Matt DeMarcico drops a startling statistic right out of the gate: more than 80% of companies attempting international expansion fail because they don't adequately understand the markets they're entering. As a veteran with 25 years of experience scaling disruptive technology companies and navigating four acquisitions by foreign enterprises, Matt brings a treasure trove of insights about what makes cross-border business ventures succeed or collapse.
The conversation explores how cultural competence becomes the linchpin of international success. Management styles, customer expectations, and communication norms vary dramatically across borders, creating invisible hurdles that many businesses trip over in their rush to capture new markets. Matt shares how his work at USA Launching Pad helps foreign companies navigate the complex landscape of American business while avoiding the common pitfall of hiring a single "savior" salesperson expected to deliver an entire market.
We dive deep into thoughtful team building strategies for growing companies, exploring the delicate balance between aggressive hiring and sustainable growth. Matt offers practical wisdom about strategic recruitment, emphasizing self-awareness in leadership ("A players hire A players, B players hire C players"), the importance of complementary skill sets, and establishing proper metrics for expansion decisions. His experience working with both resource-rich enterprises and scrappy startups provides a nuanced perspective on building bench strength and developing internal talent. The episode concludes with Matt's vision for creating bi-directional global expansion frameworks that can help companies navigate any new geography successfully.
Ready to avoid the 80% failure rate and build a successful international growth strategy? Connect with Matt on LinkedIn or reach out to [email protected] to learn more about expanding your business globally.