Move Goods. Not Spreadsheets.
Across Borders.
Import-export and distribution businesses run on relationships. They scale on systems. We build the operational infrastructure that turns trading chaos into a predictable, profitable machine.
Why isn't more trading volume building more value?
"We do ₹100Cr in topline but can't tell you the margin per product category."
"Every cross-border shipment is a custom fire drill. Nothing is standardized."
"We lost ₹60L last quarter to documentation errors and delayed LCs."
How do we move you from relationship trading to systems trading?
DIAGNOSE
2 to 3 Weeks
- Trade flow mapping
- Channel margin analysis
- Compliance gap audit
ARCHITECT
4 to 6 Weeks
- Trade operations playbook
- LC management protocols
- Distribution channel design
EXECUTE
12 to 20 Weeks
- System implementation
- Team capacity build
- Market entry support
HANDOFF
Ongoing
- Ops team independence
- Performance dashboards
- Quarterly reviews
What do we deploy for traders and distributors?
Trade Operations
Cross-Border Without Cross-Fingers
- Export documentation SOPs
- LC management systems
- Customs compliance protocols
Channel Analytics
Margin Visibility per Channel
- Distributor P&L tracking
- Channel performance dashboards
- Product mix optimization
Market Entry
India ↔ GCC Corridors
- Market research & sizing
- Distributor identification
- Entity & compliance setup
Supply Chain Design
End-to-End Visibility
- Inventory management systems
- Logistics partner SLAs
- Warehousing optimization
Trading & Distribution Case Studies
UAE Distributor: India Expansion
$12M distribution company with strong GCC presence. Wanted to enter India. No local entity, no understanding of Indian retail landscape, no compliance framework.
- WOS setup with full regulatory compliance
- 4-city distribution network mapped & activated
- Local team hired: 8 people, trained, embedded
₹45Cr Commodity Trader: Trade Ops Redesign
Multi-commodity India-to-GCC trader. Documentation errors eating margins. LC delays costing ₹15-20L per quarter. No centralized trade desk.
- Centralized trade desk with SOPs per commodity
- LC lifecycle management system
- Automated compliance checklists (DGFT, customs)
₹70Cr FMCG Distributor: Channel Optimization
8 markets, 200+ retailers. No visibility into which channels were profitable. Stock-outs in high-demand SKUs, overstock in low-demand ones.
- Per-channel P&L visibility across all 8 markets
- Demand planning system with safety stock automation
- Retailer tiering and coverage rationalization
Some case studies come from Akshit Talwar's independent consulting work before Stratisian was incorporated in February 2026. See all case studies.
What You Get from a Trading and Distribution Engagement
Stratisian is an execution-led management consulting firm for owner-led businesses in India and the Gulf (GCC). For traders and distributors, an engagement replaces spreadsheets and one-off fixes with documented trade systems.
What We Build With Your Team
- Trade flow map, channel margin analysis and compliance gap audit
- Trade operations playbook with export documentation SOPs and customs compliance protocols
- LC management protocols and an LC lifecycle management system
- Distributor P&L tracking and channel performance dashboards
- Distribution channel design, product mix optimization and distributor identification
- Inventory management systems, logistics partner SLAs and warehousing optimization
- Performance dashboards and quarterly reviews at handoff
Who It Is For
Import-export traders and distributors that run on relationships and spreadsheets, with manual LC and documentation work, no view of margin by channel or product, and compliance risk across jurisdictions. Stratisian works with owner-led businesses with roughly $1M to $50M in annual revenue.
This work draws mainly on two capabilities: market entry and operational excellence. Further reading: India-GCC trade corridor opportunities in 2026.
Flexible. Accountable. Exit-Ready.
Specific system implementations. Fixed scope, high velocity.
Best for: Trade desk setup, channel analytics, compliance systems
Full operational transformation across the trade lifecycle.
Best for: Market entry, distribution network buildout
Strategic review + accountability. Monthly check-ins, quarterly deep dives.
Best for: Post-entry optimization and scaling
How It Is Priced
Starts after a free 30-minute call. The diagnosis and strategy phase typically takes 3 to 6 weeks. For traders and distributors it covers trade flows, channel margins and compliance gaps.
Applies to execution engagements once the scope is agreed at the diagnostic. Stratisian takes no equity in consulting engagements.
- Sprint: 8 to 12 weeks
- Embedded: 6 to 12 months
- Advisory: ongoing
We work alongside your leadership team. The mix of on-site and remote work is agreed at the diagnostic. See full pricing and engagement terms.
*Conditions apply. Scope, duration and final commercials are agreed in writing after the diagnostic.
Frequently asked questions
How do you reduce documentation errors and LC delays in a trading business?
We map your trade flows and audit compliance gaps first. We then write a trade operations playbook with export documentation SOPs, LC management protocols and customs compliance checklists. For multi-commodity traders, a centralized trade desk with SOPs per commodity and an LC lifecycle management system replaces case-by-case firefighting. The handoff leaves performance dashboards and an operations team that runs independently.
How long does a trading and distribution engagement take?
After a free 30-minute call, the diagnosis and strategy phase typically takes 3 to 6 weeks. A sprint of 8 to 12 weeks suits a trade desk setup, channel analytics or compliance systems. An embedded engagement of 6 to 12 months suits market entry or a distribution network buildout. Advisory after that is ongoing, with monthly check-ins and quarterly deep dives.
How much does trade operations consulting cost?
After a free 30-minute call, the first paid step is a diagnostic, priced from ₹10,000 + GST (India) or $100 (overseas clients). Execution engagements are priced at 1% of topline revenue, billed monthly*. On ₹10 Cr of annual revenue, 1% is ₹10 lakh a year, billed monthly at about ₹83,000 a month.* Stratisian takes no equity in consulting engagements. *Conditions apply. Scope, duration and final commercials are agreed in writing after the diagnostic. Full terms are on the pricing page.
Do you work with traders and distributors in the Gulf?
Yes. Stratisian is based in Noida, India, and serves clients in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The work runs in both directions: Indian traders selling into the Gulf, and Gulf distributors entering India. It covers market research and sizing, distributor identification, and entity and compliance setup. We work alongside your leadership team. The mix of on-site and remote work is agreed at the diagnostic.