29 Jul Internationalisation is nature

When we talk about internationalisation we forget that it’s less about steps to follow and more about methods and people, characters and personalities. In other words, if the character of a businessperson must be entrepreneurial in the first place, then the people, executives and professionals working for an international organisation must constantly step out of their comfort zone and be able to face these challenges daily, but above all be able to resolve them.

Therefore, the internationalisation of businesses must come from the character of their people and not be imposed by trends, market circumstances or who knows what other reason.

In this light, Resuinsa, a company from Valencia that manufactures textiles for the Horeca industry, and after many years of experience and professionalisation, decided to take that giant leap along with the major hotel chains. In 2000, the company opened up to the internationalisation of its products and today, 16 years later, it is the only sector company that operates in 81 different countries and on the five continents. In fact, 40% of its turnover comes from this type of market.

The idea of conveying this experience, telling it first hand, and helping many other businesses has led me to take part in ‘The ABC of Internationalisation’ course offered by EDEM Business School. It was an enriching experience because you also get many viewpoints from different sectors that broaden your horizons. But I also feel that if we’re talking about internationalisation then the lack of training, for both professionals and businesses, is still evident in our society: a broader mindset that is necessary for those who take the step towards internationalisation because they must always carry that flag.

I believe that the challenge for businesses regarding internationalisation is not about following a series of guidelines, but the need for professionals with a more open mentality, capable of constantly facing daily challenges, and the experiences of professionals working abroad. That is the reason for this course, to sew the seed of a restless personality. But internationalisation is also something much deeper that gives this idea meaning; understanding how the world and global markets work, and the capacity afforded to internationalisation by the online world. A capacity that Resuinsa committed to in 2012 because our goal is no longer Europe, it’s the world.

It’s not about saving face and selling abroad as a solution to the crisis or a drop in domestic demand; it’s about commitment, about taking a risk, about contributing, about being an entrepreneur, about opening your eyes to leaving your comfort zone, about facing new challenges and adventures, and to do that you can’t go around with a book under your arm because –forgive me for saying – internationalisation is nature, not nurture.