A Step by Step Guide to Expanding Internationally

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Being aware of local marketing conditions can be the difference between successful growth and painful failure.  There are a number of risks associated with foreign expansion.  For starters, companies have to be careful when considering moving into volatile or emerging markets.  You want to make sure you get paid and on time.  The political environment in certain markets might affect your compliance obligations, too.  It’s also prudent to consider the relationship each country has with the U.S.

Now that you know some risks, follow these steps before expanding into world markets.

Is It Time to Scale Globally?

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Perhaps you have a small online business supplying homemade jelly and all your stock is stored in your basement. What will you do if you get an order for 10,000 jars of jelly from the UK or Argentina?

Make sure you assess whether your chosen systems -- how you make the product, ship it, and get paid --  can withstand increased orders.  Otherwise, you might need to start an overhaul. What will that cost you, in time and money, to implement?

Read more ...  

Today in Global Small Business: 7 Tips for Developing Your Brand Globally

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

• How to get paid by international customers.
• Seven tips for developing your brand globally.
• The risks and rewards of moving your data offsite.
• Innovative marketing tips to make your global business sizzle.
• Going global impacts Walgreens.
• Expo launchpad for SMEs to go global.

How to Get Paid When You Go Global: Twitter Chat USA June 5th at 2:30 p.m. EST

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Stuck on how to get paid on your global deals?  Get unstuck and discover creative solutions at the Twitter Chat hosted by #TradeElite on "How to get paid when you go global," Thursday, June 5th,  2:30 p.m. EST w/@ARMalaket_OPUS, @LaurelDelaney, @RanyIbrahim and @edbmarsh.

See you at Twitter and I welcome your participation and questions!

Meanwhile, some CliffNotes in advance of the Twitter Chat 6/5:

An Insider's Guide to Making Payments and Getting Paid on Overseas Transactions