Careful planning can ensure that you successfully pace your company's growth, says Zagar. For instance, an influx of sales could swamp a business lacking the necessary infrastructure to successfully fill orders. He says Zagar has carried out a strategy of cautious, sustained growth in foreign markets. Mexico and Canada, as well as China and Europe, make up the majority of its foreign sales. It also continues to develop its Web site, currently under-going a redesign scheduled for completion this fall.
Future plans call for increasing interactivity and an expansion into the e-commerce market.
But securing financing to expand into the global market can sometimes be difficult. An agricultural products manufacturer with its primary market in the western U.S. now wants to foray into Africa. But a local bank may be reluctant to back entry into a market with which it is not familiar. Business owners should also be aware of the legal consequences of putting their products online. A Survival Guide for Bringing Your Company Online .