Listen to the Murmur of the Water

©2014 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” ― John Lubbock, The Use Of Life

By The End of 2014, There Will Be Almost 3 Billion Internet Users

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According to Brahima Sanou, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, "By the end of 2014, there will be almost 3 billion Internet users, two-thirds of them coming from the developing world, and that the number of mobile-broadband subscriptions will reach 2.3 billion globally."

The question becomes:  Are you ready to serve them?

Note:  By end 2014, 55% of all mobile-broadband subscriptions are expected to be in the developing world, compared with only 20% in 2008.  Close to one out of three people in the developing countries are online.

Read the entire report:  The World in 2014 ICT Facts and Figures

Related article:  The G20 e-Trade Readiness Index:  Good and Bad News for SMEs

Learn About the U.S.-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC)

What's the Key Driver Leading to Overseas Outsourcing?

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According to a 2012 survey from Duke’s Fuqua School of business, nearly three-quarters of respondents indicated labor cost savings as one of the three most important drivers leading to overseas outsourcing.

This was twice the rate of response for any other option. But according to research from the Hackett Group, the cost gap between the United States and China has shrunk by nearly 50 percent over the past eight years, and is expected to stand at just 16 percent by 2013. Labor costs in China and elsewhere are rising, and coupled with rising fuel prices raising shipping costs, the economic argument for sending jobs overseas may be becoming less persuasive.

Oh really.  Currently, a lot of politicians are still using the "sending jobs overseas" as a hot button issue to pin against a favorite candidate. Take the case of Republican Gov. Scott Walker (WI), who is running a campaign ad hitting Democratic candidate Mary Burke (WI) for her family’s company where she used to work, Trek Bicycle, for sending jobs overseas.

Read more:  Walker ad used Trek sending jobs overseas to rip Burke

A little more on global leader Trek bikes.

Are You An American Maker?

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If you make your products in America, this is your chance to be recognized as one of the 2014 Martha Stewart American Made Winners.

Martha, her panel of judges, and the American Made community are selecting the next generation of American Made entrepreneurs: those who are creating beautiful, inspiring, useful products; pioneering new industries; improving local communities; and changing the way we eat, shop, work, and live.

Nominations:  June 3 - August 29, 2014

Turn your passion for quality craftsmanship and well-designed goods into a way of life.  Nominate yourself but first, learn the ropes and rules here. Then get started.

Meanwhile, find out why small businesses should 'sell American' locally and globally.

Today in Global Small Business: eBay Shuts Down Small-Business E-Commerce Software Products

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What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

• Stuck on how to craft an export business plan?  Look no further at the LEBP.
• Even large deals support small businesses through Ex-Im Bank financing.
• How do we get globalization right?
• Why eBay is shutting down small-business e-commerce software products.
• Why Google+ dropped profile photos.
• Don't know too much about Alibaba?  Here's a short course.

110 Real Recipes for Serious Fluffernuts

©2014 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

OK, I admit.  I love the combination of Marshmallow Fluff and peanut butter (throw in a couple of sliced bananas too and I am in food heaven).  If you are in the same camp, then you will love this book.

By the way, my copy (as the photo shows) says 110 recipes yet the Amazon listing says 50 - so shop around to grab the more comprehensive book!

10 Factors to Consider Before You Import

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Here are ten factors to consider before you decide whether to import products from overseas for your global small business.

Here's a snapshot of one example:

4. Is importing actually cost effective?

Once you have an idea of the final landed cost of an item, you’ll be able to check whether importing will be a cost-effective option for your business. There are a lot of additional charges you’ll need to pay over and above the cost per unit from a factory overseas, and these can add up. You’ll want to be able to make a reasonable return on investment after all these costs have been taken into account.

It is a good idea to get your accountant, business adviser or customs broker to go through your calculations to make sure you’ve included all the costs you’re likely to incur.

Read the entire article:  Ten tips before you import

Taking On Global E-Commerce

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Taking on global ecommerce is not an easy process for merchants, small business owners and newbies – and can be quite challenging to say the least.  Language barriers, payment methods, cultural differences, not to mention regulatory requirements vary dramatically from country to country.

Digital River World Payments lays out four distinct strategies for making “going global everywhere” work with its recent white paper, “Going Global, Selling Local: Preparing Your Business to Grab Its Share of the Online Market" (requires quick registration to download).  It also provides a checklist for what ecommerce businesses should do to make the most of the global opportunities that are before them.

Read the entire article:  The Four Ways To Win At Cross Border Commerce

A Few Insights From Global Marketers and Localization Experts

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Check out the first special edition of Brand Quarterly where they have gathered insights from global marketers and localization experts - from companies such as Cisco, SAP, Lego and Mastercard.

Yes, you can learn a thing or two from the big guys when it comes to international expansion.

Read the 68-page free report:  Brand Quarterly July 2014 - Global Marketing Special Edition By Vesey Creative

How to Make Sure Worker Protection Worldwide Doesn't Fall Through the Cracks

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British-based global specialty food ingredients business Tate & Lyle has production facilities and research centers throughout the Americas, Europe, and Southeast Asia. The company’s operating philosophy is, “We always put safety first; nothing is more important.”

To enhance safety performance across geographic boundaries Tate & Lyle has introduced a requirement for a “permit to work” that spells out risks and safety requirements for all non-routine jobs. 

Note:  Don't confuse this permit-to-work (good example can be found here) with a document that allows an employee to work legally in the United States, which is commonly used in Britain and Europe.

The value of the permit-to-work system?  It brings contractor teams together and it provides accountability.

Read the entire article:  Global businesses are crossing borders to find safety solutions

Gateway to Asia: Hong Kong

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Are you interested in conducting business in Asia?  Then consider entering Hong Kong which serves as a gateway to that part of the world.  In getting started, I have referred many colleagues and clients to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).  It's a wonderful organization for helping companies do business in Hong Kong, source products, find partners, attend trade shows and more.

Give it look:  7 Benefits to Working with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council