Case Study
Client
A U.S.-based nonprofit association.
Industry
Nonprofit sector focused on industry standards and best practices.
Headquarters
United States.
Employee Count
200 +
At Factum Global, we empower organizations to successfully expand internationally while making a positive impact on communities around the world. One of our most meaningful partnerships involves a nonprofit association that we’ve been working with for over three years, helping them evolve from a U.S.-centric entity into a truly global organization.
Client Background
Our client is a U.S.-based nonprofit association with a mission to promote best practices within its industry for over 100 years. Although they have a strong domestic presence, their international footprint remained limited. Recognizing the growing need to expand their influence globally, the organization turned to Factum Global to guide them through the complexities of international expansion.
Challenges
The association’s leadership understood that there was significant potential for expanding their services globally, but they were unsure if they were ready for such a venture. They had minimal experience navigating the global landscape and lacked insights into the challenges and risks of scaling their operations internationally. Factum Global was engaged to assess its global readiness and to develop a clear strategy that would allow it to successfully penetrate international markets.
Solution
Assessing International Readiness
We started with an International Readiness Assessment, using Factum Global’s proprietary International Maturity Model™. This model evaluates 10 critical variables, including people, systems, processes, culture, and finances, to assess an organization’s preparedness for global expansion. Through this, we identified areas of strength and areas requiring improvement. Our findings helped us develop a roadmap for the organization to bolster its international capabilities.
Stakeholder Engagement & Market Research
To ensure the leadership had a holistic view of the opportunities and challenges, we conducted stakeholder engagement and extensive market research. This helped us understand the appetite for global expansion among their members and stakeholders. We also performed a competitive and comparative analysis, allowing the organization to learn from the successes and challenges of other associations in their sector that had successfully expanded internationally. This gave the association a clearer picture of the global landscape and its potential place within it.
Based on the findings, Factum Global recommended that the Singaporean company focus on expanding its presence in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, as these countries proved to have the greatest potential for successful short- and long-term sales for its product offerings. Factum Global provided the company with detailed reports which provided insights into the local market landscape, including potential customers, local competitors, and regulatory requirements in these countries.
Developing a Global Strategy
With this comprehensive understanding, we guided the association through a collaborative process to develop its global strategy. This included the selection of a new operating model that would allow them to scale internationally. The strategy was built around expanding its core mission while taking into account international market nuances. Throughout this process, Factum Global served as an extension of its team, working closely with its Board of Directors, senior leadership, and key committees to ensure full alignment with the association’s long-term vision.
Implementation and Organizational Transformation
As a trusted partner, Factum Global has remained deeply involved in the implementation of the global strategy. We have helped the association achieve the following milestones:
- Staff Training: We provided training on cultural sensitivity and building a global mindset to the entire staff, ensuring they are equipped to operate in diverse cultural environments.
- Redefining International Relationships: We supported the organization in redefining its approach to international strategic alliances, partnerships, and affiliate relationships, allowing for stronger ties with global stakeholders.
- Governance Overhaul: We are assisting the association in rethinking its governance model, including changes to its Board structure, ensuring that its leadership is equipped to oversee global expansion.
- Global Certification Program: We are helping the organization develop a global certification program that expands its U.S.-based certification initiative to international audiences, further enhancing its global reach.
Outcomes
Over the past three years, Factum Global has become a trusted partner, helping this nonprofit association evolve from a U.S.-centric organization to a global leader. As a result of this partnership, the association is now in the process of expanding its operations into several new countries. The organization is well on its way to becoming a truly global entity, equipped with the tools, strategy, and governance needed to thrive internationally.
A Shared Vision for Global Impact
What makes this partnership particularly meaningful is the alignment of values between Factum Global and our association client. Both share a commitment to creating meaningful, positive impact through their work. By leveraging our international expansion expertise, the association is now poised to improve lives and strengthen communities on a global scale.
