Developing and Implementing Innovative Strategies for SMEs to access the International Marketplace
The World is Waiting...
Introduction
With over 30 years of direct international business experience in over 50 countries, I have developed a wide array of international contacts in both the private and government sector, including in some non-traditional and/or developing countries – that sometimes present quite interesting possibilities – and, in partnership with TKonsult, a Dubai-based international consultancy with wide reach in all continents, I can access almost every foreign market.
if you are simply considering the abroad option but have not made up your mind, we can explore together the options, with all the pros and cons in your particular case, so you can take an informed decision on whether to move on.
If you are considering going international but have not decided on the right location, I will work with you towards finding the most appropriate international destination for your business, defining appropriate as a mix of demand, regulatory/legal protection, easiness of doing business, and capital repatriation between a cacophony of many other relevant factors that will affect your decision.
And if you know where you want to go, I can provide you with relevant local contacts, service provision, legal, regulatory, tax and financial advice, recruiting, real estate and all you might need to start operations seamlessly.
Why International?
Despite a context of low economic growth, only a small minority of SMEs and mid-sized companies are actually growing. Why ?
One of the reasons is that they seldom consider the abroad option. SMEs often have a local vocation: 12% of SMEs export. and only 1% of SMEs, have a partner/subsidiary abroad compared to 1/3 of mid-sized companies of which, by comparison, 21% are very international with an internalization rate (export + establishments) of 25% or more of their turnover.
The most “international” mid-sized companies are the small ones which developed through internationalization, by developing partnerships abroad or by purchasing/shareholding in existing local companies to facilitate production and distribution or presentation/operation of their services.
Certainly, in almost every sector, be it production, manufacturing or services, SMEs can have a presence abroad and Internationalization is the main key to growth.
But on condition of having a solid internationalization strategy…
Why the SMEs don't go International?
Many companies are hesitant to go international for fear of taking too many risks. However, concentrating all your activity on a single market is just as risky.
All it takes is one competitor who offers a more competitive product or service to jeopardize the business. Furthermore, placing all your investments in a single territory also exposes you to the risks of economic variations in the country.
Internationalizing a company then makes it possible to nuance the risks. Although development on the global market is not without danger, it nevertheless allows us to establish ourselves in territories in which it is easier to stand out, and where the competition will be different.
Internationalization also allows you to protect yourself from economic variations in a single country, whether in terms of political decisions, economic conditions or taxation.
té.
From The World
to Europe
Why Europe
Foreign companies entering the EU market are set to play in one of the major global economies. With a USD 2.77 trillion Nominal GDP in 2022 (USD 700,000 million average per quarter in 2022), UE’s economy ranks 3rd in the world behind the US, and China.
Why Me
With over 30 years of direct international business experience in over 50 countries and over 10 in France, I have developed a wide array of international and local contacts in both the private and government sector and now I provide consultancy services for companies that would like to expand/operate in the EU
My Services
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5.1.1. Advising on the EU option
If you are considering entering the EU market but have not made up your mind, we can explore the possibility together, considering all the pros and cons in your particular case, so you can take an informed decision on whether to move on.
We can discuss together your potential for coming to the EU by assessing the eventual demand for your products/services based on pricing, quality, internal processes, (production/distribution/etc.), and other relevant factors that we can match against the eventual specific demand to get a map of your actual potential for success before any investment is committed.
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5.1.2. Finding a distributor or a partner to market/distribute your company’s products
Maybe the easiest route to access the EU market, here I can :
o Put you in touch with relevant potential distributors/partners and, if you chose to, drive the negotiations to a successful conclusion
o Research and shortlist the most relevant trade fairs in your sector of activity, and eventually facilitate your participation and plan and execute all pre-event, event, and post-event activities.
o Research for local suppliers/manufacturers to enhance your local portfolio
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5.1.3. Finding a suitable local partner to facilitate the provision of your services
A relevant local partner is a good alternative for a service provider that would like to operate in the EU.
A local partner can ease the process by providing market expertise, market access, and regulatory know-how. That said, finding the right partner is not a simple process since many factors will define the right choice.
In the case of a service provider, we will also consider the Trade Fair route described above or, more limited in scope but an interesting alternative, organise a session/presentation/event at the chosen destination to gauge the potential local interest from partners and/or the public.
