It is fair to say that the last few years have been challenging for businesses across virtually all sectors of operations. The recent pandemic forced businesses to quickly adapt to remote and hybrid forms of working for their staff to comply with lockdowns and restrictions on the non-essential movement of citizens. 

Subsequently, the last year has seen higher levels of inflation across the Western world, making it more challenging to remain profitable. In addition, the emerging cost of living crisis has reduced the disposable income levels of millions of households as rising commodity prices have not been mirrored by increases in wages for most of the population. 

These challenging economic situations can make it difficult for a business to remain profitable (and, in some cases, a viable operation). However, even in these difficult times, businesses need to consider expanding when they have the financial resources and potential new markets identified. Put simply, a growing business is more resilient to market changes and challenges. 

It can benefit from more favorable circumstances in other countries and may be able to become a dominant market player in new territories quickly. In this article, the focus is on businesses that seek to expand their business abroad to take advantage of new markets or more beneficial trading environments. Three distinct factors will be considered that will improve the likelihood of success when expanding commercial operations overseas.

The use of translation services 

Unless the proposed business expansion is taking place in another country that uses the same language, it is highly likely that the organization will require some translation services when it ventures overseas. In some cases, this need will be greater in specific countries. For example, many economists recognize that the Japanese economy is stronger than most non-business people understand. 

It has a thriving commercial sector, and millions of inhabitants enjoy a prosperous lifestyle with considerable spending power. However, Japanese is renowned as one of the most complicated languages for Westerners to learn and understand. This can pose a significant challenge to businesses that wish to set up in this territory. 

It can make holding business meetings with native speakers who do not understand the English language difficult to facilitate and poses additional problems when signing contracts or completing official documents in the Japanese language. However, this problem can be solved easily by using a professional Japanese translation service. 

These specialist services give your company access to a team of highly trained experts in the language, many of whom can speak Japanese to a C2 or native level of proficiency. They can be called into operation, for example, to translate important business documents or to be available for business meetings where a professional translator is required with Japanese attendees. Put simply, depending on the country your business intends to expand into, having access to professional translation services can be vital for the venture’s long-term success.

Website changes

Another key consideration when setting up abroad as a business is the need to modify the company website. The business will want to trade directly with the native population and offer them the ability to make purchases online from its website. The process for achieving this is remarkably simple. 

Firstly, your company website should have the ability to determine the country of origin of the visitor to the site. It can then offer products to be purchased in the native currency of the individual by using a currency conversion app that will allow automatic conversions to be made to the chosen currency. 

This makes it far easier for customers to purchase goods from you online, as they will have a clear idea of the selling price without needing to convert it themselves. In addition, your website should be coded to automatically change the text language to the country from which the potential customer accesses your site. These two changes can help to ensure that your ecommerce side of the business grows as effectively as the physical premises in the new country.

Clear staff communication

As a final point, it is vitally important that all staff members are aware of the intended overseas expansion. Some job roles may change because of the move, and it is essential that staff have time to understand and accept the need to expand abroad. Clear communication can help to keep staff motivation levels high during the transition and to reduce the likelihood of experiencing higher levels of employee churn during the process. 

There should be opportunities for questions and comments to be raised during the move and the ability for staff to provide detailed feedback on the process so that lessons can be learned for future expansion plans.