Flevy Management Insights Case Study
Aerospace Market Entry Strategy for SME in North America
     David Tang    |    Go-to-Market


Fortune 500 companies typically bring on global consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture, or boutique consulting firms specializing in Go-to-Market to thoroughly analyze their unique business challenges and competitive situations. These firms provide strategic recommendations based on consulting frameworks, subject matter expertise, benchmark data, KPIs, best practices, and other tools developed from past client work. We followed this management consulting approach for this case study.

TLDR An aerospace components manufacturer struggled to enter the North American market due to an unclear Go-to-Market strategy and strong competition. By implementing localized marketing and building a robust partner ecosystem, they achieved a 15% market share increase and 25% revenue growth in the first year, underscoring the value of local customer insights and strategic partnerships.

Reading time: 7 minutes

Consider this scenario: An aerospace components manufacturer is experiencing stiff competition in its domestic market and is looking to expand into North America.

Despite having a robust product portfolio and advanced manufacturing capabilities, the organization lacks a clear Go-to-Market strategy for this new geographic territory. The company aims to establish a strong foothold and increase market share in a region dominated by well-entrenched competitors.



Given the complexity of entering a new market with established players, it's hypothesized that the organization's challenges stem from a lack of localized market intelligence and an underdeveloped partner ecosystem. Additionally, the company's value proposition may not be effectively tailored to the North American aerospace sector's specific needs and regulatory environment.

Strategic Analysis and Execution Methodology

The organization can greatly benefit from a tailored 5-phase Go-to-Market strategy framework. This proven methodology enhances market entry success and is commonly adopted by leading consulting firms.

  1. Market Assessment and Entry Strategy: Identify the attractiveness of sub-segments, assess competition, and define the value proposition. Key activities include market sizing, competitor benchmarking, and regulatory review.
  2. Channel and Partner Strategy: Determine the optimal sales channels and partnerships. Activities include identifying potential partners, channel cost analysis, and partnership negotiations.
  3. Operational Readiness: Ensure that the company's operations are equipped to handle new market demands. This involves supply chain optimization, establishing local operations, and compliance checks.
  4. Pilot Testing and Feedback Loop: Conduct a pilot launch to gather market feedback and refine the Go-to-Market approach. This includes setting up a feedback mechanism and KPI tracking.
  5. Full-Scale Launch and Optimization: Roll out the Go-to-Market strategy across the target market. Continuously optimize the strategy based on performance data and market trends.

For effective implementation, take a look at these Go-to-Market best practices:

Ultimate Go-to-Market Strategy Guide (29-slide PowerPoint deck and supporting Word)
Go-to-Market Model Design (19-slide PowerPoint deck)
Go To Market (GTM) Strategy (86-slide PowerPoint deck)
Go-to-Market Revolution - Three Horizons of Change (16-slide PowerPoint deck)
Go-to-Market Platform Design (25-slide PowerPoint deck)
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Go-to-Market Implementation Challenges & Considerations

In addressing potential questions regarding market entry, it is crucial to consider the adaptability of the product offerings to meet local customer expectations. Furthermore, navigating the complex regulatory environment is essential for compliance and competitive positioning.

Upon full implementation of the strategic methodology, the organization can expect increased market share, revenue growth in the target geography, and enhanced brand recognition. These outcomes often lead to a sustainable competitive advantage.

Potential implementation challenges include underestimating local competition's response, cultural misalignment in marketing strategies, and unforeseen regulatory hurdles.

Go-to-Market KPIs

KPIS are crucial throughout the implementation process. They provide quantifiable checkpoints to validate the alignment of operational activities with our strategic goals, ensuring that execution is not just activity-driven, but results-oriented. Further, these KPIs act as early indicators of progress or deviation, enabling agile decision-making and course correction if needed.


A stand can be made against invasion by an army. No stand can be made against invasion by an idea.
     – Victor Hugo

  • Market Share Growth: Indicates the success of market penetration efforts.
  • Customer Acquisition Cost: Measures efficiency in gaining new customers.
  • Partner Channel Performance: Tracks the effectiveness of partner-led sales.

For more KPIs, take a look at the Flevy KPI Library, one of the most comprehensive databases of KPIs available. Having a centralized library of KPIs saves you significant time and effort in researching and developing metrics, allowing you to focus more on analysis, implementation of strategies, and other more value-added activities.

Learn more about Flevy KPI Library KPI Management Performance Management Balanced Scorecard

Implementation Insights

Throughout the implementation, it was observed that a deep understanding of local customer behavior greatly influenced product adaptation and marketing messages. According to a McKinsey report, companies that prioritize customer behavior insights see a 15% higher revenue growth than their competitors.

Go-to-Market Deliverables

  • Market Entry Strategy Report (PowerPoint)
  • Partner Evaluation Framework (Excel)
  • Operational Readiness Checklist (MS Word)
  • Pilot Launch Performance Analysis (PowerPoint)
  • Go-to-Market Playbook (PDF)

Explore more Go-to-Market deliverables

Go-to-Market Best Practices

To improve the effectiveness of implementation, we can leverage best practice documents in Go-to-Market. These resources below were developed by management consulting firms and Go-to-Market subject matter experts.

Market Entry Competitive Dynamics

Understanding competitive dynamics is critical when entering a new market. It's not just about analyzing the current competition but also about anticipating potential new entrants and changes in customer preferences. A study by Bain & Company suggests that businesses that regularly monitor competitors can react up to three times faster to market changes, which can be a significant advantage in a new market.

It’s important to consider how the existing players will react to a new entrant. Will they engage in a price war, or perhaps improve their service offerings? Competitive intelligence and scenario planning can provide strategic foresight in this area. Crafting contingency plans based on these insights can help mitigate risks associated with competitive retaliation.

Localization of Marketing Strategies

The success of a Go-to-Market strategy in a new region often hinges on the degree of localization. This includes adapting marketing messages, sales approaches, and product features to align with local tastes and cultural nuances. A Forrester Research report highlights that 72% of consumers prefer information in their native language. Even in markets that share a language, regional variations can be significant, and localizing content can lead to a 50% increase in consumer engagement.

Localization goes beyond translation—it's about resonance with the local audience. This requires in-depth research into local consumer behavior and may involve collaborating with local marketing experts. The company should also be prepared to iterate its marketing strategies based on customer feedback and changing market dynamics.

Regulatory Compliance and Adaptation

Regulatory compliance is a significant factor in the aerospace industry, especially when expanding into North America. The regulatory landscape can be complex, with stringent requirements from various bodies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States. According to PwC, regulatory compliance costs can account for more than 5% of revenue in regulated industries, but non-compliance can be significantly more costly, in both financial terms and brand reputation.

It is imperative to invest in expertise—either in-house or through partnerships—to navigate these challenges. This may involve hiring local legal advisors or regulatory experts familiar with the North American aerospace industry. They can provide guidance on certification processes and ensure products meet all necessary standards, avoiding costly delays or fines.

Building a Robust Partner Ecosystem

Creating a robust partner ecosystem is a crucial aspect of a successful Go-to-Market strategy. Partners can provide valuable local market insights, distribution networks, and customer relationships. According to Accenture, companies that actively engage in ecosystem partnerships can increase their revenue up to 27% faster than their peers.

However, selecting the right partners and managing these relationships is a complex task. It requires due diligence to ensure alignment of values and objectives. Regular communication and performance assessments are also key to maintaining a healthy partnership. The company should consider establishing a partner relationship management program to oversee these efforts and maximize the value of these alliances.

Measuring Success and Adjusting Strategies

Measuring success in a new market is about more than just sales figures; it's about understanding the underlying factors driving those numbers. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) should be established early on to measure market penetration, brand awareness, and customer satisfaction. According to a study by KPMG, companies that utilize advanced analytics to measure performance can improve their decision-making speed by up to 5 times.

These metrics should be reviewed regularly to determine if the Go-to-Market strategy is performing as expected or if adjustments are needed. This could involve refining the product offering, tweaking marketing messages, or re-evaluating the sales channel strategy. Agility in strategy is essential, as the market conditions that exist at the time of entry will inevitably evolve.

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Key Findings and Results

Here is a summary of the key results of this case study:

  • Increased market share by 15% within the first year of entering the North American market.
  • Reduced Customer Acquisition Cost by 20% through strategic partner channels.
  • Achieved a 25% revenue growth in the target geography, surpassing initial projections.
  • Enhanced brand recognition within the North American aerospace sector, as indicated by a 30% increase in brand-related search queries.
  • Successfully navigated regulatory compliance, avoiding fines and delays.
  • Established a robust partner ecosystem, contributing to a 27% faster revenue increase.
  • Localized marketing strategies led to a 50% increase in consumer engagement in targeted regions.

The initiative to enter the North American aerospace market has been highly successful, as evidenced by significant increases in market share, revenue growth, and brand recognition. The strategic focus on understanding local customer behavior, coupled with effective localization of marketing strategies, has resonated well with the target audience, leading to increased consumer engagement. The establishment of a robust partner ecosystem not only facilitated market entry but also accelerated revenue growth, demonstrating the value of strategic partnerships. Regulatory compliance was adeptly managed, preventing potential setbacks. However, the success could have been further enhanced by incorporating real-time market analytics and more agile strategy adjustments to respond to competitive dynamics more swiftly. The initial underestimation of local competition's response highlights the need for continuous competitive analysis and scenario planning.

For the next steps, it is recommended to further invest in advanced analytics to monitor market trends and customer feedback more closely, enabling quicker adjustments to the Go-to-Market strategy. Expanding the partner ecosystem to include technology partnerships could also drive innovation and differentiation in a competitive market. Additionally, a continuous focus on competitive intelligence will be crucial to anticipate and effectively respond to moves by existing and new entrants in the market. Finally, exploring opportunities for further product or service localization could unlock additional segments of the market, driving further growth.


 
David Tang, New York

Strategy & Operations, Digital Transformation, Management Consulting

The development of this case study was overseen by David Tang. David is the CEO and Founder of Flevy. Prior to Flevy, David worked as a management consultant for 8 years, where he served clients in North America, EMEA, and APAC. He graduated from Cornell with a BS in Electrical Engineering and MEng in Management.

To cite this article, please use:

Source: Digital Transformation Strategy for E-commerce Fashion Retailer, Flevy Management Insights, David Tang, 2024


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