Expand Your Business Internationally with These Tips
If you own a business, you know that the demand for expanding beyond your home country is getting higher and higher. 58% of small businesses have international clients due to access to cheaper sources of materials and labor, in addition to a higher-quality of vendors. If you want to take advantage of the globalization trend, you may have questions about where to start. Luckily, there are some easy ways to get started internationally – here are some tips to make the move less intimidating.
Expanding your business internationally will be easier with these tips
Setup Providers
Since setting up a branch of your company internationally involves knowledge about the host country’s culture, laws and regulations, as you may want to start with a service to help you in the beginning. Setup providers are experts on international business in their designated country, ensuring that you don’t hit major roadblocks while trying to conduct business overseas.
For example, if you’re looking to expand into the profitable UAE, you can find resources and services at https://www.businessincorporationzone.ae/ to operate successfully in a different cultural landscape.
Take note of the laws and regulations of the country you’re planning on expanding to
Laws and Regulations
Laws and regulations are the trickiest part of conducting business in a new country. Generally, your business is used to operating based on a set of rules that are familiar and understandable. However, political and cultural circumstances often dictate laws, which makes for a difficult transition into another country.
Familiarize yourself with the laws governing your area of business; for example, if you’re looking to expand your accounting firm into another country, you have to obtain the foreign accounting license, register your business name with the target government, and fill out the necessary tax forms that accompany a new business branch. Sound intimidating? With the help of the previously mentioned setup providers, navigating the regulatory landscape of your chosen country will be much easier.
Culture Classes
In addition to learning about overseas law, you may find that your cultural knowledge also needs a boost before trying to make deals internationally. For example, although English is heavily regarded as the language of business, there may still be some mishaps that get lost in translation. If you need an order of 3,000 widgets, but you get sent 3,000 gizmos instead, you’ve just lost thousands of dollars in materials and man-power. To avoid mistakes like this, make an effort to learn the most important words of the host country’s language, especially words that are imperative to your business function.
Cultural norms also play a role in how you interact with people in foreign countries. Formality, like how much respect you should pay to elders or high-ranking owners, can make or break deals. Some cultures put more emphasis on punctuality, while others are laid back. Understanding the hierarchy and cultural do’s and don’ts of your target country is vital to making long-lasting relationships. You can find free language and culture resources in a variety of places online.
Rely on these tips when venturing into international business waters
Preparing for an Abroad Business Trip
Now that you have the cultural and international law knowledge, you may need to make a trip to meet with partners in the host country. This is common, especially since most big deals can’t be made without a face-to-face meeting. Preparing for a business trip abroad can feel overwhelming, but there are some easy ways to make the process as stress-free as possible.
- You will need a passport and identification for crossing borders. You can get a passport at a variety of locations, like a post-office, government building, or an approved visa and identification office.
- Next, make sure you have the vaccinations necessary for your host country, and check out the local disease center to make sure the trip is safe.
- If the host-country requires a different currency, call your bank to let them know you will be abroad, and make all necessary currency transfers beforehand (you don’t want to be left in a foreign country without money!).
- Pack lightly and modestly. Now is not the time to try out new styles or to get flashy with your pantsuits. Pick light, neutral colors so as not to offend any business partners.
- In addition to clothing, make sure you pack necessary adapters: many countries use different electrical plugs, so your phone charger may not fit in the hotel’s component.
Conducting business internationally is a great way to improve your profit-making ability. Globalization is the future of business, and expanding into a foreign country doesn’t have to be scary: getting expert help, learning a few cultural and language tidbits, and familiarizing yourself with foreign laws are great ways to get started.
