant hunter kept one eye open over the holidays and has rounded up the first funding calls of 2025: digitalisation in Lazio and Lombardy, the twin transition in Emilia-Romagna, MIMIT’s scheme for southern Italy and the third edition of the Fondo Nuove Competenze.
LinkedIn: from valuing people to generating opportunities
Mallei’s CEO and co-founder shares his view, first published by Nuvole e Mercati, on why involving employees in a company’s LinkedIn communication helps retain talent, attract new people and win new business.
December 2024 grants: incentives under the tree
All the funding our grant-catcher has gathered so your company can enjoy a peaceful Christmas: digitalisation grants in Lazio, Lombardy and Umbria, plus national measures from MIMIT, Nuova Sabatini and the Fondo Nuove Competenze.
Export planning: everything you need for a 2025 that goes with a bang
How will Italian exports fare in 2025? The most reliable forecasts point to a bumper year, with goods exports reaching €679 billion. Our downloadable guide covers the most promising sectors, countries and trends.
Grants for November 2024: AI, digital and much more
All the funding our grant-catcher has gathered for your company this month: non-repayable grants for artificial intelligence, digitalisation, trade mark protection, capital goods and staff training.
Digital grants for October 2024, and more besides
Every month Mallei tracks down new funding opportunities for your business. This time: Bridge to Digital in Umbria, Marchi+ 2024 for trade marks abroad, the Nuova Sabatini and the third edition of the Fondo Nuove Competenze.
Digital and export grants for September 2024
September brings four non-repayable grants for export and digitalisation in Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Puglia and Liguria, plus a surprise: our new page dedicated to grants. Here is who can apply, what is funded and when each call closes.
Ending 2024 on a high with exports: how to conquer the world
A tour of the most promising export destinations for the rest of 2024, from Mexico and the Gulf to China and the United States, and of the elections, conflicts and trade forecasts that are reshaping world commerce.
Digital grants for August 2024
Looking for funding to digitalise your business? This month we cover the digitalisation grants open in Liguria, Lombardy, Piedmont and Puglia: who can apply, the deadlines and how much is available.
How to use LinkedIn: metrics and social selling
Once you are publishing useful content on LinkedIn, how do you know it is working? We explain which metrics to watch and how to use social selling to turn your network into new clients and partners.
Digital and export grants: July 2024
Looking for funding to digitalise your business or take it abroad? We have selected the best grants, loans and non-repayable funding open in July 2024 or opening soon, from Genoa and Piedmont to Lombardy, Bologna and Pistoia-Prato.
The LinkedIn mantra: give to receive
If you want to attract and keep your ideal prospects and clients on your LinkedIn page, there is only one thing to do: give value. Here is what that means in practice and which tools help you do it.
Export grants for June 2024
This month’s pick of subsidised finance opportunities: two internationalisation grants for businesses based in the Marche and in the Tuscan provinces of Livorno and Grosseto.
The perfect LinkedIn strategy for companies: people as added value
The LinkedIn strategy that will get your company's communication off the ground is within easy reach: the people who work for you are the real asset to invest in. Here is how employer branding and employee advocacy work in practice.
Digital and export grants for May 2024
A round-up of May 2024’s best subsidised finance opportunities for taking your brand abroad, exhibiting at international trade shows and investing in digital technologies and services.
B2B communication in 2024: what has changed?
B2B communication has moved on from stiff corporate-speak: companies now win attention by sounding like themselves and showing what they stand for. Here is what has changed and how to build a strategy around an authentic voice, a clear identity and well-defined messages.
LinkedIn for export: the secret weapon for international success
About to spend your whole budget on trade shows to break into a new foreign market? There is another way to win an international audience: LinkedIn, a (nearly) inexhaustible source of business opportunities abroad.
Internationalisation and digitalisation grants – April 2024
April 2024 brings a fresh crop of internationalisation grants and digitalisation vouchers for Italian businesses. Here are the calls open now, who can apply, what they cover and how to submit an application.
How to export cosmetics to Japan: the complete guide
Japan is the world’s second-largest cosmetics market and holds Made in Italy in high regard, but it is not an easy one to enter. This guide covers the market, the regulations, and how to adapt your naming, packaging, formulations and brand identity for Japanese consumers.
Beauty trends for 2024 to grow your cosmetics business
Ahead of Cosmoprof, we look at the beauty trends shaping 2024: minimalism, skin longevity and transparency. Plus how ideas of beauty differ in China, Japan, South Korea and the United States.
Digitalisation grants open in March 2024
Several funding calls offering non-repayable grants for digitalisation are open in March 2024 across Lazio, Piedmont, Puglia and Tuscany. Here is who can apply, what is covered and how to submit an application.
Non-repayable grants for international expansion – March 2024
Run a B2B company and want to grow abroad? The non-repayable export grants open in March 2024 can help you exhibit at international trade shows, sell through digital marketing and train your staff.
How Kartell won over the Chinese market: a case study not to miss
Kartell is one of the first names that come to mind when we think of Made in Italy. A Chinese brand name, the right local partner, omnichannel distribution and immersive stores are what made its entry into China so effective.
Influencer power in China: the definitive guide to KOL marketing
Trying to break into the Chinese market? KOLs are far more than influencers, and they can make your business take off. Find out how to identify them and work with them to win over Chinese consumers.
Furniture exports 2024: trends, challenges and opportunities
A close look at the Italian furniture market today and tomorrow, for owners and managers in the sector: five emerging trends, the new challenges and the growth prospects for Italian design abroad.
Non-repayable digitalisation grants open in February 2024
2024 opens with new non-repayable grants for digitalisation. An overview of the funding calls open from February 2024 in Lazio, Piedmont and Tuscany: who can apply, which costs are eligible and how much you can receive.
Non-repayable internationalisation grants open in February 2024
The world is your market: a round-up of the non-repayable grants for internationalisation available from February 2024, from SIMEST’s national funding to regional Chamber of Commerce vouchers, to help your B2B business grow abroad.
Ready for Chinese New Year? Practical tips for B2B companies
2024 is the Year of the Wood Dragon, a symbol of strength, power and success. Practical advice on preparing your company for Chinese New Year so that your B2B business in China doesn’t suffer.
Trade show success: maximising ROI with technology and data in 2024
Buzzwords aside, here is how to turn your trade show attendance into a springboard for sales. A three-phase approach, before, during and after the event, using digital marketing and data analysis to create real business opportunities.
7 market trends that will drive Italian exports in 2024
Environmental goods, furniture, cosmetics, food and beverage, and agriculture: the market trends set to drive Italian export growth in 2024, and the opportunities they open up for Italian companies.
Non-repayable grants for internationalisation open in January 2024
A guide to the national and regional non-repayable grants open in January 2024 for B2B companies that want to grow abroad: who can apply, which costs are covered and when the deadlines fall.
Non-repayable grants for digitalisation open in January 2024
2024 opens with new non-repayable grants for digitalisation. A region-by-region guide to the funding calls open from January 2024: who can apply, which costs are eligible, how much is on offer and the deadlines.
How to plan your trade show budget like a pro and triple your ROI
December is the right time to plan your trade show budget. A practical guide to the costs you will face before, during and after the event, and how to turn them into a return on investment.
The end of a shopping era: Taobao cancels Double 12
On 24 November Taobao, part of the Alibaba group, cancelled its 12.12 shopping festival, a fixture of China’s year-end sales calendar. What lies behind the decision, and what it means for brands selling online.
Non-repayable digitalisation grants open in December 2023
December 2023 offers Italian businesses a range of non-repayable grants for digitalisation. Here are the main national and regional funding calls, who can apply, what they cover and when they close.
Internationalisation grants open in December 2023
December is a busy month for businesses that want to expand abroad: several subsidised finance calls are open, at national level and in Lazio, Lombardy and Tuscany. Here are the main opportunities, who can apply and when they close.
3 tips for sales managers to survive “let’s talk after the holidays”
The season of “let’s pick this up after the break” is about to begin. Three ways for sales managers to get through Christmas without losing momentum, and to make the most of what many treat as downtime.
Singles’ Day: around the world in 80 billion purchases
Born in China 30 years ago to celebrate the “single by choice”, 11 November has become the most lucrative shopping day in the world. Here are its origins, its record-breaking figures and five ways to use it for your business.
Internationalisation grants open in November 2023
Want to grow your business beyond Italy's borders? A round-up of the national and regional non-repayable grants and subsidised loans open in November 2023 to support exports, trade show participation and expansion abroad.
IKEA in Japan: from a disastrous debut to a triumphant return
IKEA’s entry into Japan was a roller coaster: a failed launch in 1974, withdrawal in 1986 and a successful comeback in 2006. Here is what went wrong, what changed and what SMEs can learn from it.
International marketing and product perception: avoiding a flop
Success at home counts for little with an audience that has never heard of you. From Coca-Cola in China to Sephora in Japan, here is what localisation, consumer habits, competitors and seasonality teach us about entering a new market.
Italian footwear exports: quality that puts Italy a step ahead
How to read a SACE report without getting a headache: Mallei’s bite-size guide to Italian fashion and footwear exports, with a look at the opportunities in South Korea and the United Arab Emirates.
Internationalisation grants open in October 2023
Want to sell your products or services abroad? Italy’s central government and local bodies offer non-repayable grants and incentives to help you export. Here are the national and regional funding calls open in October 2023.
Exporting to South Korea: opportunities for Made in Italy footwear
South Korea is the new China, say experts in clothing and footwear, and the figures back them up. What Korean buyers look for in shoes, and the marketing strategies that help Italian SMEs win a place in the K-fashion market.
September 2023 internationalisation grants for Italian companies
Non-repayable grants and incentives for exporting and for taking part in trade shows and events, open in September 2023: the national SIMEST calls and the regional calls from Chambers of Commerce in Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Tuscany and Veneto.
Italian footwear exports: opportunities and challenges
Italian companies lead the world in high-quality, stylish, well-crafted shoes, yet the sector faces rising raw-material and energy costs, competition from low-cost countries and pressure to become more sustainable. Here is how Italian footwear businesses can respond.
Exporting food machinery: the case of industrial bakery equipment
What is driving global demand for industrial food machinery, and what part does Italy play? An overview of the market, the main export destinations and the opportunities for Italian makers of bakery equipment.
Confectionery machinery: growth opportunities in the Polish market
Italian confectionery machinery has a worldwide reputation for excellence, and Poland is one of its most promising export markets. We look at the export figures, the opportunities in Poland and the incentives the Polish government has put in place.
Social media in South Korea: the key platforms for digital marketing
In South Korea, home-grown giants such as Kakao and Naver sit alongside the global platforms. A guide to the social media Koreans actually use, and what each one offers for B2B and B2C digital marketing.
Internationalisation grants: funding available in July 2023
In July 2023 Lombardy and Tuscany opened calls to support the internationalisation of local companies, with vouchers covering part of the cost of consultancy, training and support services. Here is what is available and who can apply.
Digital export and AI: new frontiers for SMEs going international
How can AI, combined with digital export, help SMEs grow internationally? A look at the tools available for lead generation and B2B marketing, and at the limits and ethical questions they raise.
Happy birthday, Mallei
Two years helping businesses grow internationally. Ianuensis ergo mercator: Genoese, therefore a merchant. We look back at where Mallei comes from, what these first two years have brought and where we are heading next.
Social networks in Japan: a complete guide to B2B marketing
Japan's digital landscape mixes home-grown and international platforms, from LINE and Ameba to Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Here is how each one works and how B2B companies can use it to reach a Japanese audience.
Internationalisation grants open in June 2023
June 2023 offers B2B companies a range of non-repayable grants for expanding abroad, from trade show funding in Como-Lecco to vouchers in Florence, Maremma e Tirreno and Reggio Emilia. Here is an overview of what is available, who can apply and by when.
Chinese social networks: the complete guide
More than 1.1 billion people use social media in China every month, on platforms that form a parallel digital world. A guide to WeChat, Weibo, Little Red Book, Douyin and the emerging networks that matter for business.
Entering Korea’s chocolate market: brands team up with K-pop
South Korea’s appetite for Italian chocolate is growing fast. Pairing fine Italian chocolate with the pull of K-pop can open the door to new partnerships and win over young Korean consumers.
Non-repayable grants for Modena SMEs at international trade shows (2023)
Good news for SMEs in Modena looking to grow internationally: non-repayable grants are now available for attending international trade shows in Italy and abroad in 2023. Here is who can apply, what is covered and when.
Internationalisation voucher 2023: Reggio Emilia CCIAA grants
The Reggio Emilia Chamber of Commerce has launched a 2023 internationalisation voucher for SMEs: a non-repayable grant covering 50% of costs for export expertise, virtual B2B matchmaking and trade shows. Here is who can apply, what is covered and when.
Internationalisation grant 2023 – CCIAA Maremma e Tirreno
The Maremma e Tirreno Chamber of Commerce has opened a new funding call offering a voucher for innovative and digital services for international business development, with non-repayable grants covering 70% of eligible costs.
Internationalisation grants open in May 2023
Which internationalisation grants are open in May 2023? An overview of the main funding calls for B2B companies looking to expand abroad, from the Chambers of Commerce of Modena, Maremma e Tirreno and Reggio Emilia.
Salone del Mobile: exhibiting is not enough to win export business
How to get the most out of exhibiting at the Salone del Mobile, or any other trade show, and come home with real international and export results.
Subsidised finance: grants open in April 2023 for export and digital
Several non-repayable grants for internationalisation and digitalisation are open in April 2023, from the Chambers of Commerce of Como-Lecco, Maremma e Tirreno and Reggio Emilia. Here is what each one offers and how Mallei can help you apply.
How to do B2B business during Ramadan: a practical guide
Doing business abroad means building strong relationships with partners, and that starts with understanding and respecting their culture. During Ramadan even small gestures of respect make a big difference: here are ten practical tips.
How Rousselot won the Gulf market with collagen gelatine
Rousselot, a Dutch producer of collagen gelatine for nutraceuticals, has won over the Gulf countries with a strong, trustworthy brand, an active online presence, trade show attendance and rigorous product quality.
Grants open in March 2023 for internationalisation and digitalisation
Several subsidised finance grants are open in March 2023 to help Italian SMEs digitalise and expand abroad. Here are four Chamber of Commerce funding calls, with amounts, eligibility and deadlines.
Nutraceuticals: seizing the opportunities of a growing global market
The global nutraceuticals market is one of the fastest-growing sectors worldwide. We look at its size, the latest trends, the key countries and regions, and how companies in the sector can make the most of the opportunities.
Dubai scraps its 30% tax on alcoholic drinks
Good news for wine and spirits producers: with the 30% tax on alcoholic drinks suspended and personal alcohol licences now free, the business potential in Dubai and the Emirates is growing.
Bando Connessi 2023: non-repayable grants for digital export
Our digital export services can be funded through the Bando Connessi 2023 from the Milano Monza Brianza Lodi Chamber of Commerce: €2.5 million for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises developing foreign markets through digital strategies.
Coming of Age Day in Japan
Every year, on the second Monday of January, Japan celebrates Coming of Age Day (Seijin no Hi), welcoming its young people into adulthood. Here is what the holiday is, how it is celebrated and how to use it in your marketing.
Japan’s wine market set to grow by 30% by 2026
GlobalData forecasts that a revival in on-premise drinking will take Japan’s wine market to a value of 10 billion dollars by 2026, with fortified wines and older consumers leading the growth.
What is Double Twelve (Double 12) in China?
Why companies that want to sell in China should take 12/12 seriously, one of the biggest dates in the Chinese promotional calendar that you may never have heard of, and how to prepare for it.
Should B2B companies run Black Friday offers?
Every year B2C companies gear up for the biggest date in the sales calendar: Black Friday. But can B2B companies benefit too? It depends on your sector, your motives and your goals. Here is how to decide, and how to do it well.
Subsidised finance and business grants open in November 2022
Which loans and grants are open to Italian businesses in November 2022, who are they for and how do you apply? An up-to-date list of the calls supporting the digitalisation and internationalisation of SMEs.
Up to €400,000 in grants for firms hit by the Ukraine crisis
The Fondo per il sostegno alle imprese danneggiate dalla crisi ucraina offers Italian SMEs non-repayable grants of up to €400,000 to offset lost revenue caused by the war in Ukraine. Here is who qualifies, how it works and how to apply.
MALLEI: our journey, our heritage
On our first birthday we finally tell our own story: why we are called Mallei, why the company was born on 23 June, and what a medieval Genoese merchant-warrior has to do with it.
Protecting intellectual property when exporting to China
26 April is World Intellectual Property Day. The Ferrero Rocher case shows that the risk of having your brand identity copied in China is real in any sector, and that it pays to register trade marks and patents before you enter the market.