

Theo Paphitis follows the fortunes of nine very different British companies in three very different countries. It’s not a game. These are real companies, doing real business, with real money – and real reputations – at stake. They each have around a week in their chosen market to see if their business plans stack up. A week to research that market, meet the key contacts and – most vitally of all – decide if their business is going to work there or not. They’ve all done their homework back in Britain. But now the theory has to take back seat to the reality. Doing business in another culture – as our companies find out – isn’t easy. There are all kinds of pitfalls ahead. Cultural differences, red tape, import duties, ingrained consumer habits, and a different way of doing business.
Follow in the Adventure Capitalists' footsteps
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Theo's Adventure Capitalists: Six Months On
How did our companies get on? Six months after their meetings with Theo, we catch up with the exporters.
Read nowTheo's Adventure Capitalists: Six Months OnArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Taking your business abroad
Introducing our guide to successful overseas business, Luciano Batista introduces two models which can help taking your business abroad.
Read nowTaking your business abroadArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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UKTI Export & The British Council
The companies featured in Theo's Adventure Capitalists were lucky to be able to draw on Theo's years of experience. But there's a source of exporting advice and support available to everybody.
Read nowUKTI Export & The British CouncilArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Theo Paphitis: Business adventurer
Theo Paphitis tells Sesame magazine about his new role - and suggests we're living through a revolution.
Read nowTheo Paphitis: Business adventurerArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Sharpen your skills
Get to grips with the managerial challenges - get to know the Open University Business School.
Read moreSharpen your skills
The three countries
Learn more about the companies, the markets they'll be heading to - and some tips for doing business in the three countries.
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Copyright: SKopp via Wikimedia
Theo's Adventure Capitalists: India
A large country with a hard-to-understand excise regime - how will Theo's Adventure Capitalists fare in India?
Read nowTheo's Adventure Capitalists: IndiaArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Theo's Adventure Capitalists: Vietnam
Haymarket, Fairline and Creative Education join Theo as they try to bring their businesses to Vietnam.
Read nowTheo's Adventure Capitalists: VietnamArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Theo's Adventure Capitalists: Brazil
Can three very different businesses turn plans into action? The Adventure Capitalists head for Brazil.
Read nowTheo's Adventure Capitalists: BrazilArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
A view from the Business School
Following the Adventures of Theo's Capitalists shows some key trading lessons - if you're thinking of trying a spot of overseas business, listen to the advice of Theo and our panel of Business School experts.
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The importance of market research
Theo Paphitis and Fiona Ellis-Chadwick agree you can't overestimate the importance of market research - providing you listen to it.
Listen nowThe importance of market researchAudio
Level: 1 Introductory
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Getting marketing right
Theo Paphitis expects start-ups to invest in building a market, while Fiona Ellis-Chadwick says an audit can help getting marketing right.
Listen nowGetting marketing rightAudio
Level: 1 Introductory
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Understanding the market
Theo Paphitis adapted La Senza to local demands. Devendra Kodwani says McDonalds illustrates why this makes sense.
Listen nowUnderstanding the marketAudio
Level: 1 Introductory
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Respect perspective
Colin Gray and Theo Paphitis discuss the need for balance when it comes to the respect perspective.
Listen nowRespect perspectiveAudio
Level: 1 Introductory
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Local partners
Your local partners are vital to global success, explain Theo Paphitis and Colin Gray.
Listen nowLocal partnersAudio
Level: 1 Introductory
Theo's tips from the top
Theo Paphitis shares some of the lessons his adventure capitalists learned during their attempts to do business overseas - and one or two they didn't.
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Theo on... scale
The English Brothers might face a problem if they're successful - as Theo explains, you've got to plan how your business will scale.
Watch nowTheo on... scaleVideo
Level: 1 Introductory
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Theo on... making money online
Theo Paphitis warns you need to do a lot more than wait for a buyer if you want to make money online.
Listen nowTheo on... making money onlineAudio
Level: 1 Introductory
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Theo on... ideas vs business plans
Had a Eureka moment? Theo gently reminds you that an idea is not a business plan.
Listen nowTheo on... ideas vs business plansAudio
Level: 1 Introductory
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Theo on... no is not an answer
To be a success, you sometimes have to insist that no is not an answer, claims Theo Paphitis.
Listen nowTheo on... no is not an answerAudio
Level: 1 Introductory
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Theo on... getting celebrity endorsements
How can you get a bit of glamour help your sales?
Listen nowTheo on... getting celebrity endorsementsAudio
Level: 1 Introductory
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