INTERNATIONAL
NETWORKS
Many
businesses have international dimensions, eg foreign
suppliers or customers, overseas branches or staff with a
foreign background.
Some belong to international networks of similar businesses
because it helps them to manage those international
dimensions better and to benefit from them.
Benefits of belonging to international networks
can include opportunities to:
• receive information on developments in an overseas
industry/sector or market
• set up staff exchanges to facilitate understanding, to
help developing countries and to share practices and
knowledge
• engage in skills building and training processes, eg
employment processes, export/import procedures
• improve your understanding of regulations and
documentation, eg for overseas customs or licensing
authorities
You can research international networks through UK-based
overseas Chambers of Commerce. Find details of overseas chambers based
in the UK on the British Chambers of Commerce
website
The British Council provides businesses with introductions
to high-quality professionals in key industrial sectors
from important developing international markets.
Find out about the British Overseas
Industrial Placement Scheme at the British Council
website
The UK Trade & Investment website provides useful
guidance and information to help you carry out business
internationally. Find out about exporting at the UK Trade
& Investment website
The Federation of European Employers offers business
members networking opportunities through informal meetings.
They also provide access to information and knowledge on
employment issues such as pay, employment law and human
resources policies, as well as guidance on staff
contracts. Find out about networking opportunities
at the Federation of European Employers
website
A European Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG) is a legal
framework that allows businesses in the European Union to
establish links with each other and work together in
business without losing their independence. However, there
are some drawbacks, eg the members of an EEIG have
liability for its debts. Download a guide to EEIGs from the
Companies House website (PDF)