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Sonus Systems (Derbyshire) & Jessica Berrezaie
(Paris, France)  

Company

Sonus Systems has developed a range of unique and high quality furniture products for the Hi-Fi and Home Theatre market. With plans to launch more products into the furniture industry, such as contemporary beds, tables and mirrors, sales are forecast to grow considerably.

Opportunity

Sonus have recognised the importance and value of exporting these products. They estimate that over the next 5 years, export will contribute to over 50% of turnover. With existing distributors across Europe, Sonus now plans to target the Italian export market. Sonus asked ISPO to find an Italian-speaking student to help with market research and establishing new Italian contacts.

ISPO

Jessica Berrezaie had been searching for a placement for several months prior to contacting ISPO. Jessica is a French business and languages student, who speaks fluent Italian and English, with family in Italy, operating in the Italian furniture market.

Jessica began her placement 3 weeks after her application to ISPO.

Placement

Jessica has used her Italian language skills and her knowledge of the Italian furniture market to obtain trade magazines and distribution lists. She has been successful in arranging 15 appointments, in addition to booking Sonus to exhibit at a show for Hi-Fi & Home Theatre products. She will be present at these meetings and the exhibition to enable communication and to start business relationships.

With Jessica's interest in marketing and knowledge of Italian culture, she has taken the initiative to re-design the company brochure, including language and cost translations, and the Italian image. This has since been re-produced onto PowerPoint, for presentational purposes.

Conclusions

Jessica has used her independence and initiative to achieve success during the placement. She has improved her English language skills, learnt about our culture and now understands about trading in international markets. Above all, Jessica has developed her confidence with new people, mixed cultures and strange situations.

"If I planned to come back to the UK, to do another interesting placement, I would contact ISPO as their placements offer real business work experience."
Jessica Berrezaie

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