Strategies for Competing in Global Markets

Don't Fret About the Tariffs — Here's How We Beat China After 35 years competing with Chinese companies globally, I've never lost to them—not because their products are poor (Chinese quality has improved dramatically in 2025), but because I know how to outmaneuver them. And so can you. Most Chinese companies at trade shows just set up a sign and wait. They're often eating lunch and scrolling phones while real business happens around them. To win, be proactive and leverage your selling skills. Here are my battle-tested strategies for outcompeting Chinese sellers globally: 1.⁠ ⁠Emphasize Quality and Innovation: Build products exceeding international standards. Quality and innovation are your best differentiators. 2.⁠ ⁠Build a Strong Brand Story: Sell your story, not just a product. Customers value authenticity and compelling narratives. 3.⁠ ⁠Be Proactive at Trade Shows: Engage attendees, demonstrate value, and build relationships while competitors remain passive. 4.⁠ ⁠Prioritize Customer Service: Offer responsive, personalized service that builds loyalty and trust. 5.⁠ ⁠Target Niche Markets: Focus where you can offer unique value that can't be easily replicated. 6.⁠ ⁠Invest in R&D: Stay ahead through continuous improvement and anticipate market needs. 7.⁠ ⁠Build Supply Chain Resilience: Diversify to maintain consistent quality and delivery times. 8.⁠ ⁠Protect Your Intellectual Property: Register IP in every market and monitor for infringements. 9.⁠ ⁠Adapt to Local Preferences: Localize your products and marketing for each target market. 10.⁠ ⁠Price for Value, Not Just Cost: Compete on overall value by offering better quality, service, and brand experience. Don't play their game—play yours. Focus on your strengths, double down on quality and customer relationships, and never stop learning. For more international selling tips, check out my book and YouTube channel. #tariffs #china #trade #growglobal #internationalsales

Going Global: 10 Questions to Ask Before Expanding Your Business Expanding internationally is an important lever for value creation, but it’s also a complex challenge. Here are 10 questions to consider as you prepare for global expansion: 1️⃣ Is your business ready for international growth? Global expansion demands significant resources—financial, operational, and human. Are your current operations stable & efficient? 2️⃣ Will your product resonate in the new market? Understanding cultural nuances is essential. Does your product align with local tastes, preferences & traditions? What adaptations are needed? 3️⃣ Have you conducted thorough market research? Do you know the demographics, purchasing habits, and behaviors of your consumer? If your product is unfamiliar to them, are you prepared to invest in educating consumers about its value? 4️⃣ Who are the competitors in the market? What sets your product apart? How saturated is the market? What is their customer experience like? 5️⃣ Do you have the team to support your expansion? Whether it’s hiring local talent, creating a JV or selecting a distributor, you need people who understand the language, culture, and business environment (esp. pricing, regulatory, shipping etc.)—and who can work seamlessly with you. 6️⃣ What are your KPIs for success? Is it revenue growth, market penetration, or customer acquisition? When will it be time to establish regional teams? 7️⃣ Which market should you enter first? What criteria makes a market the right choice for your business? Then select a "beta" market to test your strategy before scaling further. 8️⃣ What challenges might you face? Are you prepared for potential legal, cultural, or economic hurdles? From labor laws to tax structures and trademark issues, every country has unique complexities you’ll need to navigate. 9️⃣ How will you balance your U.S. & international business mix? What percentage of your revenue should come from the U.S. vs. global markets? Diversifying across regions can reduce risk, smooth out seasonal demand cycles & position your business for long-term resilience. 🔟 Have you thought about adaptation - so beyond translation? Localization is about more than just language. How might colors, images, scents, or icons be perceived in your new market? A well-adapted product or service creates a seamless experience for consumers. Plan & Execute Thoughtfully International expansion is more than just a growth strategy—it’s a transformation. You’ll need a detailed business plan, financial projections, marketing strategies & a realistic timeline. Even if you start small, the insights you gain from your first market will set the stage for bigger moves down the road. Every time I travel, I’m reminded of the creativity & care businesses put into adapting globally. It’s one of the most fascinating stages in a company’s journey. What’s been your experience with going global? 🌍 #valuecreation #globalexpansion

Recently, I had the opportunity to share my learnings and insights from "Launching Products Globally" with an amazing audience at Plug and Play Tech Center with the presence of global audience including entrepreneurs from HKSTP - Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation. Here are a few learnings and insights from the evening: 1) You need to "localize" your product & go-to-market strategy: This doesn't only mean just translating or localizing your product. It's a lot more than that. You need to localize your "go-to-market" motion as well. You may have product-market-fit (PMF) locally, in the first country/region you launched, but that doesn't mean you can take the same product and go-to-market strategy to launch in a new country/region. As an example at Fitbit, we learned how the French think about fitness (they count walking to a restaurant to get a glass of wine as their "fitness") is very different than how Americans define workout and fitness. So all our marketing and go-to-market strategies had to align with the way locals will see benefits in our products. 2) Having boots on the ground is essential for successful global expansion: You need to have boots on the ground who truly understand the nuances of how to go-to-market, how to sell, and how to deliver your value proposition to customers in different regions. There are a lot of nuances of how to do business locally that will take outsiders to any market a long time to learn. At Cleo, where we had global customers like Salesforce, Redbull, Pepsi, and Uber, we had to have local health Guides to deliver our services with an intimate understanding of customers needs and approaches in that region. 3) Understanding local, cultural, and social aspects is critical to a global expansion success: Even though at the surface things may seem similar in each region, there are a lot of nuances that make your go-to-market strategy and the way you deliver your services resonate with the local customers or not. At Teladoc, we've learned that people in different countries think about their mental health and how to get support for that "very differently" than each other. Huge thank you to my hosts Rahim Amidi, Dr. Yahya Tabesh, Amir Amidi, Ahmadreza Masrour, and Akvile Gustaite, and HKSTP leaders, Albert Wong & Pheona Kan, who are interested in continuing these conversations. It was awesome to meet great entrepreneurs and see old friends: Reza Moghtaderi Esfahani, Daniel Lo, Houman Homayoun, Wayne Chang, Golnaz (Naz) Moeini. #product #gotomarket #globallaunch #globalbusiness

Decoding Market Entry: How Startups Can Conquer New Markets 🌍 Hi everyone! Ankita here, diving into an exciting yet challenging phase for any startup—entering a new market. Whether it’s expanding to a different city, country, or even industry, breaking into untapped regions requires strategy, research, and execution. Let’s explore how startups can navigate this journey successfully. Why Market Entry Is a Game-Changer Expanding into new markets can unlock tremendous growth, diversify revenue streams, and boost your brand’s visibility. But the key lies in doing it right. Here’s a step-by-step guide for startups looking to make an impact: 🌟 Research, Research, Research Understanding the new market is the foundation of success. Study customer behavior, competitors, and cultural nuances to tailor your approach. Tip: Leverage local insights by partnering with agencies, conducting surveys, or collaborating with local experts. 🌟 Validate Your Product-Market Fit What works in one market might not work in another. Test and adapt your offerings to meet the unique needs of the new audience. Tip: Start with pilot projects to gather feedback before scaling. 🌟 Build Local Partnerships Partnering with local businesses can help you navigate regulatory challenges, gain credibility, and access existing networks. Tip: Look for mission-aligned partners who share your vision and can accelerate your market entry. 🌟 Localise Your Marketing Strategy Your messaging should resonate with the local audience. Consider language, culture, and regional trends when crafting your campaigns. Tip: Use localized content and platforms that your target market engages with the most. 🌟 Understand Legal and Regulatory Landscapes Every region comes with its own set of rules. Compliance is non-negotiable and can save you from costly pitfalls. Tip: Consult with local legal advisors to navigate taxes, permits, and other regulations seamlessly. 🌟 Focus on Building a Local Team A local team understands the market better and can help you connect authentically with customers and stakeholders. Tip: Hire people who embody your startup’s values but bring local expertise to the table. 🌟 Measure and Iterate Success in new markets isn’t guaranteed overnight. Continuously track your progress, learn from mistakes, and refine your strategies. Tip: Use KPIs like customer acquisition cost, churn rate, and revenue growth to assess your performance. 🌟Stepping into the Unknown with Confidence Entering a new market is a bold move, but it’s also an opportunity to redefine your growth trajectory. With the right planning and execution, startups can not just enter but thrive in untapped regions. 💬 What strategies have worked for you when entering new markets? Let’s exchange ideas and help each other conquer new frontiers! #StartupExpansion #DecodingMarketEntry #GoGlobal #StartupStrategy #GrowthHacks

Navigating the US and EU markets requires understanding key differences in consumer behavior, regulatory environments, and cultural nuances. In the US, businesses prioritize speed and convenience, while the EU demands tailored strategies for diverse preferences. Regulatory landscapes and digital transformation rates also differ significantly. In the US, consumer behavior is fast-paced and convenience-oriented, leading businesses to prioritize speed and efficiency. In the EU, preferences vary significantly by country, requiring tailored strategies. The US has a streamlined regulatory process, making it quicker to bring products to market, though sometimes with less stringent checks. The EU has stricter regulations that vary by country, ensuring higher consumer protection but adding complexity. Digital transformation varies too. The US leads in rapid tech adoption, driving innovation. In the EU, the pace varies, requiring agile digital strategies. Cultural nuances are also crucial. In the US, individualism and direct communication are valued, while the EU emphasizes relationships and indirect communication, making trust and long-term relationships essential. To navigate these markets, conduct thorough market research, work with regional experts, and be digitally agile. #MarketInsights #GlobalBusiness #USvsEU #Strategy #LSInternational