To compete effectively overseas, your company needs to consider its international speed to market. The speed by which you establish a presence in your new region can be game-changing for your overall success.
If you’re able to get in-country quickly and efficiently with a solid team, you're much better positioned to compete and gain new customers.
What Is Speed to Market?
Speed to market, or STM, refers to the speed by which you’re able to establish your business presence through your product or service. Speed to market is considered an effective strategy and marker of success.
What Is Time to Market?
Time to market, or TTM, is the time it takes from a product's inception to its readiness to launch. This term is synonymous with speed to market, and they are often used interchangeably.
Benefits of Increasing International Speed to Market
There are a number of benefits associated with international speed to market, including innovation, competitive advantage, and experiential learning. Let’s explore a few of these advantages in more detail.
Promote Competitive Advantage
By entering a new market quickly and efficiently, your company is in a better position to gain a competitive advantage. Many firms choose to expand globally to test their product or service with a fresh, new consumer base.
In addition, it’s common that your new customers may be experiencing your product or service for the first time, depending on the category or industry you serve and country you choose to enter.
When you enter the market at a rapid rate, you can attract a larger customer base. As a result, you can establish loyalty before your competitors. This will pay off in long-term gains as new companies enter the market.
Create a Positive Reputation
When your company quickly enters a new country, you’ll have more time to partner with local experts and build your reputation in the marketplace. Plus, if you’re late to the game, your company may start to lose credibility.
Decreased international speed to market may cause your company to develop a reputation for being a follower rather than an industry leader.
Establish Market Domination
Within a global marketplace, obtaining complete domination in your industry can be a struggle. For example, Shanghai Jahwa in China has managed to successfully defend their home turf against such multinationals as Compaq and Unilever.
Instead of accepting defeat, multinational organizations like yours can learn from these examples of companies in emerging markets. This allows your team to gain insight into your own strategic options.
Be sure to visit your target country and assess the competitive landscape before committing to the market. Determine if there’s a need for your product or service and if you have tough competition that is already well established.
After a thorough assessment, you can make a decision based on your likelihood of success with the current competitive landscape.
How to Increase International Speed to Market
Now that you understand the benefits and importance of increasing your international speed to market, it’s time to learn how you can establish a legal presence in your target country—fast.
We highly suggest avoiding a permanent subsidiary, which consists of high costs and lengthy lead times. Instead, use an agile global expansion solution such an employer of record (EOR).
An EOR allows companies to enter a desired international market quickly and easily—without the need for entity establishment. An EOR partner handles risk mitigation, compliance, employee onboarding, payroll, benefits, and ongoing HR support for your global workforce.
Learn more: What Is an Employer of Record (EOR)?
Enter New Markets With Speed and Compliance
Ready to rise above the complexities of entering new markets? Download our free guide to learn how an EOR helps you quickly and compliantly expand your business to new markets and hire top talent across borders.
Or contact us today to learn how Velocity Global helps global organizations increase speed to market in more than 185 countries.
