Developing Enterprise in Building International locations

We got an interview with Mr Thomas Egerstrom who has long experience in developing business developing countries or as Mr Egerstrom calls it, in complex environments. Africa is by some seen as a poor market with little opportunities, but for those who look a little closer on it it quickly becomes apparent that Africa has a lot to offer in business market. It’s a huge market, its expensive to operate in and full of “red tape” but for those who dig in and spend time, there is rewards to be found. Mr Egerstrom started a security related business in 2009, its main target area was the coast of Africa providing security for ships targeted by pirates. It really did seem like a mad idea at the time, but the market was there and screaming for solutions so it was an opportunity to great to miss, says Mr Egerstrom. Operating not only in one country but in several countries along the coast Mr Egerstrom soon found himself in the red tape area of a business start up. It was all about finding the right people at the right time and in the right place to make it happen. I was lucky who operated in an environment where money, or rather competition, was not a problem so we could charge clients the costs we faced more or less instantly. We had very low risk in our spending as each cost was directly related to a client’s demand and was passed on, he tells us. Lessons learned from the initial years was always, investigate the local market, spend great time I investigating what is already been offered and how they do it. Don’t take no for an answer, find a solution around it. Always ask more than one person the same thing to ensure it all matches up. Information is varying and it can be really hard to find out what is the best way or only way to actually getting something done. No matter what you are being told its going to cost, add more to it, nothing is every as easy as a quote over there. But once you have learned your market and area, its not that hard to get it moving. Most countries love to have you there and any opportunity to develop a business is positive. Its even easy to get direct contact with high level officials, they want your business, they want you to come and start something in their area, they look good if you start a business, and it benefits whatever area or country you are in, it’s a welcoming situation to be an entrepreneur in Thomas claims. Today Thomas is the CEO of the fast growing business The Marshals Group PLC, a UK based public company that develops businesses related to security in complex environments spanning from SeaMarshals Risk Management Ltd who provides armed guards to RiskMap.com that provides risk management online world wide.

Developing business in developing countries, The Marshals Group PLC