Tuesday Tips Moving.
Hello this week Tuesday tips are about moving yourself and business to another country.
In the past ten years I have lived in three countries. Set up three business in Australia, UK and Sweden. Also became a parent along the way. So lots of changes and adaptation has been needed to keep running my business.
I can only talk about my own experiences I am not a professional adviser but maybe these tips can help. You may have a partner who moves around for their profession and you have to get use to moving your family and business to a new country. I have found having my own business has been a positive experience. Allowing me to work and still have time with my son. Here are my tips.
1. Plan plan and plan again. Ease your mind and try to do as much research about the country you are going to live in. Will I need a visa? Will I be aloud to work in that country? How do I register for tax etc ? Finding a place to live can I work from my home? General living costs etc Will I need to change my pricing for my products and services?
2. Get help from your current accountant to help you clear any tax, debts and finalise your accounts. You might have to close your current business and bank accounts so you do not end up paying extra tax bills in your new home. Having accounts to show your new bank in your new home is very helpful too. Also as your in a new country you might have to start your credit rating all over again.
3. Tell everyone related to your business your moving and you might be out of action for a while as you make the move.
It took me sometime quite few months to set up in Sweden with the tax office and finding a permanent home.
4. Don't under estimate the cost of the move. Costs like you might need a new phone, changing business cards and stationary, business insurances, a new website address, new suppliers, equipment but a lot of this is hard to know until you arrive in a country. Budget for these things before you move and also for roughly for the amount of time you may not be able to work.
5. When you arrive find the local business advice centre , mentor or website. They can point you in the direction of business set up laws in that country and helpful advice.
6. Get to know and make friends with local business owners ask them for recommendations for local suppliers, a good accountant etc. Share your tips too.
7. Keep positive it can be over whelming so much to organise leaving one country and setting up in another. So many things to do like settling your family , if you have kids into their new home. Maybe you can't speak the language. Sign up for language classes. If you start to feel down, home sick or over whelmed it can have such a negative impact on you. So get out and about and enjoy your new home try to see a positive future for yourself.
8. Use the down time to create new work. Learn new skills and think about your business plan as you may have to adapt to the situation you are in and make tweaks and changes. You will soon be busy again.
9. The internet is your friend keeping that open communication with your customers is really important. So really work on keeping the communication going until you get up and running.
10. Finally think of your move as an adventure and learning to grow while discovering new things about yourself.
Every Tuesday I post tips on my instagram so why not follow along @sussecollection