Ten Tips for Going Global

Author: Nerella Campigotto

Nerella Campigotto has over 20 years international experience in business development and business-unit management.  Raised in Switzerland and educated in Australia, Nerella was a Director for a multi-national language services company in Australia.  She then moved to Japan to direct a European Executive Training Program, followed by a transfer to San Francisco to manage two operations.  Moving to Vancouver, she joined an international recruitment firm to direct business development in the US, UK, and New Zealand. 

Nerella now operates her own consulting firm, Boomerang Consulting Inc. and is also President and a founding Director of the Canada, Australia and New Zealand Business Association.  For more information please visit www.boomerangconsulting.com or call: 604-609-6178, email: info@boomerangconsulting.com

If you are in the business or professional services industry, and are looking to go global, the following are 10 key issues to consider before embarking on an international expansion program:

1. Make it Your Company Strategy

The decision to expand into a foreign market should be part of your overall business strategy, not just a sideline. Ensure your company has reached a level of success and credibility in your local market before attempting to expand.

2. Identify The Destination

Focus on one country, and if necessary, one region in that country, to reach a clearly targeted market. Additional destinations can be considered once success has been achieved in the first.

3. Do The Research

Undertake a thorough market study and analysis to determine the potential demand for your services, and be conscious of the competition and your competitive advantages and disadvantages; do the due diligence.

4. Visit The Market

Face-to-face meetings are still the best way to finalize negotiations and really understand your clientele, as well as facilitating the relationships that will pay off in the long run.

5. Write a Plan

If you require financing to launch this new venture you will need to prepare a Business Plan; even if no financing is needed, a Strategic Intent and Marketing Plan should be prepared, since this expansion should be treated as if it were a new division of the company.

6. Form Strong Alliances

Entering a new market with the help of a local partner or agent may be more prudent, and could allow you to test the market before entering it fully. Joint ventures, strategic alliances and technology exchanges can be very successful, and are often overlooked as an option to expansion.

7. Consult The Experts

Don't attempt to go it alone; local legal and financial experts should obviously be engaged, as should experts in PR, marketing and other specializations pertinent to your industry.

8. Be Culturally Sensitive

Adapt your services to the local culture. Translate and localize all pertinent internal and external communications and information, even if English is understood by all parties.

9. Consider The Logistics

Local regulations, currency fluctuations, tax implications, immigration issues for transferring staff - these are just some of the logistics that need to be assessed.

10. Be Patient

Keep in mind that this new venture requires a serious commitment, both from a time and financial perspective. Be flexible in your dealings in the new market and you will reap the rewards.

 Ó Copyright Nerella Campigotto 2004