Expanding a business internationally can be a complex and challenging process, but with proper planning and execution, it can also be a great way to grow a business and open up opportunities to innovation and expand.
One of the most obvious benefits of international expansion is the access to new markets and customers. Not only do global markets provide a wider customer base, but they can encourage innovation by exposing you to new ideas, new cultures and new customers.
Different countries often provide access to different resources, technologies or manufacturing techniques which can allow for expansion and development in more ways than geographically.
Operating internationally also provides the benefit of increasing diversity within your business. Businesses with more diverse workforces have frequently been found to work more efficiently and more profitably, for example, in 2018 the Boston Consulting Group found that companies with a more diverse management team led to greater agility and innovation, resulting in 19% higher revenue than equivalent, less diverse companies.
Other benefits of international expansion include:
Access to alternative funding such as international investors and government grants
Increased brand recognition
Cost reduction through economies of scale
It is important to carefully plan and prepare before any international expansion plan. Careful market research to identify the most promising markets and help you understand the legal and cultural differences is key. Use this market research to develop the best strategy for entering that market; this could be through e-commerce, licensing, exporting, or many other avenues. Each strategy will have its risks and benefits depending on your business and the market you want to enter so a Pre-Mortem exercise on each option could be an incredibly useful tool to use.
To find out more about internationalisation, innovating your business model and other toolkits like the Pre-Mortem, please contact us.