Going global at speed

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Over 65% of businesses are going global within their first year of trading according to a survey carried out by small business support company, Enterprise Nation and international trading platform, Alibaba.com

Enterprise Nation founder, Emma Jones, offers a few headlines from the survey and presents a call to action for start ups and small business owners to attend the upcoming series of Go Global events.

Headline results

In October we carried out a survey to find out how fast and well companies were going global. Here are the key findings:

  • 67% are going global and selling overseas within their first year of trading
  • 57% are using international trade platforms such as Etsy, Elance, eBay and Alibaba.com to make international sales
  • Of companies selling products and services, 74% expect international sales to continue to grow over the next 12 months

More results will be announced at the Go Global events in week commencing 14th November but the survey reflects what we’re seeing as a nation with figures released in mid-October showing the highest levels of UK exports since records began in 1998.

Young and nimble British companies are embracing technology, making the most of favourable exchange rates, and taking their business to the world. They are selling everything from souvenirs to software and broadening horizons whilst they work.

It’s a great way to do business and a smart time to be going global. One comment made by so many of the survey respondents was: exporting is not as hard as you think it will be!

If you’re considering or currently exporting, please join us on Tuesday 15th November for the ‘Go Global’ event with a line-up of successful exporters such as Richard Moross of MOO.com, Kate Castle from
BoginaBag and Trunki founder, Rob Law. They will tell their stories alongside leading experts who will offer advice on topics ranging from international payment to social media and website localisation.

The Go Global event takes place on Tuesday 15th November at Coin Street Conference Centre,

Stamford Road, London

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Tickets to attend are just £25 with discount code EN when registering here https://go-global.eventbrite.com

The Go Global events are supported by Alibaba.com, HP and PayPal. Click here to view the full week’s schedule https://www.enterprisenation.com/events/go-global

Emma Jones is founder of Enterprise Nation www.enterprisenation.com, author of ‘Go Global – how to take your business to the world’ and co-founder of StartUp Britain www.startupbritain.org.