Go Global. Emma Jones

and the Export Marketing Research Scheme. Current criteria state that companies must have been trading for more than three years and have over five employees. This would make all the companies profiled in this book ineligible, yet if they received support they may be better placed to boost international orders.

      2 Explore new export indicators; a way to count and measure export volumes that better reflects the contribution being made by small businesses selling services and goods via their own and other commercial sites. In China, Alibaba.com provides quarterly reports to the Chinese Government; could the Office for National Statistics source similar stats from the likes of eBay, Alibaba and Etsy? These sites represent powerful barometers of international trade activity.

      3 Announcements stating an increased role for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in trade promotion are welcome. With officers in post often for many years, these well-connected agents on the ground will undoubtedly be an invaluable resource for the small business entering a new and unknown market. Taking this on a stage, could the FCO develop a Go Global app connecting small businesses to local embassies, as well as providing a local news feed/travel information/political updates, etc?

      4 4. Work closer with private sector providers such as the partners on this project who provide valuable services and support to exporting businesses. Both government and corporates have the same objective in mind; encouraging more small businesses to grow through increased international sales. There is indeed scope for joint work.

      5 5. Promote initiatives like this book! Small businesses need encouragement and assistance to take the first step in exporting.

      I accept government budgets are not what they once were. These recommendations are made with this in mind. None of them require significant outlay or expense but they will deliver a return on investment in more companies exporting and making the 1.2 billion unreached customers part of their core market.

      The single and simple aim of this book is to encourage and assist anyone who is starting and growing a small business to consider overseas sales. Government is in a strong position to do the same.

Part II: Route Map