As You Grow a Global Business Like Gympass, Focus on Physical and Mental Health

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Meet the founder, Cesar Carvalho, of the truly international business, Gympass.  The story goes like this:  When Cesar left his small hometown in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais to study in São Paulo, he had no idea he would be where he is today.

The entrepreneur leading one of the largest corporate platforms for physical activity in the world is having a whirlwind of a year: he moved to the United States in January to accelerate the company's expansion, already present in 14 countries. Months later, in June, a $300 million funding round led by SoftBank raised the startup's market value beyond $ 1 billion.

What keeps his sanity and rhythm for running a hip business is his focus on physical and mental health.  It goes like this:

"No matter where I am in the world, I make sure that I am back in time for dinner with my wife on Friday. Weekends are sacred, and are reserved for her and my children, as well as physical activities with them - I rarely work on those days," he [Cesar] points out.

Read more about how Gympass is a Brazilian company gone global.

Global Distortions

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How do you battle cheap and low quality imports and other 'global distortions' in your country?  See what Brazil is doing to combat these dumping woes by way of a lesson from tire producer Pirelli.

Read:  Brazil's Consumers Go To Ground

Pirelli Corporate

Brazil Wants Balance With the United States

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The United States wants to (re)strengthen its ties with Brazil and Brazil is all for it.  Recently, China overtook the United States as Brazil's biggest trading partner in 2009.  China became Chile's leading export market in 2007.

The United States imported $27 billion from Brazil in 2008, compared to China's $16 billion, according to the Inter-American Development Bank. 

Read more here about how the United States will most likely restructure its partnership with Latin America -- soon.

Coke Sales Bubbling Globally

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Why are Coke's sales on the rise internationally?  As a small business owner or entrepreneur, you probably wonder what we can learn from the big guy -- Coke.  Two things for now:

1.  Coke's growth was fastest in emerging markets like India and Brazil.  You have to challenge yourself:  Should you be looking at this market?  My answer:  Yes!  Definitely consider the BRIC (why it's important here) area for expanding your business internationally.

2.  Coke is sticking to its long-term pricing strategy, and plans to implement price increases that won't affect or startle consumers who are still fairly value conscious.  Is this something you should be doing too with your business offerings?  My answer:  Yes!  If you can gently raise prices and still have customers buy -- go for it.  Over the long haul, you'll finish up the year in a far healthier (= profitable) state.

There's more.  Read the entire article here.

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

Guess Who's a Powerhouse Among South American Economies?

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Argentina? Bolivia? Chile? Guess again. Try Brazil. And The Export-Import Bank of the United States is putting some money there to promote exports. Exim Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg says:

“I chose Brazil as my first international destination for good reason: Brazil is a powerhouse among South American economies and offers tremendous opportunities for U.S. exporters in many sectors. I want Brazilians to know that Ex-Im Bank has the will and the capacity to finance their purchases of U.S. equipment, products and services."

Read all about it here.

Pennyslvania Exports Up 18 Percent

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First of all, Pennsylvania exports are up 18 percent in 2008 versus 2007. Secondly and according to the World Institute for Strategic Economic Research (WISER), Pennsylvania exported $34.4 billion worth of goods in 2008, more than double the total five years ago with the bulk of it going to Canada and Brazil. Lastly, Pennsylvania exports totaled just $16.3 billion in 2003.

The question we have to ask: Is this export momentum sustainable?

Read more here and weigh in with your comments.