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Regus launches innovative online trading portalMar 22, 2012 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- While a majority of companies in the UK (78%) believe face-to-face networking will remain the best way to find new customers over the next two to three years, an increasing proportion also predict the rising importance of business social media in the new business mix (58%, up from 43% in the previous three years). This developing multichannel approach to new business generation are the latest research findings from global workspace provider Regus, which surveyed over 2,700 senior business managers across the UK. Face-to-face networking remains the top new business technique, despite a three percent fall over the previous period. However, the increasing importance of professional social networking sites such as BranchOut, Viadeo and Xing stands out in the research, also witnessed by increasing user volumes, with LinkedIn having reached than 135 million members. [1] Looking at other key tools for new business generation:- 50% of UK respondents also declare online advertising to be one of the top channels to find new customers in the next three years, up from 42% in the previous three. Hiring well-connected sales people (24%) and public speaking at key events (37%) are also regarded as significant tools for future customer recruitment. In the UK 80% of small businesses believe that face-to-face networking will be key to recruiting customers over the next three years, compared to only 72% of large businesses. Traditional advertising, direct marketing and telemarketing only gain a minority vote, and all are in decline. The research was unveiled as Regus announced the launch of BusinessLink, a bespoke online trading platform that allows hundreds of thousands of its customers worldwide to buy and sell products and services, and connect with other businesses using the Regus network. BusinessLink comprises a website accessible via Regus global customer portal myregus.com, as well as informal networking events held around the world. The BusinessLink website allows users to browse through online offers posted by hundreds of thousands of businesses using Regus workspace across 95 countries worldwide, or request specific products and services when needed. Celia Donne, Regional Director at Regus notes, "The rise and rise of business social media networks mean that today they are as essential a tool to finding new customers as face-to-face interaction. For many years our customers have told us of the added value of being able to connect and do business with other companies using Regus. We are excited to respond to their needs with the launch of BusinessLink, which will instantly become one of the world's largest invite-only trading portals. Solely accessible by Regus office and virtual office customers, BusinessLink brings a global market within the reach of any company, no matter how large or small." [1] http://press.linkedin.com/node/989 For more information contact: Harriet Subramanian Regus m:07949 626375 e: [email protected] Cathy May Regus t:07803 928 803 e: [email protected] Regus is the world's largest provider of flexible workplaces, with products and services ranging from fully equipped offices to professional meeting rooms, business lounges and the world's largest network of video communication studios. Regus enables people to work their way, whether it's from home, on the road or from an office. Customers such as Google, GlaxoSmithKline, and Nokia join hundreds of thousands of growing small and medium businesses that benefit from outsourcing their office and workplace needs to Regus, allowing them to focus on their core activities. Over 900,000 customers a day benefit from Regus facilities spread across a global footprint of 1,200 locations in 550 cities and 95 countries, which allow individuals and companies to work wherever, however and whenever they want to. Regus was founded in Brussels, Belgium in 1989, is headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information please visit: www.regus.co.uk ((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected]. |