Wednesday, September 29, 2004

UPS CEO Says That All (Small) Business Today Is Global!

In Businesswire (9/29/04)

Decrying elevation of the issue of free trade into a political football, the chairman and CEO of UPS (NYSE:UPS) today called on small and large business alike to better explain to Americans the benefits of globalization and the disastrous effects of "economic isolationism."

He goes on to say ...

"Consider, for example, who's doing the exporting these days:

Some 97% of all U.S. exporters are small businesses and their ranks have tripled since 1992, Eskew noted. The value of their exports has increased over 300% since 1995. These exporting small businesses are at least 20% more productive than their non-exporting counterparts; they've experienced 20% greater job growth, and they pay wages and benefits that are at least 15% higher.

"But we can recite trade facts until we're blue in the face," Eskew continued, "facts like many, many more jobs have been lost to 'countries' called 'productivity' and 'technology' than to India and China. Facts like lower costs create more goods attainable by more people, improving lifestyles and creating better economic opportunities."

The facts mean nothing, he said, if the American public doesn't understand it can't retreat inside America; that all business today is global."

To read the entire press release, visit: UPS CEO Says U.S. Can't Afford `Economic Isolationism'; Challenges Business to Reverse Rising Anti-Trade Sentiment

Tuesday, September 28, 2004

How Nobel Winners See The World Economy

In the Wall Street Journal, special World Business Report (subscription only)

In yesterday's WSJ (9/27/04), they asked 12 of the 32 living Nobel laureates in economics for their views on a variety of issues related to the global economy. Here are some excerpts:

"Which economy do you expect to be the biggest 75 years from now: the U.S., the European Union or China?"

GEORGE A. AKERLOF, Koshland professor economics at the University of California, Berkeley: The European union. It has more people than the U.S. and per capita income should not be that much different. I think the current gap between China and the U.S. and the EU is probably too large to make up.

KENNETH J. ARROW, professor of economics emeritus at Stanford University: Unless there is a radical change in growth rates, China will be the largest economy in the world. I don't expect, however, per capita income in China to be as much as half the European level.

JOHN F. NASH JR., senior research mathematician at Princeton University: Well, since the European Union is an undefined area, as of the year 2079, if it then includes Russia, it should be the largest. If not, the U.S. would be likely, even though China and the U.S. have similar land area.

ROBERT M. SOLOW, institute professor emeritus and professor of economics emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology: In total output, probably China. In output per person, probably the U.S.

"Do you think the fruits of the global economy will be distributed more evenly 50 years from now, or less evenly, and why?"

PROF. ARROW: I think incomes will be more equally distributed in the future, if only because some large countries, China, India and Indonesia, are growing more rapidly (per capita) than the advanced countries.

MILTON FRIEDMAN, senior research fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace: More evenly. Why? The major sources of income difference today are between the developed and the undeveloped countries. This intercountry difference will decline as globalization (you read it here first!) spreads and more and more countries find a way to achieve economic growth and prosperity.

CLIVE W.J. GRANGER, professor of economics emeritus at the University of California, San Diego: About the same. If population growth is not controlled, there will always be many poor people in the world.

PROF. SOLOW: Toss-up. The relative lot of the unskilled and uneducated will probably worsen, but there is the possibility of improved nutrition, population control and education as democracy spreads.

JOSEPH E. STIGLITZ, university professor at Columbia University: In 50 years, some countries in the developing world will have caught up, but there's a very high risk of a wider gap for others unless we do something markedly different about the disparity between Africa and the industrial countries. What we will see is a world in which the differences between the top and the bottom are larger. In China, a majority of people will see income increases and will see the gap reduced.

Monday, September 27, 2004

Overture Takes On 'More' Of The World!

In BtoB: The Magazine For Marketing Strategists

We found out about this through our friends over at the Asiapreneur blog. It states that Overture Services plans to expand to five new international markets over the next several months.

It looks like everyone is taking a worldview on business!

To read the short clip, visit: Overture Announces Global Expansion

Thursday, September 23, 2004

Expand eBay Sales by Selling Overseas

In Startup Wall Street Journal

The following article begins with:

• Selling in other countries is an exciting opportunity to expand your eBay business. Your potential market is bigger, and consequently profits can be greater. What's more, American goods are very popular abroad. The article can be found here: Expand eBay Sales By Selling Overseas

Now, let me give you my take on the situation. eBay will serve as a prelude for small businesses interested in expanding internationally in a BIG way. Here's why: It serves as a powerful avenue to find your first overseas customer and then allows you the opportunity to service them offline in volume.

The article mentions a couple of pitfalls to conducting business on a global scale and I disagree with many of the authors' comments:

First, language should not be a problem for the small business person because if you are able to process the transaction on eBay, you will be able to service that same customer on a larger scale. In other words, you have already established a good communication channel.

Secondly, if you use a simple transportation company that is well-versed in international movements, for example, UPS or FedEx, much of the so-called hassles mentioned in the article concerning paperwork, shipping, taxes, governmental regulations and even payment can be handled by these carriers.

Finally, as for third parties, when you ship single-items auctioned off on a global basis, there is no need to use a third party to get your product to your customer. Third party appointments are generally applied when you are seeking a wholesaler or distributer to import volume quantities. They, in turn, re-distribute your product to a target industry or customer-base (for example, department stores, independent mom and pop shops or convenient stores) and to a specific geographic territory (for example, in Japan, it might be Tokyo but not Osaka).

What's the bottom line? Don't be scared off by this article. Use eBay to introduce the world to your product and then go offline to service customers in large quantities.

If you need further assistance, visit GlobeTrade.com. We just published a practical resource guide that can be downloaded for FREE at the bottom of the page. Look for "WorldIsYourMarket.doc." It lists all kinds of tips to help you go global.

Good luck! -- Laurel

Wednesday, September 22, 2004

ChangeThis.com Manifesto Proposal // We have No. 1 spot!

In ChangeThis.com

As of today (9/22/04), we are holding the No. 1 spot on our ChangeThis.com manifesto proposal. Check it out here but be sure to look at the right side panel for:

Global Guru. Shaking things up. Making things happen.
ChangeThis.com proposals

And if you haven't voted yet, please do so:

Vote "Yes!" for Laurel's manifesto here!

A big thank you to all of you for helping me get my work on international entrepreneurship noticed. Your support means the world to me.

All the best,
Laurel

Monday, September 20, 2004

Selling To The World: Ten Traits For Success

In Small Business Advocate

Do you have any or all of these traits? Then you might be ready to sell to the world.

1. Positive attitude.
2. The two Cs: Courage. Confidence.
3. Discipline.
4. Imagination.
5. Initiative.
6. Integrity.
7. Patience.
8. Perseverance.
9. Purpose.
10. Trust.

To read the entire article authored by Laurel Delaney, visit:
Selling To The World: Ten Traits For Success

Are you ready to sell to the world? Then sign up for Laurel's Webinar:
Click here for further information and to register: "What It Takes To Sell To The World" virtual workshop November 2nd, 10:00-11:00 a.m. CST (U.S.A.)



Wednesday, September 15, 2004

A global small Canadian business is hot!

In The Globe Investor

Business is hot for Canadian parka maker Metro Sportswear Ltd. Since it was founded in 1957, the family-owned outerwear company has grown into a $10-million-plus apparel business that employs more than 100 people in Canada and has clients across the globe in places such as Western Europe, Japan, Russia and the United States. Last year alone, sales of the Toronto-based company's high-end Canada Goose parkas jumped 60 per cent.

It's a made-in-Canada success story for "small business" and it highlights the growing contribution small and medium-sized businesses have made to the Canadian economy over the past couple of years.

To read the entire article, visit: Small Businesses Poised For Growth (A Canadian Perspective)

Tuesday, September 07, 2004

Abridged "Borderbuster" 9/7/04

In case you haven't already signed up for "Borderbuster," the following is an abridged version along with sign up information. Feel free to email me if I can be of assistance. Thanks and I welcome a chance to hear from you! All the best, Laurel (ldelaney@globetrade.com).

***********************************************************
Borderbuster Monthly E-Newsletter (No. 34): September 7, 2004
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Distributed by GlobeTrade.com and Designed To Help Entrepreneurs, Small Businesses, Activists, Futurists, Academics, Executives and Corporate Risk-Takers Go Global.

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We encourage you to forward this issue! Subscribe FREE!
Subscribe to “Borderbuster” -- It’s FREE!

CONTENTS

1. Welcome From The Publisher
2. Feedback From Our Readers
3. World of Investing: Asia Sprints as West Ambles*
4. Business Cultural Tips: Have Some Fun!*
5. Outsourcing Is Not A Dirty Word*
6. How I Went Global: Ongoing Series // Asiapreneur.com*
7. A Reader Asks: Q&A*
8. Everybody Loves a Freebie -- repeat: FREE OFFER*
9. Maverick Trades In Japan’s Aging Business Model*
10. The Four Options Facing Eric Molson*
11. Dubai’s New Export: The Internet City*
12. Arizona Builds Ties to China*
13. Watch for Laurel’s New e-Book: “Godzilla Global Marketing”*
14. Take A Walk On The Wild Side (TAWOTWS)*
15. Wind Behind Your Sail*
16. Miscellany*
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3. WORLD OF INVESTING: ASIA SPRINTS AS WEST AMBLES
*Subscriber Exclusive*

Returning from my latest trip to Asia, I'm both exhilarated and perplexed. Exhilarated because Asia is booming, and it's a joy to see. Thailand, my main stop this time, is growing at 7 percent a year, twice as fast as the United States and about four times as fast as Europe.

To read the complete article, visit the International Herald Tribune online:
World of Investing
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4. BUSINESS CULTURAL TIPS -- HAVE SOME FUN!
*Subscriber Exclusive*

Enjoy. And remember, there is no such thing as a universal attitude. These are just guidelines so when in doubt, ask while visiting a foreign country.

• In North American homes, bathroom doors are customarily left partially open. That way, we know it is not occupied.

• In European homes, bathroom doors are customarily kept closed. Therefore, in European homes, always knock on the door first.

• In Mexico, you should avoid rapping on a door with the often-used “dum-de-de-dum-dum … dum-dum” (or rapping to the old musical phrase “Shave and a haircut, two bits.”) This particular series of beats in Mexico carriers a very crude and rude message.

Source: “Gestures: The Do’s and Taboos of Body Language Around the World,” by Roger E. Axtell.
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5. OUTSOURCING IS NOT A DIRTY WORD
*Subscriber Exclusive*

The debate about offshore outsourcing of high-paid U.S. jobs has little bearing on the daily concerns of most small business owners. They simply want to balance their books, make payroll and stay focused on customers.

Few small companies outsource their business processes to offshore service providers from India or elsewhere, says Gartner analyst Robert Brown. Yet, he says, a thriving industry of regional U.S. firms has grown up to offer outsourced support to small businesses.

To read the full, interesting article, visit Investor’s Business Daily:
Outsourcing Is Not A Dirty Word
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6. HOW I WENT GLOBAL: ONGOING SERIES* -- Asiapreneur.com
*Subscriber Exclusive*

Five Tips to Grow Your Business Globally
by Wayne Po

Entering into global markets is a great way to organically grow your business. However, many small to mid-sized businesses have a hard time entering global markets, if they even venture to go global at all. Here are five tips for businesses looking to expand their business by entering global markets:

1. Revise your pricing strategy to suit local purchasing power. I like using this example: Microsoft is having a difficult time getting Mainland Chinese computer users to use their operating system and Office products. Why? …

-> Got a story to share? We’d love to hear from you. Email info@globetrade.com (mailto:info@globetrade.com) and put “Got a story” in the subject line and then let us know what you have in mind. We cannot guarantee your tale will be published, but we’ll do our best!
______________________________________________________
7. A READER ASKS: Q&A
*Subscriber Exclusive*

Q: Dear GlobeTrade Team,

I recently read about a new technology -- web-based conferences -- which enables you to attend live events right from your own desktop location. Have you ever heard of this or used it? It just seems with the ambitious work you do that a Webinar focused on how to go global would be ideal for your readers. Let me know. I am eager to learn more.

A: Funny you should ask. We are in the process of developing our very first Webinar series using the excellent technology of Catwalk Conferencing (www.catwalkconference.com). On November 2nd, we plan to offer an intensive one-hour workshop on “What It Takes To Sell To The World.”

If you want to become your own global marketing expert without any experience, thrust into a global marketing job and don't want your rusty skills to show, or have an assistant you want to train quickly to handle international leads – then this is the virtual workshop for you.

Date: November 2, 2004
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. CST (U.S.A.) -- 40 minute workshop and 20 minute Q&A.
Registration: Sign Up Here For “What It Takes To Sell To The World” Webinar 11/2/04!

Fee: U.S. $50 per person for the first 100 who sign up and U.S. $60 per person thereafter. We accept the following credit cards: VISA, Mastercard and Discover.

In this unique, highly interactive workshop, you will learn how to:

• Develop a global mindset
• Build a website and blogger
• Find and solicit foreign customers
• Set up international pricing
• Manage transportation
• Collect payment

Hands-on training along with detailed feedback from Laurel Delaney gets you quickly up to speed with global marketing.

Save the November 2nd date. We will provide additional information in our October 5 edition but I suggest you Sign Up Now!
to reserve your virtual seat. We hope to have you on board in November!

Laurel and the GlobeTrade.com team

-> Got a question or a comment? Good. Send it here: info@globetrade.com (mailto:info@globetrade.com).
______________________________________________________
8. EVERYBODY LOVES A FREEBIE: FREE GLOBAL SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE GUIDE PUBLISHED BY GLOBETRADE.COM
*Subscriber Exclusive*

Hot off the press (9/3/04) and published by GlobeTrade.com, the new resource guide, “The World Is Your Market: Small Businesses Gear Up For Globalization,” can be downloaded for FREE at GlobeTrade.com
The guide provides a detailed analysis of the state of small businesses engaged in international trade.

Read Press Release Here

Download Guide Here
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12. ARIZONA BUILDS TIES TO CHINA
*Subscriber Exclusive*

For Americans, the eye-popping statistics are startling, the made-in-China labels hard to ignore. But the view from the western bank of the muddy Huangpu River in China's largest city really drives home the scope of the economic juggernaut reshaping China and the world. A hodgepodge of glistening skyscrapers, including the world's fourth-tallest building, soars above the eastern riverfront and beyond.

To read the complete article, visit The Arizona Republic online edition:
Arizona Builds Ties To China
______________________________________________________
Copyright 2001-2004 by Global TradeSource, Ltd. All rights reserved.

• Reporters looking for a quick authoritative quote, background source or expert comment for a story, article, radio program or television show? We’ll be glad to help. Run out of story ideas? We can pitch in there too. Email ldelaney@globetrade.com (mailto:ldelaney@globetrade.com) or call 773-381-1700.

Global TradeSource, Ltd.
Online arm: GlobeTrade.com
6807 N. Lakewood, Suite LL
Chicago, IL 60626
773-381-1700 Of
773-381-7303 Fx
info@globetrade.com (mailto:info@globetrade.com)


Saturday, September 04, 2004

"The World Is Your Market: Small Businesses Gear Up For Globalization" -> FREE resource guide!

Visit GlobeTrade.com to download your FREE copy of "The World Is Your Market: Small Businesses Gear Up For Globalization." The guide provides a detailed analysis of the state of small businesses engaged in international trade.

Download guide for FREE here:
"The World Is Your Market: Small Businesses Gear Up For Globalization"

Read press release here:
PRWeb Press Release 9/3/04 on "The World Is Your Market"

Wednesday, September 01, 2004

Watch For New Resource Guide To Be Released 9/3/04!

Just a heads up that on Friday, we will be releasing a new resource guide, "The World Is Your Market: Small Businesses Gear Up For Globalization." The guide provides a detailed analysis of the state of small businesses engaged in international trade. In addition, “The World Is Your Market” highlights how small businesses are well positioned to seize the global frontier before them, why they should consider going global, and what it takes to do so.

The guide can be downloaded for FREE at GlobeTrade.com on September 3, 2004. We'll keep you posted.

Local Firms Sell To The World -> A Great Article On The Importance of Globalization

In The Washington Times

The article focuses on the challenges and the enormous potential of selling in China for small to medium-sized businesses. I'll share with you the powerful ending:

"We should focus greater attention on the needs of our smaller businesses as they seek to become more integrated into the global economy," the council said.

From Mr. Gallion's perspective in West Virginia, the integration cannot come soon enough. "When we started FCX, exporting was a choice. Now it's not a choice, it really is a global economy," Mr. Gallion said.

To read the entire article, visit: Local Companies Sell To The World