Small Business

©iStock/Rat0007 In the Pacific Rim area, keeping trade and investment barriers in check and taking next steps to enable more people and businesses to take advantage will be an important determinant of future prosperity. "There is still considerable potential in the Asia-Pacific for growth in sectors like services trade and small business participation in supply chains," he [ APEC Secretariat Executive Director Dr. Alan Bollard ] continued. Read more:   Pacific Rim has growth potential for services trade and small businesses

©iStock/tanuha2001 Facebook is making it easier for small businesses to show what they "bring to the world" with their new business tool called ' Your Business Story '.  Further, the number of advertisers using Facebook has doubled over the past two years, with more than 70 percent of businesses buying ads are from outside the US.  The largest increase in interest is from Southeast Asia. Read more:   Facebook hits 3 million advertisers and reveals plan to woo small businesses

©iStock/antoniokhr Advancements in digital technology have disrupted traditional business models and leveled the playing field for small businesses, allowing them to go global at a swift speed.  Technology also lowers barriers to entry for start-ups, giving them opportunities to experiment with new business models. The problem is small businesses are not seeking out these new digital solutions that they can take advantage of.  They take a wait and see attitude which can lead to a stall on growth.  Yet: Professional services firm PricewaterhouseCooper estimated that businesses can unlock an additional $49.2 billion in the private sector over the next decade if technologies are used to their full potential. Read more:   Report:  Small Businesses Losing Out By Ignoring New Technologies