How to best grow your Midsize Company globally

1. Research potential markets: Identify countries or regions where there is demand for your products or services.

2. Evaluate your resources: Consider the resources you have available, such as financial resources, human resources, and operational capacity, and how they will support your international expansion.

3. Develop a strategy: Create a plan that outlines your goals, target markets, and the steps you will take to enter and succeed in those markets.

4. Consider your business model: Decide whether you will enter a new market through exporting, licensing, joint ventures, or establishing a subsidiary.

5. Establish a presence: Set up a physical location in the target market, or consider using a local distributor or sales agent.

6. Understand local regulations and cultural differences: Research the local business environment, including any regulations or laws that may impact your business.

7. Build relationships: Network with local businesses, industry groups, and potential customers to establish relationships and build support for your business.

 Internationalization for midsize companies can be done in a number of ways, including:

• Exporting: Selling products or services directly to customers in other countries.
• Licensing: Granting permission to a foreign company to use a company's intellectual property, such as patents or trademarks, in exchange for royalties.
• Franchising: Granting permission to a foreign company to use a company's business model and brand in exchange for royalties and often an initial fee.
• Joint Ventures: Creating a new company with a foreign partner, typically to share the risks and costs of entering a new market.
• Wholly Owned Subsidiaries: Establishing a separate legal entity in a foreign country and managing it directly.

Each way has its own advantages and disadvantages, it's important to evaluate the company's resources, goals, and risk appetite to choose the best option.

 

Success cases of internationalization are numerous, a few examples include:

 

IKEA, the Swedish furniture retailer, which now operates in more than 50 countries.

McDonald's, the American fast-food chain, which operates in more than 100 countries.

Samsung, the South Korean electronics company, which now generates more than half of its revenue from outside South Korea.

 

There are several potential pitfalls that companies can encounter when expanding internationally. Some common challenges include:

1. Cultural differences: Companies may face challenges adapting to different cultures and ways of doing business in new markets.

2. Language barriers: In markets where the local language is different from the company's primary language, communication can be a challenge.

3. Political and economic instability: Companies may encounter unstable political or economic conditions in certain markets, which can impact the business environment.

4. Lack of local knowledge: Companies may lack the local knowledge and understanding of the market and its customers, which can make it difficult to succeed in the new market.

5. Legal and regulatory issues: Companies may need to navigate complex legal and regulatory frameworks in order to do business in a new market, which can be time-consuming and costly.

6. Competition: Companies may face strong competition from local or international competitors in a new market.

7. Limited resources: Expanding internationally often requires a significant investment of time and resources, which may not be available to the company.

 

In short, there are risks such as:

• Lack of knowledge about the target market and cultural differences.
• Difficulty in adapting products or services to the local market.
• Difficulty in complying with local laws and regulations.
• Currency fluctuations and other economic risks.
• Difficulty in managing and communicating with a remote workforce.

It's important for companies to carefully evaluate the potential risks and challenges of international expansion, and to develop strategies to mitigate those risks. To mitigate these pitfalls and improve chances of success, it's important for a company to conduct extensive market research, develop a detailed market entry plan, and seek the help of professionals with experience and knowledge of the target market.

 

One of the best ways to navigate these risks and grow a company's business globally is to rely on a competent service provider such as Expandeers, which provides market entry services and ongoing support to companies looking to expand their business internationally.

 

Please note, these information are general and should not be taken as professional advise and that you should always consult a professional before making any business decisions.

 

Get in touch with us to learn about  your individual growth options: info@expandeers.com