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How do I reach new customers? Can I break into the U.S. market? At what stage should I try to go global? If you’ve asked yourself any (or all) of these questions, you’re likely a tech startup looking to take your company to the next level. These questions aren’t easy to answer, but they’re the ones you’ll need to solve if you’re going to grow.
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At Google’s Go North Event, we asked some of Canada’s hottest tech leaders for their advice about scaling a startup. Here’s what they said:
Think even bigger
The future of our economy is in technology, so the sky’s the limit when it comes to what you can achieve. Thinking big seems to come naturally to Americans, but Canadians tend to think smaller. Don’t put any artificial limitations on yourself and imagine how far you can go. Then make a plan to get there.
Be nimble
The ride ahead likely won’t be smooth. You’re sure to come across bumps in the road, even disenchantment and failure. You’ve got to be able to learn quickly and pivot when the path you’re on has too many barriers.
Find the right talent
When you’re starting out, you want to hire for potential, passion and loyalty. Then it’s time to layer on experience. Find like-minded people who know how to scale up a company and can guide you through the process. But as far as outsourcing your expansion goes? That job has to stay with the founder. You know your business best–outside help can support you, but you’ve got to hold the reins.
Go to the U.S.
The U.S. is likely where you’re going to find the experienced talent you’re looking for. It also sets the tech agenda for the world, so you need to get your company exposed to the U.S. market, and accepted within its tech community. If you want to grow, you have to win the U.S.
Get more buttoned down
As you get bigger, people start to care about what you’re doing and how you’re doing it. Get up to speed on regulations and have your patents in order.
Don’t stop.. learning, dreaming, building
When you recognize that there will always be more to learn, more problems to solve and more risks to be taken, you’ll be a force in the industry. Just ask Shopify.
Each growth step will be hard for different reasons. You’ll have to design new layers of management, keep up with regulatory changes, learn more about taxes and foreign policies, and remember the names of more people.Keep experienced individuals close by who can help you move forward. And just imagine where your little startup can go.
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