Reaching global success in business is a huge accomplishment. While local success is sufficient and impressive for some, having a well-known brand that is recognizable and beloved worldwide is no easy feat. Brands like IKEA, Coca-Cola, and BMW, to name a few, have been in business for decades but have such a presence and command in their respective markets that they are part of our daily lives. Even if we aren’t actively interacting with these brands, we know they are there, and customers will do whatever it takes to get their hands on their products. When we use the term “Coke” to refer to a beverage, we may be referring to any cola drink, not just Coca-Cola. Similarly, BMW is widely recognized as a luxury car brand; for many, owning one symbolizes success. This level of brand association and the connection to a community and culture is an achievement that few businesses attain.
In the United Kingdom, the total value of the top 75 most valuable brands reached $230 billion in 2024. As of 2022, there were 22 British companies in the Fortune Global 500. What’s more, the value of the top global brands has risen by 20% in 2024. Attaining this level of global status in business is akin to achieving viral fame on social media or becoming a global pop star like Michael Jackson or The Beatles. Despite their individuality, these companies share a common thread with any successful business – they are brands with which people form deep emotional, mental, and physical connections. So, how do these brands do it? How do they reach “household name” status? For brands interested in learning how to climb the business ladder from local to global, here are four steps to achieving superstar status in business.
Think Big
Global success begins with a belief and a mindset. To transform your brand into a worldwide success, you must first believe in its potential for international attention and recognition. The journey to becoming a global brand starts with a fearless, courageous belief that your brand can evolve not just in your mind and your hometown but also in reality and worldwide. Thinking big means stepping out of your comfort zone, which is why your thoughts must align with the success you aspire to achieve.
Be Authentic
The most sustainable and effective strategic marketing plan any business owner could ever implement is to start by being themselves. It’s true. Everyone has something unique to offer and should be invested in as it pertains to creating and building a brand. The market needs, and actually craves, originality and authenticity. It’s essential to the longevity of your brand’s success and is the fuel to get you to global success status. Authenticity is not a buzzword but the key to success in business and life. Showing up in the business world as your authentic self is priceless and what customers want, value, and pay for.
Have a product you believe in
A brand consists of both the experience and the product. Customers must have positive emotions when interacting with your brand. It is devastating to a brand with a product that does not deliver on its promises or stand out in the market. Additionally, developing or investing in a product that you, as the business owner, do not have faith in will not be marketable in a way that fosters emotional, mental, and physical connections. Customers know a good product because of how its sales representatives and the market talk about it. If your brand is riddled with negative experiences or reviews, you may reach global status for the wrong reason. To prevent this, start with a product you connect with sincerely, and your customers, both near and far, will do the same.
Never give up
Consistency is paramount in achieving any goals — especially global business success. When it comes to business, never giving up on investing in your brand or product is how to differentiate your brand from the rest. It’s not a race to the top but a mind game in courage, commitment, and resilience. Take the mishaps or missteps as lessons and incorporate every win into more fuel and motivation to get to the top. Global success is not for the weak; it takes tenacity and mental fortitude to get there and stay there.
Credico has been a global leader in our industry for several decades. We understand what it takes to achieve international success and what it takes to stay there. With offices in Canada, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States, we know how to help businesses succeed locally, nationally, and internationally. Contact Credico today to grow from local to global.