Go Global Right At the Start

iStock/Thinkstock

Again, welcome Wall Street Journal readers -- happy to have you with us!

Here's what Randy Komisar, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers says (2004) about whether to go global right at the start:

According to Komisar, globalization needs to be part of the tool set for every entrepreneur doing a start-up today. This doesn't mean immediately going global, but understanding the global market and having a plan for the future, he adds.

Watch his 3 minute, 19 second video clip about it here.

I don't necessarily agree with his remarks but let's give him the benefit of any doubt. After all, this video was done in 2004. A lot has changed since then.

If you are smart, innovative, proactive and know how to manage risk -- you can attack markets in far off places right at the start of your business. Of course, it helps to begin planning early.

Weak Dollar and Weak Economy Empower SMEs to Go After Overseas Customers

iStock/Thinkstock

Welcome Wall Street Journal readers! Happy to have been a part of this important article by Raymund Flandez, "Looking Abroad For a Bigger Boost in Business."

It talks about how the weak economy, dollar prompts firms to go after foreign consumers.

Exporting Grows a Business

iStock/Thinkstock

It's a fact: Businesses earn more and grow faster by exporting or growing global.

Find out how and why here.

Will Outlet Stores Work in Europe?

iStock/Thinkstock

A new book, "Le Deal: How a Young American, in Business, in Love, and in Over His Head, Kick-Started a Multibillion Dollar Industry in Europe," by J. Byrne Murphy is a memoir of a decade of dealmaking in Europe, most memorably in France, as Mr. Murphy scouts out commercial sites, partners with local developers, meets the demands of politicians, cuts through red tape, and brings a fresh idea to a place not exactly ready for it.

This all takes place after a catastrophic crash of his American business. Rings loud and clear to similarities many of you are experiencing with your domestic business -- rough going.

So if you feel frustration in your effort to grow your business global and need a dose of inspiration, this might be the book for you. Here's the review I caught in the WSJ after I had read the book.

Is there a pot of gold at the end of this storm-to-rainbow story? You bet. Murphy's MacArthurGlen has 11 centers in Europe now, employing 8,000 people and boasting a billion dollars in annual sales.

Goes to show you that anything is possible provided you have that can-do entrepreneurial spirit (perseverance).

Show Me The Export Money

iStock/Thinkstock

Small U.S. companies can get into global trade via creative financing with the new UPS Capital service. The timing could not be better considering economic turbulence is making it difficult for small businesses to obtain affordable financing through traditional means.

The service enables small companies to use their in-transit UPS shipments as collateral for loans. Yes, you read that right.

During the online complimentary news conference on 9/9/08, UPS Capital executives will provide an in-depth look at how the innovative service works and how it helps small businesses. A small-business owner who has been using the service with great success will be part of the call.

Don’t miss out. Reserve your spot and get into global trade TODAY. Click here so we can show you the export money!

Is There A Sweet Spot Overseas?

iStock/Thinkstock

For Chocolate Bar, there is. And welcome Wall Street Journal readers! We are so pleased to have been included in this article and that you found us. While you are here, explore. Come back again as often as you like.

Ignore Globalization At Your Own Risk

iStock/Thinkstock

Growth during difficult times can most certainly come from emerging markets. It's a good way to be a part of reshaping globalization.

Read more about that, a new book and more here.

Cheap Exports Are Booming For Small Businesses

iStock/Thinkstock

America's relatively cheap exports are booming and have played a critical role keeping the U.S. economy out of recession. In response, more small-business owners are looking to tap overseas markets and banks are looking to grow with them.

Read more about it here but don't let this quote confuse you: "There are 50,000 small- and medium-sized exporters in PNC's footprint, and ..." They must mean customers of a certain size who will use their services because our number is more like 240,000 (and growing) SMEs are exporting from the United States.

Can Consultants Go Global?

iStock/Thinkstock

Is there a true opportunity for consultants in the United States to do business globally? Or is the opportunity primarily for product companies? If we can go global at GlobeTrade, you can too. Here's why. And feel free to weigh in with your own comments.

You Don't Have To Go It Alone to Go Global

iStock/Thinkstock

Did my first global business blog entry for Anita Campbell who runs Small Business Trends and serves as the newly appointed chief blog editor for the American Express OPEN Blog where such famed authors as Anita and Guy Kawasaki contribute. I am honored and excited!

See what you think of it. If you like it, click on the Found This Useful button! Look for more in the future. Many thanks and have a great Labor Day weekend.

Globalization's Winners Should Aid Poor

iStock/Thinkstock

Four Nobel Laureates in economics argue that governments should intervene to try to help those at the bottom.

But what about companies? Don't you think they should give a helping hand too? We should all pitch in to spread the wealth.

Read the article here.

Globalization Helps Win Olympic Golds Aplenty

iStock/Thinkstock

On Monday, The Wall Street Journal published a terrific commentary by George L. Priest and Minor Myers III entitled, "How Freedom Turned Talent Into Olympic Gold."
Promise me you will read every word. It's a wonderful detail about how nation-against-nation, Olympic ranking is deceptive because the achievements of athletes seldom derive purely internally from within a single nation. Maybe Olympic games are a metaphor for globalization? Many athletes, as noted by the authors, have crossed borders to perfect their skills. Even the market for Olympic coaches is affected by globalization.

"Olympic achievements are evidence of the benefits of globalization," the article states. Read it here where co-author Mr. Priest teaches a "Capitalism" course at Yale Law School.

Building a Global Business

iStock/Thinkstock

There are many ways to build a business global, but what it really requires is guts (a willingness to go outside your comfort zone).

Here's a four-step process for selling your products abroad.

The Power of Strategic Alliances in the Global Economy

iStock/Thinkstock

The U.S. Small Business Administration and the Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency will celebrate the achievements of minority entrepreneurs and business leaders during the 26th Anniversary of the National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week conference on Sept. 3-5 in Washington, D.C.

This year’s MED Week event—“The Power of Strategic Alliances in the Global Economy”—will focus on international trade, highlighted by a joint SBA/MBDA forum on the benefits to small businesses of free trade agreements. Joint initiatives by SBA and the Department of Commerce on international trade also are on the agenda, including the first-ever International Trade Symposium, held earlier this year.

Other international trade forums include the “Managing Global Strategic Relationships” and the “Free Trade in the Global Economy” sessions. The conference also will feature a White House Reception for award winners (Invitation only) a MED Week Welcome Reception, a Business Expo and Trade Show, a Meet Your White House breakfast with keynote address by Ambassador Susan C. Schwab, the United States Trade Representative, a Business-to-Business Linkage forum where small businesses are paired with government agencies and private sector companies to discuss potential contracting opportunities (pre-registration required and invitation only) and several award ceremonies honoring minority entrepreneurs, minority business advocates and leaders in the corporate community, including a closing MED Week awards gala.

WOW! More about the MED Week conference schedule can be found here (click on National MED Week Conference Website).

Watch The World Contribute Ideas

iStock/Thinkstock

The term "crowdsourcing," was coined by Jeff Howe, Contributing Editor of Wired Magazine which simply put, is outsourcing work using the Internet to a large group of people.

More recently, crowdsourcing has hit the design community and has become a viable way for small businesses that cannot afford big name design powerhouses yet want something more than stock clip art to get great design results. There are freelancer listing sites like Guru and Elance along with crowdSPRING.

crowdSPRING, although only 4 months old, has already garnered 5,000+ creatives in over 125 countries. Projects are posted every day from non profit organizations, small businesses, rock bands and just about everyone else on the planet!

The small company of eight in Chicago has greatly expanded since its inception, and its thriving community shows that crowdsourcing is a viable alternative to the traditional design model.

Check out crowdSPRING to see the diversity of creatives and projects, and see what you think. Maybe post a creative project; watch the world contribute ideas; and, choose one you like.

Worldsourcing

iStock/Thinkstock

An interesting blog by Lenovo called Worldsourcing. The author, Reid Walker, is also covering the Beijing Olympics.

Buying on a Global Scale

iStock/Thinkstock

What are corporate decision-makers thinking about global services and outsourcing? Are they planning to increase or decrease their spending? Does your organization lead its peers in global sourcing? Or is your enterprise a follower?

The article, Is Global Sourcing an Item on Your Strategic Plan of Action, examines what buyers are thinking when it comes to sourcing services on a global scale.

How Well Do You Know Your Regional Economics?

iStock/Thinkstock

Question 7: What country saw its gross domestic product rise nearly as fast as China's in the first quarter?

a. India
b. Brazil
c. Slovak Republic

ANSWER is here along with eleven other questions and answers.

Eye on China

iStock/Thinkstock

As China rapidly evolves into a more service-oriented economy, U.S. manufacturers need to adjust their China strategy to remain competitive.

America's Trade Agreements

iStock/Thinkstock

A new web site, TradeAgreements.gov, has been launched to provide the public with the latest information on America's trade agreements.

The site will be updated frequently with news about existing agreements, as well as pending free trade agreements with Peru, Columbia, Panama and South Korea.

Your job is to figure out how to leverage these trade agreements that claim to open up foreign markets for U.S. exporters.

Will Your Brain Be Outsourced Next?

iStock/Thinkstock

Should you prepare to either work in India or lower your salary to the level of those in India? Due to tough times, many people feel it's time to redefine the "American Dream." Others think we should just sit tight and wait for the next big prosperity bell to ring and then act on it.

What do you think? See what's on the minds of others here.

Does Offshore Outsourcing Affect Customer Satisfaction?

iStock/Thinkstock

Outsourcing has taken the heat lately. Many claim there are language problems and the exporting of jobs.

What do you think? Let us know!

Unsure? Read more here. Find out exactly how offshore outsourcing affects customer satisfaction. You'll be surprised.

Going Local

iStock/Thinkstock

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.

How To Do Business in China

iStock/Thinkstock

This informative workshop on doing business in China presents numerous case studies synthesized with more than 20 years of first-hand experience with conducting business in China.

Issues to be addressed include but are not limited to: cultural sensitivities, steps to company formation in China, negotiation with the Chinese government and business community and more.

The workshops will be conducted in six different key cities within the United States. Find out if yours is scheduled here.

Go Global, Go Green

iStock/Thinkstock

With a sluggish U.S. economy, rapid economic growth in Asia and other international markets, and a currency exchange rate favoring U.S. exports, U.S. small- and medium-sized businesses are increasingly looking to markets overseas. For those who haven’t taken the plunge, the time is NOW.

A major obstacle standing between smaller businesses and the global marketplace is complicated documentation involved in international shipping and returns. In fact, the #1 reason packages are delayed in Customs is missing or incomplete paperwork. What's more, research shows 70% of businesses don’t have a formalized process to handle international returns.

Want a quick fix? When you go global, go green, or paperless with your international documentation. Find out more here. It will save you time, money and trees while you’re at it.

American Knowledge for Global Power

iStock/Thinkstock

A whole new world of educational opportunities is being offered by Cornell Medical School, Northwestern, Carnegie Mellon, to name just a few, to Middle Eastern, South Asian and East Asian students .... and to think the best is yet to come.

• Education City Qatar
• Dubai's Knowledge Village
• Saadiyat Island (where the likes of the Sorbonne, the Guggenheim and soon New York University will all join in on developing cultural and education programs).

The full article, authored by Martha Bayles, can be found at Strangers in a Foreign Land.

When you achieve your worldy degree, find your global job here.

Burj Dubai

iStock/Thinkstock

Dubai Tower (pictured by Michael Travica) is a skyscraper under construction in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is the tallest man-made structure on Earth. It is expected to be completed and ready for occupation next month: September 2009.

Are you looking at Dubai for business?

Reaching Beyond Borders

iStock/Thinkstock

We've been preaching the value of using technology to go global for a long, long time. Here's a good article that backs us up!

What's Happening Around The World?

iStock/Thinkstock

Contributors from around the world at Globespotters write about what's happening in their cities, from cultural events to hot new restaurants.

Before you take off to button down that overseas deal you've been working on for months, take a minute to see what you can do in between your business appointments. You won't be disappointed.

Very nice.

What's China Buying?

iStock/Thinkstock

As the fifth largest importer in the world, China is a country worth doing business in.

Not sure where to look to see if your product is a good fit? Try the World Importers Net, a trade promotion website aimed at promoting international trade by providing both Chinese and overseas companies with trade information. It is a part of the China national public information service system for international trade and economic cooperation -- funded by the Chinese government, with all services provided free of charge.

You must register first (complimentary) to access data.

Exporting to India Gets a Whole Lot Easier

iStock/Thinkstock

The Commercial Service's Trade Information Center (TIC) has a established a new business information center for India. It will help U.S. companies take advantage of emerging market opportunities and the fast-growing purchasing power of the middle class in India.

A Web portal contains up-to-date information about doing business in India. They have a toll-free number 800-USA-TRAD(e) for counseling and are taking the initiative to raise awareness of opportunities in India for U.S. businesses.

Have you been waffling over whether to look at India for new business? Well now is your chance to get on board! Contact Abdul.Shaikh(at)mail.doc.gov if you require personalized assistance.

Is Going Global Right For Your Small Business?

iStock/Thinkstock

Have you been feeling the itch to take your small business global? Then maybe this article will motivate you to get started.

Great Global Productivity Starts With No Complaining

iStock/Thinkstock

In a world where everyone is connected 24/7, being positive is a powerful force that enables people to get things done.

Whether you are based in Mumbai or Memphis, this new book, authored by Jon Gordon, helps you establish positive ways to deal with negativity at work.

Find out more here.

Invest In Emerging Market SMEs

iStock/Thinkstock

The Social Equity Venture Fund (S.E.VEN), just launched a competition to develop new indicators and models for investment in emerging market small and medium-sized enterprises.

The competition is open to everyone, and is offering U.S. $50,000 in funds awarded for the best ideas. Entrepreneurs in developing markets often cite a lack of financial capital as the biggest barrier to growing their business. This competition, and its results, are one concrete step in demonstrating the power of entrepreneurship, and business, as a sustainable solution to world poverty.

S.E.VEN hopes that by opening up the discussion to anyone interested in participating that they can come up with more diverse and effective ways of looking at investment in emerging market SMEs.

Full details of the competition are available here.

Best-In-Class Global Trade Compliance

iStock/Thinkstock

In an increasingly global marketplace for manufacturers, the role of trade compliance is taking on more prominence in separating the winners and the losers.

Find out why here.

How To Foster Successful Cross-Border Mergers

iStock/Thinkstock

Try a little cultural due diligence. It works. Read Worlds Apart.

Living Unbuttoned Goes Global

iStock/Thinkstock

Levi's offers a campaign and a jean fit for all 110 markets. Think it will work?

Catch the story here: Levi's Marketers Hope One Size Fits All

Ireland's Love Affair With Entrepreneurship

iStock/Thinkstock

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan T.D. launched the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report for Ireland for 2007. The report found that 8.2% of the adult population living in Ireland is engaged in entrepreneurial activity, an increase on the 2006 level of 7.4%. So don't let the peaceful photo above fool you. Ideas are flourishing here and the Irish (my people) are making it happen.

Directed by Babson College, GEM reviews entrepreneurial activity and perceptions of 42 countries and is the world’s largest research project focusing on entrepreneurs and how they affect national economic growth.

The report findings include:

The number of entrepreneurs in Ireland increased in 2007. In 2007, 1 in 12 of the adult population in Ireland (aged 18-64) was involved in actively planning or had recently started a new business. This rate of 8.2% is an increase on the 2006 level of 7.4%.

The 2007 report shows a significant increase in the number of women entrepreneurs. Over 1,000 women in Ireland are starting new businesses each month. The number of women setting up new businesses or actively planning to do so increased to 5.9% (of all women aged 18-64) in 2007, up from 4.2% in 2006.

The level of informal investment (investing in someone else’s start-up business) was 3.3%. This is the highest rate reported by GEM in the last five years and brings Ireland into the top 10 of 20 selected OECD countries.

The 2007 GEM Report is available on www.enterprise-ireland.com and www.forfas.ie as well as on www.gemconsortium.org.

Trade Shows Attract Global Customers

iStock/Thinkstock

Trade shows are an important vehicle for finding overseas customers. Sometimes you have to start local to go global.

Trade Show Handbook claims to be the most comprehensive online resource guide for the trade show, exhibition and event industry. See what you think here.

Your USA Economy

iStock/Thinkstock

The Edward Lowe Foundation has created an online resource that tracks business activity in communities across the United States.

Visit www.YourEconomy.org, and you can see the breakdown of business establishments-along with the jobs they generate-at state, MSA and county levels.

New features and information (e.g., available early 2009, the entrepreneurship view will track establishments and jobs according to key entrepreneurial indicators to be determined) will be added to YourEconomy over the next few months.

Check it out.

Bring Overseas Customers To Your Door

iStock/Thinkstock

If you run a service business, instead of exporting, think about bringing overseas customers (hopefully a lot of Europeans) to your door.

This article does a good job talking about how it's done and why you should consider.

Take On The World

iStock/Thinkstock

Should a big company like Sony appoint the midsize ad agency that helped make Bravia flat-panel television famous in Europe, Fallon Worldwide, to lead a global ad campaign?

If it were your decision, would you run ads for every part of the world with one unified message? Is it better to make ads that can run anywhere in the world or to tailor spots to regional sensibilities?

Tough questions. Find out more here.

Minority Businesses Matter in the Global Marketplace

iStock/Thinkstock

The Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week conference, initially instituted by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, is the largest federally sponsored event held on behalf of minority businesses.

Small businesses can learn about the U.S. Small Business Administration’s International Trade initiatives, including its first-ever International Trade Symposium with the Department of Commerce during this year’s 26th Annual MED Week conference. MED Week is co-hosted by the Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency and the SBA and will be held on September 3-5, 2008 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The theme for this year’s event is: "The Power of Strategic Alliances in the Global Economy." There will be an SBA/MBDA workshop on Free Trade/Export Enforcement entitled: "Small Business Benefits - Free Trade Agreement." The workshop will be held on the afternoon of September 5. For more information, visit MED Week 2008.

Express Yourself Globally

iStock/Thinkstock

First, there was Second Life.

Now, there's Lively by Google (beta).

Express yourself globally.

One World Yellow Pages

iStock/Thinkstock

Let your fingers do the clicking at One World Yellow Pages (in beta stage).

Law in China

iStock/Thinkstock

From the New York offices of Global Trade & Technology Center:

Join "Lawyer in China" on Facebook -- your online legal advisor!

The Chinese economy is booming. Have you considered exploring the business opportunities in the People's Republic of China? Do you need legal advice for your business in China? If so, register on Facebook and join the group "Lawyer in China," the online legal advisor for your business in China.

If you are a lawyer interested in the Chinese legal service market, you are welcomed to join the group too. The group is looking for lawyers to serve the group members, they will appoint one to two lawyers for each major city worldwide: i.e. Shanghai, Beijing , Shenzhen, New York, Tokyo, London, and Berlin. Lawyers can submit their vitas and profiles to the members to illustrate their legal expertise by answering questions submitted by members.

Please note that only one to two lawyers will be appointed for each city. Their policy is on a first come first serve basis for lawyers to be listed for respective cities.

Description of the group:

• A platform for legal professionals to demonstrate their legal expertise;
• A platform for non-legal professionals to seek legal advice.

If you have any legal questions, please feel free to post it on the homepage of the group so that the moderator, officers or even other members may respond with valuable assistance.

Note from Laurel: Be careful here. No clue as to the expertise of the site creator nor the legitimacy of the platform itself. We are not endorsing the work, rather, just letting you know about it.

Separately but related and with the help of an expert IP attorney, just finished working on a great article for Entrepreneur magazine on global trademarks which I think will be very helpful to you, especially if you are thinking about protecting a logo, slogan or product name internationally. Watch for it in October.

Small Businesses Outsource Work Around the Globe

iStock/Thinkstock

Have you considered outsourcing some of your work overseas to free up time that could be spent developing a great global strategy? It is worth a look, especially to see what these folks are doing to improve their businesses' bottom line.

The article, Mom-and-Pop Multinationals, mentions a couple of places to begin your outsource search. If you have other destinations that are currently working for you, please share, thanks.

Happy Birthday, America!

iStock/Thinkstock

Happy 4th of July to all Americans. We invite everyone around the world to celebrate freedom and independence with us by way of barbecues, picnics, family gatherings and watching, of course, a little fireworks. Enjoy and be safe.

MultiLingual

iStock/Thinkstock

Complimentary subscription offer to eight issues for first-time subscribers of MultiLingual. Sign up online here and choose "MultiLingual print" and enter promotional code GSBB.

Go for it!

Finding Top Salespeople Abroad

iStock/Thinkstock

Locating top sales performers abroad is not easy but this brief piece sheds light on how to go about it.

After you line up potentials, take a trip and meet with them. Nothing beats being on the ground and seeing what's happening first hand.