First 100 Days Checklist
Your day-by-day roadmap for launching successful operations in a new market. Every task, milestone, and warning from our experience.
Foundation Phase Tasks
Legal setup, infrastructure, and first hiresDay 1
4 tasks
Secure temporary workspace/co-working space
Ops LeadOpen local bank account (if entity ready)
FinanceMeet with legal counsel
LegalActivate local phone numbers
ITDay 2
3 tasks
Submit remaining entity paperwork
LegalBegin office space search
Ops LeadInterview first recruitment agencies
HRDay 5
4 tasks
Finalize recruitment partner
HRSetup payroll provider
FinanceOrder IT equipment
ITCreate job descriptions for first 10 roles
HRDay 10
4 tasks
Sign office lease
Ops LeadNegotiate 6-month break clause
Complete tax registrations
FinanceLaunch first job postings
HRSetup local benefits packages
HRDay 15
4 tasks
Interview Country Manager candidates
CEO/HRComplete office fit-out planning
Ops LeadEstablish security protocols
SecuritySetup accounting system
FinanceDay 20
4 tasks
Make Country Manager offer
CEODeliverable: Signed offer letter
Complete first wave interviews
HRInstall IT infrastructure
ITConduct first cultural training
HRDay 25
4 tasks
Make first 5 job offers
HRComplete compliance audit
LegalDeliverable: Compliance checklist
Setup performance metrics
Ops LeadLaunch internal communication tools
ITDay 30
4 tasks
First team onboarding
HRDeliverable: Onboarded employees
Complete office setup
Ops LeadEstablish vendor relationships
Ops LeadMilestone celebration!
Country ManagerKey Milestones
Legal Entity Operational
Day 10All registrations complete, ready to hire
First Team Onboarded
Day 30Core team of 5-10 people ready to start
Operations Stabilized
Day 50Serving clients successfully with quality
Ready to Scale
Day 70Proven model ready for rapid growth
Market Leader Position
Day 100Established presence with growth momentum
Critical Warnings
Don't Skip Compliance
Every shortcut in the first 30 days creates 10x problems later
Hire Your Leader First
Country Manager by Day 20 or everything else suffers
Cash Flow is King
Have 6 months runway - everything takes longer
Culture from Day 1
You can't retrofit culture - build it from the start
Checklist Stats
Pro Tips
- Week 1 sets the tone - be overprepared
- Celebrate small wins to build momentum
- Document everything - you'll expand again
- Your first 10 hires determine your culture
Download Complete Checklist
Excel template with all 147 tasks, owners, and dependencies
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Related Resources
All Resources
Browse all free resources for global expansion including calculators, guides, and tools.
Country Guides
In-depth guides for expanding to 8 key markets with real operational insights.
Compliance Hub
Country-specific employment regulations and compliance checklists updated monthly.