How to effectively turn a vision of global business into a tangible reality
The INTERNATIONAL CLUB is a place for like-minded individuals. It is for people with global ambitions who also have a precise action plan and a clear perspective on their goals. Those who know exactly what they want.
And they want to work with people who can offer reliable solutions and proven tools.
That is why International Business Meetings is a modern platform that guarantees not only valuable relationships, but also constructive feedback. In other words, everything that is truly valuable in business.
INTERNATIONAL CLUB 2025 – the international history of Polish companies
For the second time, we hosted the Polish edition of INTERNATIONAL CLUB – International Business Meetings together with Altios Polska and KR Group. As usual, the event took place at the Sound Garden Hotel in Warsaw.
This event was designed for business leaders, board members, CFOs, HR professionals, and sales, export, and international development leaders. In short, everyone who is serious about conquering global markets.
Therefore, when setting this year’s agenda, we emphasised individual meetings that would give participants the opportunity to engage in in-depth discussions on the most important aspects of international expansion.
These discussions covered everything from a precise analysis of foreign markets, opportunities and threats, challenges and possibilities, to effective entry strategies, identification of reliable business partners, to the nuances of talent scouting and employee recruitment, and setting up companies abroad.
The idea behind this was that each of these discussions could become a roadmap for a very specific project. Participants also had the opportunity to consult their ideas with Altios experts, who actively support companies in their global development on a daily basis and operate in 22 countries around the world.
It was a day full of intense conversations, valuable meetings and the establishment of priceless relationships, which we hope will soon lead to new opportunities.
Two pillars of international expansion: M&A and joint ventures
Global growth requires bold decisions. And the two most common ways of entering international markets are acquiring an existing company (M&A) or forming a strategic partnership with a local company (joint venture).
Both offer enormous potential, but ultimate success always hinges on the details. Our experts, Aleksandra Domarecka, Magdalena Żukowska, Karol Połosak and Adam Czarnota, therefore guided participants through the key stages of these processes, providing specific business tips and demonstrating how to build secure and effective structures for international expansion.
M&A: how to buy a business, not problems
The starting point for any M&A transaction is the fundamental decision of what is actually going to be bought. Is it better to acquire the entire company, with all its history, liabilities and contracts (a share deal), or perhaps ‘buy out’ only its most valuable assets, such as technology or the customer base (an asset deal)?
This choice determines everything, from continuity of key contracts and liability for ‘skeletons in the closet’ to tax issues.
Another critical area is regulatory risk management. Obtaining approval from relevant authorities, such as the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) or the National Support Centre for Agriculture (KOWR), is essential, and failing to do so could render the entire transaction invalid.
Once the formalities have been completed, the next step are the representations and warranties (R&Ws). This is where the seller makes a declaration about the condition of their company. R&Ws also enable the buyer to protect themselves in case the reality turns out to be quite different.
It is important to remember that there is no room for haphazard solutions in this type of transaction. Therefore, you should also ask yourself: what if something goes wrong? Should we opt for litigation in a state court or discreet, flexible arbitration? Every provision and clause must be a conscious decision because ready-made templates, even those that have been successful in the past, cannot replace a strategy that has been tailored to a specific project.
Joint ventures: the power of smart cooperation
What if an acquisition is too big a step? Sometimes, the key to breaking into a foreign market is not buying a company, but forming a joint venture with a local partner. This enables to achieve together what would be impossible alone. But how do you find the perfect partner? It’s not just about their resources and market position. Equally important are factors such as a shared organisational culture, trust, and the same goals and values, in other words, business ‘chemistry’.
Once you have found the right partner, you need to establish a framework for cooperation. Will it be an equity joint venture, in which both parties contribute capital and assets to a new shared company, or a contractual joint venture, which is a more flexible cooperation agreement?
Regardless of its form, the agreement should act as a roadmap, and precisely answer the key questions about:
- Who will make decisions and how
- How will costs and profits be distributed
- What will be the success indicators (KPIs)
And most importantly, how to plan an amicable ‘parting of ways’ when, for example, the project comes to an end?
A well-structured joint venture is not only a way to share risks and costs. It is also a powerful tool for building synergies, gaining a competitive advantage, and dynamically scaling your business on an international level.
Networking, inspiration and plans for the future
The INTERNATIONAL CLUB is primarily a space for building valuable relationships, and networking sessions certainly facilitate this. It is an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences, make new contacts and draw inspiration from the stories of people who have already achieved international success.
If your company has global ambitions and is looking for partners, counterparties or international financing, don’t wait for next year’s edition, contact us now.
We help companies develop their business in global markets. We have the knowledge, experience and international network of contacts to do this efficiently and effectively.
Any questions? Contact us
