Get All Access for $5/mo

6 Steps to Successfully Run Your Business From Abroad Keep up your company's growth from any international location with these half-dozen tips.

By JC Hite

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

LumiNola | Getty Images

It is no secret that being an entrepreneur in a globalized world means you need to be flexible when it comes to change. Whether you are proactively looking forward to experiencing life abroad or you find yourself needing to relocate to another country, leaving your business behind can be quite daunting.

However, all you need to do is prepare yourself for the change, mentally and logistically, and you can continue growing your business no matter where you are. Here are six steps you can take to make sure you run your business successfully from another country.

Related: Use These 24 Tools to Run Your Business From Anywhere in the World

Hire self-motivated team members

Not only will hiring self-motivated individuals ensure success in your business, it will also free up your time, as you won't need to be on top of every little detail. This is something you need to look out for the moment an application process begins.

Take the time to get to know each new applicant to ensure they have that drive you're looking for. This can mean having them do a two-minute video about themselves, writing a short essay or simply establishing a good conversation after the main interview is over.

When your team members are self-motivated, they are more likely to open up and share valuable contributions to improve performance and productivity. This also ensures you have a team that thinks outside the box and can work together to find solutions and achieve goals.

Delegate

Once you have hired the right people, the next step is to learn to delegate and let go. Accepting that you can't do everything yourself is the first step, and having a team you can trust and depend on just makes the process easier.

In addition to finding yourself with more freedom to enjoy your time abroad, you will help your team grow and develop, which will also allow your business to thrive.

Establish effective communication channels

Whether this means having a chat group or using virtual confernece platforms, always make sure your team has a way to reach you.

Additionally, investing time and energy into actively looking for ways to communicate with them will rapidly build trust among your team, leading to a happier and more productive work environment.

Prepare your team

Now that you know you have an amazing team ready to run things in your absence, you need to make sure you leave them with all the tools necessary to succeed. This includes setting up expectations of what needs to be done, creating backup plans in case things don't go as planned and overall ensuring they are fully aware of the standards and values to be kept.

Your transparency will give your team peace of mind knowing that they have your full trust, and it will empower them to make key decisions as well.

Stay connected

Once again, communication is always a key factor for success. While this can be more difficult in some places than others, ensure you have done your research to make yourself available for your team as much as possible. This could mean having to buy a local SIM card or locating the nearest cafe with free Wi-Fi while you settle into your new place. Make it a priority to stay connected no matter what.

Ensure good technology

Good technology is vital when it comes to traveling and managing your business from abroad. Make sure to invest in quality equipment, which will be your ally wherever you go. There is nothing more frustrating than running into technological problems when traveling.

Ensure your equipment is up-to-date with the necessary software and, if possible, have a technician run a routine checkup before you leave. After all, without functioning equipment, communication can quickly become impossible.

Related: 5 Ways to Build Team Culture in a Remote World

Finally, a bonus tip: Expect things to go wrong, or just not the way you hoped. While the unexpected can be stressful and complicated, if you expect it, dealing with unexpected scenarios will not shake you. Your hard work will pay off, allowing you to enjoy an exciting new phase of your life and have the confidence that no matter what part of the globe you're in, you have empowered your team to succeed.

JC Hite

CEO / Founder of Hite Digital

JC Hite is the CEO and founder of Hite Digital, a white label digital marketing agency. With a passion for business and people, he’s successfully scaled his agency in just two years and counting. Now his companies help other agencies to do the same.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Leadership

Visionaries or Vague Promises? Why Companies Fail Without Leaders Who See Beyond the Bottom Line

Visionary leaders turn bold ideas into lasting impact by building resilience, clarity and future-ready teams.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Green Entrepreneur®

How Global Business Leaders Can Build a Sustainable Supply Chain

Businesses can build sustainable supply chains by leveraging technology to reduce environmental impact, optimize resources and track emissions while balancing operational efficiency and sustainability goals.

Science & Technology

Why Businesses Are Relying on Automation to Survive the Labor Crisis

Robots are revolutionizing industries by addressing labor shortages and enhancing efficiency, while businesses navigate challenges like workforce adaptation and high implementation costs.

Science & Technology

5 Automation Strategies Every Small Business Should Follow

It's time we make IT automation work for us: streamline processes, boost efficiency and drive growth with the right tools and strategy.