Are you thinking of setting up an office in the US? If so, then make sure you are aware of all the legal foibles which can vary from state to state.

For example, in the US state of Maine businesses can be fined if they still have Christmas decorations up after 14 January (own up: who hasn’t removed the dried up Christmas tree from the corner of the photocopying room?!).

Also, in Alabama a pack of cards attracts an extra 10 cent sales tax, while in California it is illegal for a secretary to be alone in a room with her boss. Mmm, we can see the fines mounting up, were that the law in the UK…

Still want to open up in the States? Then fear not, help with such issues is at hand. Global Location Link (www.globallocationlink.com) provides executives with a wealth of handy online information to help them decide where to set up shop in the US — as well as dedicated American advisers on the phone and ‘Ask the Expert’ web pages.

Debbie Kurtz, director of Global Location Link, explains: “Like it or not, the US is a foreign country — even to Brits. In my experience, British companies often don’t research where to locate properly, and end up saddling themselves with long-term tax burdens, high wage rates or logistics costs.”

So if you get a bit tired and fancy a lie-down on the pavement in Reno, Nevada, or you’re a woman and are found wearing patent leather shoes in public in Ohio, you have been warned!