Essential Advice on Going Global

“All failure is failure to adapt, all success is successful adaptation.”
― Max McKeown, Adaptability: The Art of Winning in an Age of Uncertainty

As a business grows into a global market, the entrepreneur’s strategies and best practices must grow alongside their enterprise. Anticipating changes and pivots at the helm of a rapidly developing business is imperative to not only going global but staying global. Curiosity and focus are some of the qualities that an international business leader needs to possess, as you will often find increased success when you expand your base of knowledge. A fitting publication from Ray Titus for Fast Company several weeks back called, “Three tips for expanding your business internationally after achieving success in the U.S.” hones in on vital action items that we believe our wegg® community should heed.

Titus advises entrepreneurs that boots-on-the-ground research is crucial, and his first point is, “Visit the country in person.” He explains, “Go beyond the numbers and spend time in the country you’re considering….Keep going back until you meet and get to know the people in your industry, from vendors and suppliers to competitors. It’s vitally important to understand the local market and culture and how your brand will fit into it.”

Initiating and tending to international relationships such as the ones he describes can pay off tenfold, and would not only broaden your business model but also your worldview. This idea connects to Titus’ second tip, “Understand Cultural and Economic Differences.” He details,

“Observe things like how teams interact with each other, what workflow practices they follow, and how their days begin and end. And don’t be afraid to just ask how things are done. You won’t lose points for asking obvious questions; you’ll probably earn a few for showing you aren’t just a foreign team coming in to impose your ways on them and that you care enough to ask how you can fit in.”

Maintaining brand consistency across borders, no matter what new market you find yourself in is Titus’ final suggestion to his readers. He emphasizes that the people leading the operation could make or break the project,

“Hiring someone from your international location can help you navigate the local challenges, but I also believe in relocating a key domestic employee to the country to bring your company culture to the business there. You need someone who thoroughly understands your business and can guide the local team in representing your brand and staying faithful to it.”

We hope that our audience can garner insight and inspiration from Titus’ findings, as we are always in the business of promoting global growth in all entrepreneurial pursuits.