Hopefully you are not hesitating to develop or reinforce your business activities with European countries. Despite the globalization and ongoing discussions on power shifts from West to East, the “old continent” remains one of the strongest economical zones on this earth.

The fall of the Berlin wall also opened up extra growth opportunities for the poorer Eastern part!

Hereby my overview on Pro and Cons of doing business in Europe:

Some positive points:

Infrastructure
Quality of life
The Western part is one of the richest zones worldwide
Market size
Mainly well-established companies
Very strong quality brands
Technological level
Good reference for sales purposes elsewhere
Pioneering and innovative approach
Mid to long-term focus
Logistical advantages (global hubs)
Eastern European developments
Easier spin-off effects towards other areas
High educational level
Language skills

Some negative points:

Complicated fragmented landscape
Difficult to secure a harmonized approach
Rather limited European wide scale-effects
European versus local rules and regulations
Specific business behaviour on a country basis
Flexibility and adaptation to changes
Rigid slow business processes in some countries
Hierarchical structures
Demography and aging population
Variety of used languages and styles
Making failures is a shame
Difficult acceptance of “at least you tried it”
Limited European feeling and consensus
Political mingling with business
Protectionism

With an open mind for understanding the various in-country business specifics you can walk very far! Without considering the local “things to know” you will fail …

Avoid all the pitfalls and secure your business in this wonderful continent by talking to specialists.

How to value and implement cultural business aspects is crucial to doing business in Europe ….otherwise you would need a very big dustbin!

Labels: doing business in europe