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6 common reasons why foreign businesses fail in the US

By Arjun Mahadevan

Published on 12 Sep 2022 3 min read

Many of us have dreamt of running a successful business. After all, one of the best things about being a business owner is that you're your own boss, and you also get to work with employees you deem competent. However, many people seek business opportunities in various countries, and the United States is no exception.

Opening a foreign business in America is by no means an easy task. You need to be mentally and physically prepared for what needs to be done, meaning you’ll have many responsibilities. Unfortunately, you could make several mistakes along the way, which might affect how you run your business. For this reason, a business owner must be aware of these mistakes and how to avoid them. These include:

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#1 – Misunderstanding the US Market’s Regulations

Americans are known for having a spirit of capitalism, and they’re known to be open to new business ideas and opportunities. However, this doesn’t mean that they’re ready to accept anything. Americans have their own set of regulations and laws that must be followed. Business owners should know that even if the rules are absurd, there’s no arguing with them.

For example, some of the business licenses you need to acquire may be difficult to apply for, and some might take a long time to be approved. You must understand this before you do anything that could get you into trouble. This ensures that you don’t waste your time, effort, and money, which are precious commodities for running a business.

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#2 – Not Considering the Competition

It’s always tempting to be the first business in your niche and the last one out of the market. However, if you plan to succeed, you have to be able to consider your competition. Whether it’s a small business in your area or a giant company, you have to understand what you’re doing and know where your place is.

Knowing your competitors’ strategy, pricing, and services is wise. This will allow you to determine how you can come out on top while still offering something they can’t. For example, if they’re already offering a product, you have to provide that product differently.

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#3 – Not Adapting to Cultural Differences

Many foreign business owners fail to consider that Americans have different cultural expectations. These expectations include service styles and a sense of priority. For example, Americans are known to be outgoing, which means their service styles are very different. They’ll be the ones to approach you, not them.

You have to understand the Americans’ culture through every step of your business. This will also help you understand why some Americans are rude, likely due to their cultural expectations. For this reason, you’ll have to accept it if you want to be successful.

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#4 – Lousy Marketing Practices

Marketing is one of the most critical aspects of your business. If you can’t effectively market your business, you’ll probably struggle to make a profit. You need to understand that the Internet has made marketing easier and cheaper. However, many companies still struggle to market themselves properly.

You have to consider everything from SEO to content marketing to social media. You have to know how to do everything with your business. If you don’t, you can always hire a marketing team to do the work for you. It will cost you, but the reward will be worth it.

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#5 – Bad Staffing Decisions

A business is only as good as its employees. If you don’t choose the right people, your business will go nowhere. This is why you must be careful when you hire employees, and you should also have a plan for hiring and firing.

Your employees should always be working hard and putting their best foot forward. If you have an employee who isn’t, you have to let them go because they will eventually bring your business down. You have to stay on top of your business, which means keeping your staff in check.

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#6 – Operating in the Wrong Location

Location is another critical aspect of running a business. You need to plan where you want to operate and find a place within your budget. Some companies will work in small towns, while others are in busy areas. You have to know if a specific location is right for your business because it will determine how many people do business with you.

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Conclusion

Despite being a lucrative business opportunity, running a business in America can be daunting. Foreign business owners must be aware of the challenges that await them and how to avoid them. This way, they can ensure success, business or otherwise.

If you’re looking for assistance with opening an LLC in the US, Doola can help you! We provide comprehensive solutions for would-be entrepreneurs to ensure that their up-and-coming businesses thrive and achieve success, all done according to process. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation!