Small Business

©iStock/malexeum Small businesses are the key to keeping local communities afloat and also for driving a healthy number of American exports.  Take Farmington, Illinois based Gator Guard .  They are a USA-maker of premier marine protection products.  Sue Smith, President and CEO, stands at the helm of the business. She [Sue] knew there had to be a better way. None of the products on the market at the time provided the quality she thought was necessary in order to protect her boat. So since Day One of Gator Guards inception, Sue and her team have worked tirelessly to research, develop and bring the best protective technologies and products to the marine industry. Gator Guards has done so well internationally that it earned the Governor's New Exporter Award for Manufacturing in 2016.  Since Smith began focusing on exporting in 2013, she has seen international sales grow annually -- to the point that they could meet or exceed Gator Guard's domestic sales in the next 5

©iStock/Wara1982 What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners: How to break into an overseas market. How to take your business global in a heartbeat . The trials and tribulations to running a growing global business ( webinar 3/8; no charge ). FedEx helps small businesses achieve their dreams of growth and success with a grant contest . For many Canadian small businesses, the talk of the new NAFTA might impact them . How to power cross-border payments on your online platforms. from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2m2qfJa Today in Global Small Business: How to Power Cross-Border Payments On Your Online Platforms-Small Business

©2017 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved. "You have your own shoes.  Don't worry about filling someone else's." - Anonymous from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2lGRB6L Fill Your Own Shoes-Small Business

iStock/jamesteohart Commerce marketing automation provider Bronto asked experts inside and outside their company to talk about what's on the horizon for commerce trends in 2017. In a nutshell: Get ready for global ecommerce, a more visual approach to marketing to customers, the emergence of cost- effective browse recovery technology and virtual dressing rooms, a more thoughtful approach to omnichannel marketing and, as always, a keen focus on personalization. Read the full report here . from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2lgH1R2 What's On the Horizon for Commerce Trends in 2017?-Small Business

©iStock/ExcellentPhotos JP Morgan surveyed more than 1,400 middle-market executives, and 80% said they were optimistic about the national economy. The 2017 Business Leaders Outlook found that business executives from small and mid-sized firms across the US are more optimistic about the global and national economies and think that the Trump administration will be a positive for the country. What's the cause for the positive outlook?  President Trump is said to be at least part of the optimism.  There's good and bad here.  The good is the possibility of tax reductions and less regulation - positive impact. The bad is over the more protectionist trade policies - negative impact. Read more here . from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2lJjrQ1 Middle-Market Leaders Across America Are More Optimistic About the Global and National Economies-Small Business

©iStock/dikobrazly As UPS says, "If global shipping and supply chain management responsibilities have you overloaded, Flex Global View can help." You'll get total visibility even across multiple modes of transportation--with a suite of tools that equip your business with key information to truly set you apart from the competition. With Flex Global View you have the ability to view and respond to shipment information and critical milestones as they occur. To learn more, visit here . from The Global Small Business Blog http://ift.tt/2m7xNuO What Is Flex Global View?-Small Business

©iStock/panupong1982 UK businesses are looking for guidance, a pathway towards an agile and enabled digital future.  The only way out is for the UK government to outline what, if any, their digital strategy will be going forward. Richard Hurwitz, Tungsten Network's CEO, says: Many business functions are currently being held back by legacy systems and attitudes causing problems and limiting growth. The back office is, pun intended, holding business back. Will 2017 be the year that digital automations and technical collaboration accelerate across the global supply chain? Full disclosure:  Tungsten Network offers e-invoicing, invoice finance and spend analytics solutions for AP and AR professionals. In order to grow, all business owners, especially smaller ones the world over, must have an open global economy.  The fact remains that we must connect the unconnected.  There's no better place to start than through technology-empowered growth strategies. Read more he