RLN SW milestone achievements announced
1st November 2006
The regional provider of information on international communications, the Regional Language Network South West (RLN SW), has just announced milestone achievements in helping regional businesses improve their performance in international markets.
The Exeter based organisation, funded by the South West Regional Development Agency, has over the last three years given specialist assistance to over 265 companies through advisory visits and made over 200 presentations at business events. Some 3,000 plus companies have sought contact with RLN SW’s three business teams for Devon and Cornwall, Dorset and Wiltshire and the West of England.
The South West exports the least of any region of the UK. In a Language Skills Capacity Audit in 2002, 45% of firms had encountered language barriers and 23% cultural barriers.
As a result, the Regional Language Network South West was set up in 2002 to raise awareness amongst regional companies of the importance of language learning and culture and to reduce the amount of business lost, identified at 20% due to a lack of language and cultural skills.
Regional firms assisted have ranged from small new exporters to multi –nationals. RLN SW has run and assisted at events, it has helped source professional translators, interpreters, cultural experts and technical glossaries, developed cost effective web solutions and helped carry out internal audits of workforce language skills.
Gwyneth Leonard, RLN SW manager is delighted with the project’s achievements. “It is good news all round as we have exceeded our targets across a whole range of business support activities. 95% of the businesses we worked with in the last year found our advice useful.
I am especially pleased that by following our advice a number of companies have seen a real difference to their exports and to their bottom line.
“With the growth of globalisation, there are huge opportunities for regional enterprise and investment. The Regional Language Network South West is in a prime position to support business growth and productivity and to help stop businesses losing out to competition through a lack of language and cultural skills.”
The organisation works closely with various key partners, including UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) through the Passport to Export Scheme, Business Links, Chambers of Commerce and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).
Brian Kemp, RLN SW chairman said: “The Regional Language Network South West is acknowledged as having filled an important gap in business advisory support for those firms who are keen to develop exports, those engaged in tourism that wish to increase overseas visitors, those who employ migrant workers and those seeking to capitalise on the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
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