International Business/Expert Profile

Expertise

I can answer questions related to running a business across different countries, cultures and time-zones. I can answer questions regarding marketing internationally using search engines, and how messages need to be tailored for different communities. I can answer questions about avoiding currency risk, and doing international market research. I can't answer specific legal or tax questions.

Experience in the area

I established Lingo24 seven years ago in Aberdeen, north-east Scotland. From humble beginnings, the company has grown to employ over 100 people full-time and over 4000 freelance translators with operations in Panama, the UK, Romania, China and New Zealand. I've headed up the international development, strategy and sales and marketing of the business.

Organizations

The Institute of Directors The Entrepreneurial Exchange

Publications

Smarta - http://www.smarta.com/inspiration/comment/christian-arno/Christian-Arno---Nows-the-time-for-small-businesses-to-look-beyond-the-UK Venturebeat - http://entrepreneur.venturebeat.com/2009/06/30/cashing-in-on-non-english-search-engines/ Brandrepublic (video, not article) - http://www.brandrepublic.com/News/902011/Tapping-emerging-markets-effective-communications/ Coverage on Lingo24 here - http://www.lingo24.com/media-centre.html

Education/Credentials

MA (Oxon) Modern Languages (French and Italian), St. John's College, Oxford University

Awards and Honors

Shell Livewire Entrepreneur of the Year Best E-Business Start-Up in Scotland

Past/Present Clients

Orange, Royal Bank of Scotland, MTV, T-Mobile, Bloomberg, BP and many more