26 recommendations for international expansion consulting firms

What is International expansion consulting?

When small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) first start to expand internationally, they often do not have a clear idea of where to start, how to proceed, and what they currently know and do not know about international expansion.

International expansion consulting is a service that helps such companies to identify international business areas where they can leverage their unique strengths and methods of international expansion, and to use their limited resources effectively, while using the consulting company’s own knowledge, experience, and network to guide them to successful international expansion. This is a service that effectively utilizes a company’s limited resources while using the consulting firm’s own knowledge, experience, and network to successfully expand overseas.

By utilizing our international expansion consulting services, you can accelerate your international expansion much faster than if you had to go through the trial-and-error process on your own.

26 consulting companies for international expansion by category

International expansion consulting firms can be categorized according to each consulting firm’s area of expertise as follows

A consulting firm in this context means a specialized company that can provide consulting services (consultation and support) and front-line international business services required by small and medium-sized companies when they expand internationally, in a broader sense than so-called consulting firms and management consulting companies for large companies. The term “consulting firm” refers to a company that specializes in providing the front-line overseas business services that small and medium-sized enterprises need when expanding overseas.

• １ Consulting company for international expansion
• 2 International market research consulting firm
• 3 International corporate credit research consulting firm
• 4 International branding support consulting firm
• 5 International marketing support consulting firm
• 6 Support for exhibiting at international exhibitions Support for developing international sales channels Overseas sales agent consulting company
• 7 Trade practice agency and trade practice consulting company
• 8 International website development consulting company
• 9 Cross-border EC sales support consulting company
• 10 International Web Marketing Support Consulting Company
• 11 International SNS marketing support consulting company
• Two additional international expansion consulting matching sites

However, it is not always the case that a single consulting firm can handle all aspects of international expansion from scratch, but rather, each consulting firm will focus on its own areas of expertise, In most cases, the consulting firms will focus on their own areas of expertise, while also combining the services of two or three other areas.

・International Investment
・Developing international sales channels
・International Marketing
・International Branding
・International Web Expansion
・Trade Practices
・International Tax Accounting and Finance
・International Human Resource Management
・International Legal Risk Management
・Cross-Cultural Adaptation

For example, we could combine consulting on international investment with overseas tax accounting and legal risk management, or we could provide support for local distribution, regulatory research, exhibitions, and trade practices while promoting consulting on the development of overseas sales channels,

There may be the creation of an international website at the same time as international branding and marketing consulting, or on-the-job training of internal personnel and cross-cultural adaption training while promoting International expansion consulting.

Here we would like to introduce some of the main international expansion consulting firms that are active in assisting small and medium-sized enterprises that are new to international expansion.

１　Consulting company for international expansion

International expansion consulting firms analyze the current situation, identify issues, propose measures, and provide support for strategy implementation.

Global Expansion Fenetre Partners, Inc.

With more than 350 international projects since its establishment in 2008, the company provides consulting and operations agency services related to trade, direct investment, and international marketing.

Expansion into Vietnam LAI VIEN CO.,LTD.

The representative, who has been living in Vietnam since 1999, established the company independently in 2009. Since January 2010, the company has also published “ACCESS” (circulation 10,000), an information magazine for Japanese businessmen living in Vietnam. The company’s strength lies in its locally rooted services and volume of information, which is not unknown to anyone who wants to expand their business in Vietnam.

Expansion into Thailand Intellectual Design Group K.K.

Established in Thailand in 2013, the firm will begin providing services in Japan in 2021. With 40 lawyers, patent attorneys, business development consultants, marketers, and designers, the firm provides business support to more than 5,000 companies worldwide, including Japanese companies, in Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar, and other Southeast Asian countries (ASEAN).

Expansion into India Infobridge Marketing & Promotions Inc.

Established in 2008, the company provides market research, marketing promotion, business consulting, support for implementation of hackathons and ideaathons, and entry support in India, based in Gurgaon, formerly Gurugram, Haryana. Also has an affiliated company in Shanghai, China.

U.S. Operations A-Lex International Marketing, LLC

Founded in 2007 and based in Chicago, the firm has experience supporting more than 1,200 Japanese and U.S. companies, ranging from small and medium-sized enterprises to Fortune 500 companies. A partner in establishing U.S. businesses that support the international expansion of products and services originating in Japan. Mr. Kaneko comes from a manufacturing background and specializes in sales and sales promotion support that leverages the strengths of Japanese manufacturing companies.

Expansion into Germany ICH Industrieanlagen Consulting & Handel GmbH

Founded in 2006, based in Berlin, we conduct policy research, international business consulting, trade, and interpretation/translation. With its network of contacts with government agencies, research institutes, universities, and other organizations in various countries, and by utilizing accumulated data, the company specializes in research on legal systems, policies, and measures in Germany and other European countries, F/S support, and business matching at trade fairs in Germany.

EURO JAPAN CROSSING advances into France

Established in 2007 with 18 employees, based in Paris, the company provides marketing, event planning and management, public relations, import/export support, and general business consulting and coordination for Japanese local governments and small- and medium-sized companies. The company publishes 40,000 copies of “MOG MOG JAPON”, a Japanese restaurant guide for French people, twice a year, and is currently developing a concept store for Japanese food and goods, “Takumi Flavours”, at the Japan Cultural Institute in Paris.

Expansion into Italy NAGAEN Srl

Established in 2020, based in Como and Bologna, the company supports Japanese SMEs in developing sales channels in Italy, mainly specializing in healthcare, cosmetics, machinery and equipment, design, and lifestyle, as well as consulting on sales networks, regulations, and obtaining permits and licenses.

２　 International market research consulting firm

Overseas market research consulting firms can provide you with appropriate marketing information by researching international competitors, overseas customers (corporate and consumer), overseas distribution, etc., either online or through interviews.

Cross Marketing Inc.

Established in 2003, the company operates research businesses in more than 20 locations in 10 countries around the world (including its own offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Singapore, and the Philippines). The reference price is 1,110,000 yen for 1800 samples of 18 web-based surveys in the U.S.

Research Institute for Future Trends, Inc.

Established in 1999, the company conducts market, industry, competitive, and international research and consulting, as well as overseas marketing support (making appointments with overseas companies and conducting overseas tours). The reference price for the “2023 Comprehensive Research Report on “MaaS x Use Cases (Case Studies)” Overseas, 89 pages (with 300 publicly available case studies from 79 companies)” is 198,000 yen including tax.

３　 International corporate credit research consulting firm

The overseas credit research consulting company sells consulting and comprehensive evaluation reports on transaction risks with international companies based on basic information obtained from registration offices, inquiries from the financial industry, banks, and client companies, M&A information, and its own research.

Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Dun Report (Tokyo Shoko Research Inc.)

Founded in 1841, Dun & Bradstreet’s DanRepo is a business research report covering more than 240 countries and regions around the world and providing information on more than 500 million companies, making it ideal for credit management. The DunRepo is the best choice for credit management.

Credit Saif Corporation

Established in 2016 (1997 in Norway, 2002 in the UK headquarters), the world’s most used corporate information company with offices in 12 countries. Highly accurate lists essential for developing international sales channels are extracted from more than 66 million company lists and vast data sources in 12 countries, specializing in Europe and the U.S., using the desired criteria, and provided in as little as one business day. Asian companies are also available.

４　International branding support consulting firm

International branding support consulting firms are essential partners when developing products for international consumers, but even if you are on a tight budget, you can increase the value of your company simply by learning the strategy of branding.

HI(NY) design

Established in 2008, a Japanese creator from a New York branding agency offers total design from New York with a focus on branding from a woman’s perspective. Her book, “What a New York Art Director Wants to Tell Japanese Business Leaders Now,” is currently enjoying a high rating of 4.3 (385 reviews) on Amazon.

５　International marketing support consulting firm

International marketing support and consulting firms provide the “so what?” approach that Japanese companies tend to lack. to “Oh, so that’s what it is! and create an environment that makes it easier for international customers to buy from you.

Strategy&Design Labo Inc.

Founded in 2015, in addition to international business marketing, international web marketing, international web production, and international SNS, the company also provides international company list creation, international exhibition support, and global human resources recruitment support. The “Before and After” section in the middle of the page, which shows examples of multilingual website production, is very easy to understand and allows you to learn about the perspective of international visitors to the site.

６　Participation in international exhibitions Support for developing international sales channels Overseas sales agent consulting company

Overseas exhibition support, overseas sales channel development support, and overseas sales representative consulting firms support new business development primarily face-to-face overseas, working with Japanese companies to develop sales agents, wholesalers, retailers, and general consumers.

France ABing Plus Co.

Established in 2013, the company supports international expansion of Japanese SMEs aiming to enter the European market, develop and expand sales channels for their products from Paris, including support for exhibiting at international trade fairs and exhibitions in France. The company has sold to more than 1,200 retailers in France, Europe, and beyond.

Europe Fruits Planet Marketing and Consulting Inc.

Established in 2018, with a total of 9 all-female employees (6 in France, 1 in Germany, and 2 in Osaka), the company provides consulting, marketing, and sales representation services to develop international sales channels, specializing in Europe, based on the concept of outsourcing international business units and outsourcing European branches.

Kumu Creation Corporation, U.S.A.

Established in 2020 (the parent company was established in 2002), the Los Angeles-based company provides a full range of services, including marketing and consulting, exhibition support, trade consulting, sourcing, negotiation, product creation for Japan, customs clearance, and distribution in the US market.

7　Trade Practices Agency Consulting Company

A consulting company that handles trade practice on behalf of small and medium-sized companies that have not yet established a direct trade department will prepare trade documents, communicate with international shipping companies, shipping companies, and insurance companies, and handle correspondence with international companies (exchanging emails and phone calls in English with business partners), as well as provide consulting services for in-house production of trade practice.

OFFICE ZETA

Established in 2001, with a liaison office in Italy. After stationing in Milan, Italy, Mr. Yuba worked for an Italian brand fashion office before starting his trade consulting business. He has been engaged in outsourcing of trade business, negotiation and liaison with overseas companies on their behalf, information gathering and development of new international business partners, overseas purchasing, negotiation, conclusion and management of international sales contracts, establishment of a trade department, on-the-job training of trade staff, coordination of international trade fairs, Italian and English language business attendance, interpretation, trade seminar lecturer, and in-house training for more than 20 years. Interpretation, lecturer at trade practice seminars, and in-house training for more than 20 years.

Coca Trading

Established in 2002, the company provides a series of services on behalf of its clients for international transactions, including negotiation, order placement and receipt, settlement, customs clearance, and domestic and international transportation.

８　 International website development consulting company

Rather than simply producing an English translation of a Japanese website, an international website development consulting company proposes ways to attract content based on differences in business practices, distribution, culture, and customs.

Bokan to the World, Inc.

Established in 2014, the multinational team from the U.S., France, Singapore, and China provides a variety of solutions for cross-border EC and international BtoB marketing in English-speaking countries. Tokuda’s book, Hajimete no Koshibei Ecommerce and International Web Marketing, covers the basics of cross-border Ecommerce, including research, production, promotion, taxation, and legal issues.

Technoport Corporation

Established in 2010, the company produces international websites to realize “spreading technology through the power of the Web, acquiring new customers, and developing new applications” for technology-related companies, mainly in the manufacturing industry. When creating a website, the company offers consultations that do not end with the creation of the website, such as “whether international web marketing services are really necessary,” “how to handle acquired transactions,” and “how to proceed with in-depth marketing limited to specific regions and customer demographics.

９　Cross-border EC sales support consulting company

Cross-border e-commerce sales support consulting companies provide complete operational support for cross-border e-commerce site platform registration and cross-border e-commerce site management, as well as international tax accounting, delivery and shipping agency support.

Compass Point Corporation

Established in 2015, we provide services that Japanese companies face when starting an international Amazon business, such as opening an Amazon sales account, translation, taking product images and videos, product registration, international shipping, multilingual customer support, international remittance support, product liability insurance, customer attraction including advertising on Amazon, technical support, and account management. We also provide support for copyright, FDA, tax, and GDPR compliance, market research, consulting, SNS marketing, media buying, local staff arrangements, and more.

Nasebanal Corporation

Established in 2009, the company specializes in cross-border EC management support in China, and has a management team in the Guangzhou branch office. It provides services such as building and operating cross-border EC sites in China, strategy consulting, advertising and promotion management, translation, design production, customer service, and packaging and shipping for Taobao, Tmall Global, and 1688.com (BtoB), We provide full support for Taobao, Tmall Global, and 1688.com (BtoB).

Wasabi Corporation

Established in 2012, we are a cross-border e-commerce sales service that automatically translates your product information into Japanese and lists your products in overseas malls. Google Business has 10 customer reviews with an average of 5 (amazing)!

１０　International Web Marketing Support Consulting Company

International Web marketing support consulting firms help create a path (mechanism) for target customers in international markets to visit your website or SNS page, recognize your company, products, or services as a company that can solve their problems, and purchase those products or services.

IGNITE Corporation

Established in 2019, this Osaka-based web marketing company has a bilingual team. Team members have a wide range of nationalities from the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Spain, Italy, England, India, Philippines, Thailand, Korea, and China, and are working on international strategies such as inbound and cross-border EC, localization, and analytics analysis for global business. Supporting for the success of your global business.

１１　International SNS marketing support consulting company

International SNS marketing support consulting company is an advertising agency that not only manages advertising on LinkedIn, Instagram/Facebook, X (Twitter), LINE, YouTube, TikTok, etc., but also handles account analysis, strategy design, and content planning.

Kurtz Media Works Co.

Established in 2002, the company provides international PR strategies, international digital marketing (SNS and owned media management), and international influencer viral (word-of-mouth) services to companies that are considering international expansion and want to first learn about international reactions through test marketing surveys, disseminate information overseas, or implement PR strategies targeting international mass media. We also offer international influencer viral (word-of-mouth) services. He has also published a number of books on press release creation and distribution, including “100 Rules of SNS Marketing: How to Introduce and Use SNS Marketing for Those Who Want to Start Immediately,” which is perfect for beginners in international SNS marketing.

International expansion consulting matching sites: 2 additional sites

JAPAN Brand Support Partner Search Page (Small and Medium Enterprise Agency)

The Small and Medium Enterprise Agency introduces private support businesses that assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in their efforts to develop international sales channels.

Paccloa Co., Ltd. is also registered.

Digima

Established in 2011, it is a private-sector International expansion and international business support (company introduction) platform, with over 1,500 registered specialized companies by 2020.

What you need to know before choosing an international expansion consulting firm

Let us now explain what you need to know in order to choose the right international expansion consulting firm for your company. For companies new to international expansion, it is not so easy to decide which international expansion consulting firm to hire, what to ask, and to what extent.

Without having the correct criteria for judgment, many companies select from among the international expansion consulting firms that appear in the top search engine results or are listed in the summary websites based on “free consultation,” “track record,” and “amount of information on the website,” and then decide to hire a consulting firm if it is within their budget.

Unfortunately, the support for international expansion is an industry in which there is a large asymmetry of information between professionals and non-professionals. It is highly unlikely that a non-professional company new to international expansion, without the basic knowledge necessary for international expansion, will be able to find the right consultant for its international expansion on the first round of Internet searches.

For example,

However, it is also important to consider whether the initial needs of the company (and the selection of the appropriate international expansion consultant) were truly the right ones to ensure a successful international expansion. It is also important to consider whether your company’s initial needs (and the selection of the right overseas expansion consultants) were truly the right ones for a successful overseas expansion.

What is the first thing a novice company needs to do to avoid making the mistake of choosing an international expansion consultant and stumbling on international expansion,

The first two are the following.

Do you understand the overall picture of international expansion?

Of course, it may be difficult for a company to understand 100% of the “big picture of international expansion” or to answer a hypothetical question on its own right now. (This is why companies hire international expansion consultants.)

However, it is useful to know the whole picture, even if it is only a rough idea at first! It is also very useful for actual international expansion to have the habit of verifying the facts at your own company, not as a conditioned reflex, but as a way of checking or not checking the facts at each time.

What can we do with international expansion?

First of all, there are two main types of international expansion.

• Export (Japanese companies want to sell Japanese goods to international customers)
• Imports (international companies wanting to sell international goods in Japan, either directly or through domestic companies)

Assuming that exports (Japanese companies wanting to sell Japanese goods overseas) are considered “international expansion” in the broad sense of the term, there are three more types of “international expansion.

(1)　 International investment (want to build an office, store, or factory overseas)

(2)　Developing international sales channels (to sell Japanese products overseas)

(3)　Inbound (to sell to foreigners coming to Japan)

Which international expansion (1) to (3) is best for your company? Or, which combination of (1) to (3) is best for your company? For more information, 

• Sales scale required
• Corporate strength (including availability of human resources)
• Characteristics of products and services

 This is determined by the

For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the burden of (1), international investment, is very heavy.

In the latest situation, many companies are choosing (1) to invest internationally only when they are confident that they can sell their products locally and that local production will lead to greater profits as they develop their international sales channels.

On the other hand, if there is a request for international expansion from the local market (e.g., a local Japanese business partner) and there is a certain market potential from the beginning, it is possible to start with (1), which is the overseas investment.

However, there have been a number of companies that, as soon as they have expanded internationally, their customers switch their orders to local companies, resulting in a sharp decline in sales and the first attempts to develop local customers overseas, The new conventional wisdom is that it is important to have the ability to develop overseas sales channels (2) in advance to avoid the worst-case scenario of withdrawal.

 Inbound sales (3) is selected when, in addition to targeting travelers, it is difficult to distribute products internationally due to legal restrictions, etc., or when it is useful to sell products in combination with services. Even for domestic sales, marketing efforts must be made to adapt the product service and appeal to international specifications.

There are two more types of international expansion, (2) developing international sales channels, which are the most frequently needed.

(2-1) International Sales Channel Development Real and (2-2) International Sales Channel Development Cross-Border Ecommerce.

(2-1) Overseas Sales Channel Development Real (Travel overseas to develop face-to-face relationships with client companies, consumers, retailers, sales agents, etc., who wish to sell Japanese products overseas)

Realistic overseas sales channel development is a key and most important part of any international expansion.

Whether exporting from Japan or selling from a local office, the ability to develop new international customers face-to-face in overseas markets is an essential source of competitive advantage for all companies in international expansion to ensure a solid foundation for their overseas business.

Even if sales are made through sales agents, it is essential to have a system to accumulate know-how on how to develop international sales channels. Without such a system, a company that does not have international expansion will soon find it difficult to continue its international business.

(2-2) Cross-border e-commerce to develop international sales channels (to sell Japanese products overseas and to develop sales partners without traveling overseas) 

Cross-border e-commerce is booming and the Corona Disaster has increased by less than 10%. However, it is not easy for small and medium-sized companies to generate continuous international sales through their own websites (cross-border EC) alone, and they need to spend a lot of time and money on human resources and budget, such as opening stores on major platforms while also implementing blogging (SEO) and paid advertising in parallel.

In the initial stage, the international recognition of any Japanese company’s products and services is low, so the strategy of aiming for synergy effects by combining not only EC but also real development, such as exhibition participation and cross-border EC, or inbound sales and cross-border EC, is selected.

What are the four competencies that are required for International expansion?

The following four abilities are necessary for companies new to international expansion.4 Capabilities

Unfortunately, most small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) pursuing their first international expansion are not fully equipped with the above capabilities.

Many Japanese companies have no problem conducting their existing businesses, which are expected to generate stable profits, in Japanese and without contracts, based on Japan’s unique and special business customs. Therefore, many of them do not have an environment in which they launch new businesses every year or conduct transactions that require cross-cultural adaptation today and tomorrow.

These four abilities are not essential in Japan and are not even required in some industries. If you are engaged only in domestic business, lack of these four abilities is not likely to be a problem.

However, it is impossible to succeed in business overseas if you lack these four abilities. Successful international businesspeople in foreign markets have these four abilities as a matter of course, and they use them to win the competition and make profits.

International expansion without these capabilities is not possible in the first place.

All transactions and negotiations proceed on the assumption that these capabilities are ‘of course present’.

Therefore, when Japanese companies expand internationally, 

• Decide to acquire at least these four new skills
•  i.e., learning from scratch should be part of your international expansion plan from the beginning.

is required.

And while the basic premise is to acquire these four abilities in the process of international expansion,

In addition, most companies will also need to make the following significant modifications to achieve their own international expansion

What are the four major modifications to achieve International expansion?

In other words, for novice companies wishing to expand internationally,

Not only do they need to learn new competencies 1-4,

The major revision of a.~d. will be mandatory at the same time.

For example, if a start-up company has its sights set on international markets from the start, international specifications are initially implemented, so international expansion may be possible without major revisions to the business.

On the other hand, there are very few small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are able to adapt their business models, internal systems, negotiating and sales skills, and sales promotion tools that have worked only in Japan to work in international markets without any modifications.

 So, for the international expansion consulting firms that will be accompanying you in your international expansion,

1           Ability to start up new businesses

2           risk management capabilities

3          Cross-Cultural Adaptability 

4        　Business English Proficiency 

The program is designed to help companies new to international expansion acquire the skills necessary for international expansion, such as

a.            Business Model 

b.           Internal structure

c.            Negotiation/sales skills

d.           Promotional tools

They are required to work together with us in the process of international expansion to make major revisions to the

If you are going to hire an international expansion consultant who cannot provide these services, you will need to hire an additional international expansion consultant who can provide these services. This is because otherwise a company without the four competencies would expand internationally without making the four significant modifications, and the likelihood of success would be significantly reduced.

Now, here’s the thing. 

• Actions required for international expansion
• Select the services listed on the website of each international expansion consulting firm.

What are some of the actions that are required for International expansion (and of course, the modification of a.~d. at the same time)? What are some of the actions that will be required when expanding overseas?

Actions required for International expansion… The following is a list of companies (attributes) that provide these services.

What actions are needed to “invest internationally?”

The first (1) action required in the case of an international investment and the company attributes that provide that service are as follows

What actions are needed to “develop international sales channels”?

Next, in (2), the actions required to develop international sales channels and the attributes of the company providing these services are as follows.

*The difference from (1) is the content of the internal structure in b.

The above is a list of measures (actions, tools and capacities) that novice international expansion companies need to take when expanding internationally.

However, there may come a time in the future when we have some overall understanding of international expansion, but still may not be able to decide on the correct international expansion consultancy.

For example, you have contacted various companies and obtained quotes and proposals, but you still do not know which consulting firm is best suited for your company’s international expansion. If so, it would be very difficult for the company to take charge of the project by itself.

The solution to this problem is,

“We ask each company to make proposals based on the capabilities it lacks, rather than on its own strengths.”

This is a good and efficient way for you to make a decision.

Usually, international expansion consulting firms are helpful,

He presented an overall picture of international expansion, including stories from “outside” the company’s “area of expertise,

In some cases, we will not offer a service other than our own if we know it has many advantages for the company, but we will usually make proposals based on our own areas of expertise.

In addition, when identifying an international expansion consultant, you may not know what questions to ask the other party. Therefore, we have compiled the following list of questions that you should confirm if possible when selecting an international expansion consultant, and we hope you will find it useful.

List of things to check when choosing an international expansion consultant

For consultation on International expansion consulting, leave it to Paccloa Co., Ltd!

The process of correctly selecting the right international expansion consultants for your company can actually be said to be a situation where you have already begun the process of international expansion itself.

How to proceed with international expansion? Depending on how you begin the process, the quality (both in terms of cost and time) of subsequent trials and errors of international expansion will vary greatly.

Just as asking the wrong question will only give you the wrong answer, so choosing the right international expansion consultant is the single most important factor in the success of your international expansion.

It is important for everyone to be prepared to make the right decision on their own! It is most important that you make up your mind that you are ready to do so.

However, if you think it is too difficult for you to correctly assess the situation on your own, please contact Paccloa Co., Ltd.

Paccloa Co., Ltd. is a company that provides on-the-job training to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to support their international expansion so that they will be able to run their own international expansion in the future.

If you would like to consult with us about international expansion, find out if your products can be sold overseas, or visit an overseas location, please feel free to contact Paccloa Co., Ltd. at any time.