For service businesses based in Central Bedfordshire, the prospect of expanding their reach into global markets is far from being a pipe-dream.
Bedfordshire, as a county, has always punched beyond its weight in business innovation, and for businesses based in Central Bedfordshire there is now practical support available specifically to help these companies market to international prospects – free of charge!
That’s right – there is no cost to you. Here’s how it works.
Help to develop your global strategy
The team here at Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce is helping Central Bedfordshire businesses maximise their global trade potential in a number of ways.
One of these is through an innovative, funded partnership with local marketing specialist SF Digital Studios that will cost you absolutely nothing.
As part of this relationship, SF Digital produces a tailored marketing audit that examines your current marketing strategies, online presence, and market positioning, to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in both domestic and international markets.
The outcome of this process is a Marketing Audit & Action Blueprint, which you can then use as a basis to inform and support your international service marketing push.
SF Digital is among the top 3% of Google Partners to be accredited with the Premier badge in recognition of its digital marketing expertise, so you can rely on the Blueprint to provide insight, guidance, and direction that will genuinely help clarify the opportunities for your business’s service proposition outside the UK.
What’s covered?
For services businesses, the market audit covers your target audience, competitor landscape, and industry trends, enabling you to make informed decisions and optimise your marketing efforts.
The Marketing & Action Blueprint then translates these insights into actionable recommendations and strategies, enabling you to take tangible steps towards achieving your global business goals.
From refining your branding to enhancing your online visibility and expanding into new markets, this bespoke approach ensures you're equipped with the tools and intelligence needed to drive sustainable growth and maximise your business potential outside your current borders – as well as within them.
More free-of-charge support for global trade
Another programme our team is involved in delivering is a free international trade support programme for businesses registered in Central Bedfordshire, launched jointly with Central Bedfordshire Council.
Whether you’re eyeing international trade for the first time or are an experienced exporter looking to grow your overseas markets, this programme gives your business free access to up to four online international trade workshops.
These help you with rules, processes and documentation, and provide practical assistance, resources, and tools to address common international trade challenges.
Endorsed and supported by the UK Government
What enables us to offer these services at no cost to you is the Government-led United Kingdom Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which supports communities and place, local business, and people and skills.
The scheme remains in place following the recent change in Government, and organisations like Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce will continue to be instrumental in ensuring businesses in our region benefit from it.
Where to go to apply for support
If you’re a Central Bedfordshire-based business, you can learn more about our SF Digital initiative, and apply to be part of it, here.
To access our four free international trade workshops, and the associated tools and resources, all you need to do is complete the application form here.
Once this process is complete, you can contact us to choose the trade workshops convenient to you.
Let us help you get to grips with the global services export market today – and make your services serve the world.
For more information on how to become a Chamber member, just call our friendly team on 01582 522448.
