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Entrepreneurs know that if you’re going to start your own business, you need two things: money and ideas. As the old saying goes, “It takes money to make money.” And so entrepreneurs will typically go to a bank when they need cash for a business startup. But where do you go for ideas? Where is the “idea bank” that will help you find new products, methods, and contacts that can give you a competitive edge in the marketplace? One of the best ways to find new ideas is to travel abroad.
Fortunately, cheap flights make traveling more affordable than ever before. Moreover, if you find you need a visa for your travels, an evisa application can make the process simple for you.
Why Travel Is Essential for the Entrepreneur
There is no better way to shake up your perspective on things than by traveling across the ocean. The biggest thing that will hold you back as an entrepreneur is old thinking. If you’re just trying to do the same thing that others are doing, it will be that much more difficult to grow your business. It’s far better to be on the leading edge than to be playing catch up.
When you travel overseas and step off the plane, everything will be unfamiliar to you. However, what we call “culture shock” can be a really good thing for the entrepreneur. That’s because you’ll be able to see opportunities with fresh eyes. Growing a new business is all about finding new ways of doing old things. That’s why stepping outside the bubble of what’s familiar can be a crash course in innovative thinking.
How Your Business Will Benefit
Here’s how traveling overseas can help you grow as an entrepreneur:
First, you’ll find new products and services. As you explore an unfamiliar place, make sure you visit local stores, ride public transportation, and immerse yourself in how the locals live. This is the surest way to get your creative juices flowing and find new products and services to bring back home.
Second, you’ll see new methods of doing business. You’ll discover new ways of bringing your product or service to the people who can benefit from it the most. If you think of the country you’re visiting as an “idea bank,” then it will help spur you to unexpected innovations. The next challenge will be to take what you’ve learned abroad and figure out how to adapt it to the unique needs of your business.
Third, you can make valuable new contacts who may give you new sources and possibly new markets for your business. Even if your business is focused primarily on servicing your local community, it’s valuable to have global contacts. You never know how this will help you to expand both your vision and your bottom line.
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How Traveling Will Expand Your Mind
Our brains are like sponges. This is why it is so important to continuously challenge yourself.
Throwing yourself into situations and surroundings that are unfamiliar to you will force your mind to go into overdrive. And this, in the long run, will do wonders for you as an entrepreneur.
You will figure out new and smarter ways to tackle tasks. Moreover, you’ll become exposed to different mindsets from different cultures.
People run businesses around the world based on disciplines that are different from your own. What’s more, you will benefit by educating yourself in a way that helps you apply these various ways of thinking. This is not something you will find only in the business world, though. Make it a point to venture out and discover small villages and see how their leaders work and how the people live their lives in general.
For example, if you should find yourself visiting Dublin, Ireland, strike up conversations with some of the residents there to find out more about life in Dublin. Learn all you can while you’re there about how business is conducted, how people live their lives, and what Dubliners do for fun and relaxation.
There are always going to be factors that you can apply to your business. Make it a point to learn from people’s dealings in their everyday lives.
Why It’s Less Expensive Than You Think
Does traveling overseas seem pretty overwhelming to you? Perhaps you think it is more expensive than you can afford. Well, think again.
You’d be surprised at how affordable it is to travel and explore exotic locations such as South Africa. You can always save up to travel at least once a year to a place that you’ve never been before. And you don’t have to travel first class either! Try to be a little minimalistic in your approach every once in a while. You’ll be amazed at how it will affect your thinking and perspective.
Connect to Your World by Traveling
The world is getting smaller and more connected. The most successful entrepreneurs are those who know how to connect their local businesses to an increasingly global market. For that reason, traveling overseas will continue to be one of the most exciting ways to grow your business in the 21st century.