The Need

More technology companies in Central and East Europe(CEE) are creating globally competitive products.  This especially applies to web services companies, for businesses as well as for consumers.   They have gained global market knowledge.  Yet the need persists for particular marketing skills, broader product distribution, and partnering know-how as well as know-who.  They need better financing, but that requires better market orientation and sales traction.

These companies can be prone to fatal misconceptions when reaching out internationally.  Some believe that location doesn’t matter - that Chicago or New York is the same as Silicon Valley.  Some think that if they do not get CEE investors, they will get American ones.  They think that best products and best technologies always win.   They think that proper market investigation, and establishing of distribution and partnerships, happen overnight.  They think that because of the Internet, cultural differences do not matter.  They think that the American market is so big, that all they need is a small % which will be easy.  They think it is cheap to open and manage a foreign office.  They think it is easy to find and hire the right people.

The Solution

To proceed successfully, serious companies must avoid these traps.  SV Flow brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and contacts in both CEE and the U.S.  Geographically, Silicon Valley encompasses the general San Francisco-San Jose Bay Area in Northern California. Economically, Silicon Valley is the main portal to reach global web services industries.  It is the portal not only for the U.S., but also for many global markets accessed through U.S.-based channels. 

SV Flow joins with you to assess the global-ready qualities of your products and business.  We advise how to fill in the gaps to become more global-ready.  We help analyze the market, highlighting points of easiest and greatest access.   We work with you to determine the most important customer prospects.   We proceed to engage, transact and expand sales and distribution with partners.  In some cases a direct channel to end-users may be favorable.   We drive partnering for further product development which can further expand sales.  SV Flow manages marketing including publicity for building image and brand to further expand sales.

When justified by sales growth, we can help open a subsidiary office, including finding and hiring the right people.  If your current investors wish to consider adding U.S.-based investors, we know the venture financing world well and can assist.   

SV Flow is driven not only by providing key advice.  We are driven by generating sales results and lasting market positions for our clients.  We enable true innovators to bring better products to more customers.

How We Work

SV Flow is careful to propose a project only after we are familiar with a prospective client, its products and its markets.  Objectives, strategy and tactics are clearly specified for discussion and agreement.  This includes initial targeting of customers, actions, schedule, resources, and costs.   Our compensation mirrors that which is customary with technology executives - a combination of a monthly retainer, performance bonus, and equity participation.  We communicate frequently and transparently with our clients in written progress reports, teleconference discussions, and meetings.

If You Design for the World, SV Flow Will Bring You There.