Small businesses look abroad for business boost in new year

The survey of UK small business owners was commissioned by telecoms company O2 and supports the companies recent launch of International Favourites, a call package that includes an innovative ‘Call Me’ landline number, which enables small businesses to have a number in one of 42 countries.
 
This latest research figures paint a more positive picture than 2010, with a fifth saying that they had been forced to say no to opportunities abroad over the course of the last twelve months. When asked the target destinations for business growth, the further afield the better, with six out of the top ten markets being outside Europe:
 
  • United States
  • Germany
  • France
  • Australia
  • Netherlands
  • Spain
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • Hong Kong
  • New Zealand
 
Simon Devonshire, Head of Small Business Marketing at O2, said: “These latest statistics highlight just how many small businesses are looking to move into overseas markets in the next year and through International Favourites we aim to provide a platform for this expansion.”
“At O2 we are passionate about helping small businesses succeed and International Favourites is a great testimony to how we listen to our customers to tailor our offerings, flexing with their ever changing needs and providing the best possible service.” Devonshire added