It outlines 4x challenges for expanding internationally
by Cedric Van Aerde, CEO of JobToolz
JobToolz is a recruitment platform for SMEs and organisations, with a strong focus on employer branding, an automated recruitment process and recruitment marketing. We started in Belgium in 2016 and have since grown to serve more than 5000 customers across Europe.
We have always had a global vision for our product, as we believe that recruitment is a universal challenge for businesses of all sizes and industries. That's why we decided to expand into the Australian market this year, after doing extensive market research and validation.
Australia is an attractive market for SaaS companies like us, as it has a well-established tech sector, an early adoption of new technologies and a high demand for software solutions. According to Statista, the SaaS segment of Australia’s public cloud market revenues was US$3.61 billion in 2022 and is forecast to grow to US$6.23 billion by 2027.
However, expanding into Australia is not without its challenges. We had to consider 4x factors before entering the market:
- Product-market fit: We had to assess how our product fits with the specific Australian markets we are targeting. We had to understand the pain points, needs and preferences of our potential customers and adapt our value proposition accordingly. We also had to differentiate ourselves from the local and global competitors in the same space.
- Market segmentation: We had to identify which specific Australian markets we will target. Australia is not a single market, but a diverse and fragmented one. We had to choose which regions, sectors or cities to focus on, based on our product fit, market size, growth potential and competitive landscape.
- Pricing strategy: We had to determine the optimal price point for our product in the Australian market. We had to balance between capturing value, covering costs and staying competitive. We also had to consider the currency fluctuations, tax implications and payment preferences of our customers.
- Go-to-market strategy: We had to decide how we will reach, attract and retain our customers in Australia. We had to choose the most effective channels, partners and tactics for our marketing and sales efforts. We also had to build trust and credibility with our target audience, as well as comply with the local regulations and standards.
To overcome these challenges, we followed some best practices that we learned from other successful SaaS companies that have expanded internationally:
- Start small and test fast: We did not try to conquer the whole Australian market at once, but instead focused on a niche segment that we could serve well and learn from. We used lean methods to validate our assumptions, test our product fit and measure our traction. We iterated quickly based on customer feedback and data.
- Stay flexible and agile: We did not stick to a rigid plan or strategy, but instead adapted to the changing market conditions and customer needs. We used cloud-based tools and platforms that allowed us to scale up or down easily and cost-effectively. We also leveraged our existing customers and partners in Europe to get referrals and introductions in Australia.
- Hire local talent and expertise: We did not rely solely on our remote team in Belgium, but instead hired local talent and expertise in Australia. We recruited people who understood the culture, language and business environment of our target market. We also partnered with local agencies and consultants who could help us with legal, financial and operational aspects.
By following these best practices, we have been able to successfully launch our product in Australia and gain traction with our target customers. We have also been able to establish a strong brand presence and reputation in the market.
Why now?
We are very confident that we can deliver value to our customers and gain a competitive edge in the market.
We are aware of the risks and challenges that a recession may pose to our expansion plans. We think that a recession may also create some advantages for us, such as:
- Tech reviews: A recession may force some organisations to review their tech infrastructure and cost of operations. This may create more demand for our product and services, as there is no better feeling than finding an alternative solution that provides the same (if not more) benefit for the fraction of the cost.
- More innovation: A recession may stimulate more innovation and creativity in our company, as we will have to find new ways to solve problems, meet customer needs and differentiate ourselves from others.
- More loyalty: A recession may strengthen the loyalty and trust of our customers, as we will demonstrate our commitment, reliability and quality during difficult times.
Therefore, we think that expanding into Australia now is a smart and timely decision that will position us well for future success. We are excited to enter this new market and look forward to building long-term relationships with our customers, partners and stakeholders in Australia.
We are excited about the opportunities that Australia offers for our SaaS business and we look forward to growing our customer base and revenue in this market. We believe that JobToolz can help Australian SMEs and organisations improve their recruitment process and attract the best talent for their teams.
Book a demo or start your free 14-day trial
Are you looking for a recruitment platform that can help you attract, engage and hire the best talent for your business? If so, you should choose JobToolz, the leading recruitment platform for SMEs and organisations.
JobToolz is not just another recruitment software. It is a comprehensive solution that covers every aspect of your recruitment process, from employer branding, to candidate sourcing, to applicant tracking, to hiring analytics.
JobToolz helps you stand out from the crowd with a powerful employer branding tool that showcases your company culture, values and benefits. You can create a customised career site that reflects your unique identity and attracts the right candidates for your roles.
JobToolz also helps you reach more candidates with an automated recruitment marketing tool that distributes your jobs to multiple channels, such as job boards, social media and email campaigns. You can target passive candidates who may not be actively looking for a job, but are open to new opportunities.
JobToolz also helps you manage your candidates with an intuitive applicant tracking system that streamlines your workflow and improves your efficiency. You can track, communicate and evaluate your candidates in one place, using smart filters, tags and ratings. You can also automate tasks such as screening, scheduling and feedback.
JobToolz also helps you measure your performance with a data-driven hiring analytics tool that provides insights into your recruitment process. You can monitor key metrics such as time to hire, cost per hire, quality of hire and candidate satisfaction. You can also identify areas of improvement and optimise your strategy accordingly.
JobToolz is the best choice for your recruitment needs, especially in times of uncertainty and change. JobToolz helps you overcome the challenges of the current labour market, such as:
- Skill-shortage
- Competition
- Employee turnover
JobToolz is the ultimate recruitment platform for SMEs and organisations who want to hire the best talent on the market. JobToolz is easy to use, affordable and scalable. You can start using JobToolz today with a free trial or a demo. Don’t miss this opportunity to take your recruitment to the next level with JobToolz!
