3 Lessons To Learn About Unifying, Localizing and Laying a Foundation for Global Growth

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What role has IT played when taking a company global?  The CIO Executive Council talks to CIOs about that question and more. Here are three lessons you can learn about unifying, localizing and laying a foundation for growth.

One CIO's point of view:

Build a Platform for Growth

Peter Weis, VP and CIO, Matson: For more than 120 years, Matson focused primarily on the Hawaiian market. Nearly 10 years ago, we expanded internationally into China, and we knew then that our IT strategy needed to enable global expansion. We've embedded globalization into all four components of our IT strategy: applications, organization, architecture and governance.

 Read:  3 CIO Strategies for Going Global 

Global-First

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What does global-first mean?  It means starting a business with the intent to go global first - before ever conducting local business.

So your back of the napkin strategy would look like this for your new business:

1.  Go global first.
2.  Go domestic (local) later.

It's that's simple.  Read the entire article:  How To Go Global and Win Big With your Startup

Lead paragraph to article:

The US is a global leader in Internet and smartphone penetration and use, but the rest of the world is catching up fast. With a good part of the growth for consumer products happening abroad, the question isn’t if you should go global with your startup, but how and when.

Related post (1/30/13):  Startups Going Global

Is Winning Strategy to Always Go Global?

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The continuing saga of Barnes & Noble and how it can't, in my opinion, be saved by going global.

What do you think?

Related posts:

1. New Barnes and Noble e-Reader May 24th
2. Barnes & Noble to Go International
3. Barnes and Noble NOOK Bookstore Will be Available in 10 International Markets by June 2013
4. Barnes and Noble Nook Tips for International Users
5. Barnes and Noble: Taking the Nook to Foreign Markets
6. Pearson Completes Investment in Barnes and Noble Nook Media
7. Who Has the Edge On Wireless Reading Devices?

Modifying Products to Meet the Needs of Consumers in the Global Marketplace

Modifying your product to meet the needs of an overseas market is a considerable undertaking and will likely require a substantial investment of time and money. You might do it to gain an export marketplace or a parallel market or to introduce a new product. No matter what your motivation, if the anticipated international sales will outweigh the expense, why wouldn’t you do it? You’ll need to know how to adapt a product for export, and what important factors you’ll need to consider before making the leap. 

Read the entire article that I wrote for MasterCard Business Network Blog:  Going Global:  Adapting Your Products to Meet the Needs of the Marketplace

Photo courtesy:  ©2013 Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.  "Chicago Treats da Sport Mix" (Note:  If a consumer overseas cannot read English, a photo on the label shows what is in the can.)

Seize the Moment

Seize the moment.  Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart.  ~Erma Bombeck

Photo courtesy:  ©2013 Laurel Delaney.

Small Businesses Doing Cross Border Business in 2013

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The World Bank Group publishes the Doing Business 2013: Smarter Regulations for Small and Medium-Size Enterprises which assesses regulations affecting domestic firms in 185 economies and ranks the economies in 10 areas of business regulation, such as starting a business, resolving insolvency and trading across borders.

The report marks the 10th edition of the Doing Business series. Over the past decade, these reports have recorded nearly 2,000 regulatory reforms implemented by 180 economies.

One key finding out of several:

•  Besides Poland, nine other economies are recognized as having the most improved ease of doing business across several areas of regulation as measured by the report: Sri Lanka, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Burundi, Costa Rica, Mongolia, Greece, Serbia, and Kazakhstan.

Learn more here.

(Download Full Report Now)

What Exactly Is Globalization?

We had The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy where an economist, Pietra Rivoli, examined the markets, power and the politics of world trade - sorting through and encouraging us to understand how free trade and protection have most certainly changed our world.

In the commentary recently published in The Wall Street Journal, The Economics of a $6.75 Shirt, Rubana Huq (managing director of the Mohammadi Group, a garment manufacturer and exporter in Dhaka, Bangladesh.), provides a detailed analysis of the economics of a $6.75 shirt made in Bangladesh and as it relates to Bangladesh's minimum wage.

The recent tragedies at several Bangladeshi garment factories have claimed hundreds of lives—and focused international attention on this important but often overlooked industry. Yet greater scrutiny has not led to greater understanding, raising the prospect that any proposed solutions will have serious unintended consequences for this industry and the four million people it employs. 

Read the entire commentary here (be sure to read the comments - very telling).

Photo courtesy:  ©2013 Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.  (Go global t-shirt - made in USA).

Raising Kids Who Are Global

The Ruff Ryders' first lady emeritus Eve, who recently dropped her first album in 11 years, Lip Lock, gets candid about the downside of fame and also mentions how she wants to raise her kids.

I’d rather raise my kids globally than exclusively in the U.S. There is so much culture and history in Europe. We have culture in the U.S. but you have to look for it. A lot of the kids I’ve met in Europe are more mature because they’ve gotten to travel. In an hour, you can be in a different country. I’m going to be one of those crazy parents who wants her children to speak three languages. They’re going to hate me, but they will love me for it in the end.

Read the entire article:  "Eve:  The "Women Are Complex, Too"

Photo courtesy:  ©2013 Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Alibaba Success Story: Ask a Lot of Questions

Profiled company:  Eatwhatever

Global Tilt by Ram Charan

I'm a big fan of Ram Charan (my favorite book of his is Execution:  The Discipline of Getting Things Done).  He has a new book out, "Global Tilt," and he doesn't let us down in continuing to offer great insights and solutions in the world of business.

Click here to purchase.

Photo courtesy:  ©2013 Laurel Delaney "Global TILT"

Tiptoe Through the Tulips

"Life isn't a tiptoe through the tulips." ~ Shannon Hoon

Photo courtesy:  ©2013 Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.

A Guide to Landed Pricing in Global Trade

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In my first blog post for Pitney Bowes (client), I explain what a landed price is, why it is essential in global trade and how you can put it to use to increase your profits.

What Is a Landed Cost and Why it's Essential in Global Trade

Avoid These 10 Going Global Mistakes At All Costs

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Conducting business in the global marketplace is not the same as it is at home in a local market. Here are 10 common mistakes that occur when going global and how you can avoid them.

Note:  I wrote the article below for the MasterCard Business Network and it is based on experience.

Going Global:  The Top 10 Mistakes Many Small Businesses Make (and How to Avoid Them)

Live Discussion: How to Do Business in BRIC Countries

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Join the Guardian Small Business Network between 1:00-3:00 p.m. today, May 15th, for tips on exporting your products to Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC).

Sign up here for details.

During the discussion you'll find out:

• The benefits of trading with the BRIC countries.
• Country-specific business culture, practice and regulations.
• What support is on offer to help your company.
• Experiences of small businesses who already export to these regions.
• Any other advice you'll need to get started.

China and the United States Both Want to Maintain An Open Global Trade Regime

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Li Zhongzhou, former director general of MOFCOM and former UNCTAD division director writes the following commentary:

Seeking a win-win scenario in trade between China, US

Editor's Note: US exports to China significantly outperformed export growth to the other top 10 US trading partners including Brazil by 180 percent, but US primary interests still lie in securing access to potential Chinese markets. The US-China Business Council looks at China as a $250 billion market for US companies with still greater potential for further growth.

A Sign It's Time to Go Global

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It's never just one sign telling you to "go global!"  So how do you know when you are in the ready state?  It starts with a rapid growth stage with your business–doubling sales weekly over the past year, for instance–and then you’re ready to model that success into continuous growth through global expansion.

Here's an article I drafted for the MasterCard Business Network Blog.  See if your business is ready to take on the world.

6 Signs Your Small Business is Ready to Expand Globally

Be Patient. The Storm Will Pass. Spring Will Come.

Photo courtesy:  ©2013 Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come." ~ Robert H. Schuller

Selling Around the World Is Not Easy

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Selling around the world is not easy but largely thanks to technology, it's doable.  In this article, "Going Global At Launch," Gary Whitehill (on the board of advisors for the Dell Center for Entrepreneurs) talks about how launching a micro-multinational business is a complex endeavor and with a few critical best practices, the path can be smooth.

The Fuqua School of Business: Embedded and Connected Globally

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The Fuqua School of Business is pushing the limits of global education and in doing so, sets itself apart in its pursuit of establishing full degree programs abroad.

Dean of the business school, Bill Boulding, hopes to continue the focus on global expansion, coining the catchphrase “embedded and connected” to describe the school’s aim to understand a region’s economic needs and unite international perspectives.

“If you want to be a great business school, you have to be global,” Boulding said. “And if you’re going to be global, you need to be in all parts of the world that really matter in our future.”

Read the entire article here.

How To Expand Your Business In New Countries

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What does it take to expand your business internationally?

As Dylan Thomas once said, “Do not go gentle into that good night.” My take on that is “Do not go gentle into that international market.” Go fiercely, but prepare! 

Here's an article I wrote for Mastercard Business Network Blog that covers six factors to consider before you land your first international customer.

Expanding Your Business in New Countries:  What You Need to Know Before You Start

Somebody Tell Me How Justin Timberlake's World Tour Is Global

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Here's the headline:  "Justin Timberlake Is Going Global!  Announces Fall Dates for the 20/20 Experience World Tour!"

When I scan the dates and locations, I see all North American locations.  Is that global?  Someone needs an education on what truly makes for a going global initiative.

Smartphone Tips While Traveling Internationally

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When it comes to using your smartphone internationally, plan ahead, or -- according to the article below -- it will cost you dearly.

Going Global With Your Phone

Related article:  6 Precautions to Take When Traveling Overseas

World Star Diana Krall

Photo courtesy:  ©2013 Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.  "The Chicago Theatre"

I had the great pleasure of seeing jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall on Saturday, April 27th at The Chicago Theatre and what a brilliant performance she gave.  I highly recommend her adventuresome entertainment style whenever the opportunity presents itself.  And did you know?  She is married to Elvis Costello.

Have a good weekend!

Biggest Overseas Market For Tupperware?

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Where is Tupperware Brands selling the most product?  If you thought China, guess again.  It's Indonesia -- a booming consumer sector.

Indonesia last year replaced Germany as the biggest market for Tupperware Brands Corp., which sells plastic containers for leftover beef stew and baba ganoush at house parties world-wide.

Read the entire article:  Indonesia Provides a Tasty Dish for Tupperware

Understanding China's New Leadership

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What role will China play in the future in global trade and financial markets?  Where is China's economic policy headed?

A useful starting point is to examine the key appointments that have been made since President Xi Jinping assumed office.

Read the commentary:  China's New Path by Martin Feldstein

About Martin Felstein:

Martin Feldstein, Professor of Economics at Harvard University and President Emeritus of the National Bureau of Economic Research, chaired President Ronald Reagan’s Council of Economic Advisers from 1982 to 1984.  In 2006 ... read more

How to Handle Crappy Product Samples From Overseas

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Don't shake your head at the thought.  Most experienced international traders have been down the path of working with a new supplier, setting terms and conditions, providing specs on desired product, establishing pricing, waiting for samples and voila, the samples arrive and they are crappy -- really awful quality!  What do you do?

As a primer, read:

Where to Source Products and What to Do if You Receive Crappy Product Samples from Overseas

Slow and Bumpy Ride On the Road to Global Economic Recovery

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According to BBC News, the global economy recovery will be slow and bumpy.

(April 28, 2013):  Last week, data showed that the US economy, the world's biggest, expanded by 2.5% in the first quarter of the year. That's lower than the 3% growth many analysts had forecast.

Learn more here (includes an automatic video so set your volume to low).

To Go Global, Start Making Baby Formula

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Major retailers in Germany this year began rationing sales of leading brands of baby formula. Parents in Britain, the Netherlands and Hong Kong have faced similar restrictions.  So much for globalization.

Part of the reason for the scarcity?

Parents thousands of miles away in China have been using the Internet or tapping friends and relatives in Europe to buy up stocks of high quality European-produced formula — often paying much higher prices than they would here.  Chinese demand for foreign brands soared after drought in Australia and New Zealand cut supplies from China’s major sources of imported baby formula. 

Read more here.

Meanwhile, start making premium baby formula for export.

Horses Know

Photo courtesy:  ©2013 Laurel Delaney.  "Wood Horse Sculpture in Chicago"

He knows when you're happy
He knows when you're comfortable
He knows when you're confident
And he always knows when you have carrots.
~Author Unknown

Launch Your Global Career Before May 5th

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Hult International Business School offers scholarship opportunities for chosen MBA candidates. Students are selected based on their abilities to perform in a dynamic classroom environment and for their business leadership potential and are considered upon submission of the online application.

The standard essay length is 500-750 words and in each category (as noted below), you must address 3-4 critical questions.  Creativity is encouraged.

1. Academic Excellence Scholarship
2. Global Innovation Scholarship
3. Global Leadership Scholarship
4. Global Project Management Scholarship
5. International Finance Scholarship
6. Social Entrepreneur Scholarship
7. Women in Business Scholarship
8. Your Talent Professinal

As Hult says, "Get plugged in to the world."  More about Hult here. 

Deadline on scholarship opportunities is May 5, 2013.  Go here to apply.  Good luck! 

Related article:  "How to Get An Education Fit For a Life in Global Trade"

Rhythm of Africa: Exotic and Bashfully Sexy Tiffany Amber

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Iconic African fashion brand, Tiffany Amber has embarked upon it’s global expansion plans with three new retail outlets launching in the second quarter of this year.  The collection will be sold at Italy’s leading department store – la Rinascente.

La Rinascente was the first department store to open in Rome in 1887 and now owns a chain of 11 department stores located in several Italian major cities.  La Rinascente carries the world’s most luxurious brands and has a flagship store in the fashion capital of the world – Milan. 

Learn more here.

Who Are the Mobile Consumers in Our World?

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Do you have questions about the mobile consumer in our world?  Our Mobile Planet has answers. Learn about smartphone adoption and usage across 40 countries. Develop your mobile strategy now.

Our Mobile Planet

Small Business Owners Are Driving Smartphone Domination Globally

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A new Cisco Visual Networking Index Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast Update projects that by the end of this year, there will be more mobile-connected devices than there are people on earth, and by 2017 there will be nearly 1.4 mobile devices per capita.

Who is driving this device domination?  Small business owners.  

According to the survey conducted by eVoice, more than one in three small business owners (36 percent) use three or more mobile devices to run their business. 

Read the entire article here.  Are you ready for a mobile world?

Developing and Pricing a New Product for the Global Marketplace

Photo courtesy:  ©2013 Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Your first step when developing and pricing a new product for overseas should be to check if there is a similar product already on the market and what it is priced at. If there is a similar product, see how your idea can be differentiated and use the competing product’s price point as a starting point for yours.

Here’s what it takes to bring a product to market and how to price it fairly and competitively for the global marketplace.

How to Develop and Price a New Product for the Global Marketplace

A River Runs Through It: Chicago

Photo courtesy:  ©2013 Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.  "Chicago River"

The river that bears the name of a great city, Chicago.

Have a good weekend everyone!

A Leader In Small Business Export Lending: BBCN Bank

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SBA has named Los Angeles-based BBCN Bank the SBA Export Lender of the Year for 2013.  Congratulations to BBCN Bank!  BBCN facilitates international trade financing for small businesses, including nearly $13 million in export working capital financed by BBCN in 2012.  They serve a diverse mix of customers that mirror their respective communities, including the largest Korean population concentration outside Korea.

My favorite stat in the article:

Small businesses now constitute 34 percent of total export dollars, and comprise approximately 97.8 percent of all exporters.  

Read the entire announcement here.

The Global CEO

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Is there such a thing as a global CEO?  That is the question addressed in the following article:

Is There Really Such a Thing as a 'Global CEO'?

The idea of the "global CEO" -- usually understood as chief executives who either come from a country other than where their company is headquartered, or have spent a considerable amount of their careers working "overseas" -- makes sense. Companies require a level of expertise outside their home territories that goes beyond what they have needed in the past.

On behalf of all entrepreneurs and small business owners who conduct business across borders, my answer is:  Yes!  We are global CEOs and do it all:  run a business, take our product or service international and communicate effectively and directly with people from all over the world.

Vision and Direction Equals Global Leadership

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I always knew of Margaret Thatcher as the "Iron Lady" but I never realized that her real legacy is globalization.

1925-2013: Former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, the grocer’s daughter whose overpowering personality, bruising political style and free-market views transformed Britain and transfixed America through the 1980s, died April 8 after a stroke, her spokesman said in a statement. She was 87.

Read the entire article about how Margaret Thatcher reshaped the modern British state in ways that reverberate globally even today.

May she RIP.

Thatcher's Real Legacy:  Globalization

World: Join Us With Prayers for Boston Explosion Victims

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Our thoughts and prayers are with all the people, including their families and friends, who have been impacted by the tragic event that took place during the Boston Marathon.

Blasts Rock Boston Marathon

Nurturing New and Young Global Startups

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The Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) is nurturing new and young firms on a global basis -- a much needed support mechanism for the world at large.

This year’s GEC wrapped up a week ago in Rio de Janeiro following an intense week with more than 2,000 people from 130 countries. In the first editions of the annual Congress, participants focused on simply discovering like-minded advocates for new, young firms with growth-potential. Four years later, the GEC has become an established platform for entrepreneurship leaders focused on further refinement of data, ideas and methodologies around the needs of growth entrepreneurs.

Read more about the power of GEC and entrepreneurs here.  Related post:  Launching Your Startup Globally.

View Of a Ferris Wheel

Photo courtesy:  ©2013 Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.  "Navy Pier Chicago Ferris Wheel"

“I see nothing in space as promising as the view from a Ferris wheel.” ~ E.B. White, The Points Of My Compass 

Global Mindset In the Hiring Process

Related article, "Leading With a Global Mindset."

Does Releasing Something Broadly Mean Globally?

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Zynga recently rolled out Battlestone, a new mobile arcade action game, in select markets and they claim it won't be long before it's available more broadly.

Does releasing something broadly mean globally?

In Zynga's case:

We’ll have more coming soon as we ready Battlestone for worldwide release. 

Read the entire blog post here.

Jordan Goes Local

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While competing against foreign rivals, Jordan is constantly challenged and at the same time concerned over status quo.  In this case, if you can't beat your competitors -- wherever they might be located -- create a new campaign for consumers to buy more locally produced commodities.  And that is exactly what Jordan is doing.

While the government is either unable or unwilling to provide sufficient support and protection to local industries, a citizen solution is now being pushed as an alternative. The Go Local, Support Local campaign, spearheaded by entrepreneur and BeAmman.com co-founder Luma Qaddoumi, aims to influence consumer behavior such that supporting local products becomes a culture.

Read:  The Case for Shopping Local

Are You Involved in Gray Market Activities Internationally?

Photo courtesy ©2013 Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.  "Who Nu cookies"  -- one of my favorites!

What is a gray market activity? It's simple: It's an unofficial but legal import/export activity involving genuine products by intermediaries other than the authorized distributor or agent. From the importer's side, it's known as parallel importing.

Read:  What Is Parallel Importing?

Is Globalization or the Internet Causing Obesity?

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According to IESE Insight, obesity is now killing three times the number of people who die from malnutrition, and is the fifth main cause of death in developed economies. 

In the United States, nearly two-thirds of Americans are overweight, and childhood obesity has tripled in a generation. Europeans are getting fatter as well. For the first time in history, there are more overweight than underweight people in the world.  

Companies apparently are churning out too many products high in fat and sugar.  And here I thought it might be the Internet that is causing obesity.  Too many hours spent sitting in front of a computer, smart phone or tablet!  Guess not.

Read:  IESE Insight Globesity:  Is Globalization Causing Obesity? 

From Study Room to Workout Room

Photo courtesy:  ©2013 Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Loyola University Chicago campus (Michigan Avenue and Pearson Street) is undergoing a change on part of the third floor from a study room to a workout room.  It's the same floor that is the home of WLUW radio station (you can listen live on the Web), owned and operated by Loyola University Chicago, serving Chicago, Illinois and its northern suburbs.

Have a good weekend.  Back with you on Monday!

U.S. Film Critic With Global Following Dies

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Pulitzer Prize-winning movie critic Roger Ebert died Thursday at age 70 from his battle with cancer.

Ebert, born and raised in Champaign-Urbana, wrote for the Chicago Sun-Times for more than 45 years and for more than three decades was the co-host of one of the most powerful programs in television history.

Ebert knew the balcony of life was soon closing for him.  He wrote a final blog post, 'Leave of Presence' just 24-hours before he died.

United States President Barack Obama issued the following statement:

"Movies won't be the same without Roger.  Even amidst his own battles with cancer, Roger was as productive as he was resilient -- continuing to share his passion and perspective with the world."

Ebert was brilliant. He will be missed by many. May he RIP. Our condolences to his family during this very sad time.

Corporate Power-Tool: Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)

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Bring it on:  The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, a US-led free trade agreement currently being negotiated with several Pacific Rim countries (including Peru).  And Nile Bowie has something to say about it.  Read his commentary below.

TPP - Wall Street's Wet Dream and Washington's Answer to its Own Dwindling Economic Performance

About Nile Bowie:

Nile Bowie, Boiling Frogs Post contributing author and analyst, is a political analyst and photographer currently residing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Bowie grew up in New York City and is the son of two art photographers who established themselves by photographing America’s poor and destitute. Bowie left the United States in his teens to pursue photojournalism and has resettled in South East Asia. As a political analyst, he has explored issues of American foreign policy and its influence on militarism in the Islamic world, China’s emerging role as global power, and inter-Korean stability and security, contributing to outlets such as Russia Today, the New Straits Times, the Asia Times, the Tehran Times, and the Center for Research on Globalization. Visit Nile Bowie’s website here.

Related article on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement

•  Next round of TPP negotiations set for Lima, Peru -- May 15-24, 2013

Growth Markets Are Increasingly Located Outside of the United States

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Going Global:
Opportunities for the Atlanta Region

Presentation by Amy Liu

Brookings Institution's Amy Liu, senior fellow and co-director of the Metropolitan Policy Program, leads an introductory meeting for targeted stakeholders to develop and implement an Atlanta Regional Export Plan.

The Global Cities Initiative is a Joint Project of Brookings and JPMorgan Chase.

Go here to view slide show.

One more thing (related) and very good:  A Program to Boost U.S. Exports and Trade Capacity

Thirty Percent (30%) of UFC Events Held Abroad

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Ladies, listen up:  The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) international expansion continues:

Since November 1993, the UFC has held 231 events, 77 of those events were held in Las Vegas, 44 held internationally, and the remaining 110 events across the US. For those fans residing outside of the US, they will be happy to learn that in 2012, approximately 30% of UFC events were held abroad.

Countries the UFC hosted:

England, Japan, Australia, Sweden, Puerto Rico, Canada, Ireland, Germany, United Arab Emirates, and China.

Read the entire article:  Going Global:  UFC expansion continues

The Ins and Outs of Free Trade As It Relates to Surfboards

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Is globalization wiping out the American surfboard industry?

Find out here.