Taking Your Business International: Key Steps to Take

Julie Starr • May 06, 2022



When you run a business, you’re going to have one key thing at the forefront of your mind at all times – making sales and generating profit. Making money is what will help your business to stay afloat, allow you to pay your employees, help you to invest in new products and services and then, ultimately, provide you with a good income.

It’s not all too surprising, then, that the majority of business owners are constantly looking for new ways to make money. Now, one of the best areas you can focus on is expanding your business (once it’s stable and you’ve created your brand) and taking it international. Expanding to an international market is going to open your products and services up to – quite literally – a whole new world of customers. This means more interest, more sales and more profit. Here are a few steps you can take to achieve this.

Consider Standards

Different countries have different rules and requirements for products, so you need to make sure that you’re meeting the international standard if you’re planning on selling to customers in countries outside of your own. This will help you to not only serve your customers as best possible, but it will also help to protect your brand, your reputation and your company from legal action down the line.

Focus on Ecommerce

To reach an international audience, you’re going to have to focus on your website. Your website is the platform that will allow people from all around the world to look at what you’re offering and make purchases. An online store is open at all times, allowing for differences in time zones, and can be made accessible worldwide. You will need to work with a website designer and web developer to add some simple features to your site, like allowing customers to switch the site’s language and the currency that they’re shopping in. You will also need a copywriter to develop a good shipping information page where you can explain where your products can ship to, how much each destination will cost and whether the customer is likely to receive customs or import charges.

Organize Order Fulfilment

If you’re going to sell internationally, you’re going to have to be able to ship your products internationally. This will mean taking a look at your order fulfillment process. You may need to work with different companies and providers to make sure that your items are packaged in a way that will survive long haul transport, as well as ensuring that you can pass everything through customs, security checks, and other challenges while still making a profit. Remember that shipping internationally can be expensive, so you will likely have to charge the customer the shipping costs.

Eco Minded

Another option is to explore business sustainability as a means toward cost savings , supporting the environment, and delivering improved products and services to your clients.

As you can see, taking your business international holds a lot of potential for extra profit, but you will have to invest time and effort into the venture. Hopefully, some of the advice above will help you with this.

Embracing Sustainability: How To Shift Your Business Efforts For A Greener Future

By Julie Starr • 26 Apr, 2024
Imagine walking into a world where every business breathes sustainability. Great, right? That’s where we’re all headed, and today, we’re looking into how your business can join this green revolution. It’s not just about planting trees or cutting back on plastic; it’s about a total game-change in how we think about business. Reimagining Your Supply Chain Alright, let’s talk about your supply chain. It’s the backbone of your company, and it might be time to give it a little eco-friendly makeover. Instead of just churning products through a one-way street from creation to landfill, think about making it a circular journey. How? By designing products that can be recycled or reused at the end of their life. This little twist not only reduces waste but could also save you some money and spark some serious innovation. Investing In Sustainable Technologies Now, onto tech. Investing in the latest tech can seem like a luxury, but when it comes to sustainability, it’s more of a necessity. Technologies like AI can make your operations super efficient, slashing energy costs and reducing waste before it even happens. And then there’s blockchain. It’s not just for crypto enthusiasts; it can help you keep your supply chain transparent, letting everyone check if you’re keeping your green promises. Empowering Employees And Building A Culture Of Sustainability But technology and plans are only part of the picture. The real magic happens when your team gets in on the action. Start with some fun workshops or team challenges—anything that gets everyone thinking about sustainability. Maybe set up a green squad within the company who can lead the charge and come up with fresh ideas. Remember, if your team is excited about a project, they’ll put their hearts into making it work. Customizing Your Sustainable Transformation Tailoring your sustainability efforts can be tricky, but it’s a lot smoother with some expert guidance, like ZBrains’ Zoho Consulting services. They’re great at tweaking Zoho’s tools to fit just right with what your business needs. Need to track your energy usage or cut down on waste? They’ve got an app for that. Automation? Yep, they can make those repetitive tasks disappear, too, all while keeping Mother Earth happy. Building Partnerships For Sustainable Innovation Going solo can be tough. Why not buddy up? Collaborating with other companies or non-profits can lead to some groundbreaking eco-friendly innovations. It’s all about sharing what you know, pooling resources, and sometimes, pushing for changes that make it easier for businesses to be green. Plus, working together means you can share the spotlight when your cool new sustainable project hits the headlines! Going Beyond Compliance Lastly, don’t just play by the rules—aim higher. There’s a whole world of eco-certifications out there that can push your business to do better. Whether it’s getting a LEED certification or joining the ranks of B Corps, going the extra mile not only helps the planet but also polishes your brand’s reputation. Think about it: customers love companies that care, so why not be the one they love? Conclusion Switching up your business to be more sustainable might seem like a big leap, but it’s all about taking one step at a time. Whether it’s rethinking your supply chain or empowering your team to lead the charge, every little action counts. Ready to start? Let’s make your business not just better, but greener and more resilient for the future.

How To Identify Companies That Match Your Values

By Julie Starr • 22 Apr, 2024
As you try to develop a sustainable brand , you need to consider what other companies you work with. These could be collaboration opportunities or suppliers and vendors that help you develop the product or service you want to sell. But, many companies may not share your values, so how can you identify the right companies that meet your eco-friendly attitude? Make Use Of Marketing Platforms It's frustrating to reach out to multiple companies to identify collaboration opportunities. For one, there’s no guarantee you even get a response, and cold emailing or other measures are rarely successful. However, you can use marketing platforms and their many features and resources to companies or influencers that align more closely with what you feel is right. Various platforms offer unique options that enable you to whittle down possible companies until you find the perfect match, saving you plenty of time. Research Their Website However, you can’t just leap into any partnership since these platforms may have outdated information, or companies could have selected everything they think will get them a partnership. As with any approach, extra research is essential. Once you’ve identified a company that seems to match your values, it’s with checking out their website. Look at their blog and customer reviews to get an idea of where their ideals lie so you can get a more transparent picture. Meet With Companies Businesses can also meet directly with potential companies when they have established the possibility of a partnership. Whether you’re looking for a better green transport service or need central laboratory services , having face-to-face conversations is a must. You can open discussions via video calls before arranging an in-person meeting which gives you the chance to visit their location, such as an office or warehouse, to ensure that you aren’t stepping into something you may regret. Look For Accreditation and Certification Modern businesses require certification and accreditation to back up claims they are the most sustainable or to prove they have adhered to necessary compliance laws and regulations. Usually, you can find this on their website but there could also be PR pieces on various industry news sites that can prove the company has obtained the necessary certificates. Identifying these certificates will add confidence they are the right company to work with. Offer Value To Them While you hope the potential partnership brings value to your company, you also need to provide value to them. This point is key for strategic collaboration as it otherwise means you take without offering anything in return. Consider what your business can do, such as increase their awareness or help them develop new research projects. In doing so, you will have a mutually beneficial partnership that helps both companies achieve the goals they have outlined for the year. Values and Value Every partnership or collaboration should bring value. This value should apply to your business and any partnerships but also your customers. If you can identify companies that align with your brand values, you’ll have an easier time developing a positive relationship that ensures you stay on track to meet your goals.
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