Establishing your business abroad is a huge opportunity for growth of your business. But before taking this leap, it is important to weigh the benefits against the considerations.
The Benefits
Going to a new market offers great opportunities and benefits. Here are four benefits which could help your business to prosper!
1. Financial Stability
Companies with a strong international focus are financially more stable and face more growth than companies focusing on local markets. Not only did revenues of highly international companies grow with 6-8%, its revenue streams have diversified, and the return on capitals have increased.
2. Exposure
By entering the right international markets you can increase the exposure to your business. This will create a greater global footprint and will increase your brand recognition throughout the world. It will increase the opportunities the appeal of sentiment to attract new customers and business partners. You will be seen as an international asset.
3. Skilled Workforce
Establishing in a developed market gives you access to highly skilled employees. Employees in new markets add diversification to the company's language skills and educational backgrounds. These factors will increase the innovative output of your company.
4. Competitive Advantage
When you are operating in a highly competitive market it is important to gain an advantage over the competition. Foreign markets can offer new investment opportunities, but also create increased exposure. This exposure will give you increased reputability and will increase foreign investments.
Considerations
It is not a given that the above benefits may apply to your business. It all depends on the way you will apply your international expansion. Therefore, it is very important to ask yourself some questions to ensure optimal utilization of your opportunities!
1. Who are my customers?
When entering a market it is important to know who your customers are. Are they located in the market you are about to enter? Will they need the product you are selling? Is the market ready for your product? All these questions are important to answer, because without customers there will be no lifeblood for your business.
2. Am I financially ready?
Going international can be a financial leap into the deep. You will need to establish your company, but also need to invest in order to generate business. This could be cost for offices, marketing, inventory, bookkeeping or other necessities when entering a market. Therefore it is very important to create a clear overview of the possible costs and your budget to assess if you are ready for the global expansion.
3. How competitive is the market?
New markets come with new competitors. These competitors may vastly differ from the competition you are facing within the country you are currently operating. It is important to assess who your competitors are and what your competitive advantage is.
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