International Networks Can Expand Your Business

If you’re a small- or mid-size business with a goal of global expansion, you may not have to walk any farther than down the street to helpful resources. Locally based businesses—from law firms to accounting partners to communications agencies—have been preparing themselves for your global moment. They’ve come together into alliances of like-minded independently entrepreneurial, cost-consistent and highly collaborative non-competitive offices representing important geographic markets, from Mumbai to Beijing, New York to Dubai.

International alliances have been around for several years, and the Twin Cities has been a leader in the founding of many, like the Meritas group (law), the WorldCom Group and Pinnacle Worldwide (PR), and several local services professionals that serve in global leadership initiatives. Selecting a local member of these alliances can benefit your goal of global expansion. Here’s how:

Quality control »
Global alliances are stringent in the selection of local agencies they welcome into their groups. Knowing their standards for quality are high should provide immediate peace of mind.

To mitigate risks to your business »
If you manufacture products used in other parts of the world, you’re susceptible to becoming involved in a crisis situation. Having local communications counsel that can give immediate regional insight into a situation, and leverage on-the-ground media contacts and crisis teams will be useful should a risk escalate into something more serious.

For due diligence within a region of interest »
Your communications alliance partners can conduct research in specific geographic areas as you look for new opportunities to market your products and services outside the United States.

Tap into global knowledge on a certain subject » Through its international network, your local agency can pose a question on virtually any subject and about any business sector. You receive incoming knowledge on that topic from seasoned communications professionals across the globe.

Staying On Message »
After you plan your sales, marketing and communications strategies with your local agency, your global alliance can ensure it is deployed consistently and seamlessly throughout the world.

Local examples of cooperative engagements on behalf of U.S. companies include the ground breaking of a new manufacturing facility in Mexico, entry of a local company’s brand into French-speaking Quebec, exploration of the mining market in Brazil and product placement opportunities in Hollywood swag bags given out at the Oscars. Our company is connected to Public Relations Organization International (PROI), which provides Minnesota companies with market-specific insight as well as “arms and legs” for the deployment of communications campaigns.

Thinking of expanding your business internationally? You don’t have to go it alone. Consider local resources/alliances to help you promote your products and services to new markets on a global level.