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Interview with British Chamber of Commerce Chile

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The British-Chilean Chamber of Commerce is a partner of the Linguaphone Group, based in Santiago, helping support the Group’s entry into Chile. Here Karl Royce, their Business Development Manager, outlines why investors should consider Chile as a place to do business. He also offers tips for any potential Master Franchisee looking to secure the franchise rights to Pingu’s English or Direct English across Chile.

• What is the key remit of the British Chamber of Commerce in Chile?

The British-Chilean Chamber of Commerce was established in 1917 as a membership organisation. Since then, it has been a key platform for British and Chilean companies and individuals to network, conduct business, stage events, keep informed, and forward shared interests. In 2017, the Chamber celebrates its centenary with a healthy membership of 180 companies.
Since 2014 the Chamber has run a separate business unit providing bespoke, on-demand services to UK exporters. This unit is Britcham Chile Services, and provides business development to companies new to market as well as those already well established in the market. Projects include market evaluation, partner and distributor searches, creating meeting agendas and seminars/receptions. Britcham Chile Services gains access for clients and opens doors, and critically it associates the high reputation of its 100-year heritage with the quality of its clients’ brands.

• Why should an investor consider Chile for developing a business?
There are many reasons why British investors and businesses look to Chile first, when considering opening new business in South America. Chile has enjoyed over 25 years of economic growth and political stability, it has the highest GDP per capita in the region and is the first South American country to become a member of the OECD.
Chile comes first, or among the first, in the region in just about every ranking that an investor might wish to see: World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report, WEF’s most competitive nation, transparency, respect for the rule of law, safety and security. In addition, Chile’s start-up sector has become a regional leader, leading many to dub Santiago ‘Chilecon Valley’.
Chile has free trade agreements with 64 countries around the world (including with the EU), more than any other nation on earth, allowing goods to reach a potential market of 4.3 billion people.
After Brazil, Chile is Britain’s second largest export market in South America and is refreshingly simple to trade with. It has a sophisticated demand profile that matches well with British goods and services, is open to trade and welcomes and values imports.

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• What is the potential for a quality English language training business in Chile for children and adults?
Speaking English is highly valued in social and professional environments and greater levels of proficiency have been identified by businesses, authorities and parents as a key skill. Attainment is in general is still disappointingly low, and in a market that already has many companies and institutions offering a variety of English language training courses there is room for new programs that combine quality and flexibility to stand out from the rest.
Language training for children holds large potential with increasing numbers of parents aware that the earlier their children are exposed to English, the easier they will learn and the higher their educational and professional achievements will be.

• What is the franchise market like in Chile at the moment?

The franchise market in Chile, as in much of Latin America, is still seen as a relatively new, but fast-growing area. Currently it is estimated that the franchise market is worth an annual US$ 860 million per year in Chile, and is growing in excess of 20% per year. Indeed, estimates predict that at current growth levels, the market could be worth US$ 2.5 billion a year in Chile in the next few years.
The growth in the franchise market in Chile is currently being led by food and fast food outlets, fashion brands, and the construction of new shopping malls. With low entry barriers, and access to the Peruvian and Colombian markets, a franchise in Chile can reach a potential market of 100 million people in a region with a growing economy and increasing levels of disposable income.

• What tips would you give any potential Master Franchisees looking to secure the nationwide Chilean rights to an international ELT brand such as ours?
Talk to us! We combine high level guidance and ground level work in making the connection between Chile’s good prospects and getting a deal done. And for any potential Master Franchisee that wants to go it alone, be communicative, proactive and persistent.
• As a British company, what is your experience of working with the Linguaphone Group?
Linguaphone Group has a defined goal and a strong feeling of what they can achieve in Chile with the right partner and continue to bring experience and persistence to the project. The Chamber is pleased with the progress to date and delighted with Linguaphone Group’s proactive input. We will certainly toast Linguaphone Group’s success when they appoint a partner in Chile, and expect to raise our glasses soon.”

Want to own a nationwide network of Pingu’s English or Direct English schools across Chile? Then please get in touch with the Franchise Development Team at opportunities@linguaphonegroup.com.

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Testimonials

We at the British Chamber of Commerce worked with Linguaphone Group to find them a new in-market partner for the Korean market. Throughout the engagement we had with Linguaphone Group, we found them to be passionate about education, supremely professional in their approach to business and both responsive and personable in their interactions with ourselves and Korean partners. Korean investors were attracted to the best-in-class program which Linguaphone Group offers, the strong reputation of the company and the heritage with which it is associated. These are qualities that resonate globally.

British Chamber Korea

 Sean Blakeley, BCCK CEO

Our Experience with Pingu’s English has been profitable and positive from the first year. We relied on their professionalism and heritage, their staff is always prompt to assist with the latest trends and ideas on the market. We were looking for a brand who can guarantee us quality and a solid method but at the same time would leave us the freedom and flexibility in order to succeed in our challenging and competitive market like the Italian one. We built Pingu’s English project in Italy by mixing their huge international experience in the English training with our knowledge of the Italian market. All this enabled us to do the right decision for our winning investment. Today we have over 40 Pingu’s English centres and thousands of happy children learning English.

Daniele Arboit

Pingu's English Master Franchisee Italy

From our first training session in London 2009- from the academic side to customer service -we felt confident and well equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful Pingu’s English Master Licensees” At the moment, our services to all 23 networked schools across the country are effectively and efficiently backed by Pingu’s English.  No doubt that we see no limit to expand our business to cover 30,000+ schools in the near future!

Nipat Ungpakornkaew

Pingu's English Master Licensee Thailand

I knew about Pingu’s English School through a friend. After research about the school, I decided to enroll my daughter and it was one of the best things I could do to her. She loves studying at Pingu’s English and she cannot wait to the day of the class. I also love Pingu's English School, because there she learns by playing and I can see her progress day by day.

Léia Rodrigues

Pingu's English Student's mother / Brazil

Now she is studying at Pingu’s English School, my daughter only wants to talk to me in English and she is always singing the songs.

Cristiane Doimo

Pingu's English Student's mother /Brazil

Regarding the teaching method they use a figurative storytelling way of starting the lesson,  trying hard to involve the child and make the them curious about the situation. Tom is very happy to go to Pingu’s English because he perceives the School as a playful moment and not just as a learning moment while at the same time he is learning a new language

Veronica

Pingu's English Student's Mother /Italy

We love Pingu’s English School because the school gives my son the opportunity to learn and develop different skills, especially English skills. He is excited every time to go to school and is always happy when he comes home.

Sapavoot Preedawipart

Pingu's English Student's Mother/ Thailand

Pingu’s English School is not just a school; it is as a second home for my kid. I like it when I see my kid growing and learning in a friendly and safe atmosphere. Most of all, I can see a lot of improvement in his English listening and speaking skills

Piyatida Tudteam

Pingu's English Student's Mother/Thailand

I have being running my own school for 15 years. When I met Pingu’s English, it was love at first sight. Now I am offering the best English Course available to my students and they are loving it as well as their parents. Thank you Pingu’s English!

Giedre Paula

Pingu’s English Unit Franchisee in State of Mato Grosso do Sul

Brazil is a huge Market and the preschool english education industry is growing very fast. All our franchisees are happy with the Pingu’s English methodology as well as the operational manuals Liguaphone offers to Unit Licensees. They feel very well assisted.

Ronaldo Vieira

Pingu's English Master Franchisee in State of Sao Paulo

Abbas always tells me that Pingu's English is the most fun he has all day. I am very glad that this place makes him feel that way and noticeably develop his language skills too

Ali

Pingu's English Student's Father/Bahrain

Our students are very enthusiastic in studying at Pingu’s English. They always tell us how much fun and how much they learn here. Parents also keep saying how proud they are with the knowledge and improvements their children are making.

Willian Veloso Rocha

Pingu’s English Unit Franchisee in State of São Paulo