Looking Back: France Unlocked: Exploring France as a Growth Market in Vught
France Unlocked: Exploring France as a Growth Market in Vught
How can Dutch companies successfully establish and grow their business in France?
This was the central question of our latest NFCC networking event, France Unlocked, held at Language Institute Regina Coeli in Vught, also known as the “Nuns of Vught”.
Bringing together more than 40 ambitious entrepreneurs, the afternoon focused on the real-life experience of Bulsink, a retail construction company that successfully expanded from the Netherlands into the French market and established a local presence.
Rather than traditional company presentations, participants gained practical insights into the challenges, lessons learned and opportunities that come with international expansion. Together with experts from ORYX, Language Institute Regina Coeli and the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce in France, we explored what it takes to build a successful and sustainable business in France.
Four key takeaways from the afternoon
1. Language and culture are key business assets
2. Empower local talent
3. Think long-term and build local relationships
4. Build strong foundations
Investing in the French language and understanding local business etiquette is not simply a soft skill. It is one of the most important factors in building trust, developing relationships and succeeding in the French market.
Giving local French management the mandate, autonomy and trust to operate according to the specificities of their market is essential. Understanding local expectations and adapting your approach can make a real difference.
Starting with existing customer relationships can provide an initial entry point, but long-term success requires establishing a strong local presence and developing relationships with French partners.
A solid legal and operational structure is essential when entering a new market. Making use of existing networks and local expertise can also help companies find the right partners and open the right doors more quickly.
Thank you to our speakers and hosts
A special thank you to our speakers Giel van Roosmalen, Anneke van der Pasch, Louisa Trad, Jonatan Buttet and Noor Kleijweg for sharing their expertise and practical insights.
We would also like to thank all participants for their active contributions during the discussions and networking session.
Finally, our sincere thanks to Erica Goedegebuure, Suzan van der Meulen, Corinne Bekkers and the entire Language Institute Regina Coeli team for their warm welcome and hospitality in Vught.
Looking to grow your business in France?
Expanding into France offers many opportunities, but understanding the local market, building the right relationships and having the right support in place are essential.
The Netherlands Chamber of Commerce in France (NFCC) supports Dutch and French companies in developing their cross-border activities by connecting them with relevant partners, experts and business networks.
Interested in exploring the French market? Get in touch with our team to discover how we can support your international ambitions.