Moving abroad is a fascinating idea itself but it can become a bigger concern when you are a business owner and have to continue with your business. Obviously, it is not possible to move physical stores, salons, or boutiques to a different country miles away. However, if the business is based on online services or products and something that can be handled virtually such as coaching classes for education, lifestyle, and health; you can easily move it to another place by following a few effective steps.
Here are the seven effective steps for moving your business to a different country.
1. Fix Your Work Hours
Since you are moving to a different time zone than your home country, it is only mandatory that you need to reset your work hours. The time you are available for work might need to shift based on the clients and customers you can have in the foreign country.
2. Focus on Client Expectations
Well, when you tell the clients that you are moving abroad; you might find a lot of them getting thrilled with the news. However, quite naturally some of the clients will be worried whether you can provide your services at the right time and offer the usual result that you used to deliver before. Do not lose them. It never hurts to have a little more conversation with your clients and and this case, you need to assure them through communication. Make sure to make them feel secure with your services and unchanged results. It is like moving out to another place with hampering in the flow of services.
3. Gather the Tools You are Familiar With
In this era of technological advancement, things have become quite easier as you can have plenty of apps, software, and websites for your help regardless of the industry. Unlike physical tools, these online tools can be easily moved or used in a foreign country without losing any data from before. So, grab all the tools abroad as soon as you settle in there. These cloud-based applications and software do not require any expenditure; only a stable internet connection is enough to make the sync.
4. Take Ample Time to Settle Down
Many individuals might skip on this tip but perhaps, it is the most important one. When you move to another country, it is pretty obvious to feel like a tourist at the beginning and then finally settle down as a citizen who lives there. Even small tasks can take a lot of time since you have no clue. It is better if you just tell your clients that you are taking a month to settle in and then you will be back to business.
5. Understand Your Tax Situation
Each country has its own set of rules and regulations for businesses and filing taxes and when you are abroad, it can be quite confusing at first. In this case; you need to find a professional accountant who understands your needs and can handle your finances legally while making effective tax returns.
6. Keep Your Home Bank Account
While you definitely want to open an account with a local bank where you are living currently, you might want to keep the account back at home as well which helps with expenses for the family, loans, and other aspects. It also makes it easier for the clients to pay you in the way they are already used to. However, do not forget your international account number.
Bonus Tip: Go With the Flow
After you have taken all the technical and logical steps, it is time to witness how your business grows organically in a foreign land. Do not just rush things as you need to allow the changes just to witness what evolved from them.