5 Common mistakes brands make when expanding to new markets

Faith Ocampo Published on May 12, 2017

businessman thinking deeply looking at globe in hand

If you’re running a business, one of your main goals may be to expand to new markets outside your domestic borders. But some mistakes can lead you to failure.

In the process of expanding, it’s possible for business owners to make some mistakes. Even the most seasoned entrepreneurs are prone to overlooking these lapses, especially if they make hasty decisions.


While some of these mistakes can be easily dealt with, some can have detrimental impacts on your business. If your growth strategy fails to take into account the crucial aspects of expansion, it may hurt your profits. Worse, some errors may even land you in jail.
To make your expansion a success, read about the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make in the process of capturing the international market.

1.     Expanding for the wrong reasons

confused businessman looking at globe

While going global is an attractive idea, there may be many reasons why it isn’t always what’s best for your business. For instance, if your goal is to get rich quickly, it might be worth taking a step back to reevaluate your decision.

Business growth is something that takes a lot of time, patience, and planning. It’s a long-term investment, and the returns may not be immediate. To find out if you’re ready to expand, consider these first:

•     Is your team, especially the management, ready to face global challenges?
•     Is your organizational structure flexible enough to meet the needs of new markets?
•     Can your financial status support your international growth strategy?
•     Do you have the resources and people (e.g., customer service agents, IT personnel, marketing experts) needed to facilitate your expansion?

2.     Expanding without a plan

worried businessman holding paper with world map backdrop

Global expansion is indeed an exciting venture, but rushing the whole process can lead to more problems. Laying the necessary groundwork can prepare your organization better for challenges you may meet along the way.

Before going beyond your borders, make sure to conduct a thorough market research. This will help you understand your target market, their special needs, and purchasing behavior. Afterwards, think about your marketing strategies and customer support approach. Having a plan in place gives your organization a solid direction, lets you anticipate and gear up for risks, and ensures better chances of success.

 

3.     Hiring inexperienced workers

confused office employee with post it on forehead coworkers in back

Setting up operations in a new market means you also have to build a new team. Because of the costs involved in hiring new people, you may resort to hiring inexperienced workers as it’s cheaper. But this can lead to poor performance.

When you’re expanding to foreign markets, investing in high-quality talents is a must. Make sure to hire the best people and experts who can help you become successful in a new territory. You may hire local professionals who are knowledgeable about your target location, or you may partner with outsourcing companies in the area. Multilingual call centers, for instance, can equip you with a team of highly capable workers who are familiar with various cultures.

4.     Failing to consult experts

worried businessman with headache in office looking at laptop

Not all entrepreneurs possess the knowledge and expertise needed to successfully market to a new location. Consulting experts—such as marketing specialists, customer service strategists, corporate lawyers, and others—can help you devise a holistic growth strategy.

5.     Forgetting about local culture and preferences

office coworkers arguing worried woman in back

Take the time to get to know your target customers on a personal level. Product preferences may vary from one culture to another, so it’s important to think about how you’ll adjust to these differences. They may also have a different communication style or purchasing behavior. These factors can influence people’s perceptions about your brand and their willingness to conduct business transactions with you.

 

Join us on facebook
Open Access BPO 4 days ago
#TeamOABPO Davao marked #CustomerServiceWeek with a full week of engaging and fun activities. The celebrations brought everyone together through friendly competitions, shared meals, and moments that recognized the people who deliver excellent support to our clients every day.

It was a meaningful way to show appreciation for the teams who help us build lasting partnerships and deliver dependable customer experiences.

#OABPOCSWeek2025
#CSWeek2025 #MissionPossible
#CSWeek #WeAreOABPO
Open Access BPO 6 days ago
𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗕𝗣𝗢 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗦 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱:
𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 #TeamOABPO, 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗲𝘀

We recently wrapped up another awesome #CSWeek filled with fun activities, laughter, and appreciation for our amazing #CustomerService teams!

From games and challenges to team bonding and well-deserved treats, the week was all about celebrating the people who make Open Access BPO shine every single day.

At the heart of everything we do is our people. Our success comes from their dedication, passion, and commitment to providing world-class service. That's why we're proud to be an employee-first company, where hard work is recognized, and everyone's contribution truly matters.

We had a blast celebrating our #CustomerServiceWeek champions, and we're already looking forward to making CS Week 2026 even bigger and better!

#OABPOCSWeek2025
#CSWeek2025 #MissionPossible
#WeAreOABPO
Open Access BPO 13 days ago
𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗕𝗣𝗢 𝗞𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗢𝗳𝗳 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

Open Access BPO launched its #CustomerServiceWeek 2025 celebration with an event honoring its #CustomerSupport teams.

This year's theme, Mission: Possible, celebrates how #TeamOABPO turns every #CustomerExperience challenge into success through skill, dedication, and teamwork.

A special highlight was a client video thanking employees for their commitment and excellence. Throughout the week, team members across all sites will enjoy themed games and activities leading up to a grand finale recognizing top performers.

#CSWeek remains one of Open Access BPO's most anticipated traditions, celebrating teamwork, recognition, and fun at work.

#CSWeek2025
#OABPOCSWeek2025
#WeAreOABPO #MissionPossible
Open Access BPO 17 days ago
We're stepping into the future.

The next chapter of Open Access BPO is almost here.

Be part of it.