According to the latest cbs surveys,  more than 445,000 Dutch companies are active internationally. “It is becoming more and more normal to do business across the border,” says foreign expert Jacob van der Vis of the Chamber of Commerce.

Yet many employers and entrepreneurs still miss opportunities abroad. “A lot of people find it scary,” he says. “You have to deal with a different culture, a different entrepreneurial spirit, all kinds of documents that have to be filled in, tax and legal responsibilities, and so on.”

Webgrade, originally from The Hague  , is one of the companies that dared to take the step. According to founder and creative director Daan Vischschraper, it was a logical step. “Our developers have already built webshops, websites and other CRM systems for Dutch customers. If a large publicly traded company from California is interested in your services (Massimo, ed.), that is extremely interesting.”

Webgrade was commissioned to build a website and webshop for the Dutch division of the company. Vischschraper: ‘We were not only able to carry out the project cheaper than American companies, but also at a higher level.’

Improved competitiveness due to lower euro exchange rate

This has to do with a number of developments. Firstly, that the economic policy of the Americans is different from ours. “The EU and the Dutch government are reacting more slowly to skyrocketing inflation than the US,” says Vischschraper. “Interest rates have been raised there rather than here. This makes the Netherlands a more stable market to invest in.”

The euro is currently worth about as much as the dollar. Bad news for the Dutch tourist in the US, but good news for the Dutch company that offers products and services on the American market. Vischschraper: “It’s a lot easier to compete.”

Sharing experiences with other entrepreneurs

Finding your way abroad as an entrepreneur does require some effort, says Van der Vis. “It’s a quest and an adventure. You often have to deal with questions that are unknown to you, to which answers are often difficult to find, such as finding a reliable supplier.”

Some foreign companies take advantage of this. “For example, they charge too much or charge extra fees unnoticed. Good preparation is therefore essential.”

Consult the Chamber of Commerce and talk to other entrepreneurs about the processes and experiences, he recommends. “Also inquire at Dutch embassies in the country. People who already work there are often willing to explain how it works.”

Communicate with nine hours time difference

Some countries will present you with greater challenges than others. In the US, the cultural differences with the Dutch business community are not so bad, says Vischschraper. However, the Netherlands is a relatively digital country compared to the US. “Here, everyone needs a DigiD to communicate with the tax authorities, for example. In the US and other countries, you spend a lot of time on tax matters because you have to physically go to the right counters.”

Also pay attention to practical matters such as the time difference and what you may have to adjust in your current business operations. Vischschraper had to deal with a time difference of nine hours. “If it’s nine in the morning in Los Angeles, it’s six in the evening here. How do you organize a working day efficiently if you work with colleagues in other time zones? You have to figure that out.”

He is positive about his experiences in America. “Americans are very open to other entrepreneurs. As long as you have a good pitch, it doesn’t matter where you’re from. You have to like the work culture. In the US, a lot of remote work is done, but business is still done face to face. In many industries, they don’t have a 9-to-5 mentality. If you know things like that before you go there, you have an edge.”