Your Enterprise Europe Network team places in European Competition

Okay, so not quite what you thought...

You may be familiar with the Enterprise Europe Network podcasts (and if not, I strongly recommend you have a listen!).

We started podcasting last March, highlighting how Scottish companies can take advantage of Enterprise Europe Network services. Since then, the podcasts have evolved to also include features with our colleagues at Scottish Enterprise, holiday specials around Christmas and Halloween, and even include a dream sequence and time travel.

Our podcasts were entered into the European Podcast Awards for 2011. To all those who voted, thank you very much!

The results were announced on Thursday, 15 March 2012 and we're delighted to inform you that the team finished with a podium place! Out of 40 UK entries, EEN Scotland finished 3rd in the Non-Profit Category and 14th overall in Europe in the same category.

The approach has been described as "quirky but informative" by a number of stakeholder organisations, including the EUREKA Directorate in Brussels and, since last March, there have more than 11,000 visits to the podcast website.

Not satisfied with a podium place at National Level, EEN Scotland plan to take the Awards by storm again this year, confident that they are now equipped to conquer not only the UK but to take the main European Prize!

If you haven't had the pleasure yet, please listen to the EEN Scotland podcasts.

If you have any comments, or suggestions for topic you’d like to here us talk about, please get in touch with me at elizabeth.mcneil@scotent.co.uk.

Five reasons why Europe still makes good business sense!

Five reasons to develop your business in Europe

Europe is still the most potentially lucrative and accessible location for Scottish companies. In this blog, Anis Mourad suggests five reasons why Europe might be for you:

1) It’s a free trade zone!

The EU is the biggest free trade zone in the world. Factoring in some of the associated countries, such as Switzerland, Norway and so on, the unhindered movement of goods and services between Scotland and the rest of Europe means a wealth of choice when buying raw materials or distributing goods.

2) It’s right on our doorstep!

Businesses can reach places such as the Netherlands, Germany and Scandinavia in only a few hours via budget airlines (other flavours of airline are available too of course!) and the Enterprise Europe Network can put you in touch with like-minded businesses from the continent using our local valued colleagues on the ground in all these countries.

3) English – the beautiful language of business!

I once read that around 40% of EU citizens learn English as their first foreign language. Stunning stat! Generally speaking, English also dominates as the language of business offering Scottish organisations more of an opportunity for comfortable business conditions than they may have thought! And…if there are any problems….our Enterprise Europe Network colleagues in regional offices all over the continent can assist in making the contact easy.

4) Etiquette – eti-what?

Similarities in business practices and etiquette put Scottish companies in a good position when dealing with continental European colleagues. We all know being smart and punctual will go a long way towards making a good first impression to potential clients and partners, but the Enterprise Europe Network also has the inside knowledge on regional preferences. A Swede once told me to “lose the tie and be informal”!

5) They’re all very nice too…

Not only are all my valued EEN colleagues across our 50 partner countries extremely nice, but they all have a great love of Scotland and interest in the country, business conditions and potential collaboration with like-minded organisations in this nation of ours. Don’t be surprised if they are a bit shocked to find out that not all Scots have red beards and wear kilts, though.!

These are just some of the reasons why I feel doing business in Europe is something that Scottish organisations should seriously consider, if they aren’t doing it already! The bonus of it all is that we, at the EEN, are willing and able to help your company as best we can.

Whether it’s market information, scouting for business partners or funding advice you’re looking for, the team is ready to support you.

To get in touch with a view to doing business in Europe, please just drop me a line on Anis.Mourad@scotent.co.uk