One of the biggest advantages of the 21st century is the rapid development of technology. Not only do we have a lot of cool gadgets in our possession, but we are also accustomed to using the Internet not just every day but every hour. All of this has led to a more international, multi-platform global connection. Just like this impacts our daily activities, it also impacts our business. Every idea, product or service that we can offer can reach even the furthest places on this planet. We can grow our business as much as we want since we have all the tools we need.
Although, that is not as easy as it sounds. Just because we can do something, it doesn’t mean that we necessarily should. Or, at least, not until we are prepared. Many businesses have managed to expand their business globally, however, not all of them have been so lucky. Without a proper strategy and infrastructure, scaling your business globally can be your ultimate downfall. In order to avoid this, there are a couple of lessons that can help you. Keep in mind, in business, there is never a solid guarantee since every story is unique.
Determine Your Values and Your Branding Before You Go Global
In order to have a global reach, you need to have global recognition. The best way to make sure that your potential customers become interested in your company is to create a recognisable brand. You should start with your company values, and build your mission and vision from there. They should be easily understandable and aligned with your strategy. Also, all of your employees should be aware of it.
Once you have that, you can start creating your visual identity, symbols, catchphrases and colour patterns. That way, no matter how far you go, your old and new customers will be able to identify you, and hopefully, relate. Penetrating the global market is way easier once those foundations are created.
Educate and Train Your Staff, as Well as Hire More New Talents!
The foundations of any business are the people, there is no denying it. If you want your global launch to go well, you need to have a good strategy, idea, technology, marketing plan, sales pitch… And all of that comes from your staff. You also need to have well-trained, culturally aware, multi-language-speaking staff. Entering the European market without someone who speaks the language would be virtually impossible, especially with countries that prefer doing business in their native language – Germans, the French, Spaniards, Italians… And the rest of Europe, to be honest. Of course, using English will open a lot of doors, but approaching your potential customers in their mother tongue will enable you to keep the doors open permanently.
Create an App That Connects You with Your Customers
Communication with your new customers is going to be the key to your success. You need to be agile, polite, and always available. Your customers might reach out while they are working, travelling, jogging, or putting their kids to sleep. The entire world is multitasking, and they want their service providers to be able to respect that. That means that communication needs to be slick and efficient. And the best way to do that is using an app. People spend way more time on their phones than on their computers. Having a great website is a must, but having a great app will take you further in the game. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to stay connected to your customers and offer them your core business in a way that is appealing to them – and enlist the help of software developers to help you out.
Don’t Grow Rapidly, Grow Sustainably!
When you are daydreaming about your business growth, you probably don’t think about the option of it growing so big that you can’t handle it. In all fairness, it doesn’t seem like such a big concern. In fact, once you decide to go global, this can happen very easily. If your customers’ demands surpass your capacities, you might be in a world of trouble. If you can’t fulfill the needs of your clients at the same level, with a consistent level of quality, speed, and price, you will lose customers faster than you gain them.
The fact that you are entering a new market should in no way impact your loyal VIPs. They shouldn’t be neglected or overlooked since they are the ones that created that opportunity in the first place. So, before you take that huge step, make sure that your staff, budget, and infrastructure can handle the expected growth. That way no one will have to suffer, work long hours or endure through a long list of customer complaints. Before your customers are taken care of, make sure your staff is the first. They are the ones who are building your business, after all.
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