Going Global
With the ever-growing number of online programs and communications tools available today, it’s no surprise that businesses of all sizes are choosing to start expanding their business and sell to international consumers. One such company is national wireless accessories retailer Cellairis, which recently opened locations in Jamaica, Mexico, Chile, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.
The story
“Cellairis has rapidly expanded domestically since 2000,” said Taki Skouras, the company’s CEO and co-founder. “But because we stand behind our brand, products and proven concept, we wanted to be able to bring that growth to locations globally. We have devoted countless hours into intensive market research to identify international markets where we think our system will flourish.”
But is it for me?
International expansion isn’t right for every business, but if it’s something you’re thinking about for yours, there are a few important factors to consider. Based on his experience with Cellairis, Skouras recommended taking the following steps before going global with your business.
- Do your research. Before expanding your business internationally, spend time researching the markets, current and future opportunities, and threats. Just because a concept is popular in the United States does not mean it will be successful in another region of the world.
- Have a dedicated team. An organization should have a strong team solely focused on international growth that is ready to face challenges and fully support the expansion. Cellairis has built a strong and diverse international team with experience and knowledge of global markets to help support its franchisees and customers worldwide.
- Be ready to translate. Language barriers can present significant challenges for global businesses, so staffing your teams with bilingual employees is a must. If you don’t have the budget for full-time translators, outsource tasks like overseas customer service and translation of promotional materials to a translation agency.
To find out more about how to go about selecting a trustworthy translation agency to promote your business internationally, please read What Global Companies Should Know about Translation.