Get Dialed-in on International Business

Whether you run a small business or a growing one, the desire to step outside your comfort zone and expand your horizons should always be on the table.

With technology changing how much of the world interacts, both on a personal scale and also on the business level, it is important that your company considers expanding internationally if you have products and/or services that would do well outside the U.S.

Now before you think that expanding internationally means having to raise tons of more revenue, hire countless new employees and basically work 24/7/365, put the brakes on those thoughts.

Just how and why should you consider growing your company beyond the United States in 2016 and the years to follow?

Going Global Has Its Advantages

One of the reasons to give consideration to going international is the communications means are in place to reach virtually any part of the world where people are, meaning business opportunities can abound.

With the widespread growth of the Internet over the last decade-plus, along with the more recent push in mobile technology, potential consumers await in all corners of the world.

So, how might you go about reaching out to these potential business opportunities?

Among the ways:

• Phones – Yes, while the Internet and mobile marketing are two easy ways with which to reach a wider audience outside the U.S., the good old-fashioned telephone is still a solid tool for such needs. When you make calls in your efforts to expand business globally, look for a provider who can give you not only great service, but also at the right price. Being able to call globally from any landline or mobile phone should be a necessity from day one. Also make sure your employees are fluent in other languages if you’re going to be reaching out to places where English is not the first language. While many around the world’s business community speak solid or at least some English, others may not have such an ability;
• Internet – The explosion of the Internet the last couple of decades has led to countless business opportunities for companies across the U.S. and North America for that matter. If you’re looking to take your company worldwide, make sure your website is ready to go. A site that is easy to navigate, has worthwhile and steady marketing content, and provides consumers with all they need to know about your brand is required for your success. Give your site a review every few months to make sure it is operating at full capacity, not a little here and little there;
• Socialize – Lastly, social media is a tremendous opportunity for your company to communicate worldwide. In order to take advantage of this, you need to be connected on several fronts, notably Facebook and Twitter. If imagery is a big part of promoting your brand worldwide, be sure you are up to speed on Instagram and Pinterest. Having a LinkedIn profile is also beneficial to your brand. Unlike working the phones (where time zones do limit you to a degree), social media can be put to use 24/7.

In a day and age when communicating your brand to the world is not only an option but quite possibly a necessity for many business owners, are you dialed-in to making it work to your advantage?