Taking your business global is not always a walk in the park. More often than not, it means years of hard labor, making sacrifices, and tough decisions. But if you’ve been doing well in the local markets, you have no reason not to explore the international realm, which would allow you to gain market exposure on a global scale. But when it comes to expansion, most entrepreneurs make the mistake of rushing into things without a sustainable strategy in mind. Business decisions are driven by many nuances and it’s most likely that you’ve made some already.
The first thing you need to know is that there are so many challenges to expect when you enter into foreign markets. You, therefore, need to be open-minded and flexible to ideas and suggestions, while bearing in mind that not everyone will have your best interests in mind. To cut to the chase, below are eight factors to consider before expanding your business internationally.
1. Currency and Exchange Rates
Now if you are considering transitioning from the domestic market to international markets, you need to look at the bigger picture and how you can prepare your business for any eventualities. When it comes to the export and import of goods, foreign currencies play a crucial role. First and foremost, you need to know how much it costs to import and export goods and the cheapest ways to do it. It may be profitable for you to open your venture in a foreign country but a small fluctuation in currency exchange rates could be catastrophic to your business. Remember, you have the option of importing with your home currency, or the foreign currency depending on how much you want to lose or gain. Again, you also need to know that currency exchange markets are unpredictable and you need a strategy to cushion your business when things don’t go your way. So what options do you have? Here are some tips you will thank this page later for.
I). Monitor the forex markets
When trading internationally, you need to know that most of your revenues and expenses will be subject to currency market fluctuations. And as earlier mentioned, the forex market is very unpredictable and volatile. You want to also ensure that you are up to date with the global market affairs at all times. Sometimes you’ll have to stall transactions until the opportune time. For this reason, you will need a solution that provides you with real-time foreign exchange market updates, whether you’re dealing with major currencies such as the Euro and the Pound or your transactions sometimes involve using the less popular currencies. And thanks to today’s cutting edge technology, your best solution would be using a website to get the latest updates on current forex market trends. This will allow you to make an informed decision, such as when to import or export and when not to.
II). Engage a processing firm to provide you with a standing order
There are so many processing firms around the world owned by third parties and they can help you to secure any purchase using a country’s currency in a given time. The third-party holds on to the money until the currency levels up and will then transact at the agreed price using the same currency.
III). Invest in structured products
The thing is, structured products offer you a customized solution that allows you to make transactions as per your foreign currency situations. Here, you may also need to hire a processing firm or a third party to help you in monitoring the markets. This can be a great strategy to do business on an international level.
2. Cultural and Language Barrier
Operating in regional and local markets is easier than in international markets. This is because you don’t have to overcome any language or cultural barriers, which are some of the disadvantages of international trade. Without a proper strategy, it can get tough overcoming such barriers in international markets. It’s therefore important that before taking your business beyond the borders, you consider learning a language or two and familiarizing yourself with the cultures in the foreign land to enable you to strategize better and communicate effectively as you seek to promote your business.
3. Regulatory Barriers
Every country has its set of laws governing the local markets. For you to establish your business in another country, it’s important to be comfortable in conforming to their local regulations and guidelines. These are all the more reasons to seek legal counsel before setting up shop on foreign land.
4. Communication
Image Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/closeup-portrait-of-young-lady-talking-on-mobile-phone-6386/
Customer service/support is unarguably one of the most important factors of success in business. When operating on an international level, there’s a high likelihood that most of your clients will be from other countries. You, therefore, need to invest in communication tools that will allow you to communicate virtually with your clients. This can be cost-effective and efficient for all your communication needs.
5. Time Zones
Working across different time zones can be overwhelming, especially when scheduling meetings with your clients across the borders. It can pose challenges, especially when it comes to TAT on transactions, respond to queries, and meeting delivery deadlines. You need to be flexible enough to accommodate clients who are in the opposite time zones even on your off-hours.
6. Capital
Before you decide to explore business opportunities in foreign countries, it’s imperative to ensure that you have a strategy on how you’ll find and woo investors, conduct marketing campaigns, and find products. All these aspects will cost you a lot of money. Having an investor who’s ready to walk with you even across borders is crucial if you must establish yourself in a foreign market. But if given ample time and enough resources, these are goals that can be achieved without much strain.
7. Product Standardization
Before establishing your business in another country, you want to ensure that your products and services meet the international quality standards. You must provide your new clients with the best quality products/services. Needless to mention is the fact that different markets have their quality standards. For you to make a household name for yourself and brand, you must meet these standards while satisfying your consumers the best way possible.
8. Commitment
Are you committed enough to establish your business in a foreign country? If not, then you are better off where you are! Such investment decisions are not made overnight. Of course, you have the expenses, resources, and a lot of energy that needs to be channeled towards a profitable cause. With that in mind, you have a responsibility to ensure that you’ve found employees who have your best interest at heart and who’ll be dedicated to ensuring the success of your venture.
9. Bonus Consideration: Political Stability
Finally, you also need to consider Political stability before moving your business into another region, state, or country. One thing to note is that politics can affect the foreign exchange market and in turn, this will definitely affect your business. So before heading out, ensure that the country of your destination is politically calm.
As scary as it may sound, it’s an opportunity that could see your business grow globally. So, you need to be equipped with the right resources and a mindset that’s unshakable. This may be your only chance to see your business realize its full potential. But before making your final decision, it’s best to take into account the above considerations.
