Saturday, September 29, 2018

Castles in the Sky

©2018 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.
"Clouds do not really look like camels or sailing ships or castles in the sky. They are simply a natural process at work.  So too, perhaps, are our lives." -- Roger Ebert

Friday, September 28, 2018

Empowering African Business Operators With a Free Global Online Travel Platform App

©iStock/DMEPhotography
A recently launched free global online travel platform app, Seychelles Ahoy!, will empower small, local travel establishments across the African continent, offers a fresh approach, which demonstrates the power of new technology to drive positive business change for smaller, local business operators.

According to Dr Charl du Plessis of South African-based Chapel Lane Media, with the mobile market now dominating the digital universe, the demand for compact, informative and high-functioning travel Apps keeps growing exponentially.

He goes on to say, "that small, local travel establishments across the continent were highly reliant on foreign-based bookings portals to secure a steady flow of guests."

Read more about the new global travel app that will empower small, local travel enterprises across Africa.

Thursday, September 27, 2018

High-Tech Middle Market Companies in Emerging Economies: This Could Be Your Moment

©iStock/grahamnorris
Emerging economies face daunting challenges.  One in particular is creating a positive climate for growth, one in which companies large and small can find markets inside and outside the country.

Brazilian media and private equity leader Eduardo Sirotsky Melzer has a message for high-tech, middle-market companies (e.g., typically a $300 million to $500 million investment per deal) in emerging economies: This could be their moment.

Melzer says, "People are told to launch enterprises that are adjacent to something they already do. But that mind-set will never lead [them] to start a truly new business."

One question asked of him in the strategy+business interview:

Do you see companies starting in Latin America and then moving into more of a global or regional focus?

MELZER: One challenge for Brazilian companies is to develop global brands that can succeed in North America, Europe, and Asia. I think it’s partly a mind-set issue. These middle-market companies, in particular, have to have the willingness and energy to think globally.

Read more about Eduardo Sirotsky Melzer's interview with strategy+business:  Start Small and Think Globally.

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Mastercard Track™: Streamline Management of Payments

©iStock/Jir
Mastercard's newest offering will enhance your cash flow visibility and reduce the need for payment status inquiries to customers. Mastercard Track™ aggregates payment timing and rich remittance details across your customers, all in one place.

©iStock/wellesenterprises
Will it be good for small businesses?  According to the Small Business Trend's report:
By removing the manual processes of identifying and validating suppliers as well as outdated payment systems, Mastercard Track looks to lower the billions of dollars in cost associated with global trade.
Learn more about how Mastercard and Microsoft are teaming up to help small businesses become exporters.

Hopefully their solution will simplify the process of doing business around the world.

Monday, September 24, 2018

Today in Global Small Business: Global Used Car E-Commerce Industry

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

Friday, September 21, 2018

Market Domination: Amazon or Google?

©iStock/leremy
Google has disrupted an area which Amazon dominates with its alternative e-commerce platform, Google Shopping.

Is this good news?  According to Kyle C. Murphy, practitioner faculty of strategy at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, who knows e-commerce inside out, it is. 

Below he offers insights as to how smaller companies can profit.

Learn more about how Google and Amazon's competition is a win for smaller e-commerce companies.

Thursday, September 20, 2018

STEP Awards 2018: Funding Export Opportunities

©iStock/William_Potter
SBA Administrator Linda McMahon says, "The STEP awards are an important resource that provide small businesses with the confidence and funding they need to thrive in this competitive international market." She goes on to say.
"The SBA is committed to ensuring equal access for small businesses to international markets and expanding export opportunities, and ensuring small businesses have the resources they need to drive their businesses and local communities forward."
The 2018 STEP awards will allow states to assist small businesses with the information and tools they need to succeed in export-related activities that are in line with the objectives of the program.

Check out which states got what dollar amount in STEP funding here.

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

5 Key Traits to Mastering the Skill of Execution

©iStock/ogichobanov
According to Kim Perell, successful entrepreneur and author of The Execution Factor, there are five key traits that are required to master the skill of execution and become a successful entrepreneur: vision, passion, action, resilience and relationships.

Perell suggests using these traits as a blueprint for understanding who you are and where you are going.

Execution is the critical skill that drives success -- locally or globally.

Read more to discover how to translate important strategic and operational decisions into action.

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Squash Etsy? Amazon Makes Its Move

©iStock/djedzura
Amazon is making a big play to squash Etsy — and using artisans and gadget makers as the face of a $1 trillion company.

We'll let you be the judge.
Amazon launched a new section of its site called Amazon Storefronts on Monday morning, a space that looks remarkably like the handmade e-commerce giant Etsy and offers customers access to “over 1 million products” from 20,000 “small and medium-sized” US businesses.
Read more about Amazon, the friendly corporate giant, one which encourages entrepreneurship and the revitalization of small businesses, will start serving small businesses, defined as basically anything less than a publicly-traded global brand.

Monday, September 17, 2018

Today in Global Small Business: A Few Good Russian Cartoons Are Going Global

©iStock/Ekaterina Bedoeva 
What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Never-Ending Aspiration

©2018 Laurel J. Delaney.  All right reserved.
"Dance is about never-ending aspiration." -- Judith Jamison

Friday, September 14, 2018

Are You Ready to Go International?

©iStock/FeelPic
You may never feel entirely ready to go international, but there are some important benchmarks you should reach before you start considering interest from overseas.  Here are six.
  1. Have a profitable business model in your home country, with systems and procedures that have been proven across multiple locations.
  2. Have adequate experience and maturity to interact meaningfully with foreign partners. 
  3. Be the primary point of contact for your international partners, both during agreement negotiations and after the deal is signed.
  4. Add someone to your team to focus specifically on identifying target markets and searching for partners
  5. Have patience.
  6. Be prepared to invest significant time and money before your international efforts pay off.
Read the entire article to be sure you are ready for international expansion.

Thursday, September 13, 2018

A Little Rain and Jazz Music for Wherever You Are Located in This World

Here's what people say about this 10-hour music video:

"My eight year old LOVES this. :)  I have it on for her when she comes home from school, and it puts her in a good state of mind. Thank you."

"Love this one.  Just gorgeous.  This is the perfect music for a cold winter night with a glass of Cabernet. Actually it's the perfect music anytime."

"Love this!!! Listening to this beautiful music while drinking my warm cup of green tea with lemon and honey, pretending it is raining in Saudi Arabia. Haha."

"I go to sleep faster and relaxes me."

"Despite the fact that Sao Paulo is in rainy weather, this jazz + rain session is perfect. It reminds me of 50's movies and I'm already sick of bossa nova. However before I stay depressed with jazz, the Instrumental Salsa is a good addition."

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Korean Dumplings Go Global

©iStock/Yingha
With automation and a big business bet, Korean dumplings are poised to go global.  Technology has made the quality, the look and the size of each bite-size dumpling consistent and has significantly improved productivity.  Hence, the whole world will soon enjoy dumplings.
South Korea's largest food company is making a multimillion-dollar bet on "mandu," developing its own machines to automate the normally labor-intensive production of the Korean dumpling and building factories around the world.
Good-bye pot stickers and hello Korean dumplings!

Monday, September 10, 2018

Today in Global Small Business: The Business Case for Curiosity

©2018 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.
What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

Saturday, September 08, 2018

Life is a Voyage

©2018 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.
"Everyone who achieves success in a great venture, solves each problem as they came to it. They helped themselves. And they were helped through powers known and unknown to them at the time they set out on their voyage. They keep going regardless of the obstacles they met." -- W. Clement Stone

Friday, September 07, 2018

Optimism and Success Abound Among U.S. Exporters

©iStock/gustavofrazao
Despite uncertainty around trade agreements and U.S. trade policies, many exporters are still optimistic about export opportunities and investing in their international operations.

The 2018 American Express Grow Global Survey highlights that U.S. exporters remain optimistic on revenue growth through international business.  Further, companies also often experience positive impacts on their domestic operation as a result of exporting.

Read more about how US exporters expect international sales will continue to grow.

Thursday, September 06, 2018

The Mark of Zara on the Global E-commerce Front

©iStock/J2R
Zara has big plans to go global with e-commerce.

The retailer has increased its focus on web operations and investments in technology, ranging from applications to track stock to virtual reality in dressing rooms.
[Zara] plans to make clothes from its Zara label and other brands available online anywhere in the world within two years, aiming to become one of the first truly global clothiers as Amazon.com Inc. (No. 1) encroaches into fashion.
Read more how Zara will soon make their clothes available to anyone, everywhere in the world.

Wednesday, September 05, 2018

In Nepal, Equality Begins With Economic Empowerment

©iStock/kertu_ee
The Women Entrepreneurs Summit 2018 kickstarted in Kathmandu on September 03, 2018.  The summit, with the theme "Equality Begins With Economic Empowerment," aims to bring onto a single platform, many influential women business leaders, international service providers, professionals and organizations, government representatives and other stakeholders to discuss on innovative economic transformation through collaboration.

According to South Asian Women Development Forum (SAWDF) President Pramila Acharya Rijal, the event will most likely see delegates from nearly 27 countries. She [Pramila] expressed hope that the event will act as a platform for various collaborations with international and national organizations.

To learn more, visit the International Women Entrepreneurs Summit 2018 in Nepal.

Tuesday, September 04, 2018

Boon Supply: Using Ecommerce as a Force for Good

©iStock/Murat Gocmen
Vertically integrated product company Boon Supply is bringing yet another change to the ecommerce business model:  The company automatically gives 50 percent of every purchase value to over 500 causes and partners with schools to contribute $12.5 million annually to education programs.

Mompreneur and CEO Lily Kanter knows a thing or two about starting businesses.  She  co-founded home decor company Serene & Lily after opening a baby furnishings store in California.
“Entrepreneurs are creative thinkers about a new idea. And I [Lily Kanter] think what it takes to be successful is, first of all, you've got to be really tough physically and emotionally because you get a lot of rejection,” she says. “You can't be defeated. You just have to keep plowing through.”
Learn more about Boon Supply.

Monday, September 03, 2018

Today in Global Small Business: Happy Labor Day and RIP Senator John McCain

©2018 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.
What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

Saturday, September 01, 2018

Be Proud to Call Yourself a Blackhawks Fan

©2018 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.
"Every loss, every win.  Every season, every game.  All the ups, all the downs.  All the goals, all the saves.  Be proud to call yourself a fan." -- Unknown