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Trading internationally

Success in planning

You could be importing or exporting commodities; maybe you're purchasing or supplying services overseas - however you look at it, more and more businesses are realising that their business has an international dimension even if they hadn't given it much thought before. Most tourist businesses can also benefit from international trade. The Internet alone gives a business an international dimension by opening a window on worldwide markets - and if you haven't translated your website, then you’re automatically turning away most of your potential customer base.

So where do you start? Fortunately RLN London has collected all of the key resources which can help you on your way to international trade success.

Planning

Sit back and take stock. What markets are you involved in? Which would you like to target? How are you staffed and resourced to handle these markets currently? What is your communications strategy - do you have one? Solvit is the latest web tool in tackling these challenges - it will help you to understand all of the key components of a good international communications plan. We’ve also developed a guide for businesses on International Communications Planning (PDF, 180KB).

Review

You can take it further still. For expert assistance from an external source you may be eligible for a subsidised Export Communications Review, a UK Trade and Investment scheme delivered by the British Chambers of Commerce. A registered consultant can visit your company to discuss your current business activities, look at the way you tackle the language and cultural issues that arise and make recommendations for overcoming the potential barriers identified.

Language services

You've established the markets you're in and the ones you want to get into. How are you going to get by when you arrive there on your next trade mission? What are you going to give them? And what will they think of your website? There is a wide range of language services that cover every eventuality - from cultural briefing to translation and interpreting, and training to recruitment. We also give you mini-briefings on key markets from around the world.

Funded support

You may qualify for the Passport to Export scheme, offered by UK Trade and Investment, which also offers subsidised support to new exporters.

Country profiles

The Link2exports website gives you an insight into numerous markets around the world. Country overviews are available from UK Trade and Investment and you can also read the introductory cultural briefings produced by Regional Language Network East Midlands and available to download from our publications section.