International Knowledge Management: How to manage my business abroad?

A large number of our readers have asked questions about solutions to their problems managing and controlling their businesses abroad. The most frequently asked question is: How do I manage my international company, in any of its forms or sizes? Executives from various companies operating in Spain offer their perspectives in the following report.

How do I manage my business abroad? This question encompasses other issues that need answering. Sensitive matters such as taxation, applicable in all countries where my company maintains offices with a direct presence, or the language barrier, are part of a long list of doubts when expanding into new markets.

When trying to answer all these questions, business owners encounter a multitude of technical terms and vocabulary that are completely unfamiliar to them. Hence the importance of conveying, in a simple yet rigorous way, an accurate understanding of this subject. In reality, solution providers, also called "systems integrators," speak the same language, but adapt their technology to the needs of each client. Business owners must choose a provider that matches their company's capabilities. For example, if we are a large corporation, it is very likely that we cannot be served by an integrator with a more limited service offering. If, on the other hand, we are an SME, it is unlikely that a large software company will adapt a solution to our size and needs. These are the two extremes, but between them we find more than 100 provider companies competing in a growing market.

100% web solutions

On the other hand, in addition to the division between companies that focus on providing solutions for large companies and those that target SMEs, we also find another distinction, which we will call the "most aggressive" and the "least aggressive" in their approaches.

The first option offers 100% web-based ERP systems hosted on their own servers. With this solution, any employee can access the management system via the internet. This means all information flows online: orders, warehouse orders, sales documentation, etc. In short, all the procedures we need to manage are accessible from our office, home, or hotel. In this case, the initial investment is lower, but it involves a monthly subscription fee.

As for the less aggressive systems integrators, they are waiting to see how this service is being marketed and, for the time being, are offering to install their ERP on our company's server. The solutions they offer also allow 100% web access for the number of users we authorize, with the difference being that our server will manage all processes within the company itself. This approach may be more economical in the long run than the first, but it involves a higher initial setup cost.

To consider

Implementation is not easy; it will require time from your organization and a significant investment in staff training. However, implementing these types of solutions will pay off in the medium and long term, especially in an international business environment that always demands extra effort in its management.

Regarding financing options, these are quite varied. Leasing is permitted, always with a proportional allocation between hardware and software. The increased efficiency in employee time, for example, leads to proven optimization effects within organizations. Finally, it's important to surround yourself with skilled professionals who can analyze and provide the best solution for each situation.