The unfortunate reality of firms attempting to expand internationally is that most fail. Why do only a small few succeed? The answer comes down to taking a proactive approach rather than simply jumping at the first sign of interest in an offshore market.

Planning to expand internationally? Your domestic business model may not work overseas. Here are some considerations you need to make before you lay foundations in a new country.

5/530 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000 - 06/12/2011

Franchising is a proven method of rapidly growing a business and building wealth. Is it right for you? Come and hear from the company behind some of the most respected and fastest growing brands in Australia.

China is growing rapidly and has now taken Japan’s place as the 2nd largest economy in the world. It is now the largest exporter, surpassing Germany in 2009. China's economy grew by 10% in 2010, with the retail sector experiencing an 18.5% increase on the previous year. Future growth will be fuelled by ongoing urbanisation, a growing middle class and the ongoing rise of ‘inland’ cities.

In 2010 Japan was the third largest national economy in the world, after the United States and China, in terms of both nominal GDP and purchasing power parity. Japan ranks 18th of 178 countries in the 2011 Ease of Doing Business Index and has one of the lowest tax rates of the developed world.