Global expansion
Globalisation has made the global supply chain as efficient as ever. So you might wonder: why would you need an actual presence in America at all?

Here are some of the key reasons why.

Why a local US presence matters.

Time zone

Selling into the USA means being available to customers, suppliers, partners and other stakeholders to build trust and operate efficiently. Doing this over the phone is hard because of the time difference. A local presence lets you match your clients’ working hours for a much more seamless exchange of value.

Perception

A local US office signals that you are a global company taking its American expansion seriously, not a fly-by-night operation. It builds credibility and trust with American customers and improves your prospects across the country.

Local context

In an unfamiliar market it is easy to miss the cultural and economic context at play, and your offering may not fit what is needed. With feet on the ground you learn about the people you sell to, and can craft a far more compelling and viable proposition.

Opportunism

A local presence helps you spot extra opportunities, from what is around you and, more importantly, what is not. That can lead to new product ideas more lucrative than what you do today. It is about creating idea factories that keep you innovating.

These are just a few of the things that make a local US presence so powerful for Indian companies looking to expand. However, doing it can be expensive and challenging if you go about it the wrong way.

Mistakes companies make when expanding to the USA.

In our experience, these are the most common mistakes when opening in the USA:

  1. Significant upfront expenditureSome organisations invest too much, too early, before checking product-market fit. They sign an expensive lease and buy assets upfront. There is little wiggle room, and if you can’t make inroads quickly you can end up in a difficult spot.
  2. Lack of market researchThe USA is big and more diverse than many realise. You must research where to be, how to enter, and which offering to lead with. Companies that skip this often find their assumptions were wrong and quickly fall behind.
  3. Forgoing a premium addressSome companies know they need an American address for credibility, but stop there. They choose a cheap location and find the address doesn’t carry the standing they hoped for, so they don’t get the return on the investment.

Don’t do it alone.

These three mistakes come from trying to do it yourself without the context and experience needed to do it well.

It makes far more sense to partner with someone who has done it before and can ease the path ahead of you.

Planning to expand into the USA?

Tell us about your business and your plans. We’ll help you set up the right way.

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