International··8 min read
Entering a new market: avoidable mistakes
From choosing the country to the first client: what we've learned helping companies expand abroad.
The most common mistake is choosing a market because you already have a contact there or because a competitor entered it. Those are good prompts, not good reasons.
A sounder approach assesses a few criteria rigorously: size and growth of demand, competitive intensity, regulatory barriers, cost to serve and cultural fit with your offer.
The second mistake is underestimating time. Even in the best cases, it takes twelve to eighteen months for a new market to become profitable. The business plan must allow for it, and leadership must accept it.
Finally, local partners make the difference. Selecting them with the same care as hiring a senior executive is one of the highest-return investments you can make.
Let's talk about your company's next chapter.
A 45-minute introductory conversation, with no commitment, to understand where we can genuinely help.