How to start a business in another country

Posted by alice porter on September 17th, 2019

If you’re a business owner and are looking to expand globally, it’s important to start with one company at a time. In this article, we will break down all of the key aspects that you will have to consider when setting up a business in a different company. 

It’s important to remember that brand awareness is a key aspect of setting up a business in a new country, as although your company may be successful at home, it’s likely that you will be unknown elsewhere. It’s important to make sure that you fully educate yourself on everything that is happening in your country of choice, from an economic, political and social standpoint. 

Here are some things to take into consideration if you are looking to expand your business globally.

Research business laws

Business laws and practices differ depending on the country you are looking to expand your business into. In one country, it may only take a few days for the legalities of setting up a business to pass through. In others, it can take months for all of the legal aspects to be accepted. 

Before you begin marketing and branding side of your business, it’s important to make sure that everything is set up and that you are ready for operation, as any setbacks can cost you a lot of money. Before you do anything, it’s important to make sure that you educate yourself and are up to date with all of the best business laws. 

Develop knowledge on cultural differences

It’s much easier to operate within your own company as you will be familiar with how people think and act. Across the world, customers will have different cultures, values and thought processes. Selling to somebody in the UK, for example, will be much different from selling to somebody in China. 

In order to become successful in a different environment, it’s important to make sure that you develop a level of emotional intelligence and develop a better understanding of your customer base. Understand what makes them tick and you will be able to know what they need. Without understanding your customer base, it’s unlikely that you will be able to run a successful business. 

Recognise the political climate of the country

As a business owner, it’s important to ensure that you also understand the political environment of a country. There may be different taxation laws that need to be applied and are going to affect your business. 

Understanding a country’s political system will give you a better understanding of how stable the economy is. It’s important to ensure that you understand the socio-economics before you even begin to start the legal process. 

Gain local legal advice

A good wat to ensure that all the legal perspectives of your business are covered. Consider giring or talking to a lawyer who lives locally, as well as an immigration lawyer who can help you to sort out the necessary visas if you are planning to move out there.