India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem has grown tremendously in the past two decades and we’ve started to see a huge increase in the number of companies that are growing beyond the borders and taking on global opportunities at scale. For many, the most lucrative opportunities lie in selling into the US market because of the large consumer and enterprise footprint, as well as the signaling power that operating in the USA can provide.
Why Is Having a Presence in the USA Important?
The globalization that we’ve seen in recent years has made the global supply chain as efficient as ever. So, you might wonder why you would need an actual presence in America at all?
Well, here are some of the key reasons why:
Time Zone. When you’re selling into the USA, you’re going to need to be available to interact with customers, suppliers, partners, and other stakeholders – so that you can build trust and operate efficiently.
Perception. Having a local US office can do a lot to signal that you’re a global company that is taking its American expansion seriously. It shows that you’re not just a fly-by-night operation, but rather than you’re a multi-national company seeking to make a dent in overseas markets.
Local Context. When you’re selling into an unfamiliar environment, it is very easy to miss the cultural and economic context that is at play in those communities.
Opportunism. Having a local presence in the USA will also help you to spot additional opportunities that you might be able to capitalize on. By drawing insights from what’s around you and, more importantly, what’s not around – you can come up with new product ideas that might be even more lucrative than what you’re currently doing.
Those are just a few of the things that make a local US presence so powerful for Indian companies looking to expand. However, doing so can be an expensive and challenging endeavor if you go about it the wrong way.
