In the post-COVID-19 economy, businesses big and small are facing new challenges in the US and global markets. Volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity have become the new norm in many industries, making it vital for companies to prioritize business resilience, particularly when it comes to budgeting, cost savings, and lowering operating leverage. One way to reduce costs in wealthier countries is global expansion. By relocating support functions to lower-cost regions overseas, business leaders can better position their companies to weather any uncertainty that may lie ahead.

I run a financial advisory firm in Tbilisi, Georgia, where I’ve served as a fractional CFO for companies based in my home country as well as the US, UK, and Europe. From my work with more than 50 foreign entrepreneurs in industries from IT to manufacturing, I’ve noticed two emerging trends, both centered around global expansion: outsourcing supporting operations overseas, and opening branch offices abroad.

There are a number of advantages to each solution. Outsourcing supporting operations—whether to individual contractors or other companies—can provide a nimble, cost-effective option, allowing your business to scale up or down more quickly. Opening a branch abroad also allows you to tap into global talent while spending less on operating costs than you would at your company’s headquarters, giving your organization the flexibility it needs to ride the wave of any uncertainty.

Whether you simply outsource to overseas talent or expand your business abroad is a strategic decision that depends on your company, industry, and circumstances, and whose consideration lies beyond the scope of this article. Regardless of which option you choose, there are several factors to assess when considering expanding abroad, and this article focuses on key points to help you make an informed decision that’s right for your company.