How to Start a Business In a Low Income Country
Business | August 27, 2018, Monday // 12:36| viewsStarting a business abroad differs widely from starting a business in your native country. In beginning a new business venture outside the country, you must figure out the exact location, as well as all activities that could cause you to doubt whether or not that business move is going to be worth it.
Entrepreneurs most often strive for two main things; to solve a problem by creating an impact, and to make a profit from said impact. This tends to direct them to low-income countries for a broader market base and more business opportunities. Before you finally decide to launch that business in the chosen country, be sure to have a look at our tips below.
Study The Culture
One of the most crucial requirements ingrained in the minds of business persons is first to comprehend a foreign country's culture. Failure to understand their way of life will affect your overall business plan, resultantly causing your business to fail in that environment. For example, the sale of spices may be a massive business in Italy or India, but it's unlikely to attract the same amount of interest in certain parts of Africa. The analysis and understanding of cultural differences are done to be sure of the need and market for your product or service.
Cultural differences differ from country to country and are not restricted to customer behaviour alone. Other sectors such a language and social integration must be adequately studied for your business to fit perfectly into their setting. You can gain insight into the culture of a particular country by visiting and interacting with the local community.
Be Aware Of Existing Business Patterns
Business practices such as taxation and laws aren't the same in every country. Setting up your enterprise in one country may be a breeze and require a shorter duration, whereas other nations demand more extended periods of time dedicated to getting your business signed up; study all these and calculate the overall cost and resources you'll need before you start working.
Get Yourself A Local Business Guide
To navigate your business around a new country's economy and culture, you should consider interacting with successful business owners in that country. It's better to start this before your actual move; such that a strong friendship is already established and thus, consulting them on how to steer your business in the right direction will be more comfortable.
Acquire Funding
With top knowledge in the business practices and culture pattern of a foreign country does not guarantee the smooth start of your business abroad; money does. As such, make sure that you have adequate capital to kick-start your start-up. Splurge (in a right way) on all paperwork required by the country government rules.
It may take a while once your business has been set up to bring in profit so ensure that you have adequate resources to keep your head above water until you finally penetrate the market. One way you can do this is to consider microcredit funding. An extension of small loans, microcredit funds have been created to act as a buffer for start-ups who may lack collateral, steady employment or verifiable credit history.
Microfinance is not just a donation but is an attempt to empower business owners to develop a module that will bring in profit as it grows steadily. Lenders such as Bonsai Finance exist to provide good microfinance options. For more information, visit their website to ensure you understand the options available better.
Expect Regulatory Issues
One significant trait of most developing countries is the unstable nature of their government and its rules. In effect, these issues must be managed effectively to prevent them from adversely affecting your business. To be proactive in your intent, a conscious effort must always be made to keep your organization updated on all existing and foreseeable changes to their regulations. The constant update will prevent you and your organization from being surprised when you least expect.
Get Legal Advice
Hiring a lawyer when starting a business at home or outside is an excellent idea. It's best to contact a lawyer from your country who lives and works in the country you hope to move your enterprise too. This selection criterion helps you a great deal since he can understand you from a cultural view and yet have adept knowledge about the foreign country to help you work your way smoothly through the new environment.
Expand Your Network
Business in developing countries has a slightly free setup, as most transactions and contracts extend via connections and bonds created. A relationship in effect is a fragment of culture that significantly affects the operation of businesses within developing economies.
Networking in developing countries involves creating an informal network of relationships for the sake of your business, primarily if you have limited resources. Establishing a secure system is an essential skill and should be of top priority.
Cross-Cultural Working
The workplace culture when starting a business abroad is overlooked until it begins to affect the overall productivity. Little activities such as work hours or days and even styles of writing and presentation can cause frustration and inconsistencies in output. This occurs mostly due to the difference in backgrounds and levels of development between you as a business owner and your employees as natives of your new location.
The best thing to note is that doing things in varied ways doesn't automatically relate to doing it wrong. Both parties should be mature and humble enough to accept their present differences and work through it to achieve their goal, which is the one thing they share in common.
Bonus Tip: after reading all the tips given above and before that business finally starts to take off, bear in mind always that 'good things take time' and as such, the process of growth is not a rush. Take the time to study, analyze, consult and reasonably make your way through the pros and cons of moving abroad. Developing economies do have some pitfalls, but you should focus on the vast potential they have to offer. With the right understanding and execution, business abroad is bound to be an exciting experience for entrepreneurs.
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