Live Your Life Fearlessly

©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Welcome to a New Culture of Shared Prosperity

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Welcome to a new culture of shared prosperity.

It’s a significant sign of our shifting culture that the country’s largest corporations and the organization representing their interests are revising their definition of the purpose of the corporation from profit maximization to leading their companies “for the benefit of all stakeholders—customers, employees, suppliers, communities and shareholders."

How it's done?

Corporations, and the investors who own them, now must go beyond words and take action to upend the self-defeating doctrine of shareholder primacy.

Hooray.  We applaud this at The Global Small Business Blog – companies creating value for workers, customers, suppliers, and communities—not just talk about it.

Exports Matter: Diversify Markets, Strengthen Firms and Grow Jobs

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San Diego, California-based FoxFury Lighting Solutions exports cutting-edge “Xtremium” headlamp products to China, Japan, and other countries around the world, helping fire and rescue officials respond to major global humanitarian disasters from earthquakes in Fukushima and Italy to hurricanes in Puerto Rico and Texas.  Its shift from a domestically-focused company to a global exporter is an evolution that is still relatively uncommon among U.S. firms.

Many of these efforts stem from the Global Cities Initiative, which made the case in the aftermath of the Great Recession that exports mattered because of the opportunity to diversify markets, strengthen firms and regional economies, and grow well-paying jobs.

Learn more about how FoxFury made crucial connections to dealers in Japan and Germany, establishing the firm as a potential partner in a business where leads and trust can often take years to build.

Five U.S. officials Shaping Trump's Trade Battles

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As President Trump's trade fights fuel fears of a global recession and threaten his reelection prospects, five U.S. officials are shaping many of Trump's decision:

1. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin
2. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro
3. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer
4. National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow
5. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell

The president’s trade battles with China, Europe and the Democratic-controlled House are seen as further restraining an already slowing global economy.

Read more about five key players in Trump's trade battles.

How SMEs Can Develop a Killer Customer Experience

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For small businesses, the internet is something of a double-edged sword. It has leveled the marketing playing field, while simultaneously opening small local markets up to international competition.

Today, however, small businesses have a new option – to exploit their local bona fides with a local digital marketing strategy.

Explore further on forward-looking strategies.

Today in Global Small Business: How to Move Toward Greatness

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

• Best cell phone plans for small businesses.  
• Quote of the week: “When [what you are deeply passionate about, what you can be best in the world at and what drives your economic engine] come together, not only does your work move toward greatness, but so does your life. For, in the end, it is impossible to have a great life unless it is a meaningful life. And it is very difficult to have a meaningful life without meaningful work. Perhaps, then, you might gain that rare tranquility that comes from knowing that you’ve had a hand in creating something of intrinsic excellence that makes a contribution. Indeed, you might even gain that deepest of all satisfactions: knowing that your short time here on this earth has been well spent, and that it mattered.”— Jim Collins, Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't
• U.S. small business owners feel 'peachy' over the state of the global economy? 
• Are you using social media to empower your small business?
• Global e-commerce trends to launch your business across borders.
• 18 must-have travel apps for traveling abroad.

Life is Better at the Beach

©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Happiness is a day at the beach." -- Anonymous

The Global Ecommerce Playbook

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There are huge challenges when embarking on cross-border commerce.  Yet nearly 84% of global ecommerce sales happen outside of Western continents such as North America and Europe, and overall sales are expected to reach $4.8 trillion USD by 2021.

Some of the world’s largest and best-known multi-nationals have failed spectacularly when expanding abroad.  How so?

Find out through a white paper, The Global Ecommerce Playbook (requires registration).

The Pain is Growing for American Small Businesses on Chinese Tariffs

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To grow and succeed, a significant number of small and midsize businesses across America rely on trade with China.

Karen Kerrigan, President and CEO, SBE Council, goes on to say, "the Trump administration’s latest decision to impose 10 percent tariffs on $300 billion worth of Chinese goods along with China’s retaliatory tariffs only serve to pile new costs on small businesses and consumers, and squeeze what market access small businesses currently have."

Find out why the United States needs to adopt more effective alternatives to the use of tariffs.

Team USA World Champ Simone Biles Makes History With Her New Triple-Double on Floor (Crown This Woman!)

The Growth Show (Podcast)

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Host Meghan Keaney Anderson, VP of marketing at HubSpot, takes a deep dive into trends, turning points, and success stories in The Growth Show. She interviews CEOs and founders to discover how successful companies thrive. With over 1.5 million downloads, this podcast is perfect for anyone who wants to get inspired and see how to drive sustainable business growth.

It’s never been easier to start a business, but it’s never been harder to succeed. Each episode of The Growth Show explores the inspiring stories behind how people grow a business, an idea, or a movement.

Listen to the Growth Show podcast here.

Today in Global Small Business: The Art of Selling Online Globally

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

• The art of selling online – globally.  
• Quote of the week: “We weren't born to create excuses, we were born to create excellence.”— Janna Cachola
• Hey New Yorkers, Chinese company Alibaba wants to teach you how to use their global B2B tool.
• Learn how to jump into the international market!
• Discover what small businesses think about artificial intelligence.
• How building a community can overcome a global culture of contempt.

The Positive Side of Things

©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"No matter what you're going through, there's a light at the end of the tunnel and it may seem hard to get to it but you can do it and just keep working towards it and you'll find the positive side of things." – Demi Lovato

How Do We Ensure That Middle Eastern Family Businesses Survive?

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According to Hassan Jameel, Deputy President and Vice-Chairman, Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ), family businesses play an outsized role, accounting for over three-quarters of the private sector economy’s workforce. Many of the largest businesses in the region remain family run, having grown over the course of several generations from small enterprises into conglomerates spanning sectors and geographies.  Even his own firm, ALJ, established by his grandfather, started off as a small vehicle distributor in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Today, 70 years later, the company has grown to become a significant global distributor and has diversified into multiple sectors including energy, real estate and finance, operating in more than 30 countries around the world.

For many the idea of a family business immediately conjures up an image of a small shop, in which a son is stacking the shelves while his father ponders the proud day he hands over the keys. It is easy to forget that some of the business world’s biggest names, such as Ford, Walmart or Tata, are or once were family enterprises, built on big ideas seized by bold entrepreneurs that have now been passed down through generations.

Learn how some of the biggest family businesses in the region grew from humble beginnings and discover what was behind their success.

Local Businesses in Tampa, Florida Fly High With Exports to Brazil

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Madison Lawson, the international business manager with the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation says, "When you find a new consumer base in a market like that [Brazil], you can grow your company exponentially."

The EDC worked with the economic development leaders in Pinellas and Pasco counties to send 3 Daughters Brewing, American Freedom Distillery and six other businesses to Sao Paolo Monday as part of a program to help small businesses grow into international exports.

It's a chance many business owners didn't have before to meet with distributors, consumers, and end buyers.

Read more about how Bay Area businesses hope to expand their global customer base in Brazil.

China Has 200 Unicorns With Global Aspirations

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About 200 Chinese startups have valuations of $1 billion or more, and many are preparing to go global.  Most of the companies are largely unknown outside China, but that is likely to change over the next decade.

More than 70 percent of the leaders of Chinese unicorn companies say they already have plans or strategies for overseas expansion. This is in part thanks to government encouragement: China’s Belt and Road Initiative emphasizes international “innovation-based open cooperation,” and China has introduced a series of measures to create a favorable environment for innovation. 

When it comes to growth, most of the unicorn leaders say they value independent, long-term development over flipping their companies for immediate gain because they want to create tomorrow's great global enterprises.

Dig deeper.  It's all in the story about China's herd of unicorns.

The Trade Wars and a Slower Global Economy

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The latest economic numbers point to a further slowing of business at many small companies; economists say trade wars are a significant reason for the decline.

The trade wars that began with the Trump administration's tariffs on China early in 2018 and continued with retaliatory duties on U.S. goods are taking a toll on domestic manufacturers, economists say.

Read more about how small business slows as trade wars continue, economists say.

Today in Global Small Business: Why Japan Is Doubling Down on E-Commerce Fashion

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

• Roughly 70% of the 4,505 worldwide small businesses polled in the GoDaddy Global Entrepreneurship Survey said they expected their prospects to grow by at least 25% in the next three to five years.  
• Quote of the week: “The limits of my language means the limits of my world.”— Ludwig Wittgenstein
• Canadian small businesses may benefit by thinking globally.
• Who are the top 25 global e-commerce power players?
• The ever-changing global payments landscape.
• Why Japan is doubling down on e-commerce fashion.

Hard Work Opens Doors

©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Hard work opens doors and shows the world that you are serious about being one of those rare - and special - human beings who use the fullness of their talents to do their very best." – Robin S. Sharma

Global E-Commerce is Booming

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According to a newly released eMarketer report, China’s $1.94 trillion e-commerce is the largest in the world, and more than three times that of the number two U.S. market.

The report described a booming global e-commerce market, is expected to grow 20.7% this year to $3.5 trillion in sales. China’s $1.94 trillion in sales will have contributed 54.7% of that figure, according to eMarketer.

Based on the report, discover the areas in e-commerce where China is leading.

It Only Takes One Person to Inspire a World of Kindness

More Than Words Is An eBay Small Business Award Winner!

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Taking the top spot on eBay's Shine Awards for Small Business was Jodi Rosenbaum of More Than Words, who was named Small Business of the Year.

Jodi Rosenbaum founded More Than Words (MTW) in 2004 with a vision to provide at-risk young people the training needed to run a successful business. As a nonprofit social enterprise, MTW empowers nearly 400 Boston-area young people, ages 16-24, who are in the foster care system, court-involved, out-of-school or homeless to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business.

Learn more about Jodi, More Than Words (MTW), and the other award winners.  Congrats to Jodi!

Go Twitter, Go Global!

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Big 'global' news.  A new executive has joined the ranks of Twitter’s global business marketing team.  Gap Kim will oversee global business marketing at Twitter, aiming to help businesses improve results from platform’s advertising capabilities.

Here's why this is important.

Kim boasts more than 20 years of experience in the tech and digital sectors, leading digital adoption and growth across mobile, video, search, messaging, and social at companies including WhatsApp, Facebook, and Google.

Dig deeper.

Kim's theory on Twitter:  "“In this day and age, that [Twitter platform] is a critical opportunity for marketers to make meaningful connections with influential audiences to grow their business and brand.”

Today in Global Small Business: Why Payment Diversity Matters When Transacting Business Across Borders

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

• How much of your business runs on WhatsApp?  You could be missing something.  
• Quote of the week: “There is no one that will make a next for you unless you do it for yourself.”— Miguel Cervantes, who plays Alexander Hamilton, in "Hamilton," Chicago
• Western Union has no gone away.  They are still considered a global leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement.
• Small businesses involved in international trade see US protectionism and global economic slowdown as greater threats than no-deal Brexit.
• Why payment diversity matters when transacting business across borders.
• Are you ready to expand your business overseas?  Find out.

The Courage to Start

©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

“The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” – John Bingham

The Belles of the Ball: E-Commerce SMEs

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U.S.-based small to midsize enterprises (SMEs), especially those in the business-to-business (B2B) realm, have been left behind in the rush to meet growing e-commerce demands of consumers. Digital marketplaces catering to small businesses in the B2B world have been mostly non-existent, despite global B2B e-commerce estimated to be a $24 trillion industry.  Alibaba and UPS are not the only ones clamoring to get in front of 30 million American sellers for SME action.

FedEx Corp. has made SME penetration a top priority, and has already announced seven-day-a-week service, extended pick-up times and expanded access points targeted at that market. Amazon.com, Inc. considers SMEs the lifeblood of its business, with its “Fulfillment by Amazon” service, in which smaller merchants use the company as its marketing, fulfillment and delivery partner, representing more than half of its total sales.

Learn how long e-commerce wallflowers, small and midsize enterprises have become the belles of the ball.

Small Businesses Around the World are Feeling Optimistic About the Future

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Covering small businesses in 110 countries, the Veem report, highlighting small business trends, found that companies spent the second quarter of 2019 building inventory and increasing both the number of orders and the dollar value of each order.

The average small business payments increased by 15% in the second quarter of 2019, according to the study, and the dollar value per order went to 6% in the second quarter. 

When it comes to trade, particularly with China:

However, small businesses continued to express concerns regarding trade negotiations with China, consistent with other studies reported on by Banking Exchange. More than three quarters of the small businesses polled showed concerns surrounding tariffs on Chinese products. However, this includes all 110 countries polled. It is not clear if American companies are particularly concerned. More than half of the small businesses said that that their businesses have already been impacted by tariffs. 

The findings in the report do show that the tariff talk, and the threat of a trade war are in fact effecting how businesses are looking to the future yet they are still optimistic about future growth and have a strong desire to expand.

Thought Leader Maya Hu-Chan on Cross-Cultural Business Skills (Video)

What's Next After Globalization?

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Is our integrated world of institutions, brands, and trade being replaced by something that is less interconnected?  A new book, The Levelling, argues that we are at the end of the age of globalization.

If [Michael] O'Sullivan [the author of The Levelling] is right, and the reversals of international connectivity are part of a long-term shift as opposed to a short-term blip, then what might be the implications for higher ed?

Find out by reading 'The Levelling', Higher Ed, and the End of Globalization.

Today in Global Small Business: The Powerful Flywheel Concept by Jim Collins

©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

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

• Why do some companies build relentless momentum and others don't?  Only Jim Collins has an answer through his latest publication, "Turning the Flywheel:  A Monograph to Accompany Good to Great."  We are especially honored to receive an autographed copy of the publication from Jim along with a personal letter highlighting the powerful flywheel principle, which can transcend to global.   
• Quote of the week: “Chase the vision, not the money; the money will end up following you.”— Tony Hsieh, Zappos CEO 
• The American Express Blue Business Cash Card for small businesses.  What's in it for you?
• The podcast companies behind some of the biggest chart-topping hits of the last three years are ready for their next challenge: taking a story listeners know and love like “Dr. Death” and giving it an international makeover.  But what does it look like?
• A U.S. government agency working closely with Ivanka Trump has invested in a new financial product intended to extend credit to women entrepreneurs in emerging markets.
• How businesses should prepare for global Internet access:  another 3 billion people online.

Give Me the Streets of Manhattan

©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Give me such shows — give me the streets of Manhattan!" – Walt Whitman

Always Say Yes to Challenges (Video)

Being on Amazon is a Huge Visibility Boost for Small Businesses Who Desire to Go Global

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John Leslie from John Leslie Studios recommends Amazon to any small business, saying, “My sales have steadily increased on Amazon year after year. Last year my sales on Amazon alone were over $150,000. Simply being on Amazon is a huge visibility boost because Amazon is often the first place people go when seeking to purchase almost anything.”

According to CBS17.com:

An amazing variety of small and medium-sized businesses now boost online sales by selling in Amazon’s stores, reaching more customers and bringing their business to a whole new level. More than half of the items sold in Amazon’s stores worldwide are from small and medium-sized businesses. And the number of small and medium-sized businesses exceeding $1 million in sales in Amazon’s stores worldwide grew by 20 percent last year, to more than 25,000.

To succeed online, businesses oftentimes need a partner to help them reach a national – or even global – customer base, and to support them throughout the process of building their business and fulfilling increasing demand for their products or services.

Learn more about how small businesses are mastering the art of selling online.

How Global Small Businesses Should Prepare for the Emerging Global Internet Access

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Jim Cashel, for Harvard Business Review, says it is reasonable to predict that, in the next three to five years, most of the planet will have some access to reliable, if somewhat expensive, broadband. That means over three billion people will be, for the first time, directly connected to the global economy.  He goes on to say:

The business community should consider this emerging market with astonishment, if for no other reason than its vast size. It will present challenges in terms of economics, geography, language, and demographics. But businesses that are aware of the changes to come, that appreciate the speed and reach of global broadband expansion, and that prepare appropriately for new markets will enjoy a range of unprecedented opportunities. Specifically, businesses should prepare in four areas.

Learn about the four areas here and how businesses should prepare for the Global Internet Access.

About Jim Cashel:  Jim Cashel is Chairman of Forum One, a digital agency, and author of The Great Connecting: The Emergence of Global Broadband, and How That Changes Everything. During academic year 2018-19 he was a Visiting Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School.

What a $10 Billion Investment Will Get You Over 5 Years

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De Beers Group, based in London, specializes in diamond exploration, mining, retail, trading and industrial diamond manufacturing, has embarked on a $10 billion five-year global market and mine expansion drive, which includes but is not limited to inorganic and organic activities, technology upgradation, adding more mining ships to its existing five such vessels plus expanding existing key markets, including China, India, the U.S. and Japan.

“We are investing $10 billion towards various global expansion activities planned for the next five years," says Stephen Lussier, executive vice-president — marketing, De Beers Group and also chairman of Forevermark, the group’s diamond brand.

Ambitious goals for sure.

Mr. Lussier goes on to say, “We are significantly expanding our existing presence all over the world, including in India at least by 10%. Forevermark brought in $750 million to our group revenue of $6 billion last year and we want to grow this to over $1 billion by 2020."

Read more about De Beers global expansion plans.

Today in Global Small Business: The World's Champion on Exporting

©2019 Apress.  All rights reserved.  Used with permission.

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

• If you are struggling with how to take your product or service overseas, do yourself a favor and sign up for this upcoming (7/18) New York NEXCO event featuring the world's champion on exporting, Laurel Delaney, who will present "How to Export Successfully in the Digital Age." Program includes an after-seminar reception for wine-tasting and networking with the NY metro exporting community.  For more information and to register, visit:  https://conta.cc/32srXWS  
• Quote of the week: “If you are not taking care of your customer, your competitor will." — Bob Hooey
• Two businesses are bringing small business owners around the world a comprehensive array of products and services to make running their enterprise easier, more efficient and more profitable.
• For labor to secure gains, in the United States or globally, workers must mobilize.  Here's why.
• When it comes to global payment technologies there are several countries that are the most advanced.  However, it is two specific countries that stand out and make the payment experience easy for the global consumer. 
• Many business owners believe that in the not-too-distant future — they will be exporting a “significant chunk” of the cannabis they are growing domestically.  The cannabis market is expected to grow exponentially (globally) in the next couple of years.

Five Faces Ice Cream Shop: Perfect Place for Late Night Food on Division Street in Chicago

©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

A familiar face (place) in Chicago that highlights John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Lucille Ball and Humphrey Bogart:  Five Faces Ice Cream shop in Chicago.  What's unique about the place?  They are not known for ice cream, but they do a good job on gyros and cheese fries.

Here's what a reviewer said about the shop:

"Perfect place for late night food when you know damn well you are going to be hung over after doing Division up right!”

10 Most Beautiful Cockatoo Breeds in the World

What Is Google Ad Manager, and How Do You Sign Up?

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Google Ad Manager helps you grow ad revenue and protect your brand wherever people are watching, playing or engaging.

Signing up for Google Ads is painless. You can do it right on the Google Ads website, which walks you through it step by step.  The Get Started button first asks you how many page views you have on a monthly basis:  less than 1 million or more than 1 million.

Learn more about Google Ad capabilities.

Strategic Partnerships Can Take You Global

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Kentucky-based Rabbit Hole Distillery, a high-end whiskey and bourbon maker, has entered into a strategic partnership with Pernod Ricard, one of the world’s largest spirit companies.  Kaveh Zamanian, Rabbit Hole’s founder, will maintain his shares in Rabbit Hole and will continue to operate the company.

Both Pernod Ricard and Rabbit Hole share the same spirit and beyond that, both companies are fully aligned in their values and cultures.

With Pernod Ricard now onboard and with Zamanian’s continued leadership, Rabbit Hole’s distribution will expand, with the goal of connecting with spirits lovers throughout the world.

How to Make Everything Livable No Matter Where You Live

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Co-founder and principal designer Jade Joyner of Athens, Georgia-based interior design firm Metal + Petal, had years of experience working on interiors in Europe and the U.S.

I have four daughters, and they’re all in middle school and high school. It’s an all-white family home, but the concept is that everything is livable. If something is spilled on, it’s okay. It’s a modern farmhouse, maybe. There are some classic elements, ‘cause I couldn’t live without them, and some character pieces. It’s a place where we can all relax together.

Ms. Joyner discusses in an interview with Mansion Global the popularity of customized kitchens and closets, the booming Southeastern U.S., and more.  One of the questions posed:

MG [Mansion Global]: What’s the biggest surprise in the luxury real estate market now?

JJ Jade Joyner]: The need for space. People think that size is the definition of luxury. You don’t need to have a massive, over-the-top house to make it luxurious. You can make a cabin very luxurious.

Today in Global Small Business: One Woman's Quest for Borderless Growth (wegginar®)

©2019 Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global™.  All rights reserved.  Used with permission.

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

• Learn about one woman's quest – Cathy Koch, President and CEO of K-Tec Systems – for borderless growth when she presents a free-of-charge wegginar® on Wednesday, July 10 at 11:00 a.m. Central time.  For more information and to register (no charge thanks to sponsors but you must register to attend), visit: https://womenentrepreneursgrowglobal.org/2019/06/10/she-believed-she-could-and-so-she-did-one-womans-quest-for-borderless-growthcathy-koch-president-ceo-k-tec-systems-july-10-2019/  
• Quote of the week: “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning." — Benjamin Franklin
• Global populations of 8 billion and growing.  What does it mean?
• Ways to get your online export business going.
• Four-peat:  U.S. Women's Soccer team wins World Cup title (video)  Congrats team USA! 
• Don't under estimate Beyond Meat for global potential.

Never Enough Books

©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

“I guess there are never enough books.” ―John Steinbeck, A John Steinbeck Encyclopedia

Post 4th of July Celebration in USA

Let freedom ring, even afterwards.

Photos courtesy:  ©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Independence is Happiness

To all my fellow Americans, let’s rejoice today by paying tribute to those who fought for our freedom and future. Happy Fourth of July from your friends at the Global Small Business Blog.

Photos courtesy @2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

The Three P's of Global Small Business Sustainability: Planet, Profits and People

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Sustainability requires a balance of tactics. It involves reducing a business’s carbon footprint and maintaining long-term operational and financial health. It’s much more than installing new LED light bulbs. A successful sustainability strategy involves three key components:

Planet, profits and people.

Small business sustainability strategies don’t just promote energy efficiency and social responsibility.  They can also help organizations strengthen their position in the marketplace.