International Business Development Strategy
I came across quite a few questions lately on the subject of defining “International Business”. Here are some of the questions and my thoughts on how to find the best answers for your business.
What Is International Business?
Dealing with so many different cultures and with extensive field experience, I tend to apply the simplest of definitions:
International business =
Business transactions crossing national borders at any stage of the transaction.
But then very often other questions crop up.
When I Export Products Do I Have An International Business?
There are distinctions to be made between:
- A company that sells their domestic products to different countries through export/import agents, and
- A company that knows how to adapt its marketing, sales, products and business strategies to sell to clients in different countries
A company with in-house international expertise across all business activities has an international business without a doubt.
Some people would say that a company, where a third party international sales agent takes care of all aspects of the international sale, is not an international business.
There are of course companies at varying stages between these two scenarios. And companies often progress through these different stages as they develop their international business.
There is no real “yes” or “no” answer here. It depends what definition you give to “international business”. But you do need to decide how you want to define an international business, and no matter which one you use you should also convey this definition to others when speaking about it.
What Is International Business Versus Global Business?
To answer this question it really depends which hat I decide to put on.
If we are going to discuss the theory of international business, there are some fine differences. But this is not a university and I do have over 25 years field experience in international business.
Here is my current reality: In conversations across cultures the terms “international business” and “global business” refer to the same thing.
The question of different meanings for these terms has its place in classrooms and also for in-depth strategy sessions.
Today, if you are in the field, academic definitions of “international business” are not easy to translate into cross-cultural reality of business. The boundaries of definitions become fuzzy and inadequate.
Remember, both “international business” and “global business” mean that you have to adapt your business to the outside world. Herein lies the true meaning of international business for me.
- You need to learn how to adapt your business to your markets in different cultures
Successful international businesses or global businesses seem to become free of their own national boundaries. They simply become very competent at navigating through the whole world market.
The Differentiating Factor: An International Mindset
When determining whether a business is international or not, and when comparing how one business could be “more international” than another, perhaps the best thing is to look at the company’s mindset:
- How real are your international client relationships? Do you connect with your international clients?
- Is your “international business” only about your company? Or do you make an effort to understand your international client?
- What do you do to adapt your business to your international markets?
International business has more to do with a mindset than a box to fit your world inside, and the answer to these questions will give you a company’s real international business value.
More On International Business Development Strategy:
- 5 Actions To Start Developing Your International Markets
- Action Strategy For International Business Development
- Aligning Your Questions To Build Your International Business
- Are People In Small Countries Better International Business Developers?
- Are You Outsourcing Too Much?
- Define International Business
- Global Or International Business?
- Is The Expense Of Foreign Travel Stopping You From Getting International Clients?
- Market Research For International Business Development
- New International Business Development Phase Today With The Right Marketing Mix
- Online Success? Study Traditional Paths To International Business Development For More
- Plans With Adaptability, Flexibility And Agility
- Small Businesses Need To Take Action To Uncover International Business Opportunities
- When Discrimination Is Useful In International Business
More In These Get International Clients Business Guides:
- Discover Your International Business
- Plan Your International Sales Road Map
- International Market Research
- International Web Visibility
- Connect With Your International Markets
 | Want to learn how to avoid cultural blunders? Subscribe to this blog feed. Need to turbo charge your cultural skills? Get my short cross-cultural communication tips. Ready for serious international marketing? Skype me or email me & let's grow your business. |
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I want to get an International business and management books.
Hi Siro,
I cannot recommend any one book. There are just too many. A search on Amazon will help you find the best one that interests you.
i want to get an international business communication program in place. Your site will help.
thank you jai. It is fun – learning to use flexibility in your communication program.
i really agree with, there is no any difinition of the international business.
we can define , we should have a idea that how i suit a definition about that .
so i really appriacate with u.
Hi Vikash, thanks for commenting. Businesses often approach me to help them, and they don’t realize their definitions of international business are different from mine… A common problem is that they think I can help them open shop in another country, but I’m not actually in the business of exporting goods. I help people get their marketing communication and sales strategies right to make international business possible.