Category: Business Insights

The way a business communicates — internally or externally — is key to its success. Through communication, you can determine the strengths and weaknesses in your business and its products. You can also work with the necessary parties to improve quality and serve your valued customers better. In this post, we will discuss what business communication entails and how to better enhance it to align with your business’s goals.

Business Communication: Definition

What is business communication? Business communication refers to sharing information internally (within the office and its teams) and externally (between the business and its customers).

Effective communication in a business should be goal-oriented. That is, everyone in the company interacts and works towards a common goal. And this goal should revolve around creating better experiences for customers, thereby improving customer satisfaction and sales.

And so, communication within teams and departments or between management and its employees will generally include:

• Making plans and setting goals
• Presenting new business, marketing, and sales ideas
• Making decisions
• Compromising, as needed
• Meetings with agendas and goals in place, and so on

Good and reliable communication systems can help increase a business’s productivity and organization. Unclear or miscommunication can lead to the core systems failing. Therefore, it is extremely crucial to pay attention to both internal and external business communication.

Different Types of Business Communication

A business communicates in two general ways: internal and external communication.

Internal communication

This type of communication is focused internally within business teams or departments. Internal business communication consists of different types of communication:

• Upward communication — going up the organizational hierarchy such as from a subordinate to a manager.
• Downward communication — going down the organizational hierarchy such as from a manager or supervisor to a subordinate.
• Lateral communication — also known as technical communication refers to cross-departmental interaction between team members or coworkers.

External communication

This type of communication relates to any interaction or communication leaving the office or coming from outside the office. External business communication deals with interacting with customers, business contacts, vendors, etc. Examples:

• Sales and telesales
• Conducting market research
• Obtaining customer feedback
• Managing leads and prospects
• Account management, and so on

Communication Methods: Ways to Communicate for Business

Like any other type of communication, businesses interact internally and externally either verbally or in writing. And so business communication takes place in person or face-to-face, through phone conversations, video conferencing, chat, SMS exchanges, etc. Or through email exchanges after collecting email contacts through website pop-up forms, lead magnets, LinkedIn email finder, high-converting landing pages, etc. In broader terms, businesses generally communicate in-person, virtually, or remotely.

Choosing what method of communication is best for your company depends on a few factors. For instance, written communication is good for documentation of ideas and actions while verbal allows for instantaneous and collaborative idea formation. Additionally, your communication methods would depend on where your business is located, its hours, how many people are involved, whether you have offices in different time zones (remote offices), and so on. Also, a well-structured process flow diagram enhances communication by visually depicting complex processes, ensuring shared understanding among team members.

So what are some different methods that can be used for effective communication?

1. Written communication — This consists of emails and mail primarily and can also include chat and instant messaging portals. Examples: Gmail, Outlook, Slack, Teamwork, Google Hangouts, etc.)

2. Phone conversations — This consists of communicating via telephones, smartphones, or a cloud phone system where two or more people are actively involved and participating in the conversation.

3. Video conferencing — This takes phone conversations to a visual level where remote teams can work more in sync through video, mimicking in-person meetings.

4. In-person meetings — In-person meetings are every business’s most preferred communication method as they promote clear interaction and decisions more quickly.

5. Web-based communication — This includes virtual communication over web applications or a cloud phone system: email, live chat, virtual phone numbers, messaging apps, video-chat apps, and so on.

6. Official documents — This refers to any essential documentation such as agreements, terms and conditions, medical records, and so on. Such documents reduce confusion, protect against liability and fraud, and provide clarity.

7. Presentations — Presentations through PowerPoint slides or using other tools can come in very handy when presenting ideas, strategies, and even training to a large group.

8. FAQs and content — This type of communication is externally-focused. Having a well-designed website includes providing informational and educational content and FAQs so web-visitors can find what they are looking for and witness your company’s expertise.

9. Surveys and feedback — This refers to internal surveys studying how teams are working and customer surveys to determine how customers can be served better. The ultimate goal is to identify areas of weaknesses and convert them into strengths as well as opening up a communication channel between all levels of the office hierarchy.

10. Customer-related — Covers customer interaction, support, CRM systems, reviews, etc.

Related: 7 Must-Have Global Expansion Tools for Communication

6 Reasons Why Effective Communication is Important

So, why should your business enforce better internal and external communication? Creating an environment for constructive and effective communication lets your business:

1. Align all teams and goals

By communicating consistently with your teams, your business can ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding short-term and long-term goals. Proper business communication encourages teams to collaborate, share ideas and suggestions, and collect feedback. Use a vision statement to articulate your organization’s aspirations, guiding everyone’s efforts toward a common business goals. All of this can help the business create a better work environment as well as develop efficient products and services for customers.

2. Improve employee engagement & productivity

Internal communication can enhance employee experience by providing coaching, training, and support. Through this, employees are equipped to improve productivity and stay on top of their work.

3. Encourage inter-departmental communication & collaboration

Sharing ideas and feedback can go a long way in building better experiences and products not only for customers but employees as well. Enabling your teams to work together through collaboration can help your business develop well-rounded products and market them in a way that means something to your customers.

4. Keep in-house and remote teams connected

Business communication is essential to keep all teams connected, whether in-house or remote. Make it easier for employees to connect with each other so that they can work together towards your business’ goals and milestones.

5. Support knowledge-sharing
By establishing an easy-to-use and efficient business communication system, your teams can follow knowledge-sharing best practices. This way, employees can share essential information and knowledge about the industry, field, and products and services. Without such a system, organizational knowledge will suffer.

6. Improve employee and customer satisfaction & retention
Lastly, all of the above reasons lead to the most important impact of business communication: satisfaction and retention. Happy employees make happy customers. And so, your business’ goal should be to retain employees and customers by improving their satisfaction and experience.

How to Communicate Effectively in the Workspace: 8 Useful Tips

Effective business communication best practices have been talked about for years as we continue to find better ways to express ourselves and collaborate with others. Here are some key points to keep in mind so that you communicate well in your place of work:

1. Adopt active listening

Many times, we assume we know what the problem is and what solutions work best. But our experiences differ, and so it is always a good idea to actively listen to what your colleague, supervisor, or customer is telling you. Actively listening to and acknowledging the other person shows them that you actually care about their concern. Treat their issue or concern as new and personal to them. This will help you offer solutions that will work for them instead of general, unattached help.

2. Be empathetic

Empathy is growing more and more important in customer service. However, that is not where it should start and end—practice empathy in all business- and non-business-related communication. Being empathetic and actually trying to understand where the other person is coming from will help you offer better and more tailored responses. And it will create better customer service experiences through genuine interactions and care.

3. Eliminate assumptions and biases

Biases are still very much present in communication. However, people are more aware and have been consciously trying to eliminate their own assumptions and biases when communicating with others. Avoid assumptions by communicating openly and honestly about needs and expectations. And reduce implicit bias in communication by being aware and respectful of the other person. This includes respecting the other persons’ identity — their gender and gender pronouns, race, culture, religion, disabilities,

4. Ask questions

When in doubt, ask questions and be open to receiving help. Asking questions can help clarify confusion, get assistance, and receive feedback. You also show the other person that you are paying attention and listening to what they’re saying. Make sure you ask relevant questions instead of asking about something they’ve already talked about.

5. Be respectful and patient

Working can be tough, especially during high-traffic periods and high-stress situations. Be patient and respectful during these moments. It is easy to get carried away and demand more than a person can accomplish. Communicate effectively to set realistic expectations, clarify confusion, and avoid misunderstandings.

6. Acknowledge and reinforce positive behaviors

Part of good effective business communication is highlighting good and positive behaviors and accomplishments. This helps your employees and colleagues feel validated, heard, and seen. And it will, in turn, reinforce desirable behaviors.

7. Validate feelings and ideas

Finally, validate and acknowledge feelings, ideas, and suggestions when shared. Dismissing how your colleagues feel or ignoring ideas they have for improvements can lead to distrust and indifference towards the company. This will further reduce the amount of investment the employee or customer has in your company leading to high employee turnover and losing valuable customers.

8. Be aware of international phone etiquette

When communicating with business contacts and customers in other countries and regions, it is a good practice to be aware of international phone etiquette. Practicing good phone etiquette demonstrates that you respect their culture by making an attempt to connect with them in ways that matter to them.

Setting Up Business Communications

It is important to find the right business communication system for your company. Ideally, you want systems that you need and will use effectively. When setting up your communication system, keep these steps in mind:

1) Review your current business communication set-up and identify new goals.

Before reinventing your communication system, review the current one to understand its strengths and weaknesses. This will help you determine what to look for in the new system. Consider some common reasons why communication systems need replacement:

• Low employee satisfaction
• Low customer satisfaction or weak caller experience
• Information being lost due to remote work or improper documentation

Then consider what your company’s goals are:

• Low employee turnover rate
• High customer satisfaction rate
• Proper tracking of projects, documents, interactions, tasks, etc.

2) Consider how you want your core groups to communicate with each other.

Next, develop a structure for how your teams will communicate:

• Horizontally (departments)
• Vertically (between teams and managers)
• Externally (between the company and customers, suppliers, partners).

In order to create this structure, consider:

• Which teams need to talk daily.
• Which teams need specific methods of communication. For example, do all teams need access to phones or direct lines? Or, do all teams need a project management system that documents tasks and projects?
• How can managers maintain and report progress in a department? What tools might they need?
• Can a forum or knowledge base be created to reduce meetings/interactions regarding basic elements?

3) Choose methods of communication suitable for your needs.

Based on the above analysis, pick from the communication methods discussed above that would fit well with your core groups. Then consider which methods are absolutely needed and which can be optional.

4) Invest in the right communication tools.

Some businesses start off using the most commonly-used tools such as Gmail, Outlook, Google Drive, Microsoft Office, Slack, Google Hangouts, etc. However, what tools are best suited for your company depends on what you want to achieve through them. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• If you run a small business, use a single tool for email, internal chat, and calendars that can be shared, etc. Using multiple platforms can lead to confusion and slow down important processes.
• For external business communication, create guidelines regarding your brand. For example, editorial notes, tone of voice, etc., and make sure that everyone communicating externally is made aware of your brand’s voice.
• Consider an easy-to-use and reliable VoIP phone system to keep remote teams well-connected.
• You may even consider investing in virtual phone numbers that help you communicate easily with international customers.
• Use cloud storage to secure and keep track of important documents. If you use your phone’s storage, make sure to clear it up regularly to free up space and maintain optimal performance.
• You may even consider using a project management system such as Teamwork or Monday to keep track of projects and tasks as they move within different teams and departments.

How Global Call Forwarding Can Help

We can provide you with essential communication tools to boost internal and external communications. From VoIP to a variety of virtual phone numbers and communication features, we can help you build and set up a high-functioning office phone system that keeps you connected no matter where you or your teams are located. For more information, speak to an expert at 1 (888) 908 6171.

International phone numbers allow businesses to establish a local presence in other countries.

Incoming calls can be routed to any phone, PBX, or SIP destination worldwide. Users can also make outbound calls with their phone number shown as the caller ID.

To provide these numbers, Global Call Forwarding must adhere to international phone number regulations. We comply with these regulatory requirements to minimize the risk of disruption to your numbers and service.

This guide to international number ordering requirements was created to make this process as easy as possible.

Which Countries Require Documentation?

Countries around the world are becoming increasingly strict when it comes to telecommunications regulations and compliance. These regulations vary from country to country.

The following popular countries require documentation to order a number:

• Singapore
• UAE
• France
• Spain
• Germany
• Bahrain
• Austria
• Belgium
• China
• Denmark
• Hong Kong
• Thailand
• Japan
• Malaysia
• Saudi Arabia
• Turkey
• Vietnam
• Taiwan
• Poland
• Netherlands
• Finland

These are some examples of countries but it is not a complete list. For more information, please contact a Global Call Forwarding representative.

What are the Acceptable Types of Documentation?

When ordering international phone numbers, your provider may request different types of documentation. In order to make the process of number provisioning as fast as possible, we need your help gathering and providing the necessary documentation.

The most commonly requested types of documentation are proof of address, proof of ID, and a letter of intent.

These documents should be sent to our customer service department.

Acceptable Proof of Address

Acceptable Proof of Address can be one of the following:

• Utility bill (gas, electric, or fixed-line telephone bill) within the last 3 months
• Bank statement within the last 3 months of a lease/tenant agreement

In some cases, especially for geographic numbers, proof of address is required from the same city in which the number is located.

Acceptable Forms of Identification

Acceptable Forms of Identification can be one of the following:

• Passport
• Driver’s license
• National ID card

In some cases, our provider will request a selfie with the end-user holding their identification.

What if this Information is Sensitive?

We take our responsibility to safeguard your sensitive personal information very seriously. We apply technical controls when processing this data, and all our staff undergoes training on the proper handling of this data.

How Long Does it Take for Documents to be Approved?

In most cases, it can take between 3-5 business days for documentation approval.

While we do our best to activate your numbers as quickly as possible, timelines can vary depending on the country origination.

Our vendors reserve the right in their discretion to deny phone numbers or request additional information at any stage of the process.

How Can I View the Status of my Submission?

Once your documents have been approved and the order has been processed, you will receive an email confirmation with further details. You can check the status of your submission at any time by contacting our customer service team.

International Number Ordering with Global Call Forwarding

Global Call Forwarding has been a reliable global telephony provider for over 26 years. We have extensive experience navigating international telecommunications regulations and providing reliable services to multinational clients.

Let us help you navigate through compliance requirements for purchasing international phone numbers and make this process as smooth as possible.

While global expansion efforts often yield significant benefits for businesses, the transition to a new market may also include significant challenges and uncertainties.

For this reason, this article will discuss the top global expansion mistakes to help you avoid common setbacks. This way, you can properly prepare for the transition by building an effective expansion plan, ensuring your business’ international success.

What Expanding Internationally Really Means For Businesses

The first global expansion mistake businesses make is thinking the work is done once they successfully enter a new market.

By definition, global expansion refers to when companies extend their operations to new markets and regions. But, this process involves much more than simply selling your products and services in your target countries.

In fact, sustained international growth requires tons of coordination before, during, and after you enter a new market. So, it’s essential to reflect on your business and if expansion is the next best step.

Is Your Business Ready for Global Expansion?

Global expansion isn’t right for every business. And if you try to expand before your operations and teams are ready, it could result in failure. So, before planning to expand globally, it’s important to first evaluate if you’re ready to transition internationally.

Start by asking yourself:

• Why do you want to take your business to a global level? What goals are you trying to achieve?
• Do you have enough resources and people power to expand globally while maintaining the success of your domestic/current markets?
• Does your company have the financial means to sustain international growth? Have you considered moving, labor, shipping, equipment, and other costs?
• Is there a stable demand for your products or services in the markets you plan to expand to?
• Is your management team prepared to meet international demands and challenges?

Take time to decide if this is the right move for your business and learn what factors to consider. Read more in our ultimate guide to global expansion.

8 Global Expansion Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When properly approached, a global expansion strategy holds many benefits for businesses, including:

• Increased ROI, sales, and revenue
• Access to new markets, skilled talent, and a broader customer base
• Exposure to foreign investment and growth opportunities
• Improved company reputation and global market perception
• Enhanced competitive edge and more.

So, what are the common roadblocks that may be fatal to your expansion plans, and how do you avoid them? Let’s discuss the 8 most common mistakes businesses make when expanding internationally and how to avoid them. This way, you can dodge these pitfalls and successfully grow your business on an international scale.

1. Entering New Markets Without Researching

Entering a new market without data to back your expansion decision is a recipe for disaster. There will inevitably be markets that are not a good fit for your business. So, without proper market research, you subject your business to unnecessary risk. And this could lead to major problems such as diminished reputation, over-saturated markets, loss of revenue and time, etc.

To ensure a smooth expansion, conduct thorough local market research and test your product throughout your target regions. These tactics will help you determine:

• Demand for your product or service
• Target audience segments
• Consumer perceptions and expectations
• Competitive pricing
• Direct and indirect competitors
• Unique selling proposition
• Government regulations
• Effective sales, marketing, and advertising methods
• Local language, culture, and so on

Using this information, you can adequately plan your international expansion and ensure you enter the right markets for your business goals.

2. Using the Same Marketing and Sales Strategies

No market is identical. As such, the same marketing strategies and sales tactics that work in your domestic market may be less effective in others. Everything from how customers place purchases to their preferred communication channels varies throughout different regions.

This is because a country’s cultural and economic background impacts purchase frequency and customer lifetime value (CLV). So, failing to adapt your strategies could result in decreased conversions and, ultimately, a failed global expansion.

To avoid this mistake, it’s vital to adapt your marketing and sales strategies to the needs and preferences of each market.

3. Not Taking Advantage of International Talent

One of a business’s biggest assets is its people. And growing internationally gives your business access to a larger talent pool than ever before. This not only allows you to diversify your teams but also your range of skill sets. On top of that, local talent already has an in-depth knowledge of your new markets. You can use their know-how to enhance your local efforts and better engage with customers.

As you can see, hiring international talent holds many benefits for your business. So, failing to do so would be a critical global expansion mistake.

4. Neglecting Content Localization Strategies

Conversions become increasingly harder to achieve when your global customers cannot understand what you’re offering. And while translating content is a good start, even this strategy can lead to misinterpretations. Or worse, your content can come across as offensive to customers.

Businesses are now turning to content localization as a solution, which includes:

• Accommodating local language needs and preferences
• Opening physical offices
• Observing regional traditions and cultures
• Supporting local businesses and talent
• Providing global customer support, etc.

This strategy not only helps meet the language requirements of your markets, but also considers cultural customs, specific market preferences, local practices, and so on. The result is a more globally accessible and credible business with improved customer satisfaction and sales.

Always localize content before expanding or entering a new market for the greatest effect.

5. Not Getting a Local Business Phone Number

How your teams will communicate locally is another factor often overlooked during a global expansion.

Using the same phone number you use in your home market is a bad idea for 2 major reasons:

1. Low response rates – Customers are less likely to answer unknown or unrecognizable phone numbers.
2. Expensive for callers – If overseas customers choose to contact your business, they will have to pay high international calling fees.

Enter: Local phone numbers.

Buy local phone numbers for each of your target markets. This not only increases connection rates but also charges local calling rates, which are relatively inexpensive.

And, if you sign up with a global telephony provider, you can forward your incoming calls to any location or device. This means your business doesn’t have to be physically present in these new markets to provide services to global customers.

Case Study: CROSSNET launches in new markets with local numbers from GCF

6. Overlooking the Value of Expert Advice

It goes without saying, there are many best practices for successful international expansion. With so many moving parts, it’s easy to make mistakes or miss something important, especially if you’re treading in unfamiliar territory.

This is why expert advice is extremely valuable for companies looking to grow. They can help you understand all business-related requirements, local legislation, and other important factors in your new market including:

• Standard payment methods
• Employment and payroll laws
• Tax regulations
• Foreign exchange rates
• Contract laws
• Corporate and securities regulations
• Transfer pricing, and so on.

While expert advice can be expensive, the results are well worth it. These experts help your business avoid risks and better understand the inner workings of the target market.

7. Only Offering Phone Services in Home Market Language

Since adding new target markets means gaining new customer bases, each comes with its own needs. Among the most critical of these needs is language. And while content localization is a good starting point, it’s not enough. To satisfy these new customers at a basic level, you must also offer phone services in their language.

Let’s say you own a US company. One of your new customers in South America is browsing your localized support page, trying to find a solution to their issue. But since their issue is complex, they have to contact your business directly for an answer. So, they call your business to find that your call system operates only in English. Somehow, they reach the support department to find only English-speaking support reps again.

What happens next?

This customer will most likely grow frustrated and hang up. They might even cancel their service if they can’t find a fix and sign up with one of your competitors that meets their language needs.

To avoid this, consider setting up a multilingual IVR that caters to all of your incoming callers’ language requirements. On top of that, it’s a good idea to hire reps that speak each of your target markets’ languages, particularly for sales, support, and other customer-facing roles. This way, customers always feel supported and taken care of when communicating with your business, leading to improved customer satisfaction.

Related: 7 Must-Have Global Expansion Tools for Communication

8. Disconnected Team Communication

Communication affects many aspects of your business, including efficiency, productivity, employee trust, innovation, collaboration, turnover rates, and so on. When miscommunication occurs, it directly affects these factors in addition to other business metrics.

In fact, results of a study showed that miscommunication costs companies with 100 employees an average of $420,000 annually. And, the chance of miscommunication only increases as you expand your business and add more offices and employees to the mix.

With a VoIP service, you can connect teams distributed across multiple locations through one business phone system. This service is accessible from any location or IP-enabled device, making it a great solution for remote teams, too. You can also scale your VoIP service, as needed. Simply, add or remove users as your business expands globally.

Additionally, cloud phone providers typically offer advanced features with their services that help boost team communication and collaboration, like free in-network calling. And it’s all easily manageable through an online portal.

So, you can centralize business communication, connect distributed teams, access advanced features, and save on traditional phone system costs – all through one solution.

Expand Globally with Global Call Forwarding

Now that you know the top mistakes businesses make when expanding globally and how to avoid them, you’re ready to expand!

Global Call Forwarding can help you transition into an international business. We offer reliable global voice services in 160+ countries, which covers over 90% of the global economy. You can get local, toll-free, and international numbers in each of your target countries to add global coverage to your phone system.

We also offer free in-network calling, centralized call control, multilingual IVR, and more to fit your global expansion needs.

To learn more about how we can help you establish a global presence, call us at +1 (561) 908-6171 or chat with us online!

The rise in modern technology usage and emerging markets has made Africa a prime location for international business.

So, what does that mean for companies wanting to invest in the continent? Whether you’re a multinational business or a foreign investor looking to tap into this growing economy, it is important to take a closer look at what the continent has to offer.

Why Africa is a Good Destination for Foreign Investment

According to the World Investment Report (2022), “FDI flows to Africa reached $83 billion, from $39 billion in 2020.” This upswing was welcomed as the continent worked hard to recover from COVID-related downfalls.

Local companies and global players are continuing to invest in the continent. And governments are expanding their foreign investment policies to encourage more investors, leading to a rebound in foreign direct investment (FDI).

One such initiative is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This is the largest free trade area in the world, including 55 countries with a population of 1.3 billion and combined GDP of about $3.4 trillion.

AfCFTA creates jobs and incomes, attracts investments, and furthers the development of regional supply chains. With this in place, we can expect an increase in intra-African trade by 81% by 2035. Specifically, AfCFTA’s Sustainable Investment Protocol can lead to a rise in FDI flows – both into and within the continent.

Additionally, high commodity prices, reopening tourism, and dissolution of pandemic restrictions are a few other factors contributing to Africa’s positive economic outlook.

All of this means new sources of investment are becoming available, and emerging sectors are expanding.

Remittances into Africa are Growing

As global remittances are expected to reach $630 billion in 2022, remittance inflows into Africa will continue to grow. In fact, 2021 saw gains in Sub-Saharan Africa with 14.1% and the Middle East and North Africa with 7.6%. And the driving force is an increase in investment and access to credit.

“There are significant numbers of people from Africa that live and work in Europe and America and send money to family and friends. The funds are used for investments, medical expenses, school fees, and day-to-day expenses,” explains James Kimani, Workforce Manager, NatWest.

The top 3 destinations in Africa for remittances are Kenya, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe.

In Africa, the labor supply is abundant, and the people are willing. These incoming remittances bring new economic opportunities such as the growth of small businesses and self-employment, and they help reduce poverty within the continent.

According to Kimani, “Technology has made it easier to send money. However, the main challenge as I see it is that the margins are very thin for [remittance] businesses. So, increasing volumes of transactions will make it a more viable service.”

What Makes Africa Popular

Unlike its reputation for being conflict-ridden and inundated by corruption, Africa offers countless opportunities for establishing profitable businesses. Often described as the fastest-growing continent, there are many reasons why local and global players continue to invest in Africa.

The continent boasts a large, young population and a steady rise in the middle class. It is also going through a telecommunications boom and technological revolution. This means that more and more people from the continent are online and reachable. And your business has access to an educated and skilled workforce.

In fact, keeping the growth of mobile connectivity in mind, experts at Deloitte are convinced that Africa’s telecommunications sector will attract more inbound investment and economic development.

On top of that, Africa has over 400+ companies with revenues of over $1 billion. And thanks to major multinational corporations investing in the continent’s natural resources, infrastructure, and more, Africa has a pretty sizable consumer market with over $1.4 trillion in consumer spending.

What Industries are Most Poised for Growth?

In 2022, African start-ups seem to be taking off, with more and more investors interested in and ready to support up-and-coming businesses. In fact, African start-ups attracted a record $5.2 billion in venture capital in 2021, which is more than the previous seven years combined.

Financial Technology (FinTech), particularly, has great growth potential, with new opportunities and start-ups leading the way. According to a Disrupt Africa report, investors in African tech start-ups more than doubled in 2021, an increase of 108.4%. This boom is corroborated by those in the African financial services and FinTech industries.

Munya Chiura, Head of Growth Rest of Africa, Flutterwave, suggests that FinTech has brought about “multiple opportunities to continue to drive financial inclusion.” Kimani seconds this opinion of FinTech and financial services thriving in Africa. Specifically, he explains that “Mobile Money is very big in Kenya,” referencing businesses like Safaricom, which provides the mobile wallet product, M-PESA.

African industries and emerging markets most poised for growth include:

• FinTech and Mobile Money
• Renewable Energy
• Technology
• Telecommunications

According to Chiura, “Other industries that are exciting [and poised for growth] are e-commerce, mobility services, agric-tech, and healthcare.”

Experts predict that North Africa and Francophone Africa have the potential for accelerated growth because they do not have as much venture capital funding as other regions of Africa.

Have a look at FT’s ranking for Africa’s fastest-growing companies in 2022.

But, There are Challenges in Doing Business in Africa

Despite its growth potential, there are a few things to keep in mind when doing business in the continent:

1. Skepticism of Foreign Investment

Africans tend to be wary of foreigners that want to invest and do business in the continent. This is often chalked up to historical, ideological, and political reasons. While changes in economic policy and growth in FDIs have welcomed foreign investment, there may still be a few indirect barriers preventing Africans from doing business with global parties.

So, as a newcomer, you’ll want to establish a local presence. You may even benefit from connecting and building relationships with locals on the ground.

2. Rate of Digital Adoption

Secondly, while new technologies are being developed and used, digital adoption is still relatively low. For instance, smartphone and 4G usage are not as high in Africa compared to the rest of the world. In fact, by the end of 2020, only 46% of Sub-Saharan Africa was subscribed to mobile services. And 4G adoption is expected to reach only 28% by 2025.

Because of this, not a lot of consumers even have access to WhatsApp, video conferencing, etc. And others might not know how to use such services, except for making a basic phone call.

3. Telecommunication Scene

Additionally, high tariffs still exist for African locals who want to call internationally. So, it may benefit you to have a local number in countries where you want to do business. This way, local customers and interested prospects can call your international business without paying high long-distance rates.

But, local and international toll-free numbers are difficult to come by for some hard-to-reach and rural areas. Unless telecom providers have connections with local, regional operators, they cannot guarantee connectivity to different parts of the African continent. This is true even of some major global telecom providers. So, it is always a good idea to double-check a provider’s coverage before signing up.

How Can African Call Forwarding Services Help?

To combat these challenges, you can work with an Africa call forwarding service like Global Call Forwarding. This way, you can get local phone numbers or international toll-free solutions to target different countries in Africa and then forward incoming calls to your business wherever it is located.

Our parent company, United World Telecom, has extensive experience navigating Africa’s complex telecommunications environment. This also means that you don’t have to spend time managing contracts with a bunch of different local vendors because we take care of that for you.

Since our early callback days, we’ve been providing global telephony solutions to businesses and consumers in the region. Find out how we can help you expand your business in Africa; call us today or chat with our experts online!

There’s a stage in every small-to-medium-sized business’ life where you ask: is it time to take the next step and pursue international expansion? And while many companies have achieved global expansion successfully — and many have failed as well — there is a general tendency of doubt whether it is worth the gamble.

Especially now, after the global pandemic and with so many businesses having to shut down or halt operations.

But while expanding your business after COVID-19 may seem challenging, it is a worthwhile and beneficial avenue to consider with the support of the right resources and people.

Why Should Businesses Go Global?

So then, what really is the benefit of entering your business in the global market and taking the risk? Besides opening up a whole new revenue stream, international growth allows your business to establish a global reputation. Such a reputation will help you attract and retain more high-quality customers. And it will open up more investment opportunities that will help your business further scale.

What is the Cost of Global Expansion?

But is it worth the risk? The short answer: it depends on your business and the demand for your products and services.

Not every business is suited for the global stage. Maybe your industry is too niche, or your services are useful only to a specific group. In that case, international expansion may not be for you.

It also depends on which stage of growth your business is in right now. If you are a start-up still trying to find your footing, then it’s better to put off global plans. But if you are an established business gearing up to release new products and features that might appeal to a broader audience, then you might benefit from taking them global.

You need to consider international expansion costs when looking at the best countries to expand to in 2023. Important factors to consider include:

• State of the region’s economy post-COVID-19
• Demand for the product and service
• Overhead costs — office space, supplies, and equipment
• Moving costs
• Cost of labor and materials
• Logistics and shipping costs
• Country’s rules and regulations regarding foreign businesses, and so on.

Thankfully, careful budgeting and a clear expansion plan can help you keep costs low. You can use one of these various types of international expansion strategies to expand globally efficiently while staying within your budget. Additionally, instead of jumping right in and investing everything in your expansion plan, start slow with a light footprint, and grow gradually.

Learn more about global expansion strategies and best practices in our global expansion guide.

8 Benefits of International Expansion

That said, what can your business achieve by growing internationally and why should you consider it? Here are the main reasons to consider international expansion:

1. Increased Revenue Potential

Most businesses look outside when they have exhausted growth opportunities at home. But even for companies that are relatively new (7+ years in business), there’s much to gain by entering new markets. You can explore new markets, market to new demographics, offer diversified products, and increase sales as a result of all this.

2. Entry into New Markets

International expansion also means access to more markets means more customers and more sales. Part of successfully entering a new market is researching the region and its demographics to ensure your business provides valuable and relevant products and services. This means working close to the ground to understand the needs and desires of the locals in these markets.

By doing that, you would create products and services they want to purchase and invest in. This is yet another way of showing your customers and prospects that you care about how they use your service. And that is crucial to building customer loyalty and responsiveness.

Side note: Entering new markets also means exposure to new investment opportunities but more on that later.

3. Access to Diverse Audience and Customer Base

With our heavily globalized world, your business is probably already catering to a diverse audience. Yet, you are limited when you stick to just one market or region. Instead of putting all your eggs in one basket, it is a good practice to diversify and spread them across multiple target markets. This way, if one market changes or slows down, you can rely on revenue streams from other markets.

Additionally, by catering to a diverse customer base, you will be required to create new products and services to meet their needs. This gives your business the opportunity to establish itself as a local entity or local-supporting business. A broader and diverse customer base always helps generate more business and sales.

4. Foreign Investment Opportunities

New markets mean new investment opportunities and access to new materials and talent. The main benefits of foreign direct investments include economic growth, access to greater resources, job creation, innovation and R&D, and support for developing countries. Foreign investments give your business the opportunity to not only access resources in other countries but also support developing and growing economies.

5. Opportunity to Diversify Your Business Portfolio

Another significant benefit of international expansion is the ability to diversify your business portfolio. Entering a new market allows you to invest locally. You can support other local businesses, and regional sustainability efforts, and partner with local organizations that align with your mission. This further lends to your business’s reputation and brand personality.

6. Offer Global Customer Support

When you open your business to international sales, you may find customers and prospects from different parts of the world. This means you will need global sales and support teams to nurture these customers.

While running global customer support may seem expensive and difficult to manage, you can adopt a follow-the-sun support model to manage your teams efficiently and cost-effectively. A follow-the-sun model uses advanced call forwarding to route incoming calls from one location to another. For example, you can route calls coming in from Europe to your remote team in London. Or, you can forward calls made between 9-5 within the Eastern Standard time zone to your team in New York. Or, you could just forward all calls, from anywhere in the world, to your main office in Mexico.

Some common routing strategies include:

• Time-based routing – route calls based on the time of the call
• Georouting – route calls based on the location of the caller
• Skill-based routing – route calls based on the skills needed, such as language preferences or technical skills.

With such routing strategies available by cloud phone service providers, you do not need to have multiple offices globally. You can offer global care and support from your headquarters or through remote agents.

7. Access to Diverse and Skilled Talent

Next, you get to build a diverse workforce by accessing a large pool of skilled talent. Hiring global talent means variety in language skills and educational background. In fact, certain countries are known to excel in certain industries — like India with engineers and technologists. And so, you can attract high-quality talent from these regions as you expand internationally.

There are many benefits of having a diverse workforce:

• Variety in skills and talent
• Employing local workers and building local trust
• Supporting locals
• Reduced turnover rates, to name a few.

8. Gain a Competitive Edge and Improved Business Reputation

Together, all of these factors only add to your business’ diverse portfolio, helping you gain an edge over your competitors. By being accessible globally, your brand can develop an international presence and reliability. Customers will be familiar with your business and service, leading to more sales, partnerships, and profits.

Is Internal Expansion the Future for Your Business?

Expanding globally is a big step, but thankfully, there are countless resources and support centers to help businesses take this step confidently. If you need a global telephony provider to support your global business communications, consider Global Call Forwarding.

We can provide you with local and international toll-free numbers from more than 160 countries worldwide. We also offer cloud communication solutions for remote countries so that you can communicate with your customers no matter where they are located. Want to learn more? Browse through our features and services, or speak with our representatives today.

A time comes in every business’ lifecycle when it needs to expand to new markets and regions in an attempt to keep growing. However, such a move can be overwhelming and cost-heavy, especially if not planned out strategically.

Here we will go over the different types of international expansion strategies with examples. Comparing these different strategies and entry modes can help you decide how to plan your business’ global expansion.

Topics covered

• How to Enter the Global Market
  • Global Markets Post-COVID-19
  • How to Create an International Expansion Plan: 5 Key Steps
• Types of International Expansion Strategies
  1. Multidomestic Strategy
  2. Global Expansion Strategy
  3. Transnational Strategy
  4. Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs)
• Common International Expansion Entry Modes
• How Can Global Call Forwarding Help Your International Expansions Efforts?

Expanding Internationally: How to Enter the Global Market

Before we get started, why should your business even consider entering the global space? And are the benefits of expanding internationally worth the costs and risks? The short answer is, it depends. It depends on the kind of business you operate and how you execute your international expansion strategy.

When done strategically, there are many benefits to expanding internationally, including:

• Access to new markets and a diverse customer base
• Increased ROI and profits
• Access to local and skilled talent and workforce
• Global business recognition and reputation
• Establish regional offices
• Stay ahead of the competition
• Access to foreign investment opportunities.

And since you open new revenue streams, you can expect the ROI and profits to offset the costs spent in entering new markets. But for everything to fall in place according to plan, you first need a solid international expansion plan.

Global Markets Post-COVID-19

Expanding globally after COVID-19 can seem a bit challenging. But with the right plan and resources, you can enter a new market smoothly and cost-effectively and add a new customer base to your business profile.

The key to successfully expanding your business is to:

1. Create a clear global expansion plan.
2. Choose the right international expansion strategy.
3. Identify the best entry mode for the new market.

Let’s look at each of these factors in detail.

How to Create an International Expansion Plan: 5 Key Steps

Before we compare the different types of international expansion strategies and entry modes, let’s look at the critical steps involved in creating a global expansion plan. This will give you context about what your business needs so you can identify the right strategies for international growth.

1) Pick the Right Markets to Enter

The first thought generally is to expand to a big, metropolitan area. However, certain businesses and industries do better in less developed and developing regions. Depending on your business type and stage of growth, identify the right markets and regions for your business to expand. And local market research can help with this.

Don’t know where to start? Here is a list of the best countries to expand to in 2021.

2) Conduct Market and Competitor Research

Then, you need to analyze how well your product or service will do in this new region. Is there a demand or market for your products or services? What is the quality of that demand? What demographics or portion of the population can afford to buy your products? How many competitors will you face? What is the demand for these competitors, and what resources do they have available? How does that stack up against your organization?

3) Understand Country and Governmental Regulations

Every country has its own foreign investment regulations. And so, before you start setting the groundwork for your expansion plan, you first need to familiarize yourself with these regulations. You can do so by visiting the country’s primary website or their trade website. For example, the United States has an International Trade Administration website where you can get information for US and international businesses. You can also learn more about these regulations on the country’s embassy websites.

4) Finalize on Entry Mode(s)

Next, you decide what entry mode is best suited for your business. Below we define and compare the different entry modes you can choose from.

You might even consider keeping a light footprint. That is, holding off on infrastructure and heavy investments till your foreign operations have grown and matured. You may decide to hire a few local employees and use cloud-based communication solutions to manage your operations. Have these employees identify untapped opportunities, conduct market research, and test the market gradually. This will help you save costs in the long run and ensure higher ROI.

5) Prepare Marketing and Expansion Plan

Once you have identified your markets and entry modes, you can start making a global expansion and marketing plan. This will outline your moves, budget, advertising campaigns, overhead requirements, and so on.

Learn more about global expansion best practices and planning strategies in our free global expansion guide.

Types of International Expansion Strategies

Here are the different strategies to expand internationally. But which one of these international expansion strategies is suitable for you depends on your business’s specific needs and goals. So educate yourself on the options available and make a decision accordingly.

1. Multidomestic Strategy

A multidomestic strategy focuses more on catering to locals within the new market. It is known as the strategy that sacrifices efficiency to improve the responsiveness of local requirements. Rather than forcing its parent country’s requirements and preferences onto the new market, it customizes its offerings and services to better meet the needs of the locals in the new market. As such, marketing and advertising efforts are geared towards the locals instead of taking a universal approach. A great deal of local research is required to execute a multidomestic strategy successfully.

Advantages of multidomestic strategies

• Diverse customer base
• Increased local responsiveness

Disadvantages of multidomestic strategies

• Uncertainty because of tailored and customized strategies spread across various countries
• Hard to achieve economies of scale that would help reduce costs

Examples of multidomestic strategy

• MTV customizing programming on its channels in different countries
• Heinz removing garlic and onion in its Indian ketchup recipe
• KFC selling tempura crispy strips in Japan and pastries with chicken in France
• McDonald’s offering multiple vegetarian options in India such as McSpicy Paneer, McAloo, and Green Chilli Aloo Naan

2. Global Expansion Strategy

A global expansion strategy is the opposite of a multidomestic strategy. The global expansion strategy is centralized—that is, the primary office controls it. This strategy maximizes global efficiency, so products and services are standardized and not tailored for local markets. The business units in each country are considered interdependent and respond to the primary office.

Advantages of a global expansion strategy

• Low risk for the firm
• Emphasizes economies of scale
• More opportunities to utilize innovations developed at a corporate level
• Effective for firms whose product is mainly hidden from the user’s view and where differences in local preferences is not an issue or requirement

Disadvantages of a global expansion strategy

• Trouble gaining a high market share in local markets
• Coordinating strategies and operations may prove challenging to manage
• Resources need to be shared and coordinating across boundaries and countries

Examples of a global expansion strategy

• Intel
• Microsoft offers the same product globally but with local languages
• Procter & Gamble (P&G) creates global brands whenever possible

3. Transnational Strategy

A transnational strategy combines the multidomestic and global international expansion strategy to create an international expansion strategy that caters to both global efficiency and local needs and responsiveness. Therefore, the two main characteristics of a transnational strategy are:

• High global integration
• High local responsiveness

To this end, balance and flexibility are key to executing a successful transnational strategy. And companies that do so perform better than competitors using a multidomestic or global expansion strategy.

Advantages of a transnational strategy

• High efficiency and low costs
• Wider reach
• Diverse market

Disadvantages of a transnational strategy

• Difficult to centralize and manage international offices
• Potential risk of alienating local customers

Examples of a transnational strategy

• McDonald’s offers custom menu items globally but has a cohesive global identity
• Unilever sells different brands in different regions but still maintains a singular corporate identity

4. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

FDI is when an organization enters an international market by investing in that country. Of all the international expansion strategies, this one is a good idea when demand and size of the market justify the investment. Some things to keep in mind when considering FDI:

• Your business can benefit from low-cost labor and cheap materials.
• You can avoid import duties when you manufacture locally.
• There may be import restrictions and limits for certain products.

Advantages of FDIs

• Retain control
• Low-cost labor, cheap material and manufacturing costs
• Diversified investors portfolios
• Provides financing and technology to developing countries
• Access to subsidies, tax breaks, and other concessions from the government

Disadvantages of FDIs

• High investment required
• High risk, related to change in policies against foreign companies
• Investors may have fewer moral attachments
• Potential unethical access to local markets

Examples of Foreign Direct Investment

• Mergers & acquisitions
• Horizontal FDI, where a firm replicates its entire organization in different countries
• Joint ventures
• Research & development
• Facilities
• Sales and customer support
• Manufacturing and logistics
• Retail and services
• Administration
• Greenfield investments

Common International Expansion Entry Modes

There are a few different ways to enter a new global market. And each of these international expansion strategies comes with benefits and potential issues. Here we will look at the various international expansion entry modes that your business can choose from when deciding how to enter a new market:

How Can Global Call Forwarding Help Your International Expansions Efforts?

Global Call Forwarding has helped thousands of businesses enter new markets and regions cost-effectively. Whether you plan to open regional offices or want to conduct operations virtually, our cloud communication solutions can ensure that your business communicates with team members and customers efficiently. Our high-availability network and partnerships with local, regional providers enable us to offer our customers cloud phone numbers (local and toll free) from more than 160 countries worldwide. And our phone numbers come equipped with advanced call management features such as call routing, automated voice response, softphones, and more.

We can support your international expansion strategies and help you enter new markets with a light footprint and low overhead costs. And as your business grows, you can add more service lines and features to our highly scalable solution.

Expanding internationally is a big step, and we are here to make the process less stressful when it comes to business communication. Want to learn more about how we can help you set up more points of contact in different countries and regions? Speak with our representatives today or chat with us online!

New changes are happening all over the world — from adopting new business processes to nurturing social movements to adjusting to the global pandemic. And the much-talked-about Brexit deal is one of these major changes. Curious about what Brexit means for businesses in the UK and EU? In this article, we look at the different business-related areas that will feel the impacts of the new Brexit deal.

How is Brexit Affecting Business in the EU and UK

Companies and business owners across the EU and UK are worried about Brexit and business continuity. As the transition period comes to an end, many businesses in Britain and Europe are wondering, “how will Brexit affect my business?” From business travel to communication to new customs regulations, there are many ways the Brexit deal can impact your business processes. In this post, we discuss how Brexit will affect:

• Business Travel
• Working and Studying Abroad (Work Visas, Education, and Erasmus)
• Impact on Trade (Customs, Supply Chain, VAT Regime)
• Mobile Roaming and Calling Charges
• Online Services

Let’s get into the different ways that Brexit may affect businesses in the EU and United Kingdom.

1. Business Travel

One of the main areas that the new Brexit deal affects EU and UK companies is in regards to the new restrictions on business travel. Individuals traveling for work from the EU to the UK and vice versa have new regulations to keep in mind.

British travelers will face restrictions on their passports. For example, British travelers will need at least 6 months left on their passports to travel to the EU. While these travelers don’t need a visa to enter the EU, they will need travel authorization. At immigration, they may be questioned about the duration of their stay, returned bookings, financing plans, and so on. Conversely, national ID cards are no longer valid for European travelers entering Britain, except for particular cases. And EU travelers will need to go through customs checks at UK airports.

Other changes:

1. Additionally, duty-free shopping will continue. However, there will be new allowances for the quantity of goods you can bring back to the United Kingdom.
2. There is also a new set of rules and regulations to follow when driving abroad. UK licenses will no longer be recognized as the same as the EU. And British drivers driving in the EU may require an international driving permit.
3. The EU will lose access to professional service providers (doctors, veterinarians, engineers, architects, etc.) from the UK. These professions will not be automatically recognized in Europe. And UK professionals with these qualifications will have to jump through regulations to get recognized.
4. Financial services will also be affected. UK-registered and regulated banks have announced (and started making) plans to close accounts of citizens residing in the EU or EU economic area.

2. Working and Studying Abroad

With the new Brexit deal, working and studying abroad (between the UK and EU) has become more complicated. Since the Four Freedoms of the EU — freedom of movement of goods, capital, persons, and services — no longer apply to British citizens, they do not benefit from visa-less employment and education within the EU.

Work Visas

The UK will issue a new points-based immigration system that treats EU & non-EU citizens the same. With this new system, travelers from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland can travel to the UK for short trips without a visa. However, longer stays and employment will require an application under the new points-based system. As explained in TLDR News’ video on how Brexit will affect work visas, the points-based system requires applicants to accumulate a minimum of 70 points. Out of the 70 points, individuals applying must have a job offer (20 points), demonstrate a high skill level (20 points), and speak English (10 points) — these are mandatory. The remaining 20 points can be achieved through the other criteria as listed by the government.

Education and Erasmus

To study in any of the European countries, British citizens will require a visa from particular EU countries, if their courses run longer than 3 months. Additionally, they will no longer qualify for domestic fees when studying abroad. All of this makes going abroad for education more expensive.

Furthermore, British universities will no longer participate in the Erasmus program. This means that European students won’t be able to study temporarily in the UK through the program. And students who still want to pursue higher education in the UK will have to apply through the new points-based immigration system and deal with higher international fees.

3. Impact on Trade

While Britain was part of the EU, companies could buy and sell goods across EU borders without paying taxes. Additionally, there were no limits on the amount of items that could be traded. However, with the Brexit deal, a few changes come into effect:

Customs/Border Tariffs

Since exiting the EU Customs Union, Great Britain will longer enjoy the benefits of free trade, making the movement of goods across the EU and UK more difficult. Now, British importers and exporters (trading with Europe) are considered non-residents. Because of this, goods moving between the UK and EU now require customs declarations. However, these goods will not be subject to tariffs.

On the other hand, businesses that used to face competition from overseas (EU) companies will enjoy a competitive advantage. This is because UK customers will have to choose between expensive imports and cheaper domestic products.

Supply Chain

Businesses can expect delays in their supply chain, including shipping and deliveries, due to border checks and queues. It is expected that the “EU would immediately implement tough new checks on agri-food products, with no grace period.” This is not good news for perishable goods as they may get caught up in these checks and queues.

VAT Regime

UK will no longer be bound by the EU’s VAT regime. As a result, importers and customers receiving goods from the EU will be subject to VAT for imports. The British government might decide to change the system, including making new goods 0% VAT-rated. However, what exactly will happen in the UK related to the VAT regime is still not concretely decided.

4. Mobile Roaming and Calling Charges

Many are wondering if Brexit will bring roaming charges back to businesses and customers. More specifically, will Brexit mean that phone calls between the EU and UK are considered international?

While part of the EU, British phone carriers were subject to EU phone laws. Through these laws, people could call, text, and use data on the same terms in the United Kingdom and across Europe. In other words, they could use their data at no extra fees, even when within the EU. Unfortunately, these laws no longer apply to UK phone carriers. And carriers are not legally required to offer the same rates as they did before.

As of December 2020, Vodafone confirmed that they had no plans to bring back roaming charges. Other major operators — O2, EE, 3 — haven’t publicly confirmed that they will increase calling rates.

If roaming charges are brought back, businesses in and outside of Britain and the EU can use virtual phone numbers as an alternative. For example, an EU company can get a UK phone number to connect with local customers in the UK without worrying about roaming or international charges.

5. Online Services

Lastly, when within the EU, there was a legal guarantee that the UK would have access to online services. However, this guarantee is no longer valid. Individual providers will need to decide how to make adjustments and amend their provisions.

How Global Call Forwarding Can Help with Brexit

The Brexit deal has led to both victories and uncertainties for people of different sectors in the UK and EU societies. Global Call Forwarding can ease some of these concerns by providing businesses in the UK and EU with European virtual phone numbers to help transition more effectively. You can sign up for a virtual phone number or buy a toll-free UK number on our website. Or, speak with our global specialists at 1 (888) 908 6171 to get a better understanding of how we can support your business during this change.