Reasons Why Small Businesses to Move to the UAE

If you have a small business, then you know that trying to go international is a tricky proposition. Let’s face it, it’s the stuff of much larger organizations. Or so you think. In fact, a number of small businesses are taking a look at the opportunities to expand into the UAE.

For one thing, the country is located at a strategic crossroad between east and west. Also, the leadership is pro-western and pro-business. In addition, it is becoming an important financial center. So much so that many are calling it the Silicon Valley of the Middle East.

The name is not without reason.…

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Post-Brexit, is English Still The Language of The Global Business World?

There are a staggering 1.6 billion people who speak English as a second language. China for example, now has around 10 million fluent English speakers.

English as business language

It’s an official language of NATO, the UN and, for the time being at least, the EU. English, French and German are the three dominant languages of the EU, however once the UK leave, the only EU States where English is still considered a first language will be Ireland and Malta who collectively account for less than 1% of the EU’s population.

There are calls from across the channel to do away with English in the EU.…

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Tapping Into Emerging Markets to Give your Business Start-up a Boost

Anyone starting a small business knows that being open to trading to the widest possible markets is an essential part of having an all-encompassing view of the future for the venture. With so many emerging markets around the world and the ability to reach out and connect with them online, it would be senseless for a new concern to constrict itself to more limited operations.

The idea of tapping into emerging markets might be something that a start-up should embrace, but how exactly should you go about doing it as a new entrepreneur?

International markets

There are a number of countries and regions around the world that have “come through the ranks” to take their place as important members of the global trading economy in recent years.…

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3 Tips to Avoid Losing your Business’ Money on Foreign Exchange

Small business owners are ever more likely to be working with a variety of currencies as technology has allowed even the smallest of enterprises to trade on the global market. But most banks often charge hefty overheads for foreign exchange for business.

Currency exchange

Here’s our top 3 tips on how to avoid losing money on your company’s currency conversion.

Find a specialist multi-currency account

The overheads that banks charge for international business transfers have irritated many an SMB owner over the years. A natural progression from this has been a growing number of specialist multi-currency accounts.

These accounts aim to transfer and convert your currency at a fraction of the cost of the big banks.…

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Expanding Your Small Business Abroad

In the past, only larger businesses could afford to target new markets overseas, but the internet has made this a valid option for small businesses too. It would be short sighted for a struggling small business owner to write off the possibility of expanding overseas.

Business communication with foreign clients

Just because you are having trouble in the domestic market, doesn’t mean you should shy away from foreign ones. World trade is pushing ever closer to a borderless global system and even the smallest business owners should consider which foreign markets they can move into.

Obviously this kind of expansion requires prior research. You need to find out where your product can be sold, in which countries there is a gap in the market and what the local competition looks like.…

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The Pros and Cons of Taking Your Business International

Taking your business international opens up a huge number of markets, but also invites some risks. According to Shahram Shirkhani, your small business can have greater success if you adapt to the global marketplace. Even if your local markets fail, your business can prosper in the international market.

International business growth

Advantages of International Business

You can offer a wider range of products globally than you may be able to offer locally. Even if one or more of your products fail to sell well locally, you can look for new markets where it is in demand. When you are open globally, you won’t need to dump unsold inventory for a loss.…

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Moving a Business Overseas: What You Need to Know

It’s the dream of all small business owners to extend their reach well beyond their local marketplace because it opens the opportunities to grow a larger brand (and higher profits).

Doing business overseas

The web has facilitated much of small business growth because it demolished the physical borders and barriers, but there is still something to say about having a real presence in a foreign marketplace that cannot be replicated through online commerce alone.

Moving a business (or parts of it) overseas brings with it a wide range of benefits:

  • There are, at times, very little competition within the marketplace for experienced businesses
  • Foreign workers are plentiful
  • Many financial benefits are to be had when moving to certain regions
  • A physical presence allows the business to become one with the community
  • It progresses the brand and opportunities to franchise the business within the new marketplace

The benefits of moving a business (or part) overseas is stacked in the good category but it is important to know some of the issues and “snags” one may face when making the transition.…

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How to Explore Overseas Market: Learn from Illy and Estee Lauder

SMB CEOs… want some inspirations on how to explore overseas market? Check out this Singapore Sessions video, featuring a candid talk with Estee Lauder Companies’ Executive Chairman, William P. Lauder, and Illy’s CEO, Andrea Illy.

This session features on how Illy Coffee and Estee Lauder approach the challenges presented by the South East Asian market.

South East Asia is a market promising significant growth, but is surely challenging, especially for coffee and cosmetic products. Fortunately, there is not a single way to market to Asia, which mean that the market favors companies with innovative business model and sound strategy.…

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How to Choose The Right Freight Company

Expanding to International markets is your next logical step in small business growth. You need to do your due diligence in preparing your business to take on the challenges overseas. You also need to work with service providers to manage everything, which includes getting your products to the target market in a timely manner.

freight forwarder

Shipping is indeed crucial; in fact, it is one of the most challenging aspects in running a business. You need to get the right products at the right location and time directly impacts your business’ reputation and bottom line.

To help you ship your products better, you need to partner with a freight forwarder.…

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