Technology has made the world smaller than ever before, and many business owners are exploring their options around expanding their offerings to other countries. If you’re considering bringing your brand’s offerings to Australia, there’s much to think about. Before that ‘open’ sign goes up, consider doing some of the following things:
Expanding Virtually
If you offer a range of digital services, Melbourne-based virtual offices may be the ideal way to welcome onboard new Australian team members and customers. Instead of going through the costly process of opening a physical location, you can purchase a virtual office package that comes with a prime Australian business address, mail and parcel forwarding, reception services, and more. You can be based anywhere in the world, and your Australian customers don’t have to know that you’re not in their home country.
Seek Legal Help
You might assume that starting a business in another country is the same process as launching one in your own country, but that’s not always the case. Australia might have different requirements than the United States, for example.
Contact a business or corporate lawyer for assistance to ensure you’re following all required processes. They can guide you through the various business structures, such as sole trader, partnership, trust, and company, and ensure you’re aware of their multiple responsibilities, such as tax, costs, and asset protection. Australian laws are complex, so a local business lawyer will be an indispensable ally as you expand into this region.
Conduct Market Research
Your products and services might be in hot demand in your home country, but that doesn’t mean they’ll have the same success in another country like Australia. Before you expand into this beautiful part of the world, ensure you’ve looked at market developments, trends, and forecasts, to be entirely sure of your decision. You should also put together marketing strategies and research your competition to determine what you’ll be up against if you decide to take your business global.
Consider Community Groups and Politics
Expanding your business into Australia won’t necessarily be as straightforward as ensuring you’ve ticked all legal boxes. Depending on your line of work, you might also need to consult with community groups, such as environmental and indigenous communities.
While they might not always have legal standing in whether you expand or not, they can significantly impact whether or not your business is a success in a new country.
Research the Culture
Every state, region, and the country has its own culture, and the culture in your home country might differ significantly from the culture in Australia. Before you start working in a customer-facing business in Australia, take the time to learn about how Australians operate to ensure you can provide exceptional customer service.
For example, as laid back as Australians seem, they value firm handshakes, trustworthiness, and promptness in business interactions.
Comply with Australian Legislation
When the time comes to open your doors for the first time in a new country, ensure you’ve met all your legislative requirements. For example, if you have Australian employees, you’ll need to comply with the Australian Employment Fair Work Act 2009, which outlines the minimum employment conditions.
You’ll also need to look into workers’ compensation insurance and comply with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 to protect the health and safety of your employees and customers. Thankfully, your business lawyer will be able to help you cover these and other requirements.
Expanding your business into another country can be daunting, especially if you’ve never considered international work before. However, if you take the actions above, you should be well prepared for your new business venture.