Finland is an excellent country to start a business, but it is a limited place to grow it. A company's growth can easily stall if its operations are tied to a single market. Internationalization opens up a whole new scale: larger markets, a broader customer base, and the opportunity to build a more stable, long-term business. 🌏
In practice, internationalization means moving beyond the borders of your home country, but there is always one underlying question: why? There are many reasons, and they are related to business growth, risks, competitiveness, and the company's own development.
If a company is successful in Finland, it is likely that there will also be demand for its products or services elsewhere. Foreign markets bring a new dimension, as the number of potential customers is many times greater. For example, Europe and the United States have dozens of times more purchasing power than Finland, and in many countries, Finnish quality is considered premium, which allows for better pricing and higher margins.
Internationalization can also even out seasonal fluctuations and bring sales throughout the year. At the same time, the company can diversify its risk: if one market slumps, others will keep the machine running.
Operating only in the domestic market exposes a company to individual economic cycles and the actions of competitors. Internationalization reduces dependence on a single economy and makes business operations more stable. Many European companies survived the recession thanks to exports—foreign markets provided buffers that the domestic market alone could not provide.
At the same time, the company also grows in terms of its own expertise. New markets challenge companies to develop their products, marketing, and customer understanding. International competition forces companies to refine their strategy and hone their services so that they also work in demanding markets. This is a learning process that has a positive impact on the entire organization.
When a company operates in several countries, it can centralize production, streamline processes, and utilize the same models in multiple markets. If a company has a strong competitive advantage, such as a unique service, technology, or patented solution, its impact is multiplied in international markets. Expertise built in Finland can be widely disseminated without having to reinvent the wheel at every step.
A company does not always expand solely in pursuit of opportunities. If competitors enter new markets, it is often worth following suit. A competitor's lead can grow quickly if it is allowed to gain a foothold on its own. Sometimes it is a matter of strategic counterattack: go where your competitors go to keep the playing field level.
We see every day how much potential Finnish companies have when they dare to look beyond their domestic market. Internationalization is not a shot in the dark, but a systematic process that begins with strategy and continues through market research, financing, and practical measures until the company is established in the market.
At Wannado's internationalization services, we help companies build a roadmap that is tailored to their specific situation. We know the pitfalls, applications, financing instruments, local partners, and practical ways to actually enter the market.
We offer free sparring, where we assess your company's capabilities, potential target markets, and next steps.
👉 Book your own sparring session and let's talk more!
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