Editorial

As the 3rd millennium evolves, in a tense global economic climate, internationalisation strategy is increasingly at the heart of the preoccupations of business owners and directors; yet internationalisation is a notion as ancient as trade itself.  The ancient Egyptians developed internationalisation strategies trading with neighbours in the 3rd millennium BC obtaining goods such as timber, tin, copper, olive oil in exchange for gold, linen, papyrus, glass and stone objects.  The pursuit of internationalisation strategies by civilisations from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome to modern times reflects a fundamental need for the business world; markets extend right around the globe, by reaching beyond initial borders companies are able to find new sales opportunities, additional customers, partners, suppliers, or simply inspiration to strengthen their positions on home markets.

The effects of globalisation, reflected by the world-wide growth of Fortune 500 companies in recent years, have been much documented, yet internationalisation strategies, which have offered financial success to hundreds of thousands of companies around the world despite the economic crisis, do not tend to make headlines.

AIM-Azimuth Unlimited was created to help businesses successfully implement their individual internationalisation strategies succeeding new business development opportunities in this complex global economic climate.

AIM-Azimuth enables business to identify geographical zones for international development and target them in a structured, focussed way to achieve success.  The word “azimuth”, derived from the Arabic word “as-simt”, meaning “direction”, is used to describe concepts of angular measurement notably in navigation, aeronautics and astronomy.

Internationalisation strategy offers a further dimension to business development; the specialist consultants at AIM-Azimuth will be delighted to help you find new opportunities targeting the best possible directions for your company.

Export is a central objective of government strategy in France, the UK, the USA, and major nations around the world.  Nicolas Sarkozy (Président France) notes that “export is essential to reinforce France’s competitivity”.

Christine Lagarde, Ministre des Finances, France

« … foreign trade reflects the strengths and weaknesses of a nation.  As far as France is concerned, the most remarkable characteristic reflected is homogeneity. All sectors of the French economy export, from the most traditional such as agriculture and cattle farming, to the most high-tech, without forgetting industrial sectors such as aeronautics, the automobile industry and of course services.  Few countries can be proud to show that they offer such diversity, and such a wide range of choice to their trading partners. »

Barack Obama – State of the Union Address January 27, 2010

“We need to export more of our goods… so tonight we set a new goal; we will double our exports over the next five years… To meet this goal we’re launching a National Export Initiative… We have to seek new markets aggressively just as our competitors are.”