Trade advisory group launches business culture masterclasses for exporters

New programme on worldwide markets for exporters.

UK Trade & Investment West Midlands has unveiled a new programme of free business masterclasses to help companies who want export to new markets.

Seven masterclasses – covering China, USA, Scandinavia, Germany, Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and India – will be run by experts in those specific regions and will take place in venues across the UKTI West Midlands area.

They are designed to introduce businesses to cultural attitudes, business style and etiquette, and they also look at communication and negotiation style, and how to overcome commercial challenges. Basic language skills and key phrases are also tackled, where appropriate.

Businesses are being urged to sign up now and secure their place for the masterclasses, which take place between September 2016 and February 2017. Christine Hamilton, interim director of UKTI West Midlands, said: “Doing business with a new market isn’t just about getting your goods and services out there, it’s about building relationships appropriately and understanding the culture and etiquette that is expected.

“At a time when we are focusing on our Exporting is GREAT campaign, which aims to inspire and support UK exporters to sell their goods and services overseas, it’s important to do what we can to help ambitious companies achieve their exporting goals. These sessions are a superb introduction to the markets, giving companies a true insight to doing business in their target countries, and they are available to all businesses so it is an excellent reason to take advantage of our expertise.”

MASTERCLASSES TIMETABLE

Middle East – 28th September 2016. 09.00-13.00. iCentrum, Innovation Birmingham Campus, Birmingham Science Park, Aston, Birmingham.

Germany – 6th October, 2016. 09.00-13.00. KPMG, One Snowhill, Birmingham.

USA – 27th October 2016. 09.00-13.00 – Technocentre, Coventry University Technology Park, Coventry.

China – 23rd November, 2016. 09.00-13.00. Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, Telford.

India – 6th December 2016. 09.00-13.00 Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, Telford.

Central & Eastern Europe – 25th January 2017 09.00-16.00. KPMG, One Snowshill, Birmingham.

Scandinavia & Nordics – 15th February 2017. 09.00-16.00. KPMG, One Snowshill, Birmingham

The business culture masterclasses are among a host of new UKTI sessions aimed at exporters. To find details on the dates and venues of the business and language masterclasses, and to book a place, visit www.uktimasterclasses.eventbrite.com
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For more information about all language and culture masterclasses, contact Gerti Willis, International Communication Adviser at UK Trade & Investment—West Midlands, on 0121 6071942 or email [email protected].