The workshop is ‘Internationalise your Website and Maximise your Market Potential’ and Sarah will help you to understand why you should internationalise your website as well as the key elements of an international web strategy. It’s far more than just translation …1.9 billion people are now online – that’s 25% of the world’s population. Can your business afford not to have your website internationalised for the global market?

This event will provide essential information on:

• Relevant international content for showcasing products overseas
• How to localise your product information for target markets via language and professional translators
• Effective ways to promote your business using social network sites, Google Adwords and online directories

INTERNATIONALISE YOUR WEBSITE AND MAXIMISE YOUR MARKET POTENTIAL

Date: Monday 11 October 2010

Time: 2.00pm – 6.00pm

Venue: The British Library Business and IP Centre, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB

Nearest Stations: Kings Cross, Euston

Cost: Premier Plus Members: £42.00, Local and Non-Members: £89.00

BOOK PLACES ONLINE>>

CONTACT SARAH TO FIND OUT HOW TO BUILD AN INTERNATIONAL WEB STRATEGY>>

Sarah Carroll, www.languageadvantage.com’s founder, is speaking at UK Trade Investment’s Business and Culture Workshop on France in London on Tuesday 13 October 2009.

The workshop will explore the business challenges faced by existing UK exporters to France and will help exporters discover practical solutions and business advice to overcome potential language, communication and cultural barriers when trading in the French market.

France and the UK are long-term trading partners. Exports to France amount to c.£20 billion per year and account for nearly 10% of UK visible exports worldwide. Despite a wealth of trading opportunity across a range of business sectors, many British companies find France one of the more challenging EU markets to enter.

This workshop will include an introductory presentation about the UK Trade & Investment Export Communications Review (ECR) service, by Sarah Carroll, a registered export communications consultant. John Gleave, Vice-Consul at the British Consulate in Lille will also be presenting.

To find out more, please contact Sarah Carroll>>

Two of the UK’s foremost international trade advocates have joined forces to encourage more British businesses to rediscover their mercantile spirit during the recession.   BCC and UKTI chiefs are in joint drive to get more British businesses exporting.

David Frost, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and Lord Davies, Minister for Trade and Investment, are urging companies – especially SMEs – to recognise the numerous trading opportunities in foreign markets and to start exporting.   The joint call follows the publication of the BCC’s international trade survey, Exporting Britain.

Other key results from the survey include:

• 43% of firms said they do not export as it does not feature in their business plan.
• Of the 87% of exporters trading in Europe a minority encountered non-tariff barriers.
• Help finding clients would encourage 21% of non-exporting businesses to consider it, while 16% would be incentivised by a â??one stop shop’ that provided market research, legal advice and fiscal support.

Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, David Frost, said:

“Exporting is vital to the future growth of the UK economy. Not just in manufacturing but services as well. Thanks to our membership of the EU, we have a home market of nearly 500 million consumers and we should be using it as much as our European competitors are.”

“Britain has some hugely successful exporters, both large and small, but we don’t have enough of them. We need to explore why these companies are successful, what drives them, and what lessons can be learnt by other companies that have equally good products but do not see exporting as key.”

Lord Davies, Minister for Trade and Investment added:

“For UK businesses winning sales and beating the recession is too important to leave to chance. Businesses need to take the time to think strategically and work out which overseas markets best suit their products.”

“UKTI research shows that most businesses overestimate the risks and underestimate the benefits of exporting. It is vital we give British businesses world class support to make the most of global opportunities and increase their activity in overseas markets.”

“UK Trade & Investment’s local market experts helped 20,700 businesses generate £3.6bn last year. Whether it’s our Passport to Export scheme or helping companies attend an overseas conference or exhibition, UK Trade & Investment can help companies grow their international business.”

Download the British Chamber of Commerce’s Exporting Britain 2009 report on international trade>>

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said:   “I know times are tough here and across the world right now, but there are still markets for British goods if we help businesses access them. That is why it is vital we give British businesses world class support to make the most of global opportunities and increase their activity in overseas markets.

“It is a striking fact that companies which export tend to be more resilient in a downturn – they perform stronger and are less likely to have to lay people off. A recent survey found 42% exporters had increased their turnover in the previous 12 months, compared with only 23% overall. So I am pleased to launch this new programme of support for exporters. It will be an important tool to help businesses now as they make the most of the opportunities we know are still out there, and can help British firms grow stronger in the future as we seek coordinated international action to stimulate the global economy.”

Lord Davies added: “Three quarters of the nation’s top 100 companies are based in the North West. This region demonstrates the diversity of UK business from manufacturing to creative industries.”

“In difficult times, businesses need to be flexible and innovative and seek out opportunities. I’m delighted that UK Trade & Investment is backing SMEs through ‘Gateway to Global Growth.’

“Small businesses can find it hard to break into new markets on their own and UKTI is there to help. The £3.5 million programme ‘Gateway to Global Growth’ will start from April, helping SMEs to access foreign markets where they see potential for their business.”

Meeting with over 100 of the largest business exporters in the North West, the Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Investment Lord Davies launched the Government’s ‘Gateway to Global Growth’ initiative, a new package of support providing specialist and tailored financial and legal advice to over 1200 businesses in the next year to support their growth internationally.

In 2008, British companies achieved exports totalling £413 billion, accounting for almost a third of UK GDP.

One of UKTI’s services, the Export Communications Review, crucially helps you get your international marketing messages right for global markets.   languageadvantage.com’s founder, Sarah Carroll, is registered by the British Chambers of Commerce to deliver the Export Communications Review on behalf of UK Trade & Investment.   This service is subsided for eligible UK companies.   Find out more at Grow Global>>

13 March 2009
Extract from www.tradeinvest.gov.uk.