The classic advice for stock market investors is “buy low- sell high”. This seems simple enough, and yet many people panic at the first sign of a downturn and do just the opposite. The same holds true in international business expansion. Many young businesses new to international markets panic and pull their operations when economic or political uncertainty surfaces in a market. So what’s an entrepreneur to do?

#1 – Don’t Panic

When the Arab Spring took people by surprise, smart entrepreneurs entrenched rather than pull out. Today, Egypt is back to business as usual. Industry and consumers will remember who packed up and closed their operations, laying off employees when they needed support the most. Sure, you should scale back, but don’t close your in-country operations.

#2 – The Shoe is on the Other Foot

Here in the Western developed countries, we are used to being politically and economically stable. But now there are countries in Latin America and Asia who can claim much more recent stability than European or North American countries. What’s even more important, the Western economies’ growth is relatively stunted compared with the rising markets for goods in Asia, Latin America and even Africa.

#3 – Change is the one Factor you can Count on

Take a look at Venezuela. The president is ailing. Many foreign companies have long since pulled out of the country due to its bizarre politics, unpredictable business climate, and slow economic growth rate. When Hugo Chavez finally does leave the presidential office (probably in a coffin given his diagnosed cancer), I predict that the country will work to repair the economic damage caused by the failed Chavez economic experiments. Venezuela is an oil-rich country with a promising future in the post-Chavez era. If political and economic climate are the only factors keeping your company from entering the Venezuelan market, I’d recommend building your business relationships now to be ready for what might be one of the brightest success stories of the decade.

( Vivian )12 Apr,2012

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