Doing Business in the U.S., Canada or the U.K.

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It's not too early to starting thinking about how to move or store product during the holiday selling season (as noted in picture) -- especially if you decide to sell in the U.S., Canada or the U.K. Here's a success story shared by a reader:

Shipping and warehousing is one area that is essential to accelerating business growth, and simultaneously can be a drain on financial and time resources. The time-suck and hassle of shipping takes away from the other roles that business owners are more adept at—such as marketing, sales or business development. By re-evaluating shipping and logistics processes and leveraging Web-based innovation, businesses can take a hands-off approach, encourage sustainable growth and uncover hidden savings.

Marc Blaiwes, co-owner of car seat cover e-commerce company SeatGlovers, did what many smart entrepreneurs in today's climate should--he found a niche product with an untapped market and focused his energies. However, the sales success that followed was too much to handle. Marc needed to expand his warehouse, but the added costs threatened his profit margins and would have required product price increases. "Large companies play the expansion game all the time by building out storage and inventory and eating the added costs until business catches up," said Blaiwes, "Small businesses just don't have that luxury. That's why we needed Shipwire--to help us manage the double-edged sword of business growth."

"Shipwire is granting us immunity to all the flux in the market," said Blaiwes. "Shipping was a huge hassle for years, and it prevented me from growing my business. Finding Shipwire was as big for my business as selling on eBay and sourcing with Alibaba. We're growing exponentially and I'm realizing the true potential of my business. All of this at a time when many other merchants are just trying to stay afloat. Talk about a competitive advantage"

And Shipwire CEO Damon Schechter believes the way to scale and grow a business internationally is to get the product warehoused closer to local buyers.

More on Shipwire here (they offer a free, no obligation trial). Locations and shipping calculator that demonstrates cost advantages here.

Thanks to UPS, eBay PowerSellers in Hong Kong Get Even More Muscle

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What do UPS and eBay in Hong Kong have in common? More than you realize. They just announced a partnership to offer enhanced shipping solutions to select eBay users in Hong Kong. eBay PowerSellers based in Hong Kong can now use a UPS proprietary online shipping solution (http://go.ebay.com.hk/shipping) that improves business efficiency and enhances their reliability as vendors.

According to a 2008 global survey conducted by The Nielsen Company, over 85 percent of the world’s online population shop online, up 40 percent from 2006. More than half of all Internet users are regular online shoppers who make online purchases at least once a month.

Visit the shipping solution here (available in English and Chinese). Go connect with customers worldwide and transform your desktop into a virtual shipping centre.

Lead Fearlessly Into the Future

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Just posted, "For Advice That's Never Stale, Pick Up a Classic Business Book," over at the OPEN Forum by American Express OPEN.

During a time of such unprecedented economic turmoil and change, lately I find myself visiting my trusty (and dusty, I might add) in-home library of business books, looking for answers and timeless wisdom from influential authors who just might be capable of leading us fearlessly into the future.
Out of hundreds of books to choose from, here are five that deserve a spot in any collection of business classics. I’ve summarized the insightful advice I took away from the authors, all business visionaries who helped transform the world with their genius. You will find that most of the advice is more timely, practical and relevant than you could possibly imagine considering today’s global economic climate.

Check it out.

Are You To Be Found on the Web?

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If you are trying to get and keep customers worldwide, you better have a global Web presence. After all, 95 percent of the world's population resides outside our North American borders and only about 17 percent percent of the world's Internet users live in North America. The balance of online folks are overseas.

Take a look for yourself (above) and right here at the World Internet Usage and Population Statistics. The greatest concentration appears to be in Asia with Europe following .

50 Stunning Photos To Liberate Your Global Mindset

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Sometimes you have to step away to see the innovative forest through the trees.

We give you a chance to do just that -- kick back, awake feelings, put a smile on your face and remember the niceties that life has to offer -- here.

Enjoy.

Pros and Cons of Operating in China

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Yes, you can enjoy the advantages of cheaper material costs and labor wages and a vast consumer market reach in China but what about quality control and other issues such as IP protection that come into play?

Read more here.

Entrepreneurs Lead The World Into the Future

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In case you missed it, The Wall Street Journal published an opinion piece yesterday (2/24) by Messrs. Tom Hayes and Michael Malone entitled, "Entrepreneurs Can Lead Us Out of the Crisis."

Only entrepreneurs have the flexibility, the freedom and the risk-everything ambition to find the path back to prosperity in a rapidly changing, technology-driven global economy.

Let's hear it for all entrepreneurs worldwide!

Find out the ways we need help right here.

100 Companies To Become Household Names Across the Globe

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Boston Consulting Group recently released a study of “New Global Challengers” identifying (immediate PDF file download) 100 companies with the potential to become household names across the globe.

The companies work in a variety of sectors, and hail from a host of countries. Not surprisingly, Brazil, China, and India account for the biggest portions of the list. The list is also very volatile, as 19 new companies made this year’s list. They are also extremely ambitious, with strong desire to capture global market share. They also benefit from a relatively lower cost of capital, and a concentration of ownership, which helps fend off potential hostile takeover attempts. As growth accelerates, these firms are willing to reach outside and bring in other expertise -- often through global alliances, acquisitions, and by building management teams with a global perspective.

It's really about how companies -- e.g., Agility in Kuwait is one -- from rapidly developing economies are contending for global leadership (I like the Page 11 area ... very insightful).
Learn more over at the Policy Dialogue on Entrepreneurship: New Global Challengers.

Are You a Dreamer and a Doer?

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Aspire to become a global entrepreneur? Yes, you can. If you are a dreamer and a doer, then you might want to check out Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts where entrepreneurial students talk shop throughout the day and night in the E-Tower.

The E-Tower is a community for Babson students who wish to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors while attending school.

As one student says, "Any school can teach entrepreneurship, but at Babson, we live entrepreneurship."

To find out more about Babson's program, visit here. To learn what ventures E-Tower members are currently creating and growing, go here.

What Can the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Do For You?

OECD's work on trade is about providing analysis, policy advice and guidance to create a better understanding of trade and investment liberalization and how it can lead to stronger economic growth as well as to greater integration of countries into the world economy.

Look at their work for 2009 and see how it may alter your outlook on global trade.

Assessing barriers to trade in services in the MENA region

This paper (PDF file) aims to assess barriers to service provision in the financial, telecom, and transport sectors of selected MENA countries. The analysis is focused on computation of aggregate and modal trade restrictiveness indexes (TRIs) by sector.

Overcoming Border Bottlenecks: The Costs and Benefits of Trade Facilitation

Six studies that examine how border bottlenecks affect trade and investment flows, how these bottlenecks might be reduced, and whether the expense involved is worth it.

Trade flows weaken in third quarter 2008

Merchandise export volumes of the Group of Seven countries fell 0.2% in the third quarter of 2008 compared with the previous quarter, while import volumes rose 0.4%.

Recovery and Beyond: Enhancing Competitiveness to Realise Indonesia’s Trade Potential

There is much scope for trade to enhance economic growth in Indonesia. This paper (PDF file) analyses Indonesian trade policy following the Asian Financial crisis, and identifies some key reforms that may help to increase competitiveness.

-> The video above is Ken Ash, Director for Trade for OECD who warns against protectionism as a reaction to the crisis. He outlines the course of action governments should follow.

There is much more from OECD 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.

Globalization Matters

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Technology and globalization
have changed our economy forever. ~ Carly Fiorina

Carly Fiorina, former chief executive of Hewlett Packard, told some 2,300 members of the International Franchise Association yesterday in her keynote address at their annual convention being held in San Diego, that businesses, which she says have created two-thirds of jobs in the country, will lead the way to restore America’s faith in how business operates.

“If we’re going to get our economy working again, we have to pay attention on how to get people and small businesses to perform and prosper ... I think you are vital to the restoration of growth in our economy ... It is innovation and entrepreneurship that will lead us out of this economic crisis. Not big government, not big business, not big labor.”

Way back when in his "The World Is Flat" book, Thomas Friedman wrote about how technology and globalization have changed our lives forever.

Read more about her Carly's talk here.

Have Ones Entrepreneurship and Innovate Too?

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According to Forbes reporter Sramana Mitra, entrepreneurship and innovation don't always go hand in hand -- at least not in India.

Read more here and weigh in with your comments.

And if you have a moment, pay a visit to Sramana's blog.

Global Leadership Development

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Employees are less likely to jump ship during a recession so whether you run a global small business or local big business -- focusing on how to develop people to ensure you are not caught short of strong managers when the economy recovers -- is a smart notion.

Here's what some of the big guys are doing. I see a lot of ideas in this article. Webinars and executive coaches are a good way to train and counsel high-potential employees on a tight budget. Even ordering a simple HBR case study and discussing it as a group at one of your regularly scheduled meetings shows you're on it and care. More ideas can be found here.

How To Organize An Export Trial Run

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Despite harsh economic times, you can still formulate a plan to take your business global. In this case, it's getting ready to export.

I prepared this article, Organizing Your Export Trial Run (3 of a 5-part series) for Small Business Trends over at the OPEN Forum by American Express OPEN blog.

If you like it, click on the useful button (and add your comments). If you don't, please email me at ldelaney(at)globetrade.com. I always welcome feedback.

Dear President Obama

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From the Director of Economic Research at the United States Small Business Administration:

In sum, the 27 million small businesses in the United States play a vital role in the economic well-being of our nation. the Office of Advocacy's research contributes to the understanding of the importance of small businesses and the entrepreneurial spirit in generating economic growth, hiring and training new workers, and creating innovative products and services that will strengthen America's competitiveness in an increasingly global economy.

Immediate download of the The 2008 Small Business Economy Report (366 pages -- including chapters focusing on financing, procurement, international trade, small business training and development, tax policy, business creation, and regulation) can be obtained here.

Okay, I Admit: Global Trade Is Getting Tough

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Even emerging markets are getting hit with the global downdraft. What's a business owner to do? Prepare yourself and your business for the second half of this year by learning everything there is to know about going global.

My next post for OPEN Forum by American Express OPEN blog is due out this Friday and it's on how to get organized for an export trial run. Very comprehensive. Some good tips are shared on what you should be doing now to capture global ground -- market share -- later. I will post it when it is available. Be on the lookout.

In the meantime, hang tough. Be innovative. Put yourself out there. Create value for your customers in everything you do. It can only help when the market picks up.

Wake Up World!

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By golly, Andy Nulman (who has worked with Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Carrey, and many other comedians as the cofounder and CEO of the Just For Laughs Festival, the world’s largest comedy event) has a brand new book coming out called "POW! Right Between the Eyes: Profiting from the Power of Surprise."

I am a big fan of the power of surprise (don't really know much about Andy until now). We have a Surprise Me! link on the right sidebar of The Global Small Business Blog where, if all else fails, you can still manage to find something useful on how to take a business global.

But back to POW! Haven't read it (no advance copy -- unfortunately) but it looks terrific and just what the global economic doctor ordered for all of us. Among other interesting gems, here's what you will find covered in the book:

• Why surprise is crucial.
• What is this thing called surprise?
• What surprise ain't.
• Shock 101
• The art of the business of creating surprise.

So, get ready. The book is set for release February 24. Find out more here. And catch Andy's blog about surprise here.

Now, surprise me by emailing (or commenting here) to say you've gone global (and not fishing)!

Export Surges

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The power of competitive currency. How can countries stimulate and sustain strong export growth? The authors of this report examine 92 episodes of export surges, defined as significant increases in manufacturing export growth that are sustained for at least seven years.

Read more here.

Globally Engaged Education

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Here's a look at the top trends shaping social entrepreneurship in 2009. Three of them touch on our outlook as well: social enterprises (as it applies to education), mobile technology and green innovation.

Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research

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After exploring my exciting new online membership over at the International Council for Small Business, I caught that Scott A. Shane won the 2009 Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research.

I have admired Scott's prolific work at both Small Business Trends and OPEN Forum by American Express OPEN but little did I know that he was that gifted in writing about entrepreneurship.

For those of you who don't know Scott, he is the A. Malachi Mixon III Professor of Entrepreneurship Studies at Case Western Reserve University.

We are very proud of Scott and his wonderful accomplishments and wish him continued success in the field of global entrepreneurship.

Innovation Will Transcend All Boundaries

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We need to innovate our way to a new business model, at least that's what The New York Times, Sunday, February 1, 2009 article, "Disruptive Innovation, Applied to Health Care," states regarding health care.

Using innovation management models previously applied to other industries, Clayton M. Christensen, a Harvard Business School professor, argues in “The Innovator’s Prescription” that the concepts behind “disruptive innovation” can reinvent health care. The term “disruptive innovation,” which he introduced in 2003, refers to an unexpected new offering that through price or quality improvements turns a market on its head.

Disruptive innovators in health care aim to shape a new system that provides a continuum of care focused on each individual patient’s needs, instead of focusing on crises. Mr. Christensen and his co-authors argue that by putting the financial interests of hospitals and doctors at the center, the current system gives routine illnesses with proven therapies the same intensive and costly specialized care that more complicated cases require.

This falls right in line with our Trend No. 1 in Top 10 Global Trends for Small Businesses for 2009 (published January 21, 2009):

1. Disruptive innovation will be both the coolest and hottest new growth strategy in 2009 because it will transcend all boundaries and transform businesses.

Clayton Christensen, a Harvard Business School professor who focuses on innovation, discusses this very same topic in “How Hard Times Can Drive Innovation.” Also, a hip report by Trendwatching covers half a dozen consumer trends for 2009 and supports Christensen’s, and our theory, with prediction No. 6: Happy Ending. It states:

“At the same time, this is a great moment to innovate: shrinking budgets and diminishing revenues from existing offerings normally bring out the best and most creative in business professionals.”

Economist Joseph Schumpeter popularized a similar concept called “creative destruction” in 1942 in his book, “Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy,” that describes the process of transformation that accompanies radical innovation. Look for more of this type of disruptive innovation in 2009.

In Search of Global Excellence

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How can you better serve worldwide customers in 2009? By applying and hopefully winning the 2009 Dell Global Small Business Excellence Award.

In its sixth year in the United States and second year globally, the award gives small businesses applying technology in innovative ways to better serve customers a chance at up to U.S. $50,000 in Dell solutions and a meeting with Dell Chairman and CEO Michael Dell.

Call for entries have already started with the first round of submissions due by Friday, April 3, 2009. Ten national finalists per country will be announced in mid-June and the 13 national winners will be announced in September 2009.

India is the newest country to participate in the global award and recognize local small businesses for technology leadership. Additional countries participating include Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

For a description of the award criteria, rules, award levels, partners and judges and to complete an application, visit here and good luck!

International Council for Small Business

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Because we are so passionate about helping you -- entrepreneurs and small businesses -- expand your business internationally -- we decided to become a member of another organization that is equally as committed: The International Council for Small Business.

Founded in 1955, the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) was the first international membership organization to promote the growth and development of small businesses worldwide. The organization brings together educators, researchers, policy makers and practitioners from around the world to share knowledge and expertise in their respective fields.

One of our trusted colleagues, Dr. Jeffrey Cornwall, is also a member so when you have time, check out what ICSB has to offer ... lots of tips, tools and resources to enable you to learn more about going global ... and see if membership might benefit you too.

Knowledge sharing helps improve our global economic environment and fosters an understanding and appreciation for each country's contribution to the world marketplace.

Global Market Access

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Very interesting opinion piece in the WSJ:

First, America must remove trade barriers on exports from the poorest countries, regardless of trade policies in those countries. With global market access, poor countries would automatically attract private investment, despite their institutional weaknesses. These institutions would become stronger over time as businesses flourish. Private investments capitalizing on access to global markets would necessarily employ low-cost labor, thus creating jobs.

Next, small entrepreneurs can be bolstered with seed money in the range of $25,000. Small entrepreneurs create jobs, products and services that form the bedrock of flourishing democracies. With some tangible changes in its operation, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) within the World Bank Group could promote development through entrepreneurs. The World Bank should stop lending to governments and be absorbed into the reformed IFC.

Read more here.

Davos Delivered

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Take in what's happening at the Annual Meeting Davos, 2009.

Valerie Jarrett, key assistant to USA President Barack Obama, says this:

We must enter a "new era of global financial responsibility."

World Economic Forum: Global Agenda (2009)

Going Global Out of the Gate

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Going global from day one, OleOle is a start-up founded by an American with a Chief Technology Officer who is a New Zealand resident. Much of OleOle's technology development is done in its New Zealand office.
The product is a social media platform for football (also known as soccer in the United States and New Zealand), with 10 language versions.
It began development in 2006, opened as a public beta in 2007 and officially launched in April this year.
Read more here.

Localization Solutions in a Global Marketplace

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Choosing a good-fit localization vendor such as Globalization Partners, CSOFT, Eriksen, LinguaLinx or Common Sense Advisory, for example, is not an easy feat. But you must at some point because going global is a good route for companies looking to weather the economic downturn.

Ms. Shunee Yee, CEO of CSOFT -- a localization/globalization firm -- says this:

Expansion into new markets can help companies stave off the ill effects of a volatile domestic economy. While gaining access to the global marketplace was once reserved for only the largest multinational companies, recent advancements in communication technology and trade have allowed companies of all sizes to enter the international arena. A critical step in reaching global markets is a well-crafted globalization strategy that allows for efficient product deployment that meets local cultural and language requirements. Localization has become the answer for businesses worldwide seeking to enter new markets efficiently and effectively.

More from CSOFT here.

Despite Economy, Ultra Large Ships Serve the World

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Thinking about moving all the contents out of your three-bedroom house and from one country to another? We know one of a handful of shipping lines you need to hire! No problem.

They have the capacity (more than ever right now due to tough times for global trade) to move 22,000 containers at a time. Yes, you read that right.

Read more here.

Happy Chinese New Year of the Ox

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May the New Year of the Ox bring you all the best -- happiness, good health, great prosperity (through fortitude and hard work) and abundant blessings in 2009.

Voice of America: Chinese Welcome the Year of the Ox.
Time: The Chinese Zodiac

Small Businesses Will Shape Our Future

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Tough times call for smart action. And it's inspiring to see that there is an intelligent program available that identifies small businesses with the greatest potential -- offered with the support of the U.S. Small Business Administration's Emerging 200 (e200) Initiative.

e200 helps small inner-city businesses that have substantial potential for growth connect with high-level training, networking and other resources that can help them succeed. The program was launched in 2007 in Milwaukee and nine other cities. This spring it will be expanded to 15 more.

"Programs like e200 are important because they help people create capacity," says Eric Ness, SBA district director for Wisconsin. "That's something we must do if we're going to be competitive in a global economy."

Small businesses will continue to help shape our future.

New Global Shopper Study

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A new global shopper study, “Shopper Decisions Made In-Store” (SDMIS,) reveals what’s truly happening in the world’s retail shopping aisles. An excerpt:

What works in China won’t work in Germany. Shoppers behave differently inside the store in every country.

Shoppers in China decide what category to buy from, which brand to choose and how much they will buy inside the store 88 percent of the time, but in Germany that number plummets to 38

No two countries are exactly alike. So when it comes to marketing to a Shopper, Marketers can think globally, but always need to act locally, armed with local expertise on how best to engage the Shopper in each country.

Global Small Business Trends for 2009

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Here's my list of top 10 global small business trends for 2009.

The Way The World Works

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According to Samuel J. Palmisano, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, IBM, something meaningful is happening worldwide (and it didn't just start yesterday in the U.S.A.).

A question he poses:

Ask yourself: As the planet becomes smarter, is my company—or my country—becoming smart enough to keep up, and to win?

Find out his thoughts here.

World, Meet Our New President of the United States of America: Barack Obama

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Making history, together.

Video of inauguration.

Global Celebration of the Life of Martin Luther King

On a Wing and a Global Prayer

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Miracles happen.

• iReporter: "It looked liked a perfectly smooth landing."
• AP: Survivors offer praise, gratitude after NY crash
• The Times: US Airways Plane Crashes in Hudson River
• 1549 to Tower: "We're Gonna End Up in the Hudson" -- includes video clip.
• Major hero: Pilot Chesley B. Sullenberg III (miracle, yes, but Sullenberg is also a glider pilot and extraordinarily smart -- we are all very blessed to have had him in charge)

Small Exporter in China

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I am a small exporter in China, and I have been deeply depressed because of the financial crisis. Please give me your advice about how to survive in this difficult time for small business owners, especially Chinese facing the downturn of the exporting market. ~ D.L., Dalian, China

Read BusinessWeek columnist Karen Klein's response here.

And I add: You can't cut your way to prosperity. Start innovating, get lean and look for and seize opportunities wherever in the world it makes sense (like an economy that is "open for business"). When things pick up, explore more options here.

Be conservative. Stay liquid. Don't retire.

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Read more of what Thunderbird (School of Global Management) Professor F. John Mathis, Ph.D., sees when he looks into the future.

Also take a good look here for more interesting research and opinion pieces, especially here.

Agree? Disagree? Let us know.

Get Tough On Trade

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The news is everywhere on how trade is declining sharply around the world. And it's hitting big and small companies. According to a WSJ article (1/14/09):

Falling trade also is cutting the U.S. trade deficit because imports are falling more than exports -- in November, U.S. imports fell 12 percent from the previous month compared with 5.8 percent for exports. The deficit shrunk to $40.4 billion from $56.7 billion in October; it was the smallest deficit in five years. That in turn helps raise estimates of U.S. fourth-quarter gross domestic product.

Despite the grim news, this is not a time for you to hunker down. It's a time to get tough, develop your global strategy and run a lean, mean global business machine. Check in here periodically for tips, resources and articles to keep you going and to learn as much as you can about expanding your business internationally. It can be done -- but you must stay focused. Visit here for some good advice too.

When the sun breaks through the dark economic clouds, you will be poised to take on the world.

America in the World

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Take a look at GlobalPost.com. The free, BOLD initiative (supported by ads) will offer frequent dispatches for an American audience to supplement coverage from the AP, Reuters and other news organizations still covering the world.

GlobalPost intends to sell stories that cut across national boundaries and tie the world together -- to papers to run in print or online. Their mission statement is here.

Startup feature question: What does the idea of America mean to the world? To find out, read: For Which It Stands

Small Business Advocate Could Head Ex-Im Bank

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Fred Hochberg, a longtime advocate of small business, could head Ex-Im Bank. Ex-Im Bank mission: To finance sales that the private sector considers too risky to fund on its own. Hochberg currently is dean of Milano The New School for Management and Urban Policy.

Hochberg has a diverse business background:

• Held top positions at SBA (under Clinton administration).
• Was in direct sales industry positions.
• Spent bulk of his business career at Lillian Vernon Corporation, leading the transition from private enterprise to publicly traded company (president from 1989-1993). It appears he is the son of Lillian Vernon.

Ex-Im Bank has made an effort to emphasize lending to smaller companies -- $3.2 billion of its $14.4 loan authorizations last fiscal year went to finance exports by small firms.

"The SBA must assert itself more aggressively in the area of procurement to ensure that small businesses are receiving a greater share of federal contracts," he wrote in a 2006 op-ed in Inc. magazine.

Read the entire article here.

Introducing Women Entrepreneurs GROW Global (WEGG)

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We are happy to report the launch of a new social enterprise, Women Entrepreneurs GROW Global (WEGG / www.womenentrepreneursGROWglobal.org). WEGG will bring global opportunity to women entrepreneurs worldwide.

The Global Small Business Blog is the first official sponsor to WEGG.

Check out the roster of consequential thought-leaders who, when they have something juicy and relevant to report, will be contributing to WEGG:

Sharon Barner, Partner, Foley & Lardner LLP
Anita Campbell, CEO of Small Business Trends LLC
Raman Chadha, Executive Director of the Depaul University Coleman Entrepreneurship Center and on the faculty of the highly ranked academic program in entrepreneurship
Linda Darragh, Director of entrepreneurship programs for the Chicago Booth’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Adjunct Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship
Marsha Firestone, Ph.D., President and Founder of the Women Presidents’ Organization
Suzy Fox, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair, HRER, Loyola University Chicago — primary research interests center around the well-being of employees in the global workplace
Dawn Harris, Ph.D., Director, Gannon Center for Women and Leadership, Loyola University Chicago
Mary Joyce, Network Director, U.S. Department of Commerce, Midwest Export Assistance Centers
Karen Kerrigan, President & CEO, Women Entrepreneurs, Inc.
Steve King, Founding Partner, Emergent Research
Carolyn Okels, Founding Partner, Emergent Research and Small Business Labs
Leslie Schweitzer, Senior Trade Advisor for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Creator of the TradeRoots Initiative
Whenever you see a WEGG badge (noted above), it means the person is an official expert (as I am -- look at The Global Small Business Blog right sidebar) and contributor to WEGG.
We wish to thank Rosa Berardi, Program Manager, The Coleman Foundation for her special assistance and support to WEGG and, of course, we wish to thank our contributors for their willingness to share their knowledge.

Please visit us as often as you like (men are welcome too because a couple of our WEGG experts are men and some of the information will apply to both men and women alike). And definitely let us know when you catch any news, resources, research, events or women entrepreneurs doing great things worldwide that relates to Women Entrepreneurs GROW Global.

Cold Snowy Chicago Winter

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Above is a glimpse of what the weather is like in Chicago. Lots of snow with chilly winds. I bundled up, did some shoveling and took a daring walk by the lake to capture this moment.

Hope it's a little more bearable in your part of the world.

In the meantime, wet-cold-rain-snow, the folks at Wal-Mart are building an international empire.

Global Corporate Culture

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Tune in to Accenture's globalization channel.

Here's an example:

Maintaining a Common Corporate Culture Is a Big Concern for Global Executives

Globalization Repaired

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Chris White over at Good Gold Global was kind enough to comment about a Newsweek article, "How To Fix Globalization," in our Re-embrace Globalization post and I wanted to make sure everyone saw it.

Read more here. At the same time, check out The Global Elite video on the 50 most powerful people in the world.

The Magnificent Seven: Global Business Books in 2008 Worth a Read

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A couple of noteworthy global business books that were published in 2008:

1. A Splendid Exchange: How Trade Shaped the World

2. Global Business Leadership

3. Globality: Competing With Everyone From Everywhere For Everything

4. globalization: n. the irrational fear that someone in China will take your job

5. New Frontiers in Free Trade: Globalization's Future and Asia's Rising Role

6. Street Smarts for Global Business

7. The New Age of Innovation: Driving Co-Created Value Through Global Networks (CK is one of my favorite authors -- book pictured above)

We will be making the adjustment to Borderbuster on Squidoo soon.

Blog Series On Internationalizing Your Company

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Over at the OPEN Forum by American Express, I'm doing a blog series on internationalizing your company. Here's Part 2: Building Your Crack Export Team of what will become a 5-part series.

And the usual ... if you find it useful, say so. If not, let me know why. Many thanks.

Borderbuster 2009

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In case you are not a subscriber to our world famous Borderbuster e-newsletter (www.globetrade.com/borderbuster.htm), we want to share point No. 8 of today's edition.

8. EVERYBODY LOVES A FREEBIE: BEYOND THE CRISIS: THE FUTURE OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMY*Subscriber Exclusive*
On October 23, 2008, at a conference developed by Big Think and sponsored by strategy+business, financier George Soros, former U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers, and Nobel Prize–winning economist Robert Merton discussed and debated the current global financial crisis in New York City. Tom Stewart, the chief marketing and knowledge officer of Booz & Company, moderated the event, which took place at City University of New York.

Tune-in to the videocast here.

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Re-embrace Globalization

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In case you missed it, The Economist has a special edition out called The World in 2009. Pick up a copy. It's worth a read, especially the Time to Re-embrace Globalization commentary by Jeff Immelt, chairman and chief executive of General Electric.

He urges business and political leaders to embrace competition, not protectionism, as the way through economic turmoil and his last Point No. 6 is spot-on:

6. Each of us must contribute. Developed and developing countries, governments and industry, shareholders and employees -- we all share a responsibility to make meaningful contributions to protect and strengthen the international trading system.

Thomas Edison, GE's founder, used to say that people don't recognize opportunity because it "usually goes around wearing overalls looking like hard work." To succeed in our swarming global economy, leaders must not resist the challenge but relish the opportunity, especially in these harder economic times. True leaders must re-embrace globalization.

Take the Plunge: Borderbust in 2009

Global entrepreneurship in action! We are happy to report that a simple, reflective walk by the lake -- one year ago today capturing an experience -- has brought fun, joy and fame (a little) into my life.

On the eve of our new year, I was notified that I am a finalist for the 1,000 Words Annual Photo Issue contest through the Chicago Reader. Winners will be announced in the next couple of days by a drawing (which I am relieved to hear because if they seriously judged with a panel of experts, my photo (as shown above) would never cut it against the 23 others; you absolutely must take the time to view them all ... powerful, creative work).

Backstory on photo: It's Polar Bear Plunge Day in Rogers Park, Illinois where I live and folks on the first day of the new year strip off their clothes and jump into the lake regardless of what the temperature is. How wild is that?! There must be similar sorts of traditions in other parts of the world (please share). And on this particular day, 1/1/08, when I took the photo, it was 22 degrees F.

So whether you realize it or not, global entrepreneurship plays into every aspect of our life. A natural, self-expressive act -- anywhere in the world -- can end up generating revenue. In this case, if we win, a U.S. $150 Best Buy gift certificate will be ours to spend as we see fit (maybe donate to a worthwhile social enterprise). But isn't that what global entrepreneurship is all about? Making a living out of doing good, setting out to change the world and pursuing a passion?

Let's keep our fingers crossed that we come out a winner in 2009! Stay tuned.

Now to you my reader. It's your turn. Take the plunge and borderbust in 2009. Let's work together to make that happen. You'll come out a winner too!

Happy New Year!