The History of Global Small Business

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Some thoughts on the evolution of small businesses expanding internationally.  This is Part 1 of 3 installments.

Small Business Globalization Through the Years

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

Jaguar Goes Global and Rip Roaring Wild

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How alive are you?  That's what Jaguar wants to find out with their new global marketing campaign to ...

convince car buyers that they produce the most appealing range of drivers’ cars ... in the world.

Learn more here.

A Coordinated Stance on Global Affairs

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Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says:

“When the BRICS ‘five’ really gets going, its influence on the global economy and politics will be quite significant,” Putin wrote in a campaign article on foreign policy in Moskovskie Novosti published on Monday. Putin, 59, plans to return to the Kremlin after the presidential elections next month.

According to Putin, BRICS countries:  Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa have a combined population of 3 billion people and are responsible for more than 25 percent of the world's GDP.

Learn more about what Putin has to say on "world order" here.

Snow Globe World

©Laurel Delaney 2012, "Fresh Snow in Chicago."

“Snow flurries began to fall and they swirled around people's legs like house cats. It was magical, this snow globe world.” ~ Sarah Addison Allen, The Sugar Queen

America's New Exports

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As Austan Goolsbee, a professor of economics at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business, former chairman of President Obama's Council of Economic Advisers from 2010 to 2011, writes in the Wall Street Journal:

The U.S. runs a huge trade surplus in tourism, tuition paid by foreign students, even NBA jersey sold abroad.

Further, he talks about the more promising way out of our economic doldrums:  growing exports -- through things like tourism, travel and services.

Read the entire commentary and more than 35 comments (when I last checked) at:
Jeremy Lin and America's 'New Exports'

Opportunity Can Knock Overseas

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For United States MBAs, taking your career global has never been easier.

“Just because you go overseas initially does not mean you’re relegating yourself to working overseas for the rest of your career ... "

There is plenty of work for everyone worldwide.  Find out more here.  When opportunity knocks, turn the knob.  The door to the world will open easily.

Where Does Going Global Start?

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According to this article,  going global starts at home.

Domestic reforms would help Chinese companies invest successfully abroad.

Posted by The Global Small Business Blog

A Sweet Taste of Brazil

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Chocolate Brigadeiros (as shown) are considered the most popular candy in Brazil.  They are an absolute must-have at birthday parties, weddings and all other festive events in Brazil.

Gourmet Brigadeiro was created with the idea of making the best Brigadeiros possible. We make it the traditional way how it is made in Brazil - by hand, adding love and the finest ingredients out there. Gourmet Brigadeiros only uses top shelf Belgium and Swiss chocolate. There is no artificial colors, high fructose corn syrup, or preservatives.

Take a sweet break and visit Gourmet Brigadeiro.

Legal Advisor to the World?

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Can the U.K. become a "lawyer and advisor to the world?"  That's what Britain's Justice Minister wants to accomplish.  He desires to make London the preeminent forum for resolving international commercial disputes with Asia (China) being its first target.

Read the entire store here.

Love Birds

©Laurel Delaney 2012, "Bird Freedom"

"I hope you love birds too. It is economical. It saves going to heaven." ~ Emily Dickinson

Choosing the Legal Structure For An Import/Export Business

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If you are just getting started in an import/export business, the article below might help you decide which legal structure is best suited for you.

Choosing Your Form of Organization (Part 1 of 2)
Choosing Your Form of Organization (Part 2 of 2)

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

Technology is a Global Endeavor

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In our global world, GigaOM is acquiring its flagship brand, paidContent, along with its other assets: mocoNews.net, contentSutra.com, and paidContent:UK.

In an interview with Wired, GigaOM CEO Paul Walborsky said, “Technology and covering technology is a global endeavor, and you need to be in all the major centers,” foreshadowing an increase in global expansion on the part of new media operations and those that cover them.

Read more here.

Global Technology, Finance and Economics

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All rolled into one blog:  GATA = global american technology alliances

Here's the About page:

gata is an international business development consultancy.  gata brings value to clients by either enhancing revenue opportunities or driving cost containment by building partnerships with foreign companies.

What It's Like to Run a Global Small Business in the Czech Republic

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A day in the life of a Czech Republic global small business owner:

Czechs are quite technologically advanced. Almost everybody has internet access, and smart phones are widely popular. Also we are one of the few countries in the world where the local search engine is stronger than Google. It´s no wonder that most small business owners bet on internet marketing.

Is marketing a global small business in the Czech Republic done differently than any other part of the world?

Find out here.

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

Small Businesses Increase Their Share of Exports

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According to new data published by the U.S. Department of Commerce, small businesses have increased their share of exports in the two years.

Companies with fewer than 500 employees accounted for 35 percent of exports in the third quarter of 2011, according to preliminary figures from the Census Bureau. That’s up from about 32.8 percent in 2009. The figure, from a report to be released in April, refers only to sales of goods, not services.

Learn more here (under the Exporting sub-head).

The Noisy Driver of Economic Growth: Exports

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Oh come on now ... really?

Much of the rise in exports is a consequence of domestic problems. The value of the dollar has declined, so that foreigners save money when they buy American. Businesses, struggling to find customers here, are focusing on foreign sales. And a boom in commodity prices, which has raised the price of life for most Americans, has produced a windfall for those who trade in commodities.

Read the entire outlook here.  As always, the comments are intriguing (like the one shown above).

Don't Take Your Global Customers For Granted

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Jesse Kornbluth, the author of the magnificent commentary headlined above with the link below, was editorial director of America Online from 1997-2003. He now edits Headbutler.com.

I joined AOL as editorial director in 1997. As a journalist, screenwriter and author with a big Rolodex, I was hired to help transform a technology company headquartered in a field in Virginia into a media powerhouse. For a year, we had only modest adult supervision, and we made the most of it.

Read his full length opinion piece featured in the WSJ here.

Be sure to catch every delightful comment.

You're Invited ... 21st Century Marketing: How to GROW Your Business in Today's Market

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Dear Colleague and fellow Women in Business,

I’d like to invite you to attend the upcoming “21st Century Marketing: How to Grow Your Business in Today’s Market” Conference, targeting Women in Business, to be held at the Anaheim (California) Marriott March 23, 2012.

You can access the Conference agenda (and registration) via the website link below. I look forward to speaking at the Conference and hope to see you there!

http://www.wboconference.com/

Regards,
Laurel
773-381-1700

Increase American Exports

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President Obama called on the United States to double the number of U.S. exports in 5 years in order to support 2 million new jobs as part of the National Export Initiative.

One of the International Trade Administration's strategies to achieve this is through the New Market Exporter Initiative (NMEI), which targets Strategic Partners’ current customers who are exporting goods and services abroad in order to help them expand their reach to additional international markets.

Why?

On average, approximately fifty-eight percent (58%) of all U.S. exporters only sell to one market overseas. By focusing resources on these U.S. small- and medium-sized companies who already have knowledge of exporting, we increase the opportunity to have the largest impact.

Learn more here or quickly download this document in PDF format.

Who Reigns As Queen of Global Pop?

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Madonna or Lady Gaga?
What's Your Vote?

Related articles:

6 Tips to Shock Your Global Customers:  It Works for Madonna!

How to Market Your Business Lady Gaga Style

Take Your Business To the World

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What's the best way to take advantage of trade developments at the EU and global level? Attend a trade conference at University of Cambridge.

“The Going Global conference offers trade advice and information as well as the opportunity to interact directly with experts from the UK and the Continent.”

Learn more here.

A World Walking On Clouds

©Laurel Delaney, 2012, "Walking On Clouds"

"A pessimist sees only the dark side of the clouds, and mopes; a philosopher sees both sides, and shrugs; an optimist doesn't see the clouds at all - he's walking on them."  ~ Leonard Louis Levinson

Small Business Exports: Where They Stand

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John Tozzi, our friend and colleague at BusinessWeek, reports on "Small Business Exports Edge Up."

Key comment:

“Ninety-eight percent of U.S. exporters are small and medium-sized enterprises but these exporters have historically represented only 30 percent of U.S. export value,” Tim Truman, a spokesman for the Commerce Department’s International Trade Association, said in an email.

And we are pleased to be quoted (GlobeTrade) in the article as well -- thank you John for including us!

Read the entire article here.  International Trade Update here.

Import and Export Statistics

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Are you forever searching for U.S. import and export statistics? Look know further. We've put together seven key offerings from the U.S. Census Bureau on Foreign Trade which will help you track import and export statistics.

Check it out: Foreign Trade Statistics: How to Access U.S. Import and Export Trade Statistics

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

Just the Facts Please, Exporting Facts

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Check out the U.S. Export Fact Sheet below (immediate download of a PDF file), November 2011, Export Statistics Released January 13, 2012.

NOV Export Facts

How to Develop a Culture of Exporting

Get a New Perspective While Learning: Look Beyond Borders

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As part of Mahatma School's International School Award Program, a group of Swedish students were invited to take part in an interactive session with their Indian counterparts.

The session was designed to toss out perspectives on a variety of subjects, ranging from orphans and street children in India to the effects of tourism on environment.

Here's what resulted at the Global School in Lidingo, Sweden.

My Kind of Hometown: Chicago

©Laurel Delaney, 2012, All Rights Reserved, "Hometown Chicago 2012"

Have a great weekend my worldly readers!  And thank you for your readership.

Ever Thought About Going Global?

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In case you have been living in a cave, stretch, dust yourself off and come out into the light (the living).

Read:  Small Business Ideas for 2012:  Why Not Go Global?

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

The Good and Bad About Globalization

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What's the impact globalization has on our world?

It is true that the impact of globalization is visible and affects largely the politics and the economy of the country but its effect on the mindset and the culture is noticeable gradually in the way people think and react. It's like the Iceberg theory wherein what we do and say are at the tip and what we think and believe is at the base. The base is not visible but manifestations at the top are conspicuous. It applies here as well where people do not change abruptly but may be after a decade the change starts showing and seems radical.

Learn more about the pros and cons of globalization here.

Economic Success Is Dependent Upon Global Collaboration

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That's what former President Bill Clinton says.

Delivering the keynote address at the 101st National Retail Federation Big Show, former President Bill Clinton did not shy away from the challenges that businesses face in this economy. In his speech, entitled "Embracing Our Common Humanity," Clinton spoke about the inequality, instability and unsustainable way of life which makes up the world today.

Learn more here.

Researching Your Export Markets

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Check out the first-part of a six-part course on global trade Wednesday at the Rabobank Regional Business Center.

The three-hour session, “Researching Your Export Markets,” starts at 8 a.m. in the center that serves as headquarters for Coachella Valley Economic Partnership and the iHUB, 3111 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California, 92262.

Learn more here.

What To Do During An Internet Blackout

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Creative America, the entertainment community united against content theft, will tell you what to do during an Internet blackout.  Learn more here and be sure to spread the word.

Winter Has Cometh in Chicago

©Laurel Delaney 2012, "Snow on the Evergreen Tree Chicago"

"Winter is the time of promise because there is so little to do - or because you can now and then permit yourself the luxury of thinking so."  ~ Stanley Crawford

Elements Involved in Running a Fit-For-Fast-Growth Global Business

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Here's an interview I did with a major international bank.  The bank (name withheld for confidentiality purposes) was eager to help their small business clients expand internationally. This is Part 2 of the interview. (You can find Part 1 here).

Read the article here.

Export: How Ventrac Did It

Emerging Nations Proceed With Caution

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Andrew Burns, head of macroeconomics at the World Bank, told journalists in London: “Developing countries should hope for the best and prepare for the worst.”

Predicting significantly slower global growth in 2012 than it expected last summer even if the eurozone muddles through its crisis, World Bank economists said that if financial markets deny funds to eurozone economies, global growth would be about 4 percentage points lower than even these figures with poorer economies far from immune.

Read the entire article: World Bank Warns Emerging Nations

How to Write An Effective Export Plan

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Dr. Doug Barry, International Trade Specialist (Doug.Barry@trade.gov) discusses via a webinar how to best develop an export plan for your company.

A good plan can generate and sustain new business, and this webinar presents a framework for writing your export plan as well as including resources to help complete each section of it. A good export plan can also allow you to be proactive in seeking international buyers rather than passive.

Launch your export business here.

View the Presentation

Related articles:  How to Develop An Import/Export Business Plan

Yoghurt Business Goes Global

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You never know when your best idea comes to you.  In this case, Henry Gosling (director of Australia-based Co Yo) got his at 2:00 a.m.  He set his sights on taking an already successful yoghurt business global.

"It's local companies going all over the world. A small business can always make it if they put into it what they want to get out of it."

Read: Co Yo Is Going Global 

Worldly Work

©Laurel J. Delaney 2012, "Worker Up In the Air During a Chicago Blizzard, 1.12.12"

"Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else." ~ James M. Barrier

The Power of the Internet: Eric Whitacre's Global Virtual Choir

Related post:  Humanizing Our Connected World

Taking Your Business Global: A Digital Short

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Hopefully this 39-second digital short will make you smile (shameless plug involved) and will also give you ideas on how to use technology, namely animation, to market your brand globally.

Taking Your Business Global (Go!Animate)

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

Scoping Out Hot Business Opportunities in Emerging Markets

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You can do good to do well.  In this case, corporate employees help and scope out opportunities in developing countries.

Read:  Doing Good to Do Well (The Wall Street Journal)

World Cleanup 2012

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Garbage is a big deal and local efforts in the Estonian capital are expanding into a global initiative.

On January 13th volunteers from 83 countries will converge on the Estonian capital, Tallinn, to launch World Cleanup 2012, the biggest attempt so far at voluntary rubbish collection. This year’s target is to mobilize 300 million people to pick up 100 million tons of illegally dumped waste in six months, starting on March 24th.

Who is the spirit behind this garbage campaign? Find out here:

Collecting Global Garbage: Effluence of Affluence || The Economist

Are You Doubling Your Exports By 2015?

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According to the “Perceptions of Global Trade” survey of more than 1,000 American SMEs, 24 per cent were currently engaged in global commerce.

Almost half of small businesses in the United States expect to double their exports by 2015, and 66 per cent say that up to 25 per cent of their annual revenue comes directly from exporting, according to a survey by UPS.

Read more here.

Related post: Key to Future Success For Small Businesses: Going Global

Find Peace in the New Year

©Laurel Delaney 2012, "Peace At the Winter Lakefront," Rogers Park, IL, U.S.A.

"Nothing can bring you peace but yourself; nothing, but the triumph of principles." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

One of Many Best-Kept Secrets to Global Success

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For a small business with a sizable budget, the Gold Key Service (GKS) — through the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service — is one of the most efficient ways to meet with pre-screened potential cross-border customers.

Learn more:   The Gold Key Service: How to Find Customers the World Over

Corruption is a Universal Worldly Challenge

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The Global Integrity blog seeks to play a role in promoting accountability and transparency reforms by developing tools that address the needs of the public, private, and civil sectors equally.

Global Integrity is a tax-exempt organization incorporated in the District of Columbia in the United States under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is supported by charitable foundations, governments, multilateral institutions, and the private sector.

Never heard of them? You have now.

In short, we are an innovation lab for the transparency and accountability community.

Learn more here.

Off-the-Books Global Businesses

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Wired Magazine interviews Robert Neuwirth, author of Stealth of Nations: The Global Rise of the Informal Economy on why black market entrepreneurs matter to the world economy.

Further, he (Neuwirth) says, these enterprises are critical sources of entrepreneurialism, innovation, and self-reliance. And the globe’s gray and black markets have grown during the international recession, adding jobs, increasing sales, and improving the lives of hundreds of millions. It’s time, Neuwirth says, for the developed world to wake up to what those who are working in the shadows of globalization have to offer. We asked him how these tiny enterprises got to be such big business.

Read the entire interview here.

Aging Population in BRIC

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According to a December 7th report by Goldman analysts, as the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India and China) slow down, global growth probably will peak at about 4.3 percent this decade and fall to 3.9 percent in the 2020s.

The number of people older than 65 in Brazil, Russia, India and China will rise 46 percent to 295 million by 2020 and to 412 million by 2030, according to United Nations projections. The pool of 15 to 24-year-olds, the mainstay for factories will fall by 61 million by 2030 or about the population of Italy.

Read the entire article here.

Note:  Goldman Sachs Asset Management Chairman Jim O’Neill, who coined the BRICs acronym a decade ago, said other emerging economies may now be better investments -- especially Indonesia, Turkey, Egypt and Mexico.

What about MIST (Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea and Turkey)?

Global Entrepreneurship: Make Yourself Valuable in 2012

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As Scott Adams puts it:

If you’re having a hard time imagining what an education in entrepreneurship should include, allow me to prime the pump with some lessons I’ve learned along the way.

He offers seven ways to get a real education.  First one:

Combine Skills. The first thing you should learn in a course on entrepreneurship is how to make yourself valuable. It’s unlikely that any average student can develop a world-class skill in one particular area.

What a great way to start off the new year! 

Scott Adams is the creator of "Dilbert."  Read the entire article:  How to Get a Real Education 

Posted by:  Laurel Delaney, The Global Small Business Blog

Happy 2012 From The Global Small Business Blog

©Laurel Delaney 2012, "31st Street, Chicago Lakefront 1.1.12"

Wishing you a new year filled

with hope, promise and going global!

Key to Future Success For Small Businesses: Going Global

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Whether you think small or big, you can still take your business global!  What's needed to make it happen is more support and education to show the value of exports to small businesses.

According to the UPS Perceptions of Global Trade Survey, 24 percent of small businesses are currently engaged in global commerce, and many of those businesses are experiencing a large return from global trade. Of businesses who are doing business overseas, 66 percent report that exporting contributes up to a quarter of their annual revenue.

Learn more here.

Laurel Delaney says:

"While it might seem counterintuitive for small businesses to expand internationally with the economic challenges in the U.S., now is the time for calculated risk. By connecting with companies that have already been successful exporting, companies new to the process can realize the benefits of engaging in global trade a lot faster," said Laurel Delaney, owner of small-business consulting firm Global TradeSource, Ltd. "The simplest way for SMBs to find a successful exporting lead is good old-fashioned word-of-mouth coupled with a great company website."

More news on the survey:  A Survey Conducted by TNS, MarketWatch and UPS Pressroom

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog