Business expansion into French-speaking markets
Into French-speaking markets, without costly mistakes or years of trial and error
We help Baltic companies start and grow their sales in France, Belgium and Switzerland. 12+ years of experience and a network of 100+ business contacts – at your service.
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01The challenge
Why some don’t make it into the French-speaking market on their own
Emails in English go unanswered. You manage to get a call – the French side says “yes, yes”, but the deal hasn’t moved in six months. Eventually you stop calling, worried you’re being a nuisance.
It’s not a coincidence. French-speaking markets work differently from German or Scandinavian ones – the French prefer to speak only their language, their “yes” doesn’t always mean yes, and decision-making etiquette follows its own rules. Without local context, most companies choose one of two paths.
First path: give up on the idea. After a few months of attempts with no result, the project quietly drops off the priority list. Time and money invested – gone.
Second path: hire a French-speaking employee without a clear strategy. 2,000+ EUR per month, recruitment costs, the risk they won’t fit in – and the same result, only slower.
There is a third path – working with a team that has known the French-speaking markets for more than 12 years.
02Who it’s for
We work with two audiences – different needs
For company directors
Clarity before investment
You’re thinking about expanding into French-speaking markets, but it’s unclear whether it makes sense and how much it will cost. You need clarity before committing financial and human resources.
You’ll see how we assess opportunities and how we work to reduce your initial risk.
For sales teams
Concrete steps, not theory
The director said: “we need to open the French market”, but where to start – that’s unclear. You need concrete steps, contacts, and someone who helps you actually do the work, not just advise.
You’ll see what working together looks like and what you can show your director after the very first conversation.
03Services
Four services covering the entire expansion journey
01
Market research and consulting
Examining your product, your situation and your opportunities in a specific French-speaking market, we deliver a tailored analysis and action plan.
02
Sales development and client prospecting
We build a list of potential clients, contact them on your behalf in French, and arrange the first meetings.
03
Participation and representation
We attend your meetings with French-speaking partners – online or in person. We translate, represent you, and help the conversation flow.
04
Team building and training
We train your sales team to work in French-speaking markets, or help you find the right French-speaking employee.
04How we work
Four steps from first conversation to results
Step 01
First free conversation, up to 1 h
We get to know each other, understand your product, goals and current situation. We assess how we can help.
Step 02
Strategic consultation – 150 EUR
We present a tailored analysis and concrete guidance. By the end of the conversation, we decide together how to move forward.
Step 03
Working together – right away
After the contract and NDA are signed, we start working immediately within the agreed scope.
Step 04
Clear results
New contacts, scheduled meetings, increased sales. Progress you can measure.
How the work is split at the third step
We do
- Build lists of potential clients
- Make first contact in French on your behalf
- Lead the initial conversations
- Attend meetings with you and translate
You do
- Provide product information
- Approve strategic decisions
- Take part in key meetings
- Decide on deal terms
„
With French Bridge, you’ll reach your goal without costly mistakes or a long road of trial and error
Solveiga P. – founder of French Bridge
05Why French Bridge
Between institutional help and trying to do everything yourself.
Chambers of commerce, export agencies, innovation programmes – they offer general advice, contacts, programs. But not the hands-on partner who writes the first email in French, picks up the phone, and shows up at the meeting.
Trying to do it all yourself leads to the same outcome: emails without responses, partners saying “yes yes” and buying nothing, projects on hold for months. French Bridge was created to fill this gap.
We’re not an organisation handing out words and advice. We’re a team with 12 years of experience and a network of 200+ contacts – working with you from the first email to the signed contract.
12+
years of export experience with French-speaking clients
200+
business contacts in France, Belgium and Switzerland
5
languages in daily work – EN, LT, FR, RU, ES
Solveiga P., founder and director of French Bridge – an export specialist, speaker and lecturer on business in French-speaking countries.
06Questions
Answers to the most common questions
Didn’t find your answer? Ask it during the first free conversation – we’ll cover everything that’s relevant to your situation.
How is your service different from hiring a French-speaking employee full-time?
A full-time hire costs at least 2,000 EUR per month, plus taxes, recruitment costs, and the risk they won’t fit in. We start at 150 EUR for a consultation. We also bring an existing network of 200+ contacts and 12 years of experience – which a new hire won’t have on day one.
We’re already trying ourselves – what can you do that we can’t?
You can probably do a lot. What you most likely can’t – is speak to the French in their language and recognise when their “yes” actually means “no”. During the first conversation, we can identify fairly precisely where your efforts are getting stuck.
How much of my time will this take as a manager?
It depends on the scope of the project. Most often we start with a smaller commitment from you – a few hours a week for initial alignment – and only increase it when needed.
How do I propose this solution to my director?
The simplest way – book the free initial conversation and invite your director to join. Together we’ll review your situation and the director will hear directly what can be done.
How is my company’s information protected?
Before starting any project, we sign an NDA (confidentiality agreement) alongside the contract. All information – about your clients, products, prices, strategy – stays between us and is used only for the purposes set out in the contract.
Last step
Ready to expand into French-speaking markets?
The first conversation, up to 1 h – free and with no commitments. The easiest way to start.
Or call us: +370 695 85855