If you’ve built a successful business and are ready to go global, working with international partners can be one of the best ways to get started in foreign markets. Overseas partnerships allow you to work with businesses and organizations that are familiar with your target markets and can save you a lot of time and money when it comes to setting up your new business ventures.
Choosing the right partner for an overseas expansion
Choosing the right overseas business partnership is one of the most important business decisions you can make, but don’t worry, we can help! Here are three of our top tips for finding overseas partners. Pick the ones that most appeal to you and get started today.
1. Work with government agencies in your local market and the foreign markets you’re targeting
Government agencies are an excellent source of information and connections when looking for overseas partnerships. Businesses can approach the national departments responsible for trade and ask for information and resources to get access to business directories, funding opportunities, national financial institutions and other resources in international markets. These connections will help you understand the requirements of these markets.
Government agencies also organize trade missions that bring government officials and business leaders together for intensive sessions. Join a trade mission to get in the same room with people who know the local market and meet some potential international business partners.
2. Get to know business and trade associations in your local market and the international markets you’re targeting
Business and trade associations are an invaluable resource when searching for the right overseas partners. Look into chambers of commerce and industry-specific business associations to find the people most likely to be interested in working with your business and bringing it into foreign markets.
Trade associations host trade shows that can be an excellent place to meet potential partners and business advisors for your overseas ambitions and get access to opportunities you may otherwise miss. Attendance at trade shows guarantees that you’ll come face to face with local business leaders who can also help you make connections and familiarize yourself with local business practices.
Don’t miss these networking opportunities when searching for potential foreign partners and business contacts
3. Connect with potential partners in foreign markets with an international business networking platforms such as B2BeeMatch
B2BeeMatch is the perfect place to start your search for foreign partners in new markets. As a growing international business networking platform for B2B companies, B2BeeMatch generates leads and allows businesses to connect with each other based on the services each party is seeking or offering (or both!). You can filter your results by target country and soon you could be in touch with vetted B2B firms that are looking for what you have to offer.
Our growing international business networking platform is great for generating leads based on the type of service offered to find what you’re looking for within a wide range of service offerings. Our platform can also help you find businesses with specific certifications, commitments to diversity, meaningful corporate social responsibility and more!
Explore your options—overseas partnerships are closer than you think
All three of these options are rich sources of finding foreign partners both in person and online. Identifying new contacts and potential partners is an important task in international expansion and certainly not something to be rushed. While independent research and connections can help point you in the right direction, it’s ultimately up to you as a business owner to make the call as to whether a particular partnership is right for you. Do your homework, weigh your options, then go with your gut! Once you’ve identified a potential international business partner and formalized the relationship, you’ll be well on your way to opportunities for growth in new countries.
If you are a business owner and you’re looking for B2B services, simply register your company with B2BeeMatch to connect with the service providers you need.
B2BeeMatch is an international business networking platform where businesses and professional service providers from around the world connect and network with each other. Join B2BeeMatch today and start expanding your business with our growing international business networking community.
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