There’s never been a better time to explore taking your business global. Between 2016 and 2024, the value of UK exports soared from £575.6 billion to £873.5 billion, which shows there’s loads of opportunity out there for growing businesses.
At last month’s International Growth Explorer workshop, specialists Ishan Dutta and Edy W. Heng shared insight into how businesses can begin their expansion journey.
Here’s a quick look at some of the key topics we explored in the last workshop:
Why Go Global? Expanding internationally helps businesses survive, grow, and scale faster. It exposes you to new markets, ideas, and ways to sharpen your competitive edge.
Where Should You Start? Choosing the right market involves considering proximity, cultural fit, and existing demand. Tools like GA4 can help you spot interest from abroad.
What Should You Offer? Start with what you’re best known for, the products your customers already love. These are the ones most likely to connect with people overseas, too. Keeping things focused helps you shape clear messaging, target the right audience, and build your plan around a smaller, stronger range.
The International Canvas: This roadmap for global growth helps you refine your value proposition, assess your UK strengths, and match them to overseas market opportunities.
Before you enter new markets, walk through these four key steps:
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Know Your Value – What do you offer, who needs it, and why?
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Test It at Home – How does your product succeed in the UK, and what strengths help it stand out?
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Spot Global Potential – Where abroad might your product succeed, and what local demand aligns with your UK success?
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Plan to Expand – Which international customer segments match your ideal UK customer, and how will you reach them?
Once you've worked through the steps, you'll be clearer on what to say, who to target, and how to reach them. Take a moment to spot any gaps in your plan, then you're ready to identify your overseas customers and tailor your approach.
To help bring our International Growth Workshops to life, hear from a few businesses who joined us at our June session:
“I took a lot away from the workshop and it has given me some key focus areas to help develop my strategy and set realistic timeframes for my business to trade internationally. I do look forward to more insightful workshops to support my business growth.”
Melanie Fazackerley, Founder, Dimensions H & S Ltd
“I wanted to share my thanks at the event the Business Growth Hub put on a couple of weeks ago. The insights from Ishan were fantastic. To hear his experience when he has had so much success in that field is great.”
Myles Grant-Smith, Managing Director, All in One Nigeria
Want to access support from the Hub?
If you missed this International Growth Explorer workshop, you’ll be pleased to know that you can reserve your place here for the next in-person workshops and our webinar.
In-person Workshop: 9th September: GM Business Growth Hub | International Growth Explorer
In-person Workshop: 17th September: GM Business Growth Hub | International Growth Explorer
Before then you can join our webinar on 22nd July: GM Business Growth Hub | Introduction to Exporting This will give you a flavour of what to expect from our in-person Workshop taking place in September.
If you prefer more tailored advice, reach out to one of our International Trade experts today. International Growth | GM Business Growth Hub
Get in touch
Please contact us at 0161 3593050 or query below.
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