Cultural Localization Is Vital to the Success of International Brands

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“Cultural localization is vital to the success of international brands because tapping into local expectations leads to more brand awareness,” explains Christopher D. Peace, PhD, assistant teaching professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business, who specializes in intercultural communication.

But it's more than that.

Companies that want to engage in international business expansion face an uphill battle. They need to apply cultural intelligence in business to preserve their brand’s authenticity while respectfully embracing local culture. Doing so requires a thoughtful global brand strategy that incorporates cross-cultural marketing and meaningful, ongoing local collaboration. 

To succeed, it’s essential to have a thoughtful strategy to avoid the missteps that can land a brand engaged in international business expansion in hot water.

Women Are Making a Lasting Impact on the Global Stage

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At SUCCESS® magazine, their reach extends worldwide, and they are proud to honor women from diverse backgrounds and industries who are making a lasting impact on the global stage.

In a world where we are experiencing so much change politically, economically, socially and in the consumer marketplace, there’s one constant that keeps us going: women.

Women are using their platforms to advocate for important causes, drive meaningful change and provide solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues. From launching international businesses to leading grassroots campaigns, the women featured in SUCCESS' 2025 Women of Influence are demonstrating that leadership knows no borders. Their influence is felt across continents, and their impact is shaping the future of industries, communities and societies around the world.

Check out SUCCESS' 2025 Women of Influence.  Be inspired.

Million-Dollar Growth Tips from Millennial Entrepreneurs Who Hit it Big Fast

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Business and marketing coach Lena Elkins talks about how she coaches millennial entrepreneurs who feel defeated, burnt out and frustrated with their work largely because it’s harder than ever to stand out and scale an online business with confidence.

She asks four seven-figure millennial entrepreneurs to share their best insights on how they continue to grow and reach new milestones in their businesses against all odds.  Here's what came out of her discussions.

1. Invest in the right team members.
2. Stop overcomplicating your success.
3. Always evaluate the quality of your product.
4. Leverage the power of your local community.

As she suggests, use this advice to gain clarity, inspire action and think outside of the box to manifest massive change.

Read the entire article:  4 Million-Dollar Growth Secrets From Millennial Entrepreneurs Who Hit 7 Figures Fast

Put Yourself in the Place and Space to Get the Lesson You Need

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We're taking a break from the usual information on going global and instead offering a different kind of encouragement.  Below is a link to six inspiring commencement speeches that will give you the motivation you need to keep moving forward with your international expansion efforts.  After all, each of us from time to time run up against speed bumps on the road to global success.  The trick is to stay the course until you find what you love.

"But if you ask the right question—not why is this happening, but what is this here to teach me—it puts you in the place and space to get the lesson you need." - Oprah Winfrey, Stanford University, 2008.

Find your inspiration here.

What High Achievers Do: Go Global

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We are delighted to reconnect with one of our favorite entrepreneurs/journalists/editors, Rieva Lesonsky, over at GrowBizMedia on a fantastic article she wrote for Success Magazine June 2010:

Taking Your Business Global
A world of opportunities awaits business owners seeking to sell or source products overseas.

Many thanks to Rieva and her brilliant team for including us in this article and for getting the message across on how important going global is to small businesses.

As Rieva says:

... proof that even the smallest business can take advantage of expanding opportunities in global trade.

Posted by: The Global Small Business Blog

What Are You Doing To Ensure This Is Your Best Year Ever?

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Round the world, we're looking for inspiration and tips on what you are going to do now -- and in addition to taking your business global -- to make this your best year ever.

For ideas, read, "44 Ways to Kick-Start Your New Year" published in SUCCESS Magazine.

Tell us what you have planned or what you are already doing to soar through 2010.

Note: Tuesday, (1/12), we hope to release our annual "Predictions, Forecasts and Trends That Will Shape Our Global Small Business World In 2010." Watch for it. As a refresher, here's 2009.