Report on language management strategies and best practice in European SMEs : the PIMLICO project

The Directorate-General for Education and Culture is launching an information initiative in 2011 designed to promote the greater use of language management strategies (LMSs) by European small and medium-sized enterprises. This report is the result of the PIMLICO Project, which is the first phase of the initiative and stands for Promoting, Implementing, Mapping Language and Intercultural Communication Strategies. The PIMLICO Report focuses on identifying and describing models of best practice in 40 European SMEs, which have been selected for their significant trade growth thanks to formulating and employing language management strategies. The report also provides a review of a range of language support organisations and networks in the 27 EU countries operating at various levels: supranational, national, regional and local. In Phase 2 there will be a website and guides which will offer detailed information on where companies can access further information, and ideas and advice on how to develop language management strategies and create new techniques in order to increase their international trade prospects for growth in foreign markets where they face language barriers.