What are location advantages and how can they help my company? (2024)

3. Adjacent Business Communities

A strong local ecosystem that supports your type of business is a primary reason for expanding to a new community.

Does it have similar businesses? What’s the local business culture like? What kinds of support organizations, likeaccelerators, research supports, etc., are available? The answers to these questions can impact your ability to innovate, attract and retain talent and, ultimately, grow your business.

In addition to having customers in proximity and a strong local ecosystem, businesses should also consider the communities that are adjacent to their target location.

Industries aren’t often contained within a single community, so proximity and access to related business communities and ecosystems can appeal to businesses looking to expand to a new location.

For example, Waterloo is part of Canada’s largest manufacturing corridor, North America’s largest automotive corridor and North America’s second largest tech cluster.

While the greater manufacturing, automotive and tech industries aren’t contained within Waterloo, they are in close enough proximity to spur partnerships, ensure talent/workforce availability, and present other opportunities for businesses in any one of those areas.

4. Proximity to Talent Sources

A successful expansion – or business for that matter – isn’t possible without access to good talent.

Improving talent attraction and retention through greater proximity to existing workforces or strong talent pipelines is the primary location advantage for many companies.

Communities that have a strong workforce in place have demonstrated that they can grow and retain talent, so businesses looking to expand should seek out locations whereother growing brands have established a presence.

Strong talent pipelines are also built on excellent post-secondary education. When looking at potential locations for expansion, consider thequality of the educational institutionsin the area, including the programs they’re best known for.

TheToronto-Waterloo Corridor– the second largest tech cluster in North America and quickly gaining speed on Silicon Valley – has 15,000+ tech companies, 318,000+ tech workers and many of Canada’s top universities.

Google, Apple, SAP and IBM have all located in theToronto-Waterloo Corridor as a result of the high-quality tech talent available.

Considering an expansion? We can help.

Is business expansion in your near future? Waterloo EDC offers one-stop, complementary concierge services to help you get acquainted with the community.Contact usto speak with one of our Market Development Managers today.

What are location advantages and how can they help my company? (2024)

FAQs

What are location advantages and how can they help my company? ›

Faster Response Times and Enhanced Customer Service

What are the advantages of business location? ›

Five location advantages you should consider are trade access, consumer/market proximity, adjacent business communities, proximity to talent sources and lower costs.

What is a locational advantage in business? ›

The advantages accrued by a firm through being located at a particular site or within a jurisdiction. These can include access to raw materials, key markets, low wages, special taxes or tariffs, and the benefits of ... ...

What are location specific advantages? ›

Location-specific advantages or LSAs are those location-specific market features and/or factors of production that enable a firm to achieve an improved financial outcome from the provision of the same product or service relative to alternative locations.

Why is location an important factor in business? ›

The location of the office of your business can be one of the most crucial factors that drives its success by determining access to market forces, clients, and resources. It also plays a critical role in the way a brand is perceived by customers or audiences, by serving as a landmark of identity.

What are the 8 factors to consider when choosing a business location? ›

8 business location factors to consider
  • Geographic location. Firstly, your business location needs to be in an area that positions you in close proximity to your target market. ...
  • Operational needs. ...
  • Rent cost. ...
  • Security. ...
  • Competition. ...
  • Growth potential. ...
  • Accessibility.
Oct 5, 2022

Why is the location or site so important for a business? ›

The bottom line is that the state in which your business sets up its operations can impact many factors that determine success. Consumer demographics, the industry landscape, taxes and regulations, the talent pool, and the cost of living are all essential considerations.

What are the location advantages? ›

Location advantages refer to the benefits of operating in a specific country, such as access to natural resources, low labor costs, and favorable tax policies. Internalization advantages refer to the benefits of managing the production process within the firm rather than outsourcing it to external suppliers.

Why is location a strength in business? ›

Location plays a huge role in attracting and retaining the best employees, many of whom keep a close eye on where they're based in order to optimize work-life balance. Good location decisions can significantly boost a company's long-term performance. Poor ones can cost millions in lost talent, productivity and capital.

What is an example of a location specific advantage? ›

Location Specific Advantages (LSAs) refer to the unique benefits or advantages that are specific to a particular location. These advantages can include factors such as cheap labor, well-developed infrastructure, or proximity to specific unaffiliated firms.

What are the advantages of localization of industry? ›

Improved Customer Satisfaction: Localized products are better designed to fit local preferences and culture, and hence, customers are more satisfied after using them. Increased Market Share: When companies cater to the local taste, there is a higher probability of gaining a large market share in the targeted area.

Is location a competitive advantage? ›

Finally, the importance of location to competitive advantage is also manifested in the location decisions of multinational corporations (MNCs). Accounts citing widespread geographic dispersion of MNC activities are misleading, first because of company diversification.

What is a strategic location for a business? ›

A business location strategy is a plan used to find the best location for your business to reach its goals and objectives. Business location analysis is a process wherein businesses compare different location characteristics in order to select the location best suited to your business.

What is the problem with location in business? ›

Low-visibility locations are among the biggest problem facing business owners. Visibility might be blocked by large buildings or freeways. For this reason, big businesses usually invest in large, free- standing signs advertising their location, which may not be a feasible investment for a small business.

How and why is location important to successful operations management? ›

Location plays a pivotal role in ensuring the satisfaction of staff and customers, financial health, operational efficiency, and meeting business needs. Thorough research and strategic planning are crucial for any business contemplating location decisions.

What influences business location? ›

Business owners have to consider a number of things when choosing a location for their business. These include what type of business and how close they need to be to their customers, labour, materials and competitors.

What are the advantages of good store location? ›

Having a prime location can be a game changer for a business, as it offers numerous benefits such as high foot traffic, accessibility, exposure to potential customers, and increased brand awareness.

What are the advantages of localization? ›

Localization strategy: Advantages and disadvantages
  • Breaks down language and cultural barriers in new markets.
  • Builds trust and brand loyalty with local audiences by making your brand relevant to them.
  • Provides access to a broader audience.
  • Improves customer satisfaction with customized experiences.
Dec 19, 2023

What are the advantages of location based services for customers and for businesses? ›

Insights into Customer Behavior: Location-based services provide valuable analytics on customer behavior and preferences. These insights enable businesses to understand their audience better, enhancing products, services, and customer interactions.

What are the advantages of location economies? ›

Locational advantages
  • State-of-the-Art Infrastructure.
  • Attractive Funding.
  • Highly Qualified and Motivated Workforce.
  • High Productivity and Low Costs.
  • Excellent Research and Development.

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