Blossom in Nature

©2015 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature." Gerard De Nerval

Drafting a Contract in China? Choose Which Language Will Control

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How do you draft a clear contract to be understood by all parties involved?  That was the seminar that Ken Adams was going to give in Beijing and Shanghai.  In preparation, he turned to the experts at the China Law Blog, long a landmark on the blogosphere. Below is the link to the exchange Ken had with Steve Dickinson and Dan Harris helping behind the scenes.  I've been a big fan of Dan's prolific work in China law for business for almost a decade now.

The first interview question:

Q: What proportion of contracts between Chinese companies (or government agencies) and non-Chinese companies are in English? If the contracts are in English, is it mandatory that the parties enter into a Chinese-language version too? If so, which controls?

Read the entire interview:  Using English-Language Contract in China:  My Q&A with China Law Blog

In APEC Region, Services Make Up 67% of GDP

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To widen the door for small business participation in cross-border trade and usher in improved job creation, growth and quality of life for people across the region, greater liberalization of the services sectors in Asia-Pacific markets is needed.  That's according to senior officials and private sector representatives at the APEC conference in the Philippines.

“Services make up approximately 67% of GDP in the APEC region,” says Ambassador Laura Q Del Rosario, Philippine Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs and 2015 Chair of the APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting. “Efforts to improve trade and investment in services will play a vital role in inclusive growth by creating new jobs and allowing people from all parts of the economy to participate in the economic and social mainstream.” 

Learn more:  APEC poised to lower services barriers to lift Asia-Pac small businesses

The Mighty U.S.-Japan Alliance Takes on the World

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The rebalance to Asia is the signature feature of the Obama administration’s foreign policy, with the Japanese alliance at its center.  For this reason alone the public release of the revised Guidelines for Japan-US Defense Cooperation are of importance.

They also spell out a broader functional purpose and larger conceptual frame of reference for the bilateral relationship, which adds to their significance. But what signals do the Guidelines send about the strategic relationship and its purpose?

The alliance is now global in scope.

Read more here.

Get Your Cross-Border Tax Education Fix: Attend the Global Tax Forum June 9th

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Staying competitive in today's global business environment through international tax planning is not easy.  That's about to change.  Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP is hosting a complimentary global tax forum that brings together international tax leaders from around the world to share their insights on top taxation issues facing cross-border business ventures.

Participants will learn:

• US economic environment and global competitiveness
• Tax considerations when doing business in China, Singapore, and India 
• Corporate tax inversions and the latest update on OECD’s BEPS initiative
• Investment climates in key foreign jurisdictions 

Other benefits of attending:

Participants will have the opportunity to meet privately with tax partners from foreign jurisdictions by registering for country-specific, closed-door sessions that interest them.  Plus, they earn CPE credits.

Who should attend?

The forum is relevant for CFOs, tax directors, vice presidents of tax, directors of international tax, international tax managers, and international tax professionals.

Event details:

Tuesday, June 09, 2015, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. CST
Michigan Plaza Conference Center
205 N Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois

To maximize the educational focus of the forum, participation is not open to business advisors or service providers.

To learn more and to register for the event (space is limited), visit:  Baker Tilly 2015 Global Tax Forum

Questions?  Contact Regis Merenick

Today in Global Small Business: How to Find a Job in China

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

• Five important rules to exporting.
• The rules to global trade have changed.  Are you prepared?
• How to find a job in China.
• What you need to know to expand your business internationally.
• How you can benefit from going global.
• Why Alibaba needs to expand globally to compete and grow.

i'm lovin' it

©2015 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

There have been many McDonald's advertising campaigns and slogans over the years, but "i'm lovin' it" is a favorite of mine because it focuses on an experience that anyone in the world can relate to.

The World Wants What America Is Selling

©iStock/Jeff Goulden

The new 107-page report, "United States of Trade:  50 Stories in 50 States that Show the Impact of Trade Across the Nation," presents the value of goods exports, the estimated jobs supported by those exports, and number of companies that export goods from each state and for the Nation. National data contain information on services exports as well as goods exports; services detail by state is unavailable and is therefore not included on state fact pages. It contains data from the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Agriculture.

According to the report, about 300,000 SMEs across the 50 states currently export goods to foreign destinations, supporting millions of American jobs through direct exports as well participation in supply chains.  The report estimates that 11.7 million U.S. jobs were supported by goods and services exports in 2014.

The inspiring collection of stories featured in the report illustrates how access to global markets is benefiting small businesses across our Nation.

Access the full report:  United States of Trade:  50 Stories in 50 States that Show the Impact of Trade Across the Nation

The Global Business of Fashion

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In an increasingly interconnected market— thanks, in part, to the influence of social media as well as the globally attuned coverage of websites like Business of Fashion — some younger Indonesian designers are gradually stealing the limelight in the world’s fashion capitals lately.

These fashion designers, such as Surabaya-Indonesia born Biyan Wanaatmadja, an industry veteran of more than 30 years, draw inspiration from the wealthy trove of Indonesian culture.

As designer Toton Januar says, “The biggest challenge so far, thankfully, doesn’t come from our lack of creativity or failure to attract their [the world's] attention. Instead, it’s about how we can fulfill their demands, which means I have to expand my operational team. Quality is everything when it comes to the international market.”

Read more:  Local Designers Going Global

The Fabulous Five Small Business Cloud Service Providers

©2015 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Who's putting the needs of SMEs first and foremost and creating excellent solutions that can be implemented in small offices?  Plenty of tech companies have broken into new markets with innovative cloud-based products. Discover five companies that have successfully taken on the small business Cloud.

5 Companies That Took On the Small Business Cloud -- And Won

Related articles:

1. Why Cloud Computing Will Change The Way We Work
2. 10 Benefits of Cloud Computing
3. 10 Factors to Consider Before You Put Your Business in a Cloud
4. Cloud Computing:  The Risks and rewards of moving your data offsite

Believe in the Power of Entrepreneurship Worldwide

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Remarks by the President of the United States at Global Entrepreneurship Event.

"We’re here today because we believe in the power of entrepreneurship -- the basic notion that if you’ve got an idea and if you really work hard and you’re able to pick yourself up if you stumble a couple of times, you can eventually turn that idea into a reality.  And this matters to us because encouraging the spirit of entrepreneurship can help us to tackle some of the greatest challenges that we face around the world." -- U.S. President Barack Obama (5/11/15)

Read the entire transcript here.

Today in Global Small Business: The Importance of Fair Trade

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

• How to attract foreign buyers to your website.
• What's it mean to go global with Microsoft®?
• International Enterprise Singapore considers extending budget initiatives for local firms going global.
• Are you interested in growing your business internationally (an event that takes place 5/13/15)?
• Find out how to go global in the digital age (an event that takes place 5/28/15 in Illinois).
• The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP):  What it means for trade, human rights, and the environment.

Pulling Ourselves Up By Our Bootstraps

©2015 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We got here because somebody - a parent, a teacher, an Ivy League crony or a few nuns - bent down and helped us pick up our boots."  -- Thurgood Marshall

Join Me May 28th at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

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To celebrate World Trade Month, please join me at the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Thursday, May 28th where I will be giving a presentation, “Go Global in the Digital Age: Taking on the International Market” from 12-2 p.m.

Registration is required and seating is limited. The cost is only $15 per person. To register, email International-Trade-Center@siue.edu or access siue.edu/business/itc to download a registration form.

See you there!

How to Disrupt the Online Pathway to Purchase

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James Lenehan, founder of Donnybrook, Ireland-based Reep Rewards, tells how he quit his job as a corporate solicitor to become a high-tech entrepreneur.

Reep Rewards, established in 2013, is a mobile app that offers discounts and cash back to loyal customers.  It has already had over 80,000 downloads.

Here how the app works:

"Shoppers simply go to the Apple or Android app store and download the free Reep Reward app. This then allows them view a host of special offers which retailers - mostly supermarkets - from all over the country have uploaded. The app then entitles them to avail of savings on these promotional items which, in some cases, can be as much as 25pc-50pc off the original product price," explains James.

Welcome to the special-offer instant world of online and mobile.  Brands are now realizing they have an opportunity to disrupt shoppers on what is called their "pathway to purchase."

Read more ... Reaping the benefits of customer loyalty with sights on global market

How a U.S. Exporter Can Convert an International Sale into a Domestic Sale

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New small business specialty lender ExWorks Capital has offices in Washington, DC and my hometown Chicago, Illinois, with a focus on export finance and they are expanding rapidly.  Take a look:

• Hired the former Vice Chairman and COO of ExIm Bank in late 2013.
• Approved as an ExIm Bank lender with “high” delegated authority level status.
• Raised $82.3 million in equity and with leverage essentially have capacity to be a $500-$1 billion export lending platform focused on small to medium sized enterprises.
• Acquired California-based, World Trade Finance, one of the largest users of the SBA's Export Working Capital Program.

Why is this news relevant to SMEs?

• ExWorks expands trade financing solutions to underserved U.S. exporters and the international buyers with unique product offerings such as its ability to act as a trading company.
• ExWorks can convert an international sale from a small U.S. exporter into a domestic sale. This outsourcing of export risk makes it easier for small businesses to participate in the global economy, where 95% of the consumers live.

How will SMEs benefit?

• Able to outsource export sale, or provide a working capital (P.O. financing or asset-based lines of credit) through the U.S. Ex-Im Bank or through SBA programs depending on the best fit for the exporter.
• ExWorks is also offering loans to qualified international buyers of small businesses.

Where can SMEs go for further information?

Visit the ExWorks Capital website: http://www.exworkscapital.com/press-releases/

Laurel Delaney Makes the Top SMB Influencers 2015 on Twitter

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In honor and support of National Small Business Week, Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp. has named Laurel Delaney as one of the top small business influencers on Twitter!  Look through the categories and determine where you want to improve your knowledge and then start following and engaging with the chosen experts.

You can access the full list here: http://blog.dandb.com/2015/05/04/small-business-twitter-experts/

Meanwhile, we are honored and humbled that Laurel made the list under the category of SMB Strategy for her contributions in global business.  If you are ready for serious (global) growth, follow @LaurelDelaney.

Today in Global Small Business: SBDC at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Hosts 5/28 Global Event

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

• How will Mississippi's International Trade Office develop businesses and increase trade for the state?
• How many pages does Facebook small business Pages have?
• Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is hosting “Go Global in the Digital Age: Taking on the International Market” on May 28th. 
• How small businesses are ready to expand and compete in the global economy.
• Condé Nast will launch its long-expected global ecommerce business in the UK this autumn.
• Echo Global Logistics buys Command Transportation and what is means for customers.

Know the Rules Well

©2015 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

“Know the rules well, so you can break them effectively.” -- Dalai Lama XIV

Lost in Anger Translation

Translation can take any form when you are trying to convey your point globally.  Some levity for the day.  US President Obama and his anger translator at the 2015 White House Correspondents’ Dinner (published 4/25/15).

Do Your Competitors Cheat?

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What's this?  Cheat?  Who cheats?  Do you ever find that your competitors steal away your ideas or steal business by playing off other companies’ hard-earned brand reputation?

According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, intellectual property theft steers nearly $250 billion away from U.S. companies each year. For small companies and startups, those lost revenues can be the difference between thriving and surviving.

How can entrepreneurs and small businesses protect their intellectual property rights, but also how they can protect themselves from getting sued for violating someone else’s IP rights?

David J. Marr and Jeff Van Winkle are both attorneys at the Detroit-based law firm Clark Hill PLC, which has 13 offices around the country and specializes in working with entrepreneurial companies.  Below is an interview they participated in with MiBiz.  Find out what they have to say on where small business owners should put their money when it comes to protecting intellectual property.

Small Business Guide:  Intellectual Property

4 Key Things Small Businesses Need to Recover

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As the leader of Barack Obama’s small business programs during the height of the crisis, Karen Mill's job was to help America’s smallest firms not only weather the storm but, just as importantly, to have the chance to rebuild.

Below she offers advice on what small businesses need in order to recover from the recent financial crisis.

Read:  The Conservatives are on the side of small business

The Impact of Globalization and Technology on Small Business Commerce Worldwide

©iStock/Romolo Tavani

The eBay 2015 US Small Business Global Growth Report focuses on the United States, looking at how SMBs from across the US have embraced technology to grow their businesses globally.

Worth a read for those who want access to customers all over the world.

As Devin Wenig, President of global eBay Marketplaces business unit says:

The impact of our technology on small business is great, and that excites me. In fact, our data shows that more than 90 percent of U.S. small businesses on our platform export. And of those exporters, 190,000 are exporting to four continents or more. Compare that to overall small business trade activity, where less than five percent of businesses export, according to U.S. Census data. Talk about creating economic opportunity.

Today in Global Small Business: USPS Explores New Fulfillment Services for Global Small Businesses

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

• Gengo connects clients to 15,000 translators but its hip open data program allows anyone to check the speed, capacity, customer support, and quality ratings of the translations.
• How customer service can help a small business go global.
• Microsoft Office 365 video goes global and mobile.
• How small companies can prepare themselves for international trade.
• The movement of companies putting environmental and social performance on equal footing with profit is going global.
• USPS is exploring a new way of providing value and convenience for global small businesses by taking advantage of their existing processing and delivery network.

Bring Peace to the World

©2015 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"There are many of us who should be in a position to bring peace to the world." -- Shirley Temple

Import Compliance for Small Businesses on a Budget

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A not-to-be-missed webinar covering how to protect your organization's most precious assets.  And don't think your broker has got your back covered on all import responsibilities.  Impossible.

International trade law firm Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. says:

This responsibility cannot be delegated to the importer’s customs broker or other third party. The failure to exercise reasonable care may result in unanticipated duty consequences and significant penalty liability. In some cases, company executives could even face sanctions for failure to operate under the umbrella of reasonable care. 

So how can you as a small business owner with limited resources comply?

It starts with knowledge ... Larry Ordet, an attorney with international trade law firm Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. will conduct a webinar on April 29, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. EDT, to address these concerns and provide general recommendations regarding practices that small businesses may use to ensure they are in compliance with “reasonable care” responsibilities.

For more information and to register, visit:  http://www.strtrade.com/events-Reasonable-Care-Importers-Small-Businesses-Compliance-Budget-042915.html (Note:  There is a $225 fee involved.)

An App That Will Give You a New Perspective of the World

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At Glimpse, they want you to experience the world as it unfolds, from a whole new perspective.

What is Glimpse?

Here at Glimpse, we believe in connecting people immediately. We believe in sharing experiences around the world for the purposes you believe in; whether it's giving a glimpse of the Chinese New Year, your son or daughter’s first birthday, or just a time out with friends. We bring you these capabilities with live video streaming in three Globular shaped newsfeeds: The Perspective, The Personal, and The Passion. When accessing ... read more.

Why use Glimpse?

Have you ever wondered what happens around the city, state, country, or world; wanted to learn about what other people do throughout their day; or simply wanted to tune into an event live? Glimpse provides this opportunity to all of our users ... read more.

How do you use Glimpse?

It's about YOU so find out ... read more.

What Do Consumers Worldwide Want in Return For Their Trust and Support?

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Who are the most reputable companies in the world and why? Reputation Institute’s Global RepTrak® 100 uncovers them based on innovation, governance, citizenship and more.

Whether it is BMW, Lego or FedEx, each of the companies have something to say about specific initiatives – internal and external – that they have been doing to make people understand who they are as a company.

To find out what consumers worldwide want in return for their trust and support, read:  Global RepTrak 100 Top Companies by Reputation | Most Reputable Companies

What It's Like Running a Global Franchise

©iStock/Rawpixel Ltd.

Founded in 2011, the Italian coworking venture Talent Garden has become a brand name in Europe with ten locations across the continent, and is looking to expand into new markets.

Co-founder Davide Dattoli talks about his journey starting a company in his native Italy to running a global franchise, along with his vision for the Talent Garden, and coworking as a whole.

When I [Dattoli] started this adventure in 2011 in Brescia, a small city in the north of Italy, my vision was to bring talented professionals within the digital and creative sectors together in one space; to foster an atmosphere of collaboration, where individuals and startups could help each other’s businesses to grow.

Read:  Going Global With Coworking Spaces

Today in Global Small Business: 7 Tips for Developing Your Brand Globally

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

• How to get paid by international customers.
• Seven tips for developing your brand globally.
• The risks and rewards of moving your data offsite.
• Innovative marketing tips to make your global business sizzle.
• Going global impacts Walgreens.
• Expo launchpad for SMEs to go global.

Global Small Businesses Are Hungry For Apps

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Global small businesses offer big opportunity for developers because they are hungry for apps.

And that’s good news for app developers, who have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to feed a massive and hungry market – the 29 million U.S. and 600 million global small businesses who are increasingly running their operations in the cloud.

Read more here.

Techies in Chicago Prepare For Global Expansion

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There are a number of challenges that tech companies face when trying to break into international markets. Developing a strategy to understand what steps to take, what risks to anticipate and what obstacles to prepare for are essential for global expansion.

Join the panel discussion:

Going International: Expanding Into the Global Market
Tuesday, May 12th from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Central at TechNexus
20 N. Wacker Dr., 12th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606
Sponsored by IDA Ireland

For more information and to register, visit here.
Download the event flyer.

Note:  I am trying to stop in at this event.

How to Launch a Successful Online Platform

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According to Benjamin Edelman for Harvard Business Review, the first question an entrepreneur should ask when launching a digital platform is whether they can quickly attract a large group of users.  And that depends on at least one of two conditions being met.

Find out what they are here.

How to Develop Your Brand Globally

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How do you do a shout out the world over to let them know you exist?  Here are a few ideas on how to manage your brand’s reputation and export it the world over.

Read:  7 Tips for Developing Your Brand Globally

Breaking News: We Reached More Than 1 Million Pageviews at The Global Small Business Blog

©2015 GSBB Media LLC.  All rights reserved.

Today (4/14/15), we reached more than 1 million pageviews at our Global Small Business Blog (first post can be found here).  That achievement is due to your loyal readership.  Thank you!  It means the world to us that you take an interest in our posts.  We will continue to provide you with news and information you can use to grow your business beyond borders.

Keep on reading.  Keep on expanding internationally.

How To Simplify Business Registration Processes on a Global Basis

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A new web portal, Global Enterprise Registration or http://www.ger.co has been launched to help companies directly access, and assess the user-friendliness of, business registration websites around the world. It is the brainchild of Ann Low, Deputy Director of the Office of Investment Affairs, at the US Department of State.

Learn more:  New Business-Registration Portal Goes Global

Today in Global Small Business: Is America Strangling Small Businesses?

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

• Snapdeal buyout fails for Alibaba but they are still on the lookout for Indian e-tailers.
• What a world without language barriers would look like.
• The Export-Import Bank of China extends loans to companies going global.
• Have a look at how cheesesteaks and pretzels go global.
• How America is strangling small business.
• Factors to consider on your first import.

You Cannot Keep Spring From Coming

©2015 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

“You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming.” -- Pablo Neruda

Polish Immigrant Starts Small Import Business

See how a shoe purchase led a Polish immigrant to launch her own successful small import business and achieve the American dream.

In Today's World You Can't Stay Local

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“In today’s world you can’t stay local,” says Lindsey Grossman, group manager of Business Development and Partnerships and Intuit Small Business Group. “If you don’t think about going global from day one, you’ll soon be surrounded by global-thinking competitors and you’ll be at a disadvantage.”

In an in-depth Q&A below, Grossman talks about government red tape, how to stay innovative and why all companies should aim to go global from the get-go.

Read:  Going Global From the Get-Go Intuit Labs

KuKuRuZa Popcorn Company Goes Global

©iStock/Sam Grandy

Seattle, Washington-based KuKuRuZa popcorn company expanded their small business through the SBA Small Business Development Center’s Export Readiness Center. Through their assistance, KuKuRuZa was able to open franchise locations in Japan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and South Korea.

Could that be you next?  Read more:  Small businesses reaching global markets

The Second-Highest Number of Exporters in the United States?

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Florida boasts the second-highest number of exporters in the United States, and in 2013, the United Arab Emirates was the state's eighth-highest merchandise export destination.

Exposure to international buyers is crucial to the success of small business owners and allows them to grow and create jobs.

That said, Enterprise Florida Inc. will host Florida small businesses at the Oct. 18-22 GITEX Technology Week in Dubai, an annual event that attracts more than 143,000 professionals from around the world from nearly 150 countries.

Learn more here.

Today in Global Small Business: Get Acquainted with the Worldwide Payments Superhighway

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

• How to identify international opportunities.
• Ten free or nearly free resources for exporting your products.
• Why US family firms should go global to survive.
• Globalization and its consequences, an opinion piece by Dave Joyce, president of GE Aviation.
• Learn about the worldwide payments superhighway for the yuan.
• Nepali exporters realize that it's a whole other country out there.

Thank You Best-Selling Author Jim Collins!

©2015 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

When I contributed to the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council's “must read” books for every entrepreneur who wants to succeed, little did I know that when I mentioned Jim Collins' Beyond Entrepreneurship: Turning Your Business into an Enduring Great Company, he would reach out to me by mail with an autographed copy of his book!

Thank you Jim.  You made my day.

Entrepreneurs Globally Report a Willingness to Start a Business

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In 2015, 2,500 U.S. entrepreneurs participated in the Global Entrepreneur Indicator (GEI), a bi-annual survey conducted by the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO).  EO member businesses average US $52.3 million in annual revenue and 240 employees. Survey findings revealed the latest near-term economic findings from 5,868 business owners in 46 countries, including:

In 2014, 84 percent of entrepreneurs globally reported a willingness to start a business. In 2015, 88 percent of entrepreneurs globally reported a willingness to start a business in the current economic environment.

Read more:  Global entrepreneurship survey reveals sustained small business growth

The State of SME Finance in the United States

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The 2015 State of SME Finance in the United States reviews trends in lending and equity financing to SMEs, discusses emerging financing sources for SMEs, and assesses the future of SME finance in light of the rise of alternative, online lenders and crowdfunding platforms. The report also analyzes the specific financing issues faced by SMEs that seek growth through exports. 

Download the report here.

The Importance of Entrepreneurship For Global Development

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President Obama announced this week (March 31st) that he will visit Kenya for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in July.  It will be his first trip to the country and his fourth to sub-Saharan Africa during his presidency.

The Global Entrepreneurship Summit brings together business owners, educators, policymakers and investors to support the growth of new enterprises in developing regions.  President Obama has supported the annual meetings since 2009.

Entrepreneurship can transform the world by solving problems, creating jobs and boosting economies.

Learn more:  Obama Will Visit Kenya For Global Entrepreneurship Summit in July [2015] 

Tweets about #GES2015 hashtag on Twitter

Bold Moves Are Needed to Enter New Overseas Markets

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Some say Canadians are too complacent about seeking export markets. But not the CEO of Brampton-Ont. based Mirus International Inc.  His firm makes electrical filters for high-powered drilling equipment used in the petroleum industry.

Here's what he did to break through to customers in China.

... he seized the opportunity last year to buy an existing factory in Suzhou, with a loan guaranteed by Canada’s federal Export Development Corp.

That's exactly the kind of bold move needed to enter new overseas markets.

Read more here.

Today in Global Small Business: Why You Don't Need to Be Big to Be Global

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

• Why e-retailers are looking at India as a possible destination for global expansion.
• Why the head of SMB marketing at Facebook believes social media can no longer help small businesses reach customers.
• Why you don't need to be big to be global (according to Oshkosh, Wisconsin companies.)
• Globalization and its consequences (a unique take).
• How to think local by going global when you run an online baby center.
• Factors to consider before putting your expansion plan in motion.