Marcelo Salas

After a long career as a Chilean Diplomat (Senior Trade Commissioner), Marcelo decided to take up permanent residence in Australia. In 2010, he founded Colstoun Group, a boutique strategy and corporate advisory firm. Living and working in many countries has given Marcelo, a broad understanding of people and different cultures from around the world. This quality, along with a passion for business, innovation and technology, enable Marcelo to assist foreign companies in understanding the Australian market needs and opportunities, developing and executing market entry and consolidating strategies, reducing the costs and risks of establishing a local presence and achieving their commercial goals, without high overheads.

Colstoun Group offer assistance and a range of high-quality advisory and support services to help start-ups and small and medium size companies in preparing, entering and establishing business operations in Australia and create sustainable growth. We draw our expertise from across a wide range of professionals, to provide our clients with analysis, hands-on strategic business development and innovative marketing solutions for the implementation of overseas expansion.

Our approach is flexible and tailored to the client's needs. Our extensive network of contacts, understanding of the local needs, regulations, standards and business practices, market experience and knowledge of market intelligence, allow us to access valuable information while saving time and money. We provide in-depth knowledge of the requirements necessary to establish and maintain fully compliant businesses in Australia, outsourced Marketing, PR and back office administration services (accounting, legal, tax, payroll) and start-up implementation including office leasing and visa services.

We also help Latin American companies source effectively from Australia based suppliers.
As a government official, Marcelo gained considerable experience in the design and implementation of growth strategies for companies looking to enter new markets. Emphasis on international business development, strategic planning, operational control, sales and promotion, market research, partner identification and selection, project management, developing and executing international marketing and PR campaigns, as well as identifying and negotiating the elimination of trade barriers.

Marcelo also has an entrepreneurial track record evidenced by the establishment of a successful E-Commerce business, joint ventures between international and Australian companies, as well as a number of distribution agreements.

Fully bilingual in English and Spanish. Basic knowledge of Portuguese.

Specialties:
-Strategic planning and leadership
-Project management
-Relationship building
-Business development
-International marketing
-International trade and investment development
-Information systems
-Social media, digital marketing
-Country branding
-Business intelligence
-Commercial Services
-Export promotion
-Public relations and Government
-Australian Government procurement
-International trade negotiations
-Government grants, fundraising and sponsorships
-Investment attraction
-Diplomatic representation
-Project finance
-Problem solving
-Change management
-Market access