The Importance of a Global Brand

©2013 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Everyone knows the Apple brand, yet creating a global brand presence in one or more international markets isn't cheap or easy, especially for a small business owner. But it is worthwhile, provided you understand the reasons why. Below I spell out what a global brand is and five reasons to develop one.

Read:  Making the Case for a Global Brand

Do You Need to Hire a Customs Broker on Your Import?

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I get asked time and time again by readers - do I need to hire a customs broker or what documentation is required to ensure a smooth and seamless importation on products?

In the article below, I address what is required in the import entry process, who can make the entry, what documentation is required and what happens if no person files for entry of goods (you'd be surprised at how often this happens).

Major takeaway: Importing goods without researching entry requirements in advance can be a costly experience. Take a look at what's important.

Read the entire article:  Importing:  Entry of Goods

Conducting Global Market Research

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Let's say you've just discussed with your team members that you want the firm to export but don't know where to begin.  How do you get started and learn everything there is to know about a market, including how to ship internationally? It's easier than you think.

In the following article, I provide six places to visit that will give you more information than you'll probably ever need when researching for your export. The best news: It's absolutely no cost to you.

I suggest you visit all of the resources mentioned to compare facts for accuracy, learn as much as you can and ensure you are on the right path with your overseas market destination of choice.

Six Places to Look for Country-specific Information

Related article:  Three Competitive Global Business Intelligence Tools

Is Your Global Small Business Heading South?

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As you manage your global small business, have you ever felt, "It's not working"? You are not alone. At some stage, every business owner experiences trouble.

Below are seven signs that serve as early detectors of a global small business declining (heading South).  I wrote this article for the About.com Import & Export guide site.

Could it be time for a course correction?

Read:  The 7 Signs of Import/Export Business Deterioration

Factors to Consider For New Importers

Below is an article I wrote for the About.com Import and Export site.  I offer eight tips for new importers - covering everything from the importance of trusting your supplier, to determining if you need a license, to making sure merchandise can freely enter the United States.

So you can breathe a sense of relief and smile knowing all will go smoothly.

Read:  Eight Tips for New Importers

Photo courtesy: ©2013 Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Do the Right Thing in the Global Marketplace

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Paul Dillon, president and CEO of Dillon Consulting Services LLC, shares his best-kept secrets on why doing the right thing globally -- or in any aspect of life -- leads to success.

Read:  Why Doing the Right Thing in the Global Marketplace Will Bring You Business Success

How to Handle Crappy Product Samples From Overseas

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Don't shake your head at the thought.  Most experienced international traders have been down the path of working with a new supplier, setting terms and conditions, providing specs on desired product, establishing pricing, waiting for samples and voila, the samples arrive and they are crappy -- really awful quality!  What do you do?

As a primer, read:

Where to Source Products and What to Do if You Receive Crappy Product Samples from Overseas

Developing and Pricing a New Product for the Global Marketplace

Photo courtesy:  ©2013 Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Your first step when developing and pricing a new product for overseas should be to check if there is a similar product already on the market and what it is priced at. If there is a similar product, see how your idea can be differentiated and use the competing product’s price point as a starting point for yours.

Here’s what it takes to bring a product to market and how to price it fairly and competitively for the global marketplace.

How to Develop and Price a New Product for the Global Marketplace

Are You Involved in Gray Market Activities Internationally?

Photo courtesy ©2013 Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.  "Who Nu cookies"  -- one of my favorites!

What is a gray market activity? It's simple: It's an unofficial but legal import/export activity involving genuine products by intermediaries other than the authorized distributor or agent. From the importer's side, it's known as parallel importing.

Read:  What Is Parallel Importing?

Legitimate Inquiry. Fake Company?

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Many of us receive what looks like legitimate business inquiries from all over the world on a daily basis but how do you determine if they are each on the up-and-up?

This will help.  Read:  How to Determine If a Foreign Company is Legit

Reduce Dependence on Domestic Demand By International Franchising

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Reduce dependence on domestic demand and grow new, future revenue and profit centers worldwide by international franchising.

Extending a brand globally through franchising requires minimal investment and offers a huge upside potential on scaling capabilities.  Further, you don't have to be big to franchise.  You just have to have a successful model.

Below I examine what is international franchising, its benefits, examples of companies that have successfully franchised internationally, how to get started in franchising and where to look for additional help.

Read the entire article: International Franchising: A Global Strategic Initiative

Open For Trade: U.S. and E.U.

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The United States and European Union aim to start negotiating the Transatlantic Free Trade Pact this year. The two top economies hope the pact will revive their respective economies.

The goal of the agreement is to cut tariffs, lower trade barriers and ease commerce–thereby setting higher standards for the world to follow. 

The alliance should help create jobs, spur economic growth and strengthen the transatlantic economic ties.

Read the entire article:  The Transatlantic Free Trade Agreement:  Open Trade Between the United States and the European Union

How a Furniture Maker's Triumph Translates to International Success

Photo courtesy:  ©Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.  "Business As Unusual"

Here are five out more than a hundred principles-in-action that former president and chief executive officer Hugh DePree at Herman Miller implemented and how they relate to running not just a global small business but any business.  Hugh passed away in 2002.

Five Tips for Business Success

Contemplating New Product Expansion Overseas?

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Everybody loves an international success story.  It goes like this:

Your overseas venture is booming and delivering profits. Your next step might be contemplating new product expansion.  You wonder whether you should create an entirely new product for an overseas market.  What's involved?  What's the upside?  What's the downside? 

Here's a scenario  -- article -- that might help you decide.

Creating New Products to Expand Your Overseas Market

First Step to Global Success? Companywide Commitment

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Global success is directly related to a companywide commitment. That companywide commitment involves you alone if you are a sole proprietor, or in the case of a large corporation, the executive committee, finance, operations, marketing and sales, logistics, research, technology and culture.

Who do you look for on your team?

A new breed of communicator who pays attention to detail and who has great salesmanship qualities, persistence, integrity, an interest in international matters, bi- or multilingual language capabilities, cultural empathy, and good writing and speaking abilities. The individual must be  ...

Read the entire article here.

Export Opportunities Exist in Brazil

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Brazil is a ripe and robust market offering excellent growth opportunities on exports. It is also part of the emerging -- or developing markets -- which include large economies such as the BRICs: Brazil, Russia, India and China.

If you’re looking for a country to expand, Brazil might just be the answer.

Learn more here.

How to Sell More to the World

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OK, you have a website.  You created a blog.  You are on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.  But somehow, for some reason, you still can't get customers the world over to find you?

Well I've got a solution.  Go here to find out.

Claim your online space before your competitors do!

Multicultural Design

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When you design for an international audience, it's like walking on thin ice.  You want a certain look or feel - only to find out well into a project - that a color you used means "death" in the foreign country.  Well that message will go nowhere!  And, more than likely, you have offended a whole lot of people in the process.

In Designing for Foreign Cultures, I outline five factors to consider when creating products, websites and marketing material for an overseas audience.  The key is to master the market you are entering and be extra sensitive to the people you are developing a design for.

ShopPlanet

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You've heard of Small Business Saturday but now we're proposing Global Small Business Sunday (11/25/12)!

It’s a fabulous idea to support your local community—business owners in your neighborhood who provide a pure American-made product or service—by purchasing their goods on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I also praise American Express for launching the movement, especially as it benefits the company if shoppers use their American Express card to make their purchases. But how do you shop the other 364 days of the year? Will you continue to support the local businesses—I hope so—or will you expand your purchases to include all over the world? 

Learn more:  Global Small Business Sunday:  ShopPlanet by Laurel Delaney

Payoffs, Bribes and Gifts in International Business: Avoid At All Costs

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Payoffs, bribes or gifts should never, ever be a means to accomplishing your international business goals.

Example of an innocent bribe scenario:

After struggling for years to get that automotive accessory business in Korea, you switched sales agents in an attempt to nail it and suddenly out of nowhere -- and to your surprise -- got the business? Did you get the business because the new agent did a better job or did you get the business because the new agent bribed the automotive company without you knowing?

Find out more:  How to Avoid Bribes in International Business by Laurel Delaney