Looking for an advice about IT business.

[seamota]

Hello,

I would like to request you about advice for me.
I am Digital Designer with 8 years of experience, I studied graphic design and had my own business in Poland before I moved to UK.

My main problem is my language and scepticism of my possibilities in meetings with people. I have 100 ideas to make some nice business, but I'am affraid to speak with people because my verbal language is not too well and Scottish accent is really difficult.
I don't have money to hire someone to help me with customer service, but I know I am good in Visual Design and I can make innovative projects / websites for different companies and people.

I am still trying to find clients via Social Media and email offers but people don't trust me because I am Polish. Additionaly Polish people have bad relations with you (shame for me).

What can you advice me?
Should I still learn English, work as web designer in digital agency and keep my plans and ideas to next year or try to find someone to help me?
Is it possible to take step to forward in my position?

Thanks for read it.

If you would like to send me private massege, please use: dawidtkocz [at] gmail.com

Best regards,
David

 

[Nita Teoh]

hi David

nice to meet you and thanks for sharing your business story.

you could consider hiring a sales person on a commission basis.

 

[aleks-dlm]

sometimes i working with peoples who doesn't speak english properly... your language level is important, but it's not the only reason to trust you...
i'm trying to say that you have to learn english... get some books, use some free tutorial from google search

 

[monaghan]

Do you need to tell them you are Polish? (Most of the SEO / development spam tends to be "Hello, I'm 'name' from 'country' and we can do ....", perhaps this is why they are not interested?

If your work is good, build a portfolio so people can see what they will get and that should do most of the selling for you.

If you are in the UK and are planning on selling to people in the UK, then a good grasp of English will be a major benefit so I'd suggest working on it (or as was suggested employ someone for the communications, but that may be a big overhead when just starting up)

 

[japancool]

You absolutely need to improve your English.

If I'm going to hire you, I need to be confident that you understand my requirements properly, and that I can understand the ideas that you are proposing properly.

Any misunderstanding could lead to a waste my both your and my time and money. If you aren't confident with your language skills, then you need a project manager who can speak both Polish and English.

A salesman alone will not cut it. If a salesman with good English sells me your services and then has no more involvement, and I can't communicate properly with you, I'll never use you again.

Sorry to be blunt, but that's the way I see it.

 

[seamota]

Thanks a lot for all posts.

To be honest I don't have a problem with understand client's requirements (BUT via email). I work as web designer in digital agency, I am in 7 members team and we discuss about projects etc. I got many mails from clients and was fine, I did everything without problem, but it's still email, if you know what I mean
People want speak through phone usually, so I have to wait with next steps and learn English more and more.

Bests,
David

 

[Alan]

David I wish you well.

Improving your English will bring you many advantages. You should treat it as your priority. Use every opportunity to speak English, go to classes, get a tutor, do online classes. You sound a bright guy so you will learn.

 

[TurricanII]

Can you buy a list of UK firms with Polish owners/directors and target them first? Also try British Polish chamber of commerce http://www.bpcc.org.pl/ to find people who may have better ideas or be able to help.

 

[seamota]

Thanks Turricanll, that is really nice idea.