For many small and medium-sized businesses entering the international market is an opportunity for growth and survival. Hardly any other area of activity sets up multiple barriers for businesses and organizations. These are above all:

• No contacts in the targeted market and complications finding partners
• Incomplete information of the market
• The amount of financial investment and time required for market development
• Market risk uncertainties

Cultural, lingual and administrative obstacles

Companies need and expect support in these areas. The largest percentage of our support is comprised of: current information and consultation (business development, foreign chambers of commerce, etc.) for each individual foreign market. In addition to this, we offer trade fair participation and business travel support.

Six key questions lead to your specific strategy.

All these measures are helpful and useful. However, they do not release the company from developing an individual internationalization strategy. There are many aspects and questions to consider here. Our consulting experience shows, that each viable strategy should answer at least the following six key questions:

1. Which short, mid-term and long-term effect for my business do I expect from entering an international market?
2. Which foreign markets should I prioritize and with what reasons?
3. Which form of market entry is best for the selected target market?
4. Which information and what contacts do I need for market development?
5. Which organizational, personnel and/or financial risks will I have to face implementing this strategy?
6. Do I have an implementation timetable with „critical path“?

Have you defined your appropriate questions and answers?

Our accompaniment and often external project management may be relevant for your strategic planning as well as implementation. External support helps above all to develop a clear strategy by doubtlessly minimizing the risks involved.

Image © Bernd Röcken