When your company looks to expand internationally, the five leading markets are, not surprisingly, some of the world's leading business centers. All have a strong infrastructure to support your business and excellent corporate real estate options:
London, England
London remains one of the world's leading business centers. While it's a historical city, its business infrastructure includes cutting edge technology like fiber optic networks, underground public transportation so that employees can easily reach you, and access to multiple airports with global connections. In one square mile, London's commercial center contains over 80 million square feet of office space and 27 different train stations.
Paris, France
While Paris shares some of London's drawbacks - like pollution and high wages - it also has one key advantage. Its location in continental Europe makes it central for doing business all over the continent. When you rent corporate real estate in Paris, you can do business with the 11.6 million people in the metropolitan area or you can be in any major European business center in 3 hours or less. Both of Paris's international airports are just 30 minutes or less away. Paris is also the home to more corporate headquarters than any other city in the world, other than Tokyo.
Sydney, Australia
Sydney gives you access to the Pacific Rim in an atmosphere that feels morelike the US than other Pacific Rim countries since its primary language is English. It offers a highly educated workforce - over 57 percent have post-secondary education - and was ranked the tenth most livable city in the world by Mercer Consulting. Corporate real estate is available in both the city's central business district and in suburban locations. Sydney has direct air connections to most Pacific Rim business centers and serves as the business hub of Australia.
Munich, Germany
Locating in the south of Germany gives you access to Bavaria's highly productive markets. Whether you're looking to sell into the German market or you want to build relationships with German companies that are looking to export, Munich corporate real estate gives your company a foothold. Bavaria has more to offer than a certain well-known luxury car maker, as well. Munich is home to aerospace, finance, media and life science companies, and ranked number 1 for business in the Prognos Future Atlas survey of German cities.
Stockholm, Sweden
Economic reforms passed in the 1990's restored Sweden's economic strength and its capital city, Stockholm, as the leading business destination for Scandinavia. Stockholm is an international city offering a large English-speaking population, strong financial sector and excellent transit connections. Sweden's business friendliness makes it a corporate haven with 1.5 global corporate headquarters for every million Swedes -- more than five times the EU's average of 0.27. Another benefit of doing business in Stockholm is that your business won't have to use the now-unstable Euro. Sweden is one of the few countries in Europe that still uses its own currency - the krona.
Beyond the five leading cities for corporate real estate locations, the emerging markets are also establishing themselves as important parts of many company's strategies. Although bad news from emerging market stock funds fills the media, countries like Brazil, Mexico, India, China and Turkey have rapidly growing middle classes and young, educated work forces. American businesses are finding success in cities like Sao Paolo, Brazil, Bangalore, India and Guadalajara, Mexico. Many of these markets offer lower rents for corporate real estate and vibrant growing local economies that you can tap into. As the world continues to shrink, opportunities continue to pop up all over the globe.
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