Sara supports exporters across the North West in her role as UKTI’s Language & Culture Adviser. She has over 20 years’ experience in international and cultural relations and speaks several languages.
Sara lived in Slovenia 1994-1998 during its early years of independence from Former Yugoslavia where she worked for language schools and the University of Ljubljana as a teacher. During her 12 years working for the British Council she travelled extensively and worked in 26 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Russia, Europe and North America. She co-founded a Manchester-based training company and led it to export its services to several European countries and Australia - she became a UKTI Export Champion in 2013.
Are you going on another one of ‘those jollies’ to Latin America, India or other exotic place where the sun shines in the Northern European winter? It sounds glamorous and appealing but, as we know, the reality can be quite …
In a previous blog I looked at the face-to-face relationships building process. Giving and receiving gifts can be a significant part of this. In many cultures it is customary to present gifts as part of the business relationship-building process. …
There will come a point when it is time to meet face-to-face with your international counterparts e.g. you may need to make market visits, arrange meetings, undertake negotiations, attend trade shows or conferences. As with any relationship, it's important to …
Every communication touch point you have with your international buyers (and other stakeholders involved in your business development and sales process) conveys an impression about your brand. Your website is your shop window to the world. It's important that you …
My second blog on trust (if you missed the first one you can find it here) concentrates on business relationships. Trust is at the heart of building successful business relationships and relationship building requires slightly different approaches for different cultures. …
"If you speak to a man in a language he understands it goes to his head. But if you speak to a man in his own language it goes to his heart" Nelson Mandela Building an international brand requires …
One of the most interesting aspects of developing a company brand is choosing your colours and logo. But have you thought about the implications of your choices when marketing internationally? As an exporter it’s important to be aware that language …
Exporters face many communication and leadership challenges, many of which are related to intercultural communication. When Stephen Covey wrote ‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’ (first published in the 1989) he referred to basic principles of effective personal leadership. …
Time is money when it comes to exporting. Or is it? This is certainly a Western view about time and reflects the view of cultures where what happens in the present is seen to be of direct consequence to the …
Building relationships is essential to international sales, and an awareness of cultural considerations is hugely important when selling your products and services in international markets. What may be acceptable in the UK could deemed as inappropriate, insensitive or even offensive …
