What better country to visit trade fairs or participate in trade fairs than Belgium? Its strategic location in the heart of Europe make small Belgium a great business hub. Brussels is in the top 5 of European cities that attract businesses. No wonder a small country like Belgium is host to so many interesting trade fairs! No matter what your industry is, no matter where your interests lie, Belgium will have a trade fair for you.

It is widely known that Belgium is a great country for business: a strategic location, a great logistical infrastructure, a skilled workforce and an ideal test market for new projects and products. And while the high level of language skills will be useful for businesses that want to enter this market, the only way to attract customers is to have your materials translated into the local languages. After all 75% of potential clients want to see your products in their native language, according to a Common Sense Advisory Study. In Belgium that means Dutch (spoken by 60% of the population, based in Flanders), French (50%, based in Wallonia) and German (1%, based near the German border).  That's right, Flemish is not in the list. How come?

A while ago a potential client told me his company did all their translations in-house because they used their own specific terminology and did not feel an external translator would be able to use these specialist terms.

Do you have the same concerns? Then let me put your mind at ease.

One of the best ways to drive revenue is to make your website available in multiple languages. After all, a recent Common Sense Advisory Study reveals that no less than 75% of potential clients want to see your products in their native language. And although the common assumption is that many people are comfortable using English, this figure is increasing rather than decreasing. Moreover, most people simply never or rarely ever buy from websites that are not available in their native language.

In a society in which diversity is key, classic holiday wishes such as Merry Christmas are often replaced by more generic wishes such as "Happy holidays" out of respect for people who do not celebrate Christmas. At the same time most people prefer to be wished "Merry Christmas". What should your company choose? Give it some thought before ordering this year's cards and presents.

We've all seen our share of funny translation mistakes, either on social media or live on vacation. We've chuckled or laughed - and let's admit it: in the process we lost respect for the shop or restaurant that was responsible for them,  no matter how good the quality of their offering.

What you did not realize your translator can do for you