When your company is expanding to a new location the actual landing is just the first part of a multi-year growth strategy. How do you keep that growth on track? How does leadership, culture and communication factor in?

We asked Dan Deeth, Senior Director of Corporate Communications at Arctic Wolf, to tell us a bit about how the cybersecurity company has grown from startup to multi-national business employing thousands of people in just 10 years. 

Key Questions:

• How did leadership shape Arctic Wolf's growth strategy?
• What growth strategies did Arctic Wolf employ to ensure each office contributed to overall success and had the necessary resources to grow?
• How has Arctic Wolf's culture evolved through company growth and how to leaders reinforce maintaining a good culture?
• How does communication work at a company with offices spread across thousands of miles and multiple timezones?

Have thoughts? Connect with Waterloo EDC on Twitter and LinkedIn or contact us at waterlooedc.ca.

Music by John_Sib from Pixabay.

In the third edition of Tony's Take we ask Waterloo EDC President & CEO Tony LaMantia to talk about business immigration as an expansion strategy. He provides two examples: Odyssey Interactive and EPAM Systems. 

Have thoughts? Connect with Waterloo EDC on Twitter and LinkedIn or contact us at waterlooedc.ca.

Music by John_Sib from Pixabay.

Immigration presents one of the best opportunities for companies to access global talent. Canada has some of the world's best business immigration programs. Earlier this year, 10,000 H-1B holders jumped at the chance to immigrate to Canada in just 2 days. 

At Waterloo EDC, we've seen companies come here with the intent of creating a global talent hub – to attract global talent or move global talent who are at risk of leaving their roles in the US. If you’re tackling talent challenges, this could be a strategy you want to explore, too. 

We asked Pavan Dhillon, one of North America’s leading immigration law experts, for her thoughts on the topic. 

Key Questions:

• How does an immigration lawyer help growing businesses access Canadian immigration programs?
• What is the Global Talent Stream and how do companies access it?
• What is the Intra-Company Transfer program and what unique benefits does it provide to growing companies?
• Are there any industries or roles that align particularly well with Canada's immigration programs?
• What pitfalls should companies avoid during the immigration process?
• What advice will help companies have a smooth and successful immigration process?

Have thoughts? Connect with Waterloo EDC on Twitter and LinkedIn or contact us at waterlooedc.ca.

Music by John_Sib from Pixabay.

In our second edition of Tony's Take we ask Waterloo EDC President & CEO Tony LaMantia to talk about our process for helping international companies evaluate Waterloo as a potential site for expansion.

Have thoughts? Connect with Waterloo EDC on Twitter and LinkedIn or contact us at waterlooedc.ca.

Music by John_Sib from Pixabay.

Business expansion is a team sport. You will need help from experts in business law, business location strategy, real estate recruiting, and accounting.  Depending on your needs, a professional site selector could be the perfect way to round out your team. 

In the third episode of LANDED, we speak to Gregg Wassmansdorf, a professional site selector and Senior Managing Director at Newmark, one of the world’s largest commercial real estate services companies,  about the services site selectors provide, how to find a good site selector and more.

Key Questions:

• What does a professional site selector do?
• Is there a particular size or type of company that should hire a site selector? 
• Do individual site selectors have different specialties? 
• Is there a particular size or type of project that fits better with site selection services?
• Where should companies look for a site selector? How do I hire one? How are they typically compensated? 
• How long does the site selection process take?
• How is international investment changing? What’s driving international business growth?
• What are some of the questions companies should ask before selecting a location? What are the key considerations? What questions do you always want clients to ask you?

Have thoughts? Connect with Waterloo EDC on Twitter and LinkedIn or contact us at waterlooedc.ca.

Music by John_Sib from Pixabay.

In our first edition of Tony's Take we ask Waterloo EDC President & CEO Tony LaMantia to reflect on the importance of local leadership in the success of an international expansion. In response, Tony tells stories from two of Waterloo Region's biggest international businesses: Toyota and Google.

Have thoughts? Connect with Waterloo EDC on Twitter and LinkedIn or contact us at waterlooedc.ca.

Music by John_Sib from Pixabay.

When companies expand to a new location, hiring a local leader can save them time, money and risk. Someone who can help integrate your company into the community, build the initial team, establish connections with local universities and colleges and build strong relationships with local hubs, incubators and industry associations. The challenge is finding the right person for the job.

In the second episode of LANDED, we speak to Kristina McDougall, founder of executive recruitment firm Artemis Canada, about the qualities that make a good local lead, the recruitment process and the things companies should consider before making a hire in their new community.

Key Questions:

• Why is it a good idea for new-to-Waterloo companies to hire a local lead?
• Are there standard qualities that make for a good local lead? A specific skillset or experience?
• If I’m a CEO looking to grow in Waterloo, how do I start the recruitment process? What do I need to know before I talk to you?
• What does the recruitment process usually look like for a local lead?
• What are some common challenges in hiring a local lead?
• What are the alternatives to hiring a local lead? What are the pros and cons of those alternatives? 

Have thoughts? Connect with Waterloo EDC on Twitter and LinkedIn or contact us at waterlooedc.ca.

Music by John_Sib from Pixabay.

What’s the secret behind a successful international expansion? It’s an important strategy for business growth, but until you’ve done it… you haven’t done it. How do you get insight into the process and approach? That’s why LANDED exists. Waterloo EDC is leveraging its partners and contacts to get unique insights into why and how companies grow through expansion.

Our first episode features Ryan Morris, the CEO of Turntide Technologies, in conversation about his company’s growth to include nine locations including three outside the United States.

Key Questions:

• What drives the decision to expand outside of your HQ? Is it always something different?
• What drives an international expansion vs. growth within the United States?
• What happens first when you decide to expand? Do you sell the idea to other senior leaders? Do you approach investors or board members?
• How do you evaluate locations? Do you get help or search for locations yourself?
• What hurdles have you had to overcome when you expand?
• If you had to give other business leaders one piece of advice related to international expansion, what would it be?

Have thoughts? Connect with Waterloo EDC on Twitter and LinkedIn or contact us at waterlooedc.ca.

Music by John_Sib from Pixabay.

This is LANDED, your podcast for insider tips on international business expansion.

Each episode will feature real experts – site selectors, recruiters, lawyers and successful entrepreneurs – talking about their own experiences with international business expansion. They'll give you first-hand advice and perspective to consider when growing your business in a new location.

All episodes can be found at waterlooedc.ca/podcast or on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Amazon Music or wherever you listen.