Business expansion is both an exciting and challenging endeavour. It comes with endless possibilities. Getting your product out in previously unexplored territories opens-up many doors for higher revenue and stronger branding.
But, like everything else in life, it’s not without its challenges.
In this post, we will talk about things a businessperson must consider while taking their business international –
1. Research on the Laws and Regulations
Each country/foreign city can have differing law requirements regarding labor and linguistic implications. Do thorough research on the dos and don’ts of running a business on a foreign land. For example, you cannot conduct a business in Brazil that involves operations where use of environment resources could pollute the environment without obtaining a license first. Similarly, In Quebec Province of Canada, it’s necessary to abide by the Charter of French Language. The charter mandates it to conduct official communication in French only with prospects and employees.
2. Build a website in a language native to the country
It doesn’t matter whether your business relies on online presence or physical presence in a foreign land for the sales of your product; do know that majority customers like to shop on websites that uses their native language. One may think that English is accepted globally, yet surveys show that 80% of Germans and 90% Japanese are more likely to respond to a website in their own language rather than the one in English. With headquarters in Florida, translating your content to the foreign language would be a necessity for your business.
This is where translation services would come. Get in touch with an agency that’s experienced in translating content into the language native to the country where you want to expand the business. Additionally, think about the cultural implications of what will appeal to a foreign audience from a particular demographic. Go with the kind of imagery and color selection that is perceived more attractive and positive in a particular culture. Marketing
Make sure to localize and translate all the marketing material. The idea is simple. The target audience should easily understand the message you are sending. This will include translating/localizing marketing material on the window store fronts, flyers, audio/video ads, online banners, e-mail campaigns, landing pages, social media posts, labels on packaging, etc. Again you’re going to need the help of a translation agency here. Many Florida translation agencies are there to help you out in this department. So, choose carefully.
3. Personalized Sales and Communication
Less human interaction is required in an e-commerce business model. But, if yours is a kind of business that would require any kind of human interaction (be it on the phone, at a conference, or in the store), it’s important to first learn the norms, sensitivities, expectations, and cultural intricacies of that particular place. For example, finalizing business deals in China requires an indirect approach and a more diplomatic tone. Simply saying ‘No’ (which is the acceptable norm in the US) to a business deal in China can offend the other party and you risk losing your business. At the same time, not picking up on the cues of an indirect approach where the person shows disinterest in your product could lead to wastage of time and resources, trying to mature a deal that simply stands no chance of success.
So, are you ready to go international and expand your horizon for global branding? Here’s wishing you all the best!
