Small Business

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©iStock/photog2112 It's a world market, not a local one.  Here's the deal: In September 2013, the UKTI-funded BPI Music Exports Growth Scheme (MEGS) was launched. According to the BPI, it is “designed to make available grants ranging from £5,000–£50,000 to UK-registered independent music companies to assist them with marketing campaigns when looking to introduce successful UK music projects overseas.” Such support continues to open the door overseas for up-and-coming UK artists. Major key (not musical note) here?  Says Trevor McNamee of Brighton-based Jalapeno Records , which incorporates music publishing and management, as well as selling recordings:  "You need local knowledge, but it’s entirely possible to put together a promo and distribution plan and control it from the UK. For a niche record, you can do a thorough job overseas for very low cost. It’s never been a better time to be an indie label.” Read more:   UK music industry turns up the global volume

©iStock/3dsguru In an article I wrote for About.com Import and Export site, I talk about six, basic reasons for not going global and how to overcome them.  It's based on more than a hundred interviews over the years, where media reporters repeatedly ask me: What’s stopping small business owners and entrepreneurs from going global? Is it really that hard? Find out:   Six Biggest Stumbling Blocks to Going Global and How to Overcome Them

©iStock/Shauni According to a new RBC Economics report entitled Doors open for Canada’s SME exporters, the time is right for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to grow their revenues, and support the Canadian economy, by increasing their exports of goods and services abroad. Exporting represents a golden growth opportunity for small-and medium-sized businesses in Canada. “This is a golden opportunity for small businesses who want to accelerate their growth,” says Sarah Adams, vice-president, Small Business, RBC . “The higher revenues earned by SME exporters should inspire other SMEs to grow faster by expanding exports, and market conditions couldn’t make it easier to start now.” Adams has three recommendations for business owners looking to expand through exporting.  Read about them here .

©iStock/asab974 What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners: Ten places to look for import/export help. Six factors shaping the global economy in 2016. How China might overshadow global outlook for 2016. Haven't made your new year's resolution?  How about grow fast, go global ? Secrets from the world's best business people. Was 2015 the best year in history for humanity?

Hoping you had a fabulous Christmas and a Joyous 2016! Photo courtesy:  ©Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a very happy, prosperous and healthy New Year! Photo courtesy:  ©Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved. Loyola University Chicago, December 20, 2015.

©iStock/BobYue The secret to billions of customers finding you is to build a world stage comprising of a combination of social tools such as a blog (like this one), Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, as well as cultivate a brand presence on a website, mobile apps and other online databases. Using a proven e-commerce platform such as Amazon, eBay or Etsy is beneficial too, provided its visitors are in line with your ideal target market.   Just remember that each of these platforms takes a percentage of the transaction profits and, in some cases, they even charge a monthly subscription fee. I always caution people to read the fine print when it comes to your costs. After you test your products in new online marketplaces and enjoy significant revenue returns, it is then time to advance and create your own ecommerce platform to sell to the world and pocket all the profits. -- Source:   Business Success Strategies Q&A with Laurel Delaney: Going Global for Bus

©iStock/Rebecca_Denton The Global Small Business Blog is listed as #81 in the list of Top 100 Bloggers in the World .  We also share a tip for starting and growing a business.  Check it out here . Thank you to BizHumm.com for including us in the list.  We are in good company and very honored to be featured in the list.

©iStock/Tanuha2001 Two things worth noting about recent developments at Facebook. They've: Created a searchable directory on local service providers in an attempt to break into the local advertising market that could potentially expand to online-to-offline services assuming an integration with FB Messenger. Announced a partnership with Uber that allows messenger users to hail Uber rides directly via the messenger app. Find out how this will strengthen Facebook's ecosystem: Facebook:  Act Local, Think Global

What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners: A guide for doing business in Japan . How e-commerce helps US small businesses go global . Laurel Delaney is giving an export webinar at WEGG on 1/6/16! What industries are born to fuel entrepreneurship ? TomTom trademark:   lessons for the little guy .  How 2015 was crammed with major discoveries .

"My theory in anything you do is to keep exploring, keep digging deeper to find new stuff." -- Blythe Danner Photo of a photo courtesy:  ©Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

©iStock/Rigamondis I've traveled to Japan more than a dozen times and have tremendous love for its people and the country.  Below I share some pearls of wisdom on doing business in Japan.  Think of these as insights that I've developed in my years of working with Japanese people. A Guide For Doing Business in Japan

©iStock/Svedoliver Thailand’s Sahaviriya Steel Industries (SSI) PLC is closing its Redcar works with the loss of over 2,000 jobs, while India’s Tata Steel is cutting production at its plants. Rolls has had an awful year, issuing several profit warnings, prompting speculation that its submarine business may be nationalised to guarantee the future of Britain’s nuclear deterrent.  What's going wrong?  Is it a global glut of steel?  Caused by what? Read more:   The makers stumble

©iStock/Oakozhan This is the second time we've made the Forbes 100 Best Websites for Entrepreneurs 2015  list. Thank you to Forbes for including us and thank you to all of you for your readership. Your continued interest keeps us hip and relevant in our space:  global small business. We are so proud, humbled, and happy to receive the Forbes honor. Read more to find out who else made the happening list:   100 Best Websites For Entrepreneurs 2015

©iStock/StefaNikolic How do you get started expanding internationally with a solid foundation so that the world becomes yours?  First, it starts with guts and a good business plan.  After that, it's all in execution. Here are six other tips from Samuel Pavin . Read more:   The world is yours:  Six tips for expanding internationally

©iStock/Feverpitched What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners: The top five benefits to the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP):   Trade Booster for the World Enough about TPP?  Oh, how about more? How to build small brands up to global status . Foreign exchange:   what is it and why does it matter ? Holiday [November] e-commerce sales go international .

The world famous Walnut Room has been a Chicago tradition since 1907. Located on the 7th floor of Macy’s on State Street the Walnut Room is the first restaurant ever opened in a department store. With Circassian wood paneling imported from Russia and Austrian chandeliers, the 17,000 square foot dining room is both elegant and comfortable. Learn more:   Walnut Room | Macy's Restaurants   Take a look at the decorated tree in 2013 . Photos courtesy:  ©2015 Laurel J. Delaney .  All rights reserved.

©iStock/Whilerests As promised , here's the two-part interview I conducted with Karen Kerrigan, president and CEO of Small Business & Entrepreneurship (SBE) Council . The Top 5 Benefits to the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (Part I of II) Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP):  Trade Booster for the World  (Part II of II)

©iStock/Robin Images As a global small business owner, how many times have you said, "I wish I was as big or had the power of Walmart?"  Oh come on.  You know you've gone there.  And yet you might work with Walmart and only worry about two things:  1).  Keeping up with demand and 2).  Getting get paid on a time. But what if, just what if, you had to worry about this: With Walmart (WMT) importing more cheap goods from China than it exports to that country, the retailer's actions may be implicated in an estimated loss of at least 400,000 U.S. jobs from 2001 to 2013, the study [ published by the Economic Policy Institute ] finds. Would you rather remain who you are as a global small business owner -- creating jobs for America -- or become the size of Walmart and deal with their issues? Read more:   Walmart's China syndrome:  The loss of U.S. jobs

Screenshot courtesy:   Public Good For those who are interested in supporting the growth of women business owners and entrepreneurs, be sure to donate before the year-end to Women Entrepreneurs GROW Global (WEGG), a 501(c)3 nonprofit which educates women business owners and entrepreneurs worldwide on how to go global so they can run healthier businesses and create a new future for themselves, their families and their community. There are a variety of ways in which you can contribute: PayPal  Smile Amazon Public Good Full disclosure:  Laurel Delaney, creator of the Global Small Business Blog , is also the Executive Director of WEGG . Thanks for your support.  Your contribution allows WEGG to create high-impact educational programming that helps women business owners and entrepreneurs worldwide grow globally, increase their revenue, create jobs, and make an even more impactful contribution to their families and the economy.

©iStock/fruttipics President Obama signed EXIM Bank’s reauthorization into law on Friday, December 4, 2015, which means EXIM is back in the global game. Beginning today [12/4/15], EXIM will be able to restart the work needed to meet its mission of supporting American jobs and equipping American businesses with the tools necessary to compete for global sales. Importantly, the Bank secured a long-term reauthorization that will be in effect until September 30, 2019. Learn more:   EXIM Bank Reauthorization Information Have a question?  Go here.   Want to get started?   Go here.

©iStock/Michaklootwijk What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners: How to prepare packaged goods for overseas delivery . How small businesses have contributed more than $ 8.3 trillion to global economy . How global agencies are adapting to China's e-commerce boom. Bitcoin positions itself as an Apply Pay alternative . The transportation tech space is in an all out war ( Uber vs. Lyft ). What's up with the fear of digital protectionism ?

Just an ordinary day at Queen of All Saints Basilica , Chicago, Illinois. Photos courtesy: ©2015 Laurel J. Delaney .  All rights reserved.

©iStock/LDProd 5G is the next generation of global mobile (wireless) networks. Tech savvy business owners are looking into the benefits of 5G technology.  How is it going to transform the way they operate? What should they do to prepare? There are clearly a number of changes coming for small businesses as they await the introduction of 5G technology. Since 5G hasn’t officially been released, it is difficult to know what impact it will have on global small businesses. This is especially true since there is no unequivocal definition of 5G yet. Read more:   Business Intelligence:  Will 5G Boost Small Business Success

Spanx founder and businesswoman Sara Blakely talks about the challenges she encountered entering the global marketplace.  And yes, the inspiration for the creation of her product came from how she felt about her own butt. Spanx can now be found worldwide in more than 50 countries. In addition to keeping butts covered seamlessly from Savannah to Singapore, SPANX also shapes the world by focusing on their mission: To help women feel great about themselves and their potential.

©iStock/Nutthaphol As a small business, you can't do everything.  But you can make conscious choices that lead to growth for your company.  For example, you can choose to stay local with your business or you can choose to grow global. In this example, Alan Lowry took over a business in administration and turned it in to a global distributor of street furniture in a matter of years. Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland-based Environmental Street Furniture designs, sources and manufactures a range of products from litter bins and traffic bollards to railings and bicycle sheds. Alan says: “We started from absolutely nothing, with no suppliers, no customers, no product base, so we have worked very hard to build that up from nothing to where we are today." Read more:   Enterprising businesses going global to expand

©iStock/Askold Romanov Judging by the level of merger activity in the global payments space of late, the pendulum is swinging much more towards the buy than the build (source:   Cross-Border Commerce Drives Global Acquisition Agenda ). For more information, visit:   Cross-Border Payments Ecosystem Trends, Players Read related article by James Gagliardi:   Cross-Border Merchants Win with Added Functionality, More Languages Tip:  The most successful retailers are using increasingly simplified checkout functionality and allowing users to choose to experience sites in a variety of multiple languages.