It is logical to assume that if your business is doing well in the UK, then it might do equally well in another country. But which one, or ones? Coutts with its network of branches around the globe can help with the logistics of setting up the financial, legal and tax side of a business, once you are ready to press go. But for those just beginning to nurture overseas ambitions there is a great deal of help available to those who know where to look.

Researching options

For companies in the initial stages of considering their overseas options, the UK-Government site UK Trade & Investment is a good starting point. It breaks down opportunities by business sector and country and also offers access to a list of country specific experts, who can help with sounding out ideas and advice.

UKTI also runs a serious of workshops and seminars for those interested in expanding into foreign markets. Sector specific groups, such as the UK's Art's Council as well as business organisations including the Chamber of Commerce also provide advice to businesses looking to grow overseas.

Alternatively for companies whose products and services are targeted at the world's wealthy elite, Walpole, a not-for-profit, group which promotes British luxury and excellence around the world, could be a valuable source of information. Coutts was a co-founder alongside British Airways and The Savoy Group back in 1990 and today Walpole is helping British companies expand into markets including China and India.

"A guiding hand from someone who has done it before can make all the difference to success or failure when launching a company overseas." Tom Crown, director, First Flight Placements"

Testing the water and wise owls

A vital step when deciding to launch abroad will be establishing whether there is appetite for what you are selling. UKTI can support UK companies who want to attend tradeshows or trade missions in overseas markets. Those attending such missions are also usually allowed to hold meetings in the local UK-embassy. Alternatively UKTI regularly host inward missions which bring overseas buyers to the UK meet British businesses.

UKTI is currently taking applications for grants from companies involved in digital content creation, watch and jewellery design and interiors and furniture to attend three tradeshows in Spring 2009, in France, Basel and Abu Dhabi.

Once the decision to go ahead has been made it can be hugely reassuring to have the support of a mentoring programme. There are a number of mentoring programmes which match up young and growing businesses with business owners who have been there and done it before them. Everywoman , a network for female entrepreneurs offers a mentoring service funded by the European Union, while Walpole launched its Brand's of Tomorrow mentoring programme last year.

The group explains: "Walpole Brands of Tomorrow helps nurture and support the UK's finest talent within the luxury sector. The bespoke mentorship and coaching programme helps aspiring British luxury brands of the future to fulfil their potential and become global leaders in their field. Our programme takes selected companies through a cycle of quarterly educational workshops on areas such as business planning, marketing, distribution and internationalisation and one-to-one mentorship meetings with some of the UK's most experienced luxury entrepreneurs.

"The bespoke mentorship and coaching programme helps aspiring British luxury brands of the future to fulfil their potential and become global leaders in their field.” Walpole Group"

Those looking for a more formal arrangement might want to think about adding someone to their board.

"Bringing in a non-executive director who has already taken a business international and can therefore advise on the best way forward and more importantly the pitfalls to be avoided, is a sensible commercial decision," explains Tom Crown director of non-executive recruitment firm First Flight Placements . He continued: "A guiding hand from someone who has done it before can make all the difference to success or failure when launching a company overseas."

Finally, once your business has taken the plunge and expanded beyond the UK it might be worth shouting about it. Coutts parent, RBS, sponsors an annual award in conjunction with the British Chamber of Commerce  which has a category for achievement in international business. If the top prize of £50,000 is not enough of an incentive, then it should be remembered that awards can also be invaluable in helping to boost a business's profile and set it apart from the competition.