One-Size-Fits-All International Expansion Is Over

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If you can get through the ads in this article, you can uncover some new perspectives on international expansion. The big one the author claims: a one-size-fits-all international expansion is over.

• One-size-fits-all global hiring is obsolete. Today’s expansion leaders strategically blend three workforce models — entity-based employment, EOR solutions and contractor relationships — choosing the right fit for each market, role and business objective.
• Flexibility is now a competitive advantage because market uncertainty demands agility, compliance complexity is accelerating and local nuances determine success.
• Companies that scale globally most effectively master compliance that adapts to local requirements, payments infrastructure that works everywhere and the ability to shift models as strategy evolves.

Read the entire article here.  If you want to learn about a new international playbook, watch this.

Create Competitive Advantages by Hiring Globally

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The biggest takeaway from Jeff Barrett's article for Entrepreneur, "Why Small Businesses Should Be Thinking (and Hiring) Globally During Covid-19 Isolation," is that even though we are going to be globally isolated for a while, there is still a lot of opportunity out there and the technology to allow us to make things happen. He goes on to say, "Everyone has to pivot. Top global talent will be temporarily looking for different avenues and that will benefit the entrepreneurs willing to think beyond isolation."

Read his entire article here.

Women Entrepreneurs Are Unlocking Opportunities for Global Expansion

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Devishobha Chandramouli, guest writer for Entrepreneur Magazine and Founder and Editor, of Kidskintha says:

Understanding women’s entrepreneurial attitudes, trends and activity from all over the globe will help shape government policies at various levels along with the numerous educational and training programs aimed at improving the business environment for women.

She goes on to say, "The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report for Women 2016/17 reports that 274 million women were already running their own businesses across 74 economies, of which 111 million were running well-established businesses by 2016."

Read more about six global trends that Devishobha discovered from the GEM Women report.

Note:  Women entrepreneurs are unlocking opportunities for global expansion and Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global (WEGG), which is referenced in the article, is an organization that supports female entrepreneurs in taking their businesses global.

Globally: Protect Yourself

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Take these steps to legally protect your trademark in the countries in which you operate and you will keep other people's hands off your trademark when your business goes global.

Going Local

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You can't do it all on your own, especially in a new country. Even with global knowledge, you need a team of local service providers. They are your point people who can facilitate global trade.

Make Your Global Supply Chain Lean and Mean

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Put it on autopilot.

Take Your Business Global

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Everybody is focusing on going global these days. Looks like we are on to something!

Read CNN's article here.

And most of the guidelines mentioned for expanding your business internationally have been featured in Entrepreneur magazine's Global Village column. We've covered the World Bank's website (see Easy Street, June, 2007), Export Assistance Center and U.S. Department of Commerce (Study Abroad, May, 2006) and the World Citizen's Guide (American Outcast, February, 2006) -- so we're on it!

Breaking Into the Market in China as a Startup

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From the Wall Street Journal online:

Question: I have an idea that I would like to try and sell in China. I am a small business -- one man, one computer, one office. Do you think there is a chance for a one-man operation to succeed in the China market?

-- R.B., Fairport, N.Y.

Answer: China's 2001 entry into the World Trade Organization and its economic boom of recent years have made it somewhat easier for small U.S. enterprises to break into the market. But there are still many stumbling blocks that pose big, costly risks for businesses -- especially for a one-person operation with little or no experience dealing in China.

Read the balance of the answer here.

And don't forget that UPS did a good survey on what American products Chinese consumers desire the most. You can download it here.

This might help too.

Ace the System

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Latest Entrepreneur magazine column can be found here.

Border Busters!

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Have your plans to go global stalled?

Well get global here!