Read the full script of Module 10, Episode 1 of the Global Growth Master Class below. Want to get certified on global expansion? Simply click here to access the complete course today.

Now that we’ve reviewed all of the core elements of scaling a company globally, from the mindset to the team, to internal alignment, market selection, localization, and building structures to support scale and culture, let’s connect all these concepts and show how when implemented together they help companies both attain and manage at global scale.

Global Class Companies effectively implement a management model that is cognizant of culture and supports global scale while striking the right balance between influence from local markets and HQ. 

The objective of this is to enable efficient localization during the initial market entry phase and effective momentum and growth during subsequent phases of market expansion and maturity. This is based on a foundation of the global agile methodology outlined in earlier modules while minimizing organizational complexity along the way. By utilizing the Global Class Management Model as a bridge between HQ and local markets, along with the management best practices outlined in this module, Global Class Companies can establish a strong communication and feedback structure, manage localization costs, generate momentum, and drive results and scale, all while balancing key principles such as autonomy, trust, direction setting, and maintaining company culture and values.

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A successful localization effort is critical to achieving company-market fit in a new market, as is. Building the right team. An effective management approach then empowers the team and amplifies the localization work done supporting the localization at scale. is equally important to ensure success in localizing and achieving company-market fit. Effective management practices further enhance company-market fit by empowering the team.

To enable the global agile methodology to be successful throughout a global organization, the company's leadership and management teams in local markets must create an iterative environment that embraces continuous testing, failure, and pivoting away from established plans. While norms and decision-making processes are established, there is some degree of flexibility in each to consider the uniqueness of local culture and market demands, as well as the corresponding autonomy required for the stage of the global growth initiative, as each necessitates its own particular approach.

To achieve effective localization and momentum without overwhelming complexity, a balanced management approach is needed when managing a distributed global team. It's not just about the Company Way. It's about building an effective collaboration model between local teams and leadership/organization, avoiding the company way and “us” vs “them” behavior. This approach must motivate and empower local teams while also maintaining HQ's visibility and influence. Successfully implementing such a management model can serve as a catalyst for companies to achieve company-market fit and global scale.

The topics discussed in this module become increasingly important as the company begins to scale its international growth efforts. No longer is just the team focused on achieving product-market fit in a single market but is focused on managing presence in multiple markets and going deeper, getting company-market fit in these markets where they not only find the right go-to-market model but also discover the right operational model, getting the right operational fit and the right balance of culture (cultural fit) in these markets.

In this module, You will learn about the model that ties together all the other frameworks we have discussed throughout the course, illustrating how to manage a global organization, at scale.

What questions will this module answer?

• How do I manage a distributed organization building a bridge between HQ and distributed Local Teams? 

• How do you foster a healthy dynamic between HQ and local markets? 

• How do you build trust within your organization to support scale?

• How do we divide decision-making between HQ and local teams?

• How can an organization effectively prioritize at global scale?

• What management best practices Global Class Companies implement to succeed at scale?

   

Why does what is discussed in this module matter? 

This is it. This is the module where all the core concepts from the entire course come together. Here we see how culture, team building, localization, and process all relate to each other, enabling an organization to thrive at global scale. 

Here is what we have seen with companies on their expansion journeys

Typically companies go down one of two roads - either they don’t manage complexity properly as they scale, leading to so many ways of doing things, suboptimal allocation of resources, competing interests - including conflict between HQ and local teams, a lack of transparency, and ineffective decision making. OR, they only capture the surface level of the market opportunity in other countries, not having the right approach and systems set to get deeper penetration in local markets.

Typically companies think it’s clear who decides on what between HQ and local teams, but this lack of clarity leads to mistrust and poor decision-making. Often companies manage in ways closely aligned with the initial market, instead of considering the local business culture.

What risks exist if you aren’t mindful of this aspect of global growth? 

We see companies committing one of the mistakes detailed in Module 1, mistakes that lead to global expansion failure.

#4. Maintaining an us-versus-them mentality between HQ and local teams. [image: 2 hands pulling in a robe on opposite] - When companies lack the right management structure, local teams, and HQ talk past each other, often with HQ attempting to maintain control and local teams unable to make changes to operational and go-to-market models that are necessary to find traction in international markets. 

After you complete this module you will understand how all the concepts of the course relate together, and how to apply these frameworks to manage a distributed organization across a global footprint.

NOTE: Don't miss out on the next episode! If you want to continue learning about global expansion strategies and dive deeper into the course material, simply click here to access Module 10, Episode 2 of the Global Growth Master Class.