Small Business

©iStock/JackyLeung Technology allows us the opportunity to connect with anyone, anywhere in the world -- unlocking an enormous opportunity for business owners worldwide to grow like never before. We have a new level of power that's just waiting to be leveraged.  It's the power of the cloud, and once fully utilized, will change how global small businesses operate. Entrepreneurs and small businesses will be able to monitor the locations and activity of every physical asset, from the parcels shipped by a boutique craft seller to the widgets installed by tradies. But it’s not simply going to be about location and whether the device is working or not. Read more:   Here's how the next wave of tech advances will transform small business in Australia from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2dcPuWN The Cloud: Changing How Global Small Businesses Operate-Small Business

©iStock/chombosan Let's face it.  The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will boost exports, help us shape the rules of the global economy, and create jobs.  Then why are we stalling on passing TPP and why are both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton against it? According to Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, leaders from several TPP trading partners have made it clear that a U.S. failure to ratify the deal before President Obama leaves office “will require them to hedge their bets and consider closer relations with others in the region” like China. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said small- to medium-sized businesses are the “biggest beneficiaries” of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement and that failing to ratify the deal would broadly hurt the U.S.'s reputation in the rapidly growing Pacific region. Fact:  98% of U.S. exporters are small businesses and they account for more than 1/3 of U.S. exports. Read more:   Pacific deal will boost exports for

from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2deTAtN Think Harder About Why You Procrastinate-Small Business

©iStock/wildpixel According to a survey commissioned by FedEx Corp. and conducted by research firm Morning Consult LLC: About 65 percent of small businesses that engage in international trade report increases in revenue, compared with 46 percent of small businesses that do not trade, according to the survey. Small businesses that trade are also 20 percent more likely to say they are hiring more employees. So why aren't more small businesses engaged in international trade? Read more:   New FedEx survey finds small, mid-sized firms bullish on trade from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2d6fIIh Who's Bullish on International Trade?-Small Business

©iStock/Rawpixel Ltd. What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners: Why you can't do global deals all alone. Two import tips that go under the radar for most business owners yet can impact a transaction in a big way. Five key factors you should keep top of mind when you expand your business globally. Learn what UK small businesses are fearful of when it comes to exporting (see whether you have the same anxiety). Hangzhou, home to China's largest e-commerce companies , where many benefit from the Internet. Coming up:  The world's biggest and best Global Small Business Forum held in Chicago 10/21/16. from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2dlwJA1 Today in Global Small Business: Why You Can't Do Global Deals All Alone-Small Business

Since 1989, the coolest of cool stores in Chicago.  Worth a visit:   http://ift.tt/1JvSjHW Photo credit:  ©Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.  Taken Friday, September 23, 2016 at 26 E. Madison Street, Chicago, IL. from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2cQ1073 Reckless Records in Chicago: New and Used Vinyls, Cassettes, CD's and DVD's-Small Business

©iStock/AlexeyWork The two main candidates for USA president both have it wrong.  Trade is good for us.  I'm pro-trade.  Even Nobel-prize winning economist Milton Friedman said: "The social and moral issues are all on the side of free trade. And it is you, and people like you [a union official that challenged him on his bid to eliminate all tariffs over five years], who introduce protection who are the ones who are violating fundamental moral and social issues ." It's worthy of a look at Milton Friedman's Morals .  And see what else a bad trade deal can do to our global economy. from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2d2X1lh Free to Choose Global Trade-Small Business

©iStock/czekma13 Oh come now.  You may think that Asian and European markets are the best and most prosperous markets to enter when expanding your business internationally.  Not according to a recent report, "Winning in the Americas." The report , co-authored by the National Center for the Middle Market (NCMM) and TradeUp Capital Fund , a premier fundraising platform for globalizing companies, concludes that the best opportunities for U.S. middle market companies (those with annual revenues between $10 million and $1 billion) lies in Latin America. Surprised?  So am I.  To feed your curiosity and to learn the facts, visit:   NCMM Report Finds that the US Middle Market is "Winning in the Americas" While you are at it, take action on two other things that will help you expand your business internationally: Sign up for TradeUp Capital Fund's newsletter Determine the strength of an export market you wish to enter ( new tool that is very cool! )

©iStock/pxel66 There are many questions you need to address before you begin an import process.  Details such as, which country should you import from; how do you find a reputable supplier; and how do you know what you don’t know when it comes to compliance issues? Here are two tips that oftentimes go under the radar:   Stay Clear of These Two Import Landmines Note:  This is a new article I wrote for the About.com Import-Export Business site, which is now under The Balance brand. from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2cUybUK Two Tips to Avoid on the Import Process-Small Business

from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2d1kdVM Why Understanding Culture Matters When We Are Working Internationally-Small Business

©iStock/ponsulak What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners: Small businesses confident in global economy despite upfront concerns. The shifting of the tides to global e-commerce . Why globalization is a necessity for small businesses. The rise of the super-stars dominating the global economy . Your complete guide to moving abroad to work for yourself. How big is the gig economy  (the new world of work)? from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2cYdrQQ Today in Global Small Business: The New World of Work-Small Business

©2016 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved. "If you want to change the world, find someone to help you paddle." -- William H. McRaven from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2ceswbh Find Someone to Help You Paddle-Small Business

©iStock/VR_Studio Ouch.  A glitch with global online payment company PayPal has hit a number of New Zealand small businesses in their wallets. Here's what one small business owner says: "A lot of people don't trust PayPal anymore. For me its not about screw-ups, technical screw-ups happen all the time, you can't get angry - it's just the society we live in. But it's the way the company has reacted and I don't think I've ever seen such a poor reaction from a massive company to its clients. We just don't feel like they care ." Read more:   Small businesses struggling after PayPal glitch from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2cZJzEb Getting Trust Back From New Zealand Small Business Owners-Small Business

©iStock/Evgeny Gromov In the UK, who are you going to call when business gets tough (and don't think Ghostbusters!)?  We're not talking about about anxiety caused by losing one big customer; rather, SMEs are more concerned with cash flow problems and tough competition from emerging markets. According to C2FO Working Capital Outlook Survey 2016 : The majority of SMEs (55 per cent) find cash flow as the biggest obstacle for business growth and more than 40 per cent indicate an increase in working capital needs compared to last year.  The survey examines the preferences of more than 1,800 SMEs in the UK, US, Germany, France and Italy for improving working capital efficiency, examining trends associated with economic and political factors, financing, working capital deployment and supplier-buyer relationships. Read more:   Tough competition, alternative financing, higher interest rates from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2cpm8iu Why Brexit Isn't

©iStock/PIKSEL Once thought of simply as an electrical device for listening to music without other people hearing, earphones are now becoming more sophisticated and multifunctional. In fact, world-famous audio brand Bang & Olufsen and German audio equipment manufacturer Sennheiser have introduced top-of-the-line earphones priced up to 400 dollars. Now enters a small but competitive business, IR International, making a difference for the Korean economy by becoming the maker of the world’s first dynamic 2-way earphones. Read more:   Power of Small Businesses from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2cZraWW Earphones Are Evolving Globally-Small Business

©iStock/abluecup Alison Larson is an international business development consultant, founder of WorldBlazer Consulting LLC , and coach who works with fashion companies to launch, develop and/or dramatically improve their brand's presence and overall business in international markets around the world. Prior to establishing her consulting business, Alison worked for 23 years in various executive positions at Carter's and OshKosh B'Gosh where she was responsible for global business development of the companies' various brands in over 40 developed and emerging markets. She has spent her life traveling and working abroad and has lived in the USA, Italy, the UK and Belgium.  Alison has an MBA in International Business from NYU and Executive Certificates in Global Negotiations, Cross Cultural Communication and Managing Conflict with a Global Mindset from Thunderbird Global Business School. If that is not enough, Alison is conversant in four languages and enjoys

©2016 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved. What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners: A sad reflection of 15 years ago with 9/11 (videos, photos, and audio capture the horror and heroism). Learn how to launch a successful product the world over ( webinar on 9/14 and it is no charge). Attend world's best Global Small Business Forum held in Chicago on October 21, 2016. Good news:   58 percent of small businesses already have international customers ! Do you know what your customers want long before they do themselves? Eight keys to e-commerce success (the trick is to make your site stand out from the crowd). from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2cTc7xF Today in Global Small Business: Remembering 9/11-Small Business

©2016 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved. As Minor White would say, "All photographs are self-portraits." This is mine. from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2cN9PkQ A Self-Portrait in the Sand-Small Business

©iStock/tanuha2001 Facebook's new tool is aimed at providing the tools to help mom-and-pop stores the chance to reach a much wider audience: global. Businesses can use the new feature by going to Facebook's Lookalike Audiences tool, which recommended new audiences to business owners in their own countries but will now also offer information on international audiences. This eliminates the need for SMEs to do exhaustive market research, making the step to go global a lot more efficient. Read more:   Facebook wants to help businesses expand internationally from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2bYSFj6 Facebook Allows Mom-And-Pop Stores to Reach Global Audience-Small Business

The world famous Global Small Business Forum 2016 is OPEN for registration!   The 2nd annual event will be held on Friday, October 21st at 70 West Madison Street in the heart of downtown Chicago.  This year’s theme is:   Make the World Your Business!  We have an unbelievable lineup of global business experts and business owners who will be sharing their secrets to international business success.  Here's a preview: Richard Paullin, Executive Director, International Trade Association of Greater Chicago; Chairman, IL District Export Council Kati Suominen, Founder and CEO, Nextrade Group, LLC Marc Schulman, President, Eli’s Cheesecake Company Mary Safie, President and Chief Executive Officer, Safie Specialty Foods Company Chantal Wittman Meier, V.P., International Trade Banking, MB Financial Peter Darley, Owner, VP & COO, W.S. Darley Mike Howard, Managing Director for the Central Region of the Business Development Division of the Export-Import Bank Frank Gogliotti, Proje

©iStock/boggy22 The U.S. Small Business Administration remains committed to ensuring small firms in Colorado and across the U.S. have the tools and resources they need to take their business global.   In this example, they have awarded CO state $186,140 through its State Trade Expansion Program.  Launched in 2011, this program allows 56 U.S. entities to compete for federal matching-fund awards that help small businesses start or expand export activities. With the help of STEP funds, Gold [Andrew Gold, president and founder of  Aircraft Technical Book Co. , a small business based in Tabernash, Colorado] attended a trade show in India and engaged online resources in search of new customers and partnerships. Today, the nine-person company is expanding to develop a new certification for aviation and aerospace avionics technicians in the U.S. and in Europe and in turn setting up ATBC to expand to serve a new untapped market. Read more:   Program helps small firms export on a glo

©iStock/sihasakprachum The glass-bottom suspension bridge in China is 430 meters (1,410 feet) and hovers above a valley with a drop of some 300 meters in Zhangjiajie.  It attracts thousands of visitors every day. “We thought people would be afraid to walk on it, but today it’s simply unbelievable. I’ve never designed anything on which so many people go, as if they were zombies,” says Israeli architect Haim Dotan , about the world’s highest and longest glass bridge, in southern China’s Hunan Province. Read more:   Israeli Designer of Glass Bridge Wanted Something People Wouldn't Notice, but Ended Up Creating Global Sensation from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2c9OSOY World's Highest and Longest Glass Bridge Becomes Global Sensation-Small Business

©iStock/Kras1 What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners: How to take a crash course in global business . World's best Global Small Business Forum held in Chicago 10/21 is OPEN for registrations . In case you forgot, reasons to go global . American celebrate Labor Day all weekend long (have a Happy and productive one). Trade tensions overshadow the Global Economic Summit . The world's most livable city for the sixth year in a row. from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2csz6wE Today in Global Small Business: Americans Celebrate Labor Day -Small Business

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” ~ Dr. Seuss Photos courtesy:  ©Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.  (Rogers Park, IL 2016.) from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2bSQlFF Signs of Summer Ending-Small Business

©iStock/guruXOOX Snowboard firm Gilson Boards , known as Your American Snowboard Company,  started three years ago with three people, manufacturing snowboards on a former dairy farm. The company has since grown to 16 employees, who helped the company build and sell more than 1,000 boards this season from Gilson’s, a 5,000-square-foot facility near New Berlin. Sales have increased an average of 200 percent a year. In 2015, the company started shipping overseas and now ships orders to:  Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, England, France, Italy and Switzerland.  Overseas sales make up about 15 percent of the company’s business, according to the owner of the firm, Nick Gilson. Read more:   Local firms go global from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2bP8xA9 Local Snowboard Firm Goes Global-Small Business

©iStock/Pomogayev Despite technology removing barriers to overseas expansion, it appears that SME owners in Australia and New Zealand are not yet convinced of the benefits. Recent data from Bentleys , an accounting and business advisory firm, found that only 19% of Australian and New Zealand businesses operated in overseas markets. Why is that?  Are they risk-adverse?  Do they lack interest?  Are they underestimating the benefits to going global? What's holding SMEs back?  What's needed to get them going in the global marketplace? Find out all the answers here:   Australian SMEs Slow to Move Into Global Expansion from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2bECLLZ Are Small Business Owners Convinced of the Benefits to Going Global?-Small Business