Uncovering the DNA of successful Country Managers
Having a leader who knows the specificities of the local market is strategic for the adaptation and success of companies when arriving in a new country, and this is the main role of the Country Manager.
Effective Country Managers understand the importance of a solid global vision, but what sets them apart is their ability to translate that vision into relevant local actions.
When balancing internationalization and global strategies with a deep understanding of local demands, these leaders shape a unique and effective approach to success.
But what sets successful Country Managers apart?
Country Manager Features and Challenges
Each market has unique challenges, and successful Country Managers need to adapt quickly to new situations. Therefore, adaptability and resilience are two skills that we highlight.
The Country Manager must, in addition to facing challenges, learn from experiences and, in this way, adjust the best strategies to the specific complexities of each business environment.
High expectations
One of the most challenging parts of being a Country Manager is the high expectations, both on the part of the professional and the company that hires them.
Professionals are in charge of unraveling the market, creating plans and achieving goals, often needing to reformulate strategies, change processes and other more radical actions, to make companies more efficient, boost economic growth in foreign countries and generate profits. It is possible to say that most of the time, this manager needs to get the route right and “create his own road”.
Persuasion power
Successful Country Managers know they cannot “lead their path” alone. They are professionals with great skills in dealing with people and deep respect for culture. This requires intelligence, empathy and the power of persuasion to unite teams around a new route or strategy.
Therefore, active listening and efficient communication skills need to be well honed in these leaders. Furthermore, these managers seek to maintain a positive perspective on the performance of their team and the company.
This optimism can motivate employees and increase performance. This allows managers and teams to share the same vision of success, which is particularly important in times of difficulty or change.
The importance of local and global networking
“Not doing everything alone” also implies having a solid network of local and global relationships. These connections not only provide valuable insights on the local market, but also open doors to strategic partnerships that will drive long-term success.
Think and act
Lawrence Arthur “Larry” Bossidy, former CEO of AlliedSignal and General Electric and author of the book “Execution: the discipline to achieve results“, states that “Strategies fail most often because they are not carried out well.” Success lies in execution, which means bringing together people, strategy and operations – the three key processes of every business.
Country Managers lead beyond strategy, prioritizing tasks, solving problems and translating needs into tangible results.
A successful career as a Country Manager is based on a balance between hard and soft skills; that is, technical skills are important, however, socio-emotional and behavioral skills need to be developed and valued.
What we have become accustomed to calling the “business world” is actually a complex game of relationships and, ultimately, companies do not sell to companies; They are people who sell to people. Hence the importance of real skills, as they were redefined as soft skills by consultant Seth Godin.
Successful Country Managers bring together a unique combination of global and local vision, face challenges with determination and build solid relationships; These leaders excel at effectively managing operations in diverse markets.
By following this path, these professionals not only achieve success, but also shape the future of business in an increasingly global and interconnected world.