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Businesses have been stung by recent bad news on transport - from hikes in rail fares to the ending of FlyBe’s service from Manston Airport. No wonder some of the best-surviving companies in our region are ones that use the internet for their connection abroad. In this issue, foreign languages master Roger Curtis gives us an insight into how a little knowledge of Spanish, French or Russian can help to lead the way in global e-commerce. Jules Serkin (


@julesserkin) Facebook in French,


Skype in Spanish WHITSTABLE


Roger Curtis speaks fi ve languages and has written educational texts in French, Italian and Spanish. Now he’s on a mission to make our experience of the World Wide Web more - well, worldwide. Using Skype, Roger can reach multiple groups around the world for lessons in German, Russian, Spanish, Italian and French. He’s encouraging business leaders and children to extend their reach on social networks by using languages. “We can communicate worldwide in ways we could never have imagined,” says Roger. “Yet at a time when the world is growing smaller, thanks to advances being made, there has been a noticeable drop in those studying languages at


school in the UK. “Kids are making friends


all over the world using Skype, they send texts and tweets and make their own videos on YouTube with confi dence and yet they are not communicating in other languages, since English is dominant throughout the Internet. A real opportunity is being missed. Exporters know how important it is to speak a foreign language if they wish to


To trade successfully in Central and South America it is vital to speak Spanish or Portuguese. Likewise, those wishing to trade successfully in China need to understand Mandarin. The Internet is a fantastic way to absorb so much of this.” Roger’s website is


www.fclanguages.co.uk.


Women who mean business CANTERBURY


The Women's Business Club will be meeting on February 1, from noon until 2.15pm at the Abbots Barton Hotel, New Dover Road, Canterbury Members tickets are


£22, non members £30. The club works with women in business to provide up-to-date business information, exciting promotional opportunities,


www.indexmagazine.co.uk


business education, as well as vital connections to other business women in order to fi nd help, new customers, inspiration, motivation and support. For more information or to make a booking please visit www. thewomensbusinessclubs.com/ canterbury-premier-club.html


Into the Dragons' Den BIRCHINGTON


Tradeshop, the company that offers quality contractors for everything from plumbing to tree felling, has made it to the final judging stage of the Local Business Accelerators Scheme. Tradeshop has 15 minutes


to present its business model and plan to a panel of experts in a Dragons' Den-style selection process. The winner among 11 fi nalists gets free


expand into new world markets. On Location KENT COAST


Video production company Ed Boyle Films, whose producers and directors have experience from the BBC, ITV and other networks, is currently working on several


productions for companies in Faversham, Whitstable, and Herne Bay. Director


Ed Boyle says: “A good


fi lm makes a company so much more


approachable and human. Our fi lms


establish that vital rapport with the


audience." 51 Mad Hatters


WHITSTABLE Cakemaker Sally Turner has made everything from traditional wedding cakes to a depiction of an octopus holding the bride and groom in its tentacles, complete with circling sharks. Now she's been asked to produce a scale model of Tankerton seafront and a stacked Mad Hatters Tea Party cake.


professional marketing advice and entry into a nationwide competition to win one year's consultation and mentoring from none other than business guru, Deborah Meaden.


TheBUSINESS If you have some news to share, email


The INDEX magazine February 2012


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