Onwards and Upwards
The UK just officially posted positive GDP figures for the last quarter of 2009 thereby signalling an exit from the longest recession on record. Phew! With most European economies having returned to positive growth following their recessionary periods, it is of no surprise that we are beginning to see an increasing number of companies seeking to capitalise on this. Certainly, in the last quarter of 2009, we began to see a clear indication that confidence is beginning to creep back into the recruitment market.
One noticeable trend has been the increasing number of companies who are seeking to expand their presence across mainland Europe. Considering many major economies returned to growth in the summer of 2009, these markets offer a true and present opportunity for attracting business. Indeed, it has recently been reported that if the UK seeks to propel its economic recovery, then exporting our goods and services offers the best chance of this. A competitive edge is there to be gained by successfully tapping into these markets.
On a related (and longer term) note, if UK companies do seek to follow a route into overseas markets then surely a concerted effort needs to be made to ensure learning a language is made compulsory within schools? Having a skilled workforce who can compete within an ever increasingly global marketplace is vital to any economy. Maybe languages won’t be classed as “nice to have”, “advantageous” or “desirable” for much longer….
So all in all, it will be interesting to see what patterns emerge over the coming months. With a hectic 12 months behind us, let’s hope 2010 brings more stability, prosperity and growth. Especially for all those that seek further opportunity.
In most parts of the USA, if you don’t speak Spanish then you may as well be a second class citizen. That’s certainly true in Florida and many other states too. Finance (and Medicine?) in the UK seems to be the only industry that has really grasped on to the fact that English is not enough in its spectrum. As time goes on, others will have to follow especially as trade increases with Asia as well as (we hope) the rest of Europe.
Chet
January 27, 2010
Following quote adds further weight to the argument for increasing overseas trade.
Quote from Ian Stuart, managing director at Barclays Corporate: “Innovation today means exploiting healthy economic growth rates abroad while developing an offering able to thrive despite depressed demand at home.”
oaktreerecruitment
January 27, 2010