Saturday, September 13, 2014

An Inside Peak at Google Chicago

©2014 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.
I had the amazing opportunity to participate in an event for the Women Presidents' Organization Chicago on September 11th that was hosted by Google Chicago headquarters.  Full disclosure:  I serve as the Chicago Chapter Chair for WPO.

At the event (meeting room as shown), Google experts talked about:

•  The importance of staying connected to the consumer - anywhere, anytime and on any device.
•  How Google's many tools can help grow your business globally.
•  Why mobile is an imperative to your organization's global growth.
•  Why Google Analytics and Google Adwords should be tracked, measured and leveraged constantly to better manage your global small business.

Google most certainly abides by their unofficial slogan, "Don't be evil."

For related posts on Google, visit here.

Friday, September 12, 2014

Technology and Globalization Have Changed the Way SMEs Do Business

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Technology and globalization have changed the way small-to-medium size businesses operate across the world, creating opportunities as well as challenges along the way.  One such challenge is how to stay interconnected on a budget while traveling across borders.  These concerns, if not treated effectively, can have a direct impact on a businesses bottom line.

Read the entire article:  Business Productivity in the Spotlight

Thursday, September 11, 2014

UPS: Keeping a Pulse on The Future of E-Commerce

David Abney, UPS CEO on 9/9/14 at The Executives' Club of Chicago
(Photo courtesy Joe Gallo Photography.  All rights reserved.)
David Abney, UPS CEO (L) on 9/9/14 at The Executives' Club of Chicago
with Cody Phipps, United Stationers Inc. President and CEO (R)
(Photo courtesy:  Joe Gallo Photography.  All rights reserved.) 
I had the great honor to attend The Executives' Club of Chicago's The Changing Face of Retailing with UPS CEO David Abney giving his first speaking engagement as the new CEO of UPS.  Cody Phipps, United Stationers Inc. President and CEO, moderated the Q&A after David's talk.

A brief history on David ... he began his UPS career in 1974 as a part-time package loader so he knows a little something about the inner workings of the company.  He is the 11th CEO in the 107-year history of UPS. Prior to David's current position, he served as President of UPS International, leading UPS's strategic imperative to build global logistics capabilities.

A couple of key points from the event and David's talk:
  • The next five years will bring more change to retail than we've seen in the last 100.
  • UPS has moved from competing in the $60 billion market of package delivery to helping lead today's $3.2 trillion global supply chain marketplace.
  • Retail innovations are transforming traditional retail models - shifting control to consumers.
  • Growth in emerging markets with newly discovered buying power will challenge status quo.
UPS furnished a nifty infographic handout at the event where insights were provided by comScore via a study of more than 5,800 U.S. online shoppers:
Today's flex shopper has grown more demanding in pursuit of the best merchandise for the best price with the best customer experience.  The brave new world of multi-channels and multi-devices empowers them to seek more convenience from pre-purchase to purchase to post-purchase. - For more information on the study's findings, visit the UPS Pulse of the Online Shopper:  https://thenewlogistics.ups.com/retail/comscorestudy/
When I chatted with David at the end of the program, one other key point he emphasized is the power of small businesses operating in the global marketplace.  That we already know through this blog.

Photos are provided with permission to use by The Executives' Club of Chicago (Gina Chinino) with credit to Joe Gallo Photography.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

How to Get, Keep and Foster Top Talent In Our Interconnected World

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Looking for ways to get, keep and foster new recruits at your business?
New recruits are no longer interested in being “acquired,” and top performers, regardless of age and experience, are looking to collaborate, contribute, and more than anything, feel inspired.
Have you got what it takes to make the grade with top talent?

Read:  5 Ways to Prevent Your Top Recruits From Jumping Ship

Tuesday, September 09, 2014

SME Confidence Has Grown on a Global Scale

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According to the sixth annual Hiscox "DNA of an Entrepreneur Report 2014," small firms across the world reported a rise in profitability and hiring activity based on a survey that’s designed to offer an “insight” into the mood and financial stability of the SME sector.

As the report says, entrepreneurs are "turning the corner, but still a way to go."
This study was conducted for specialist insurer Hiscox by The Survey Shop. The sample was drawn from online panels contacted between 28th May and 6th June 2014. There is statistical accuracy of +/- 1% to +/- 2% for the whole sample of 3,500 [with less than 50 employees] and +/- 2% to +/- 4% for each country’s sample except the UK which is +/- 1% to +/- 3%.
One of the key points in the report is:
Despite the growth in confidence and overall business optimism, more than a third (34 per cent) of SME owners feared being unable to attract new customers, while 31 per cent were skeptical regarding the government’s ability to support small businesses.
(http://hiscoxdnareport.com/2014/)

Monday, September 08, 2014

Today in Global Small Business: What We Would Lose Without Collective Mourning

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

Saturday, September 06, 2014

The Glass Cube at Westfield Old Orchard

©2014 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.
The Glass Cube is a statement building at Westfield Old Orchard in Skokie, Illinois, U.S.A.  The space is available for retailers to lease the space during peak times and times of new product launches.  When I was there, the lounge was used by patrons to relax and get away from the heat.

Learn more:  The Glass Cube

Friday, September 05, 2014

Take Another Look At TradeUp Capital Fund

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A lot of small business owners suffer from lack of capital to grow their business.  If you currently run a global business, I strongly urge you to consider equity crowd funding to boost growth.

As Kati Suominen, founder and CEO of TradeUp says:
Crowdfunding is especially great for small business owners who are already stretched in working to bring clients in the door. The platforms open visibility and access to many more investors than you would ever get to on your own. 
Read the article:  Use Crowdfunding to Fuel Your Global Business

For more information on TradeUp, visit:  http://www.tradeupfund.com

Related articles:

Thursday, September 04, 2014

U.S. Small Business Administration Announces STEP Program Awards for 2014

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SBA announced today that 24 awards will be made to states to support activities to increase exporting by small businesses.  The State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program was appropriated $8 million to award by September 30, 2014.
The STEP program has two objectives: 1) increase the number of small businesses that begin to export and 2) increase the value of exports for small businesses that currently export. 
Learn more here.

For a quick jump to the list of awardees and more information on STEP, visit:
http://www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/oit/resources/14315

Related articles:

Tuesday, September 02, 2014

Getting Ready to Head Out to Spain?

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Land that new business in Spain and not sure how to make the best of the trip when you meet with your new customer?  Look no further. Erica Mills writes "How I Fell in Love with Affordable Spain" for International Living and makes you want to travel there sooner rather than later.

What's to like about Spain?  According to Erica:
For a start, the people are wonderful: warm, friendly, passionate, and incredibly helpful. They’ve figured out what’s important in life in Spain, too. Nationwide, the country still takes a daily siesta—a mid-day break—to make time to eat well, have a nap, or see friends and family. And evenings are dedicated to friends and family, too: sitting in local restaurants or around a kitchen table, with everyone from the very young to the very old eating together.
More on Spain:
Have a safe and productive trip.

Monday, September 01, 2014

Today in Global Small Business: Rise of the Rest Road Trip

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

Saturday, August 30, 2014

What Is Genius?

©2014 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.
"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." - Thomas A. Edison

Friday, August 29, 2014

Here's Why You Should Go Global

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I was thrilled to become a LinkedIn Influencer and contribute articles in the area I am passionate about:  global small business.  LinkedIn Influencer is invitation-only, so Influencers must be invited to contribute.

Here's my latest article.  Pulse picked it up as a top selection!

10 Reasons To Go Global

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Everything You Want to Know About Doing Business In Poland

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Poland and the United States have a close bilateral relationship, fostering strategic and commercial cooperation. U.S. companies are active in Poland and have invested heavily since 1989 when the country transitioned to a market-driven economy. Abundant opportunities remain for U.S. firms in Poland.

To learn everything you want to know about doing business in Poland, read the U.S. Department of Commerce's Country Commercial Guide 2012:  Doing Business In Poland

In addition, the World Bank Group offers an even more current economy profile on Doing Business in Poland.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

The Demand for Creative Global Entrepreneurs

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Even if you come from a long line of entrepreneurs in a family it doesn't necessarily mean you are cut out for entrepreneurship or will become a successful entrepreneur.  Here's what one international student - Vikas Jagwani - studying in the United States has to say:
Being an international student for the past couple of years has made me more educated about the U.S. and some of the policies that are different from my home country. Growing up in a family full of entrepreneurs meant entrepreneurship is not a new concept for me, but becoming one is a challenge.
Vikas, from the United Arab Emirates, is a sophomore at Drury University, where he majors in accounting, finance and economics.  Find out why he thinks entrepreneurship is a good path of study for international students.

Pursue an Entrepreneurship Major, Minor as an International Student

Monday, August 25, 2014

Today in Global Small Business: How to Deliver to Customers Globally

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

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Free: Sunrises and Sunsets

©2014 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.
"There's a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they're absolutely free. Don't miss so many of them." – Jo Walton

Friday, August 22, 2014

Globalization Reconsidered: What Global Flows Mean in a Digital Age

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According to McKinsey & Company, global flows are creating new degrees of connectedness among economies—and playing an ever-larger role in determining the fate of nations, companies, and individuals; to be unconnected is to fall behind.

A new McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) report, Global flows in a digital age: How trade, finance, people, and data connect the world economy, examines the inflows and outflows of goods, services, finance, and people, as well as the data and communication flows that underlie them all, for 195 countries around the world.

Learn more:  Global flows in a digital age | McKinsey & Company

Thursday, August 21, 2014

4 Executives Share Their Experiences Managing Global Organizations

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Harvard Business Review asked four executives to share their experiences managing global organizations.
  1. Luc Minguet, head of group purchasing at Michelin, a global tire company based in France, describes how the tire maker trains managers to embrace cultural understanding and flexibility.
  2. Eduardo Caride, regional director for Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America at Telefónica, the Madrid-based fixed and mobile telephony company, explores the benefits of moving managers across borders.
  3. Takeo Yamaguchi, corporate officer for human capital at Hitachi, a Tokyo-based conglomerate with operations worldwide, details the conglomerate's efforts to create standardized HR practices across 948 companies.
  4. Shane Tedjarati, president and CEO, global high-growth regions at Honeywell (Shanghai-based), discusses how the industrial powerhouse is shifting its strategy toward new regions, such as China, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
Read:  Voices from the Front Lines - Harvard Business Review

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Avoid These 9 Common Importing Mistakes

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Ready to source that new product idea of yours?  You can feel the excitement and want to shout out to the world "wait until you get your hands on this product!"  But then you realize, oh, I have to find a manufacturer for it first.  As you begin the process, keep these nine common importing mistakes top of mind.  By addressing these potential pitfalls, you will save yourself time and money, enjoy peace of mind and manage a flawless import.

Read:  9 Importing Mistakes to Avoid When Sourcing a New Product

Monday, August 18, 2014

Today in Global Small Business: 10 Great Books on Globalization

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

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Unthink the Ordinary

©2014 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.
Are you curious about the foot sculpture at Oak Street Beach (Chicago)?  Me too. That's why I took the photo above and then did a little research. Here's what I found.

Read:  Giant Foot Sculpture at Oak Street Beach

The purpose of the sculpture is to create buzz for Magritte: The Mystery of the Ordinary, 1926-1938 exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago (through October 13, 2014) and challenge you to unthink the ordinary.

Friday, August 15, 2014

Third-Party (3PL) Internet Platforms Offer Stepping Stones to Export Success

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Third-party (3PL) Internet platforms such as Amazon, eBay, Rakuten, Etsy and CafePress all offer stepping stones to export success provided its visitors are in line with your ideal target market. They are easy to use, have a global reach, and can help you sell more goods worldwide at a profit.  These platforms also allow you to test the salability of your product on someone else's proven successful infrastructure before making a substantial investment to set up an e-commerce site from scratch.

In "Amazon Helps Mom-And-Pop Store in Barcelona Reach Global Village," the reporter talks about how small businesses in Spain use web-based platforms to escape domestic slumps or to drive additional growth to their existing business.

According to Javier Alvira, head of [Amazon's] the country's third-party operations in Spain:
"Spain is the fastest-growing market for the Amazon logistics service which handles deliveries for retailers"
Pictured:  Barcelona port

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Please Join Me in Utah on September 24th For an Export Readiness Discussion

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For those who are in the area, please join me on September 24th in Utah for the Utah Global Forum where I will be speaking on how to get export ready.
Any company leader with an intent in growing or starting their company in exporting should attend the Utah Global Forum (UGF), presented by Governor Gary R. Herbert. UGF is Utah’s premiere international event organized to connect Utah business owners with the global market and to showcase what makes Utah great for foreign investors. The event will attract a broad domestic and international business audience and will inspire attendees to start or increase global trade and investment. The forum will be held Sept. 24 in the Salt Palace, Grand Ballroom. 
For more information and to register, visit:

GlobeTrade Founder to Speak on Increasing Exports at Utah Global Forum

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

There's Plenty of Room For Improvement On Small Businesses Selling Abroad

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In Jeff Kearn's article published by Bloomberg Businessweek, "Wine-Infused Ice Cream Boosts U.S. Small Company Exports," he talks about how small companies build global brands, why there's plenty of room for improvement to help small businesses sell abroad and how skepticism is the main challenge in working with small firms to expand beyond the nation’s borders.

A hat tip to Jeff for including my comments:
Some business owners have doubts about repayment, a consideration when one big unpaid bill can threaten their future, said Laurel Delaney, the Chicago-based founder of GlobeTrade who’s been helping entrepreneurs sell abroad since 1985. Still, she says insurance can cut risk.

‘Growth Potential’

“They’re just not realizing their growth potential,” she said. “You need to develop a global mindset.” 
Read the article:  "Wine-Infused Ice Cream Boosts U.S. Small Company Exports"

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Today in Global Small Business: The Loss of a Great Global Comedic Genius

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

Monday, August 11, 2014

The Cloud Is Redefining the Small Business Playing Field

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Will small businesses embrace the cloud for efficiency and global growth purposes?  A few experts -- Steve King, Partner, Emergent Research who we've been following for a number of years, Terry Hicks, Vice President and General Manager, QuickBooks Online Ecosystem, Intuit and Joshua Reeves, CEO & Co-Founder, ZenPayroll -- have an answer for us with their new report "Small Business Success in the Cloud."  The authors say "the cloud is redefining the small business playing field."

If you are on a fence about whether to get in the cloud, read: Dispatches from the New Economy: Small Business Success in the Cloud.

Saturday, August 09, 2014

Watching Things From Another Perspective

©2014 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.
"I like to turn things upside down, to watch pictures and situations from another perspective." - Ursus Wehrli

Friday, August 08, 2014

Bad Move on Russia's Part

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By now you've heard the latest news - Russia bans food imports from U.S., E.U.  So if you are exporting meat, fish, fruit, vegetables and milk products from the United States to Russia, your business will more than likely be impacted for a year.

This move by Russia has come in retaliation for sanctions we ("we" equals United States, European Union, Norway, Canada and Australia) imposed on Russia, which is accused of providing weaponry and other support to pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine.

The Russian shoppers may feel biggest impact. 
Although the U.S., Canada and the European Union together will take more than a $17.5 billion hit, Russian consumers may feel it more than Western farmers.
For the record, the United States exports about $1.2 billion in food and agricultural goods to Russia, less than one percent of total U.S. agriculture exports.   We'll take the smallest hit but nonetheless, according to US News:
The largest U.S. export to Russia is poultry, mainly chicken, followed by tree nuts such as almonds, and also soybeans. In a statement, the National Chicken Council and the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council said Russia buys a little more than $300 million in U.S. chicken annually, about 7 percent of the industry's total exports.
The good news on US poultry based on the National Chicken Council (NCC):
"We do not expect that a Russian ban on U.S. poultry imports will have a great impact on our industry," the NCC said in a statement. 
In the grand scheme of things, a small blip on the international trade radar.

Photo:  What Russia produces lots of ... sugar beets (seeds).

Thursday, August 07, 2014

A Global Effort to Understand the Ebola Virus

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The world is scared.  The fears surrounding Ebola are those of the unknown, as a concerted global effort is under way to better understand the virus, contain it and treat victims in the absence of an approved vaccine or drug.

According to Knowledge@Wharton:
Beginning in March this year, Ebola has thus far claimed 867 lives in the four West African nations of Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria; another 1,603 people are suspected of, or have a confirmed, Ebola infection, according to latest updates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is the worst Ebola outbreak since the virus was first discovered 38 years ago in Sudan and Congo.
Learn more on Kent Brantly, the 33-year-old American doctor infected with the Ebola virus and 59-year-old Nancy Writebol, another Ebola-infected American aid worker.

Read:  Weighing the Risks in the Ebola Battle

Are you scheduled to travel internationally any time soon?  Be sure to check the U.S. Passports and International Travel before you book your flight to consider very carefully whether you should go to a country at all.

More on what's happening with the Ebola virus:

Wednesday, August 06, 2014

The World's 25 Largest Marketing Research Firms

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Formerly titled the Honomichl Global Top 25 Report, the AMA Gold Global Top 25 Report was launched some nineteen years ago to track the revenue growth and organizational size of the world’s largest market research firms. Through the years, only a handful of firms came to dominate the marketing research industry.

According to the report, the firms in this year’s Global Top 25 list have grown over the years, together reaching an estimated $21.5 billion in annual revenue in 2013, which represents about 54% of total worldwide expenditures on marketing, advertising and public opinion research services for all for-profit firms as estimated by ESOMAR.

From a global standpoint:
In 2013, 55% of the Global Top 25 firms reported revenues from countries outside of their home countries, down slightly from 54% in 2012. Only one firm—Video Research in Japan—reported revenue only from inside of its home country. At the other extreme, 93% of Ipsos’ revenues came from outside France.
Read on to learn about the growing internationalism of research firms, and the continued best practices they implement.

The 2014 AMA Gold Global Top 25 Report

Tuesday, August 05, 2014

Imagine a Paperless Fast-Payment Future

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Taulia provides cloud-based invoice, payment and dynamic discounting management solutions.  It also makes it possible for AP departments to operate in a virtually paperless environment - from eliminating paper invoices to storing supplier documents electronically.

As Taulia states on its website:  "With Taulia, you can have more efficient processes, faster communication and more secure information – without ever wasting a single tree."

(One quick comment, talk about the "Old Boys Network:" http://www.taulia.com/en/about/management)

Additional press on Taulia:
Learn more about Taulia.

Monday, August 04, 2014

Today in Global Small Business: Innovative Wearable Technology Brand LeChal

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

Saturday, August 02, 2014

What Are You Materialistic About?

©2014 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.
"Cars and cameras are the two things I let myself be materialistic about. I don't care about other stuff." - Louis C.K.

Photo:  The classic Ford Thunderbird

Friday, August 01, 2014

China's Power: It's Overtaking the US as the World's Largest Economy

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As Euromonitor International says, "China and the USA may be economic rivals, but beyond the headline figures, divergent trends are apparent in both countries. This white paper provides a glimpse into both markets, highlighting the complexities of doing business in each."

Download the white paper (requires quick registration) to see what the impact of China's power will be on industries and consumers worldwide:  China Overtakes the US as the World's Largest Economy

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

What You Need to Know About Anti-Bribery and Corruption in M&A

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If you are considering venturing overseas, it would behoove you to review what processes you have in place for managing bribery and corruption risk.  For example, with a new, unknown market, you may not recognize the red flags in dealing with the government and third parties.

As Bill George, author, Harvard Business School professor and former CEO of Medtronic said, "To build a truly great, global business, business leaders need to adopt a global standard of ethical practices."

While conducting business across borders, companies have to be mindful of ethics and laws, especially as they relate to exporting and other methods of global expansion.

For more information on what directors at firms need to know about anti-bribery and corruption in M&A, read:  Venturing Overseas?  Pack the Domestic Rulebook

Related article(s):  Canada:  Hidden Dangers in M&A:  Bribery and Corruption; How to Avoid Bribes in International Business and past blog posts on corruption and bribery can be found here.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Connecting Buyers Worldwide with Chinese Manufacturers

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Made-In-China.com claims to connect global buyers with Chinese suppliers and has recently launched iCredit. This business line of credit is a "buy now, pay later" program that enables small businesses to receive shipments from Chinese suppliers and delay payment until after products are delivered.

Learn more:  Global Trade Website Launches Business Line of Credit

Other resources for connecting global buyers with Chinese suppliers:

Monday, July 28, 2014

Today in Global Small Business: Google Can Listen to Multiple Languages At the Same Time

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

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Listen to the Murmur of the Water

©2014 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.
“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” ― John Lubbock, The Use Of Life

Friday, July 25, 2014

By The End of 2014, There Will Be Almost 3 Billion Internet Users

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According to Brahima Sanou, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, "By the end of 2014, there will be almost 3 billion Internet users, two-thirds of them coming from the developing world, and that the number of mobile-broadband subscriptions will reach 2.3 billion globally."

The question becomes:  Are you ready to serve them?

Note:  By end 2014, 55% of all mobile-broadband subscriptions are expected to be in the developing world, compared with only 20% in 2008.  Close to one out of three people in the developing countries are online.

Read the entire report:  The World in 2014 ICT Facts and Figures

Related article:  The G20 e-Trade Readiness Index:  Good and Bad News for SMEs

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

What's the Key Driver Leading to Overseas Outsourcing?

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According to a 2012 survey from Duke’s Fuqua School of business, nearly three-quarters of respondents indicated labor cost savings as one of the three most important drivers leading to overseas outsourcing.
This was twice the rate of response for any other option. But according to research from the Hackett Group, the cost gap between the United States and China has shrunk by nearly 50 percent over the past eight years, and is expected to stand at just 16 percent by 2013. Labor costs in China and elsewhere are rising, and coupled with rising fuel prices raising shipping costs, the economic argument for sending jobs overseas may be becoming less persuasive.
Oh really.  Currently, a lot of politicians are still using the "sending jobs overseas" as a hot button issue to pin against a favorite candidate. Take the case of Republican Gov. Scott Walker (WI), who is running a campaign ad hitting Democratic candidate Mary Burke (WI) for her family’s company where she used to work, Trek Bicycle, for sending jobs overseas.

Read more:  Walker ad used Trek sending jobs overseas to rip Burke

A little more on global leader Trek bikes.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Are You An American Maker?

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If you make your products in America, this is your chance to be recognized as one of the 2014 Martha Stewart American Made Winners.
Martha, her panel of judges, and the American Made community are selecting the next generation of American Made entrepreneurs: those who are creating beautiful, inspiring, useful products; pioneering new industries; improving local communities; and changing the way we eat, shop, work, and live.
Nominations:  June 3 - August 29, 2014

Turn your passion for quality craftsmanship and well-designed goods into a way of life.  Nominate yourself but first, learn the ropes and rules here. Then get started.

Meanwhile, find out why small businesses should 'sell American' locally and globally.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Today in Global Small Business: eBay Shuts Down Small-Business E-Commerce Software Products

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

Saturday, July 19, 2014

110 Real Recipes for Serious Fluffernuts

©2014 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.
OK, I admit.  I love the combination of Marshmallow Fluff and peanut butter (throw in a couple of sliced bananas too and I am in food heaven).  If you are in the same camp, then you will love this book.

By the way, my copy (as the photo shows) says 110 recipes yet the Amazon listing says 50 - so shop around to grab the more comprehensive book!

Friday, July 18, 2014

10 Factors to Consider Before You Import

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Here are ten factors to consider before you decide whether to import products from overseas for your global small business.

Here's a snapshot of one example:
4. Is importing actually cost effective?

Once you have an idea of the final landed cost of an item, you’ll be able to check whether importing will be a cost-effective option for your business. There are a lot of additional charges you’ll need to pay over and above the cost per unit from a factory overseas, and these can add up. You’ll want to be able to make a reasonable return on investment after all these costs have been taken into account.

It is a good idea to get your accountant, business adviser or customs broker to go through your calculations to make sure you’ve included all the costs you’re likely to incur.
Read the entire article:  Ten tips before you import

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Taking On Global E-Commerce

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Taking on global ecommerce is not an easy process for merchants, small business owners and newbies – and can be quite challenging to say the least.  Language barriers, payment methods, cultural differences, not to mention regulatory requirements vary dramatically from country to country.

Digital River World Payments lays out four distinct strategies for making “going global everywhere” work with its recent white paper, “Going Global, Selling Local: Preparing Your Business to Grab Its Share of the Online Market" (requires quick registration to download).  It also provides a checklist for what ecommerce businesses should do to make the most of the global opportunities that are before them.

Read the entire article:  The Four Ways To Win At Cross Border Commerce

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

A Few Insights From Global Marketers and Localization Experts

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Check out the first special edition of Brand Quarterly where they have gathered insights from global marketers and localization experts - from companies such as Cisco, SAP, Lego and Mastercard.

Yes, you can learn a thing or two from the big guys when it comes to international expansion.

Read the 68-page free report:  Brand Quarterly July 2014 - Global Marketing Special Edition By Vesey Creative