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Recession Hit Businesses - See Profit In Secondary Goods Market

Stockshifters.com anticipates growth in number of small to medium entrepreneurs (SME’s) trading excess stock to ease cash-flow problems. Harold Macmillan once said that Britain has ‘never had it so good’. However, in the recent economic downturn experienced in the last couple of years, the very opposite has often been the case for a growing number of SMEs in the UK. Despite the last quarter providing small economic growth in the UK, businesses across the country have struggled to operate effectively within their means. read more

 

Towards A Truly ‘Borderless World’

Doing business in the 21st century will be about much more than location, location, location, argues Adrian Thirkill, global customer operations director for Easynet Global Services. read more

 

Avoiding The Potential Pitfalls Of Overseas Working

With current exchange rates making British professionals something of a bargain on the international skills market, Martin Hesketh, managing director of Brookson, outlines in this articole some of the possible tax implications. For those wishing to follow this ‘export opportunity’ and accept work outside of the UK, he recommends contractors should seek advice BEFORE accepting their overseas contract read more

 

Budgeting For Business Abroad

Research from the ONS found that overseas business trips by UK residents fell by 22% last year as companies scaled back costs to try and overcome the recession. Despite ongoing efforts to minimise corporate trips, the simple fact remains that foreign travel is a staple part of the workings of many small businesses. Its role in establishing relations with international partners, gauging new markets for entry and meeting with remote workers based outside of the UK cannot be easily replaced read more

 

How To Identify Talent Pools Around The World

Quickstart Global have created the In House Anywhere model to help Small to medium enterprises, (SMEs) identify talent pools around the world, take advantage of labour arbitrage, and grow companies to compete globally. Read more about Quickstart Global in this article. read more

 

De-Risking Your Export Strategy

It should be a good time for UK exporters. Sterling’s recent fall should give British companies a big advantage – especially in Europe. But whilst companies may find there is demand for their goods overseas – they are apprehensive about entering into commercial arrangements with no guarantee of payment. Export credit insurance is not sufficient, and they cannot put their businesses on the line. read more

 

America Calling - Why The US Market Cannot Be Ignored

It has been known as “the graveyard of UK companies”, but the US market cannot be ignored. The size of the market is vast and the UK has the advantages of cultural and language affinity with millions of companies and consumers across the country. Recent figures on the growth of the US economy show a growth rate of 5.7%, with the prediction of 4.5% growth in 2010. This is a highly respectable number for a mature economy of $14 trillion. read more

 

Foreign Expansion – Can It Be Left To Chance?

Statistics from UKTI indicate that 70% of UK companies start trading overseas through chance, rather than as a planned process. Frequently this will happen to fulfil the requirements of an existing customer, as a result of a trading relationship with a partner or as a result of chance events or meetings, for which firms cannot plan in advance. read more

 

Is Logistics A Core Competence?

There are many definitions of logistics available.Logistics can be all encompassing as per this description by the Council of Logistics Management. Logistics is “...the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, effective flow and storage of goods, services, and related information from point of origin to point of consumption for the purpose of conforming to customer requirements." read more

 

Selling Overseas

Once the decision has been made to sell overseas the key questions are how and where? There are five main market entry sales models: Direct selling from the UK (made even easier online); using an overseas intermediary, such as a sales agent or distributor; opening an overseas operation (a local branch or your own subsidiary); opening an overseas operation (a joint venture) or operating a franchise with a master license agreement. read more