Expansion business strategies

Any business to prosper requires growth and expansion. After sometime the business reaches its peak and does not find any way to proceed further, at this time an intelligent businessman tries to find out some innovative ways by which the business can proceed further and achieve success. Businessmen comes up with new strategies that help the business to climb new frontiers.

Some of the main business expansion strategies that businessmen can follow are as follows:

1) Open new branches:

You have succeeded in selling your product at one place and the consumers are already aware of your product and are satisfied by its use. This expansion strategy will help more and more people aware of your products and your already existing customers will also feel great about your idea of opening new branches. Opening new branches will attract new customers and already existing customer will advertise your products by mouth publicity. Your sales will increase and your product value will also increase. After earning profits from your new branch you can open new branches wherever you find the market for your product.

2) Franchise:

This business expansion strategy is useful for a business that has a brand products that are already recognized by consumers. Franchising existing products and services is a very good way of reaching more and more consumers globally.

3) Business Alliances:

There are companies that join their business with other business to boost their sales in a particular region or area. This strategic business alliance brings success to your business as you can benefit from merger of ideas, manpower and capital.

4) Introducing a new product:

If you introduce a new product into the market your customers would want to try the product in addition to the already existing products. This business strategy will create new markets and a new brand. For example a soft drink company can introduce fresh juices into the market. New consumers as well as existing consumers would want to try the new product and thus sales will increase.

The success of any business depends upon good advertising and marketing. In the absence of marketing, people will not be aware of the new business products and plans. A successful business man will make new innovations that will promote new business plans and expand the business to new horizons.

Non-verbal language

1992 year. The United States president touring Australia delivers a speech in front of Canberra farmers and flashes, or better to say tries to, a ‘peace’ sign by giving a large crowd the time-honored two-fingered salute. The thing is, and we can only hope that Mr. Bush genuinely did not know it at the time, in reality he was telling the whole bunch of guests to go screw themselves. All because he made the seemingly harmless error - his palm was facing inwards instead of outwards.

So, obviously to learn from others mistakes: spent some time to get familiar with the basics of the culture and traditions of the country you are going to visit on a business trip or at least prepare your introductory word in advance.

Communication is the transfer of information and ideas during interactions between people. The most commonly used, although it may not be as noticeable, is nonverbal communication. The latter is defined by anything involving eye contact, facial expressions, patterns of touch, gestures, tones of voice, expressive movement, and other cultural differences.

So gestures and body language can communicate as effectively as words. Some might argue, maybe even more than words.

There is no better arena for observing a culture in action than business. Cultures tend to reveal themselves in situations where much is at stake, because it is here that their resources are most needed. Communication is fundamental in business, because business is a collaborative activity.

Scientific research on nonverbal communication and behavior began with the 1872 publication of Charles Darwin's The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals.

In many cases, we communicate information in nonverbal ways using groups of behaviors. For example, we might combine a frown with crossed arms and unblinking eye gaze to indicate disapproval.

1. Facial Expression

Facial expressions are responsible for a huge proportion of nonverbal communication. Consider how much information can be conveyed with a smile or a frown. While nonverbal communication and behavior can vary dramatically between cultures, the facial expressions for happiness, sadness, anger and fear are similar throughout the world.

2. Gestures

Deliberate movements and signals are an important way to communicate meaning without words. Common gestures include waving, pointing, and using fingers to indicate numeric amounts. Other gestures are arbitrary and related to culture.

3. Paralinguistics

Paralinguistics refers to vocal communication that is separate from actual language. This includes factors such as tone of voice, loudness, inflection and pitch. Consider the powerful effect that tone of voice can have on the meaning of a sentence. When said in a strong tone of voice, listeners might interpret approval and enthusiasm. The same words said in a hesitant tone of voice might convey disapproval and a lack of interest.

4. Body Language and Posture

Posture and movement can also convey a great deal on information. Research on body language has grown significantly since the 1970's, but popular media have focused on the over-interpretation of defensive postures, arm-crossing, and leg-crossing, especially after the publication of Julius Fast's book Body Language. While these nonverbal behaviors can indicate feelings and attitudes, research suggests that body language is far more subtle and less definitive that previously believed.

5. Proxemics

People often refer to their need for "personal space," which is also an important type of nonverbal communication. The amount of distance we need and the amount of space we perceive as belonging to us is influenced by a number of factors including social norms, situational factors, personality characteristics and level of familiarity. For example, the amount of personal space needed when having a casual conversation with another person usually varies between 18 inches to four feet. On the other hand, the personal distance needed when speaking to a crowd of people is around 10 to 12 feet.

6. Eye Gaze

Looking, staring and blinking can also be important nonverbal behaviors. When people encounter people or things that they like, the rate of blinking increases and pupils dilate. Looking at another person can indicate a range of emotions, including hostility, interest and attraction.

7. Haptics

Communicating through touch is another important nonverbal behavior. There has been a substantial amount of research on the importance of touch in infancy and early childhood. Harry Harlow's classic monkey study demonstrated how the deprivation of touch and contact impedes development. Baby monkeys raised by wire mothers experienced permanent deficits in behavior and social interaction. Touch can be used to communicate affection, familiarity, sympathy and other emotions.

8. Appearance

Our choice of color, clothing, hairstyles and other factors affecting appearance are also considered a means of nonverbal communication. Research on color psychology has demonstrated that different colors can evoke different moods. Appearance can also alter physiological reactions, judgments and interpretations. Just think of all the subtle judgements you quickly make about someone based on his or her appearance. These first impressions are important, which is why experts suggest that job seekers dress appropriately for interviews with potential employers.

When visiting a far land of North America or just holding a meeting with partners from the States you can feel quite relaxed as the American culture is so globalized you can be sure of its familiarity. Remain direct eye contact - it is very important in business as well as in social settings and avoid gaps in conversation which considered to be uncomfortable.

However, visiting the emerging markets of the Middle East can become a real test. The Middle East is an area which carries many stereotypes and myths. Many norms of body language accepted in the West convey the exact opposite of meaning in the east. All the same direct eye contact in the West is a sign of honesty whilst in many Eastern countries it is disrespectful. Before doing business in the Middle East it is imperative to learn about areas such as business culture, business etiquette, meeting protocol and negotiation techniques. Through such knowledge stereotypes are broken and barriers to communication are reduced.

When doing business in the Middle East, it is wise to bear in mind the great diversity within the region. In Iran remove shoes when entering a home or mosque. The thumb up sign is vulgar. To signal yes, dip your head down with a slight turn. It can appear confusing for us, Europeans, that to signal no, you have to move your head up and back sharply. If you are eager to show respect toward somebody you can shake hands with their child.

Don’t be surprised seeing people stand close, and friends touch while conversing in such a conservative country as Israel.

If in Lebanon, don’t raise a closed fist into the air because you will make a rude gesture.

As for the most prospering country – Saudi Arabia, you will face a completely strange land where it is impossible to follow your gut. To get an idea of what to expect – Arabian women are not allowed to drive and in any circumstances veiled women are not introduced. Avoid showing the sole of the shoe; it is considered the lowest and dirtiest part of the body. And, of course, it is not proper to expose bare shoulders, stomach, or legs. Do not forget that your habit of crossing legs is disrespectful in this country. And just not to be confused remember that people signal no by tipping the head backward and clicking the tongue.

People do business with people who make them feel comfortable and it comes down to sincerity and good manners. When entering a foreign country, concentrate on reducing the broadness of your body language until you have the opportunity to observe the locals. If you're not sure how to be polite in someone else's culture, ask the locals to show you how things are done.

Spoken language is only 7% to 35% of communication. The majority of our feelings and intentions are sent through nonverbal communication. That is why I showed the importance of non-verbal communication in plain daily life as well as its being crucial for the entrepreneur.