4 Things You Need To Develop a Business Internationally

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4 min readSep 29, 2020

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For small and emerging businesses, going global is one of the greatest dreams and challenges at once. This significant undertaking comes with various risks and uncertainties.

It is of the utmost importance that team leaders, managers, and CEOs who want to expand their companies globally thoroughly and carefully study the process. The process will often be complicated, dynamic, and unpredictable, so making sure you are prepared, to some degree can save everybody a lot of time and nerves.

Several factors should be considered when going global. They include a deep understanding of the targeted markets, studying the competition and current local market trends, and successfully launching all the necessary resources to the global product market.

Developing a business on an international level is not an easy task. It will require a lot of patience and determination. It is, however, doable. If you are planning on expanding your company to the global market, here is what you need to succeed.

Things To Consider Before Developing a Business Internationally

1. Create an International Team

It is impossible to launch a business on a global scale without the right people.

It seems logical to think that new teams need to be built from scratch since the company enters new markets. That assumption is correct except for the ‘from scratch’ part. Some of the best people to help you expand are those who have worked for your company on a local scale. Most likely, they are well-trained, reliable, and trustworthy. Growing business worldwide is a perfect time for promotions. If you need to create an international sales team, ask an existing talented local salesman to become its manager. The same rule applies to all other departments.

At the same time, don’t restrain from hiring new employees and creating new teams. The bigger market equals higher demands and growth opportunities. Most likely, you will need more people than before. To function globally, think about hiring some bilingual individuals or interpreters.

Depending on your business model, you could also use external services such as Architekst — translation agency to do the translation part, and focus more on hiring best in class experts in the niche.

2. Prepare the Product

Your product might have worked well on a local market, but will it meet the international market’s demands?

Before launching your business globally, make sure that your offerings are market-ready and make a high impact. To make your product valuable and compatible with international trade, make sure that:

  • The translation of the product’s name and description is correct.
  • The product obtains valid international certification.
  • The global distribution and logistics are well-thought-out and established.
  • The product meets local standards and requirements.

Once you meet all the above criteria, consider your product prepared for an international launch.

Related: Opening a Flower Shop: 5 Key Tips for Starting a Flower Business

3. Develop a Business Plan

Defining long, medium, and short term strategies and goals are vital in achieving international success. A solid business plan will help you stay on track and survive unexpected external inconveniences, such as a lack of clients or a pandemic outbreak.

Be sure to develop a tactical project plan with unchangeable set deadlines. Define what metrics you will use to measure success and what success means to you. Set an annual budget to be sure your return on investment is fulfilled.

4. Organize the Structure

If you want your company to run successfully on a worldwide level, evaluate the organizational structure first. Define what will help execute your strategy fast and efficiently.

Create handbooks and procedures that will allow your employees’ work in line with local policies and requirements.

Preparing competitive development and benefit programs will help you attract and retain local employees. They could add value to your business by sharing an insider’s knowledge of the local market.

Let them create a local information technology infrastructure that is compatible with your domestic infrastructure.

Related: Tips for Running a Tech Startup Like a True Leader

Last Word

Going global is a big move for any company, no matter its size or niche. It comes with a lot of challenges, changes, and uncertainties. Simultaneously, it creates a lot of new opportunities for the business to grow and expand.

There needs to be a solid business plan created at the beginning of the international journey to enter the global market with success. The project should be based on a deep understanding of foreign culture, local market trends, needs, and requirements.

Moreover, to maintain a strong position in worldwide trade, the company needs a healthy organizational culture, teams made of former employees and international individuals, and a well-prepared product.

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