British Businesses Plan Global Expansion In ResponseTo Economic Upturn
· 77 per cent of domestic British businesses planning to expand internationally thanks to strengthening economy
· Over half require improved communication infrastructure to realise international ambitions
17th June 2014, London: More than three quarters (77%) of British businesses, that class themselves as only operating domestically, are planning to expand into international markets within the next two years, according to the ‘Global Pioneering Spirit’ Survey conducted for Truphone, the first global mobile network without country borders.
The research, carried out with a representative sample of UK businesses by independent researchers, Vanson Bourne, reveals that 80 per cent of those planning to ‘go global’ cite the economic upturn as their primary catalyst. A majority (92%) of companies with global ambitions view this planned expansion into international markets as being ‘essential’ to their future growth.
Communications technology is deemed vital to facilitating this expansion. More than half (59%) of those that have yet to expand globally consider insufficient technology or telecoms infrastructure as a barrier to achieving this ambition. Of those businesses that intend to ‘go global’, 60 per cent intend to improve their communication infrastructure, and more than three quarters (76 per cent) are planning to invest in other related technologies.
Around half (51%) of businesses surveyed are already operating globally and enjoying the benefits of doing so, including an increased customer base (64%), stronger potential for partnerships (51%), increased market share (48%) and greater brand recognition (45%).
Crispin Simon, Chief Executive for UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) comments:
“There is huge international demand for our products and services with UK exports to high-growth markets like China, India and Brazil at all-time highs. The international success of UK businesses is having a knock on effect and encouraging firms that have not exported before to follow suit.”
Rob Jones, European Managing Director at Truphone, comments:
“Historically the UK has been a nation of global pioneers, with the development of international trade a major driving force behind this. We’re now living in the modern age, where technology has enabled a significant change in the way we communicate with one another around the world. So there’s a particular paradox in the fact that the major barrier UK businesses face is in getting the best from existing communications infrastructure, with many looking to invest in this to make their ambitions a reality.”
For further details on Truphone and the Global Pioneering Spirit study, please visit: www.truphone.com/uk/gps
Truphone commissioned an independent research partner, Vanson Bourne, to interview business decision-makers within 650 small to medium sized organisations, broken down as follows:
· 200 companies with 20-49 employees
· 150 companies with 50-99 employees
· 150 companies with 100-249 employees
· 150 companies with 250-500 employees
All interviews were conducted online using a rigorous screening process. The research was conducted during quarter one of 2014.
About Truphone
Truphone is the only mobile operator in the world without country borders. This brings people closer to their international contacts, makes them more productive, and gives them the international quality of service they deserve.
One of the ways that Truphone achieves this, is by providing people with multiple international mobile numbers on a patented single SIM card, so international contacts can always reach them by making high quality local calls, at a local rate.
Truphone’s approach also helps people talk, email and download just as they do at home, within a group of countries called the Truphone Zone. Bundles of voice, text and high speed data work across the Truphone Zone, which includes Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, USA and the UK.
Outside of the Zone, Truphone serves people in over 200 countries, with regional bundles that provide predictable costs and higher quality network performance in key business areas including, Asia Pacific, Europe and North America.
Truphone’s unique GSM network enables it to provide 24/7 multi-language support, and proactive monitoring of network performance within the Zone, to deliver a seamless and consistent international mobile experience.
Headquartered in London, Truphone has offices 10 offices across 4 continents and continues to expand globally. Clients include FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 companies across multiple sectors.
To learn more, visit www.truphone.com
