Thinking to go global? Explore our latest insights into international expansion – from company readiness, to product-market fit, international marketing, culture and more…
“The bell on a tiger’s neck can only be untied by the person who tied it.”– China’s Ministry of Commerce Tensions between the US and China are escalating once again. Both countries have recently imposed steep tariffs on each other’s imports — in some cases, as high as 125%, with
When President Trump announced sweeping new tariffs on 2 April 2025, markets reeled. Stock indices nosedived. Trading partners scrambled. Global supply chains, already strained, shuddered under the weight of uncertainty. It felt like a rupture, a radical shift in the rules of global trade. But in reality, this is just
Just as international businesses were getting used to calmer trade waters, the tariff tide is rising again—and fast. On April 2, President Donald Trump announced a sweeping new round of tariffs, including a universal 10% levy on all imports to the US, and a punishing 60% tariff on goods from
On 2 April, the Trump administration unveiled its long-promised “Liberation Day” tariffs. These new tariffs, which the White House has badged as “reciprocal” tariffs apply to 180 countries – almost every trading partner the United States has. President Trump justified the tariffs by claiming that the US has been “looted,
The High Cost of Doing Nothing Supply chain management has never been more complex. Companies across every industry are grappling with increased consumer demand, global disruptions, and the constant pressure to reduce costs while improving efficiency. Yet, many businesses still rely on outdated systems or manual processes that lead to
Bad Data = Bad Business Poor inventory data = missed orders. Slow updates = lost revenue. Disconnected systems = frustrated suppliers and customers. Data quality issues disrupt supply chains and create costly inefficiencies. Bad data quality in business can often feel like the blind leading the blind. Without accurate data,
If you’ve been following our blog, you may remember our recent article on how to spot and prevent impersonation scams in 2025. Today, we’re diving into another growing cyber threat: phishing scams. Unlike traditional hacking, phishing doesn’t rely on breaking through firewalls—it exploits human psychology. Scammers prey on urgency and
2025 has barely begun, and yet the global trade landscape is already shifting dramatically. From Washington to Beijing, foreign policies are changing, alliances are being tested, and industries are bracing for impact. For MSMEs looking to expand internationally, these shifts present both risks and opportunities. New tariffs, trade barriers, and
As micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) expand into international markets, they become prime targets for impersonation scams. These fraudulent schemes not only threaten financial stability but also damage hard-earned reputations and erode customer trust. Understanding how these scams operate and how to protect against them is crucial for safeguarding
The Hidden Cost of Manual Data Entry Manual order processing, inventory updates, and data reconciliation are time-consuming and error-prone. These inefficiencies add up: Every year, supply chain inefficiencies cost businesses millions. 50% of these inefficiencies are caused by manual processes. It’s the classic horror story: An urgent order gets emailed
As the world’s largest economy and a dominant force in global trade, the United States is once again at the center of global attention following Donald Trump’s return to power. Within his first week back in office, President Trump signed 45 Executive Orders—several of which have important implications for international
When companies scale internationally, finding the right channel partners is a big milestone. But once you’ve secured them, the next challenge is equipping them with the tools they need to market and sell your products effectively. Pricing books, ordering processes, and supply chain logistics are important, but increasingly, we’re seeing
As I wrote in my recent piece, Is Goal-Setting Just A Bunch of Hype? the process of setting goals promises great things for companies but often falls short. However, when done correctly, goal-setting can be a game-changer, especially for businesses in a scale-up or international expansion phase. Over the past
Happy Chinese New Year! As we usher in the Year of the Snake, it’s the perfect time to talk about one of the most exciting and dynamic retail markets in the world—China. Have you ever wondered what it would take to crack the code for this market? It’s no walk
Expanding into international markets is an exciting milestone for any business. However, one of the most complex challenges you’ll face is pricing your product competitively and profitably across diverse global markets. The stakes are high: price too low, and you risk eroding profit margins; price too high, and you may
It’s January and as we start the new year the internet is awash with posts about goal-setting. Particularly popular these days is the contrarian theme “why goal-setting doesn’t work” and you may be wondering, “Is it true? Is goal-setting just a bunch of hype?” My personal belief is that goal-setting
Expanding your business internationally is an exciting opportunity—but let’s be honest, it comes with a hefty price tag. For micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) like yours, finding the right funding to scale globally is often the biggest challenge. It’s no surprise that a lack of financing is one of
Congratulations, your business has done so well in Australia – it’s time to bring your success into another market. Introducing your brand into a new territory is exciting, but it can be just as challenging. Take it from my years of experience working with companies in Southeast Asia, I have
In today’s interconnected global economy, sustainability and ethical practices are no longer optional for businesses looking to expand internationally —they are essential. As more governments implement regulations to curb unsustainable practices and consumer preferences shift toward ethical companies, businesses must prioritise sustainability to thrive in global markets. In this blog,
As we step into 2025, the fashion industry is building on the successes of 2024 while pivoting towards a transformative year as consumers seek sustainability, authenticity, and innovation. Let’s look at the trends likely to define the fashion landscape, including what worked in 2024 and what’s on the horizon. 1.
The global digital transformation of the last few years has revolutionized how companies operate and expand internationally. Businesses can now be run remotely and staffed by teams spread across the globe, and international transactions can be sent and approved instantly. Companies have unprecedented opportunities to connect with diverse customers through
With his plan to impose sweeping tariffs on imports—including a steep 60% levy on Chinese goods—President-elect Trump has set his sights on drastically reshaping US trade policy. As companies brace for potential price hikes, supply chain disruptions, and market shifts, business leaders around the globe are wondering what they can
Australia has long been a global leader in the mining sector, renowned for its abundant mineral resources, stable political environment, and world-class infrastructure. The industry is a cornerstone of the Australian economy,contributing significantly to GDP, employment, and export revenues. However, the sector is also facing increasing challenges, such as environmental
Many companies that I speak to – both in the SME sector and at the big end of town – face challenges with getting paid on time (or at all) when they sell to customers overseas. In the worst-case scenario, payment problems may force a company out of business in
The upcoming U.S. election isn’t just a simple domestic issue; it could have wide-ranging effects on world trade. Rules on international economic relations, particularly with large players like China and the EU, as well as key trading partners such as Australia, could be dictated by policy from Donald Trump or
Interested in expanding your business internationally and learning more about international modes of market entry? Pick up a copy of my latest book, Business Beyond Borders: Take Your Company Global. In my previous posts, I discussed two of the lower-risk strategies when it comes to international mode of market entry
Interested in expanding your business internationally and learning more about international modes of market entry? Pick up a copy of my latest book, Business Beyond Borders: Take Your Company Global. In my last blog on international modes of market entry, I talked about trading strategies, such as exports and ecommerce.
Interested in expanding your business internationally and learning more about international modes of market entry? Pick up a copy of my latest book, Business Beyond Borders: Take Your Company Global. If you’ve decided to expand your business internationally and chosen a market to enter, you’ll need to decide on a
Interested in expanding your business internationally and learning more about culture? Pick up a copy of my latest book, Business Beyond Borders: Take Your Company Global. As I mentioned in my post Bridging the Cultural Divide, culture has visible and invisible layers, just like an iceberg. The visible aspects of
When expanding internationally, the financial stability of your distributor is just as crucial as your own. An unstable distributor can jeopardize your global ambitions. Instead, aim for a partner who can elevate your business to new heights. This blog will show you why a financially viable distributor is beneficial and
Are you an Australian food manufacturer looking to expand your business internationally? There are almost endless opportunities for international expansion – the world loves Aussie food – but there are also plenty of hoops to jump through regarding government regulations that exporters must comply with. To help you, we’ve compiled
Today, we’re diving into the world of international markets and exploring how to build strong connections that lead to success. One key player in your international journey is finding a distributor with a solid network. Think of the ideal distributor as the bridge to your target market. They’ve got the
Are you seeking to expand your manufacturing or tech business into Southeast Asia? Look no further than Vietnam. With its dynamic and resilient economy, Vietnam offers unparalleled opportunities characterized by its robust manufacturing capabilities, a thriving tech sector, and a wealth of government incentives. Discover why you should consider Vietnam
Interested in expanding your business internationally and learning more about culture? Pick up a copy of my latest book, Business Beyond Borders: Take Your Company Global. I know from experience that one of the key challenges that companies – small and large – face when it comes to international expansion, is
Because ‘going global’ is such an involved process, doing competitor analysis is often overlooked. Myths abound in this space. CEOs say things like “we’re just going to focus on what we do and not get hung up on the competition” or “we’re just a small company, we don’t need to
International business isn’t usually a big vote-winner when it comes to Australian Federal elections and so measures to make life easier for businesses operating cross-border tend to get overlooked. So you might be surprised to learn that the 2024-25 Australian Budget introduces some significant measures to simplify trade, which will
If you’re a manufacturing or technology company eyeing expansion into Southeast Asia, Indonesia offers a wealth of promising opportunities. Here are four reasons why expanding into this vibrant market could be your next strategic move: 1. Manufacturing Prowess Indonesia stands as a manufacturing powerhouse, surpassing the UK, Russia, and Mexico
If you’re tapping into European markets, you’ve probably heard of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This game-changing regulation has been reshaping how companies handle data since it came into effect in May 2018. But what does GDPR really mean for your international marketing efforts? Let’s dive in and break
COVID-19 has created huge disruption in some industries and opened up massive opportunities in others. For many companies, there’s never been a better time to ‘go global’, but to do so, you need a tailored international marketing strategy…
In the post-COVID era, the need to diversify supply chains and reduce Australia’s reliance on offshore manufacturers, particularly those located in China, has been a hot topic. Specifically, much has been made of the need to reshore manufacturing to mitigate supply chain risks for Australian companies, and to arrest the
Imagine having a distributor who knows the local market inside and out, ensuring your product not only fits but thrives. Having a distributor who understands your target market is crucial for successful international expansion. They can significantly lower the risk of your product being rejected overseas by tailoring it to
Finding your international distributor is a little like getting married. It’s all about envisioning the future, navigating through uncertainties, and nurturing a relationship that promises growth and success. To put it simply, you have to think long-term. Much like finding “the one”, selecting the right distributor requires careful consideration, compatibility,
What’s happening in fashion? The trends of 2024 As we’re halfway through the year now, it’s a good time to reflect and acknowledge what’s going on in the world around us. The fashion industry is a big part of our daily lives and the global marketplace, with new trends emerging
Expanding overseas is an expensive task. Companies invest in logistics, lawyers, new marketing campaigns, sales strategies and the list continues. Having invested heavily, you do not want your market entry to fail. Yet, for three out of four overseas subsidiaries, failure is the reality. A core reason is that companies
Scaling your venture across multiple markets is still the most effective way of increasing its value… if you get it right. But if you’ve decided to “go global”, which markets should you sell to? Here’s four international market selection mistakes to avoid as you craft your international strategy.
Payroll plays one of the most crucial functions in your business. This department is in charge of calculating the salary, hours worked and additional costs accrued based on the relevant state or national regulations. They are a make or break factor for employees. An American study found that 49% of
Pricing Variables As you price your product, how much you charge depends on how much profit you need to make. If you want to set a price which lets you make money, you’ll need to capture all of your costs. This is critical to making any new product or market
Whether you’re selling in your domestic market or further afield, how you price is critical to how customers perceive value in your offering. Your overall strategy should be reflected in your pricing. In other words, price should not drive your product and service; the results you produce, the service you
There are a number of challenges when it comes to pricing your products for international markets. Companies making everything from air-fryers to software fail to consider how the quirks of the target international market will affect price – they just go with the same pricing strategy they use at home.
If you’re selling internationally you want to be making sales and making a profit, right? And while many businesses work hard to understand how to price correctly at home, most don’t put in the same amount of effort when it comes to international markets. That’s why an awful lot of
Wondering how to get your pricing right? Read on. There are a number of aspects and best practices that you should consider when pricing your products or services and that’s what this blog is about. Here are some of the best practices that you should review and apply to any
With the globe more interconnected than ever before, businesses can say goodbye to geographical boundaries – and hello to international expansion! Businesses are now looking to expand more quickly and smoothly, and are able to grow on a much larger scale. But where do you begin? How do you even
Ok, a quick disclaimer! I am a Man Utd fan – so not only as a fan, but also as a junior buyer, did I feel the pain of the 1996 grey kit fiasco. So this big question is, is history going to repeat itself? As we approach the start
The UK-Australia FTA Comes Into Force At midnight tonight on 31 May 2023, the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement will come into force, marking the beginning of a new chapter of economic collaboration and abundant opportunities for Australian and British businesses. The landmark agreement was described by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
“The economy doesn’t need us to be working five days a week any more. It was 100 years ago… but the economy has transformed since then.” (Joe Ryle, director of the 4 Day Week Campaign) Results released earlier last month from the UK four-day week trial show an overwhelmingly positive
The 2023 Government Work Report, released earlier this month of March 2023, has proposed to further “improve the social credit system”, bridging gaps in its implementation, the scope of data collected, and adjusting penalties for ‘good’ and ‘bad’ credit ratings. This may come with a higher risk of consequences for
With a growth rate of 20.6% in 2022, the southeastern Asian (SEA) region is forecast to see the fastest growing ecommerce retail growth in the world. Sales of Southeast Asia ecommerce companies are expected to reach $89.67 billion and to cross the $100 billion mark in 2023. There are more
With the Federal election out of the way, Covid on the wane and the war in Ukraine losing its shock value, the global supply chain crunch is the new hot topic. It’s hardly surprising. The cost of freight and logistics skyrocketed by an eye-watering 700% in 2020 and 2021. It
As a tumultuous year comes to a close, it’s time to take a look at how financial market movements have, and are indeed – affecting exporters. The Reserve Bank of Australia has steadily raised rates to 3.1% across the calendar year, in reaction to spiralling costs and inflation (7.3%). From
You have thought about what IP you have in your business, the different types of IP rights and about how you can use them to protect your assets as you expand your business overseas. Now, it’s time to get strategic and selective about what IP you are going to protect.
Whether you are setting-up shop in a new country, or just selling your stuff there, you will need a strategy for managing your intellectual property (IP) as you expand internationally. It can be a totally new concept or invention, an innovative design, a distinctive brand, or a combination of all
Who is in your international team is just as important as choosing the right market or the right distributor. The team is the vehicle that will deliver your global vision for you – these are the folks who are going to get stuff done. Pre-COVID19, there was a lot of
Interested in expanding your business internationally? Pick up a copy of my latest book, Business Beyond Borders: Take Your Company Global. Welcome to the ‘why’, ‘what’ and ‘how’ of the regulatory challenges that come up in an international expansion. Specific regulations vary from country to country and from industry to industry
Year end is the time of planning, parties and performance reviews… Whilst most companies tick all of those boxes for their staff internally, I’m not so sure whether the same can be said for their channel sales partners. If you are treating your channel partners as your sales team (as
Interested in expanding your business internationally? Pick up a copy of my latest book, Business Beyond Borders: Take Your Company Global. As I’ve discussed in my previous blogs on international logistics and export documentation, there’s a lot to make sure you get right when shipping products overseas. Follow this checklist
Interested in expanding your business internationally? Pick up a copy of my latest book, Business Beyond Borders: Take Your Company Global. Congratulations – you have made a sale to buyers overseas. Now, how do you get the goods to your new international customer efficiently, competitively, securely, and legally? It’s time to
Interested in expanding your business internationally? Pick up a copy of my latest book, Business Beyond Borders: Take Your Company Global. When sending goods overseas, you will need to complete a suite of ‘export documentation’ which will enable your goods to traverse international barriers and arrive safely at their destination. To
You’re a small, family-owned business that manufactures consumer goods. In the last couple of years, innovative new products you’ve created plus a global e-commerce boom have prompted you to start selling internationally. So far, you’ve dipped a toe into several international markets, using e-commerce marketplaces and it’s going well, particularly
Interested in expanding your business internationally and learning more about international modes of market entry? Pick up a copy of my latest book, Business Beyond Borders: Take Your Company Global. If you sell consumer products and you’re keen to launch into the international space, e-commerce is a great way to
If you’re new to ‘going global’, working with a local distributor can be a good way to enter an international market. Teaming up with a business that already has feet on the ground can bring huge gains. Whereas your business probably has specialist expertise in a particular field or technology,
As your business grows, you might be thinking about tapping into new regions or markets. While there’s a lot you can do remotely, you’re likely going to need a local team on the ground to realise your vision of building a global company. Along with recruiting local team members and
At my company, we spend our time helping other companies scale internationally, which means that we end up working with a lot of international teams. It doesn’t hurt that our own team has been international since 2016. We have people from Australia, the Philippines, the United States, India and Jamaica
If you’re thinking about expanding your fashion label internationally, 2021 might just be the year to do it. Despite the havoc wreaked by COVID19, e-commerce sales boomed over the last 18 months… which means that there’s never been a better time for style mavens to buy your brand, even if
More and more businesses are actively doing more globally, and in many ways, the borders for international trade may look easier to overcome now because we are doing more business virtually. However, when it comes to recruitment, and finding the right people – your ability and the speed at which
Interested in expanding your business internationally and learning more about targeting international clients? Pick up a copy of my latest book, Business Beyond Borders: Take Your Company Global. In previous posts, we talked about two key aspects of understanding your international ideal clients: market segmentation and market research. Now it’s
In my previous post, I talked about the four levels of market segmentation when it comes to international marketing, and how they can be applied in different contexts. Now let’s talk about your ideal client and how you can conduct market research to understand their needs and challenges better. Your
As your business expands overseas, you’ll want to build relationships with your ideal international clients. These are the prospects that are most in need of your services, who will get the most value from your offering. They are the most likely to buy from you, and most likely to generate
Manufacturing in Australia has had a long and proud history, but over the last 30 years the industry has stagnated. Aussie companies have been unable to compete with our neighbours on cost due to distance, higher wages and the price of energy. Governments and large corporate companies offshored manufacturing projects,
As I write this post, the COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping the global business landscape and the world as we know it. For many executives, just surviving is a fight to the death and expanding internationally is the last thing on their minds. But if you’re a business leader with big
As I wrote recently in Why Strategy is Key to Expanding Your Manufacturing Business Globally, there are plenty of opportunities for manufacturers to scale internationally in 2021, but it’s definitely not a risk-free exercise. There are some key things that you need to get right if you want your international
Manufacturing in Australia is on the upswing. Despite the chaos that COVID19 created in 2020, the sector is bouncing back, thanks to a combination of pent-up demand, reshoring bringing some production back home and robotics driving reductions in production cost. Many manufacturing companies – including our clients – are also
Key points PACER Plus is the prospective trade and economic agreement between Australia, New Zealand and the Forum Island countries. The provision of regular, reliable and competitive transport services is crucial for the Forum Island countries. Australia and New Zealand typically maintain policies of liberalisation when it comes to aviation
When it comes to investing in international business expansion these days there is often hesitation – you tread lightly and scour Bloomberg Market Data Feed for any indication of positive trends. As you search for the right overseas market to scale up your business or put down roots for your
Bribery and corruption aren’t words that are usually associated with doing business in Australia, but several high profile cases and an international report have recently brought the issue into focus again. The most notorious of these is the case of Russell Waugh, a former senior executive of infrastructure giant Leighton
Increasingly clients are asking for advice when contemplating doing business in China particularly given the recent, aggressive stance taken by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) towards Australia with what appears to be the weaponising of economic relations. Then you have the experience of Jack Ma who clearly sailed too close
Companies encounter a bunch of challenges when it comes to marketing in other countries. Marketing departments often don’t know much about the business and cultural context of the international audiences they are trying to reach. Sometimes they are also unsure about what kind of marketing they should be doing, so
This week, I’ve been reading a great book by Stephen M.R. Covey (son of the author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) called The Speed of Trust, and this has prompted me to think about the importance of trust in international business. Too often, trust in international business is low. This
When it comes to selling internationally, big mistakes are often made around product-market fit. When companies are intimately acquainted with the desires and expectations of their domestic customers, they sometimes get complacent. When the time comes to expand to new markets overseas, companies think they can replicate what they’ve done at home overseas and get the same result. But this just isn’t the case, as a bunch of companies have learnt the hard way.
“Because of the political, social and economic volatility that rocked the world in 2020, international market selection is more important than ever. So how do you get it right?
In a word, “research”. Choosing the right market isn’t rocket science. It takes some time and effort, but if you do your homework you’ll know that you’ve made the right decision when the time to choose comes. Here’s why.”
In my previous posts on market selection, I’ve talked about some of the common pitfalls to avoid as you embark on the international market selection process, as well as four questions to help you get started. Once you have narrowed down your list of potential target markets, it’s time to
In this series on choosing the right international market in 2021, the year of volatility, we’ve looked at common pitfalls, questions to ask, and barriers to entry. In this blog, I want to run you through the final considerations that you need to take into account before you go ahead
If you’re new to ‘going global’, working with a local partner can be a good way to get started. Teaming up with a business that already has feet on the ground can bring huge gains. Whereas your business probably has specialist expertise in a particular field or technology, your partner
I’m thinking of selling my product overseas. What level of due diligence should I do to make sure the product is suitable for the local market? This is a question that came across my desk recently and it’s a great one, because there’s an almost endless amount of market research
The COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping the global business landscape and the world as we know it. For many executives, just surviving is a fight to the death and expanding internationally is the last thing on their minds. But if you’re a business leader with big dreams, you still need an
It’s here. The global pandemic has arrived and my inbox is filled with updates about new health measures, cancelled events, and people working from home. COVID-19 has us panicked. Many people are frightened of catching the virus or losing someone close to them as a result of it. Doctors are
I’ve spent a lot of time this week checking in on my clients and colleagues – hours spent in Zoom and on phone calls. Pretty much all anyone can talk about is COVID-19 and what it’s likely to mean for their company. Naturally, the news isn’t great, and whatever you
COVID-19 shook the world during 2020, and local and global economies took a major blow. Bilateral relationships – including the Australia-China and US-China partnerships – rode the rollercoaster, highlighting the impact of international politics on foreign investment. If you have been considering investing or establishing businesses in new markets –
The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) World Economic Outlook was published in October 2019 and, as usual, provides a valuable back drop to international business investment decisions. One of the key observations discussed in that report is not that the emerging markets are making the most significant contribution to global growth
I’m forming a view that there are three general strategy ‘domains’ that need to be thought about when dealing with China. These are interconnected and not unique to China but they demonstrate different facets to foreign interaction with the country. I call these the Economic Domain, the Nationalist Domain and
I’ve been in China to visit the 6th World Internet Conference and Exhibition (WIC) that was held at the purpose build exhibition centre in Wuzhen, Zhejiang Province. The focus this year is on AI, Internet of Things, and Cyber security. This latter topic is a hot one in the West
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Dearin & Associates is an international strategy consulting firm that advises companies on international expansion, market research and modelling, cross-cultural training and strategic business connections.
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