Globalization in the workplace is about more than just sharing different cultures. This business movement is a way to help open up your products and services to an entirely new world of consumers. Embracing globalization can help your company reach even richer levels of success.
Here are 10 ways to promote globalization or help you get started on this journey with your organization:
1. Travel More.
Your company’s philosophy regarding globalization starts with you. You can set the tone and learn more about what your goals may be regarding the new global view of business simply by traveling more. Focus on international travel to get more access to unique opportunities related to a global marketplace.
2. Recruit Diverse People.
Then, you need to look at your staff and your hiring policies. If you want to take advantage of the wealth of opportunity that globalization offers, you’ll need to recruit a more diverse staff. Aim to include a wide variety of different types of people in your company to get access to a whole new way of thinking. Find hidden talent within your community, or reach out beyond your borders to recruit potential candidates.
3. Encourage Cultural Sensitivity.
A company that uses globalization effectively must also be aware of cultural sensitivity. If you’re planning to market to different customers from around the world, encourage your workplace to embrace diversity and understand everyone’s differences. This type of understanding can be learned with effective professional development opportunities you offer to your employees.
4. Optimize Your Website.
Most companies that have gone global have a website that is optimized for an international audience. Look at your online presence, and determine your website needs to help push your company into being more visible to different international communities. You may need to give your website an upgrade, so users can select the version of your site that fits their region.
5. Widen Your Reach.
Then, it’s time to focus on where you want to go with your products and services and who you want to reach. To promote to specific individual international communities, look to social media. There are many other types of social media channels beyond the typical ones used in North America, like Facebook and Twitter. Find out what social media services are influential in your specific region.
6. Target Specific Niche Markets.
At first, focus on a few specific niche markets around the globe to see how your offerings will fare. Spend time getting familiar with the language, the customs, and the issues in this region to help market your products and services in the best way. Eventually, your hard work will pay off, and you’ll be able to continue to slowly expand your capabilities.
7. Offer Multilingual Content.
Quality international information on your website also needs to be available in more languages than just English. Make your site easily switch to different popular languages in your target audience’s home country. Invest in creating a true content set in different languages rather than doing a simple Google translate. This way each site visitor gets an accurate version of your content that’s not lost in translation.
8. Incorporate More Convenience.
To keep your international customers satisfied, you’ll also need to incorporate more convenience into your customer service. You may need phone operators that work all throughout the different business hours in various time zones. Have information about your pricing in different currencies to give users an idea of the true cost. Use online document services for easy remote contract signing, like those from DocuSign, whose chairman Keith Krach values the idea of globalization in business.
9. Advertise to the World.
Your advertisements must also be customized to each area you intend to do business in. Cultural differences make a one-size-fits-all approach not really appropriate. Figure out your brand’s message, and make adjustments when deciding on new promotional campaigns around the world. You may need to recruit experts in each target market region to ensure your advertising message accomplishes what you want it to. Certain things like colors, gestures, wording, and translation could be perceived in a different way around the world.
10. Learn More About Each Culture.
Most of all, a company that has embraced the global business trend realizes the importance of learning about each culture. Staying ignorant of who you’re really working for is the quickest way to failure. Through research and visits to each target market’s geographical location, you’ll be able to develop a stronger understanding about the people and their world. This understanding could translate to higher profits and more success in your business.
The unique opportunities that technology has given many businesses today allow for an easier transition to a global view. Instead of limiting your services to those in a small region of North America, globalization allows companies to reach significantly more people and make even more revenue. Mastering this concept is essential before attempting to start your global campaign.
