Monocle Columns That Take You Global

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Take a look at highlights of the weekend from Monocle (love the magazine) - from music (global/thevinylfactory.com) to design (Tokyo/designtide.jp) to film (U.S.A./The Rum Diary), a little bit of everything to open your mind.

What is Monocle?

Monocle is premium media brand with magazine, web, broadcast and retail divisions. Focusing on global affairs, business, culture and design, Monocle's mission is to keep an eye on the world.

Go here to expand.

Quietly Building New Structures In Our World

 

©Laurel Delaney 2011, "Loyola University Chicago North Shore Campus"

"Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures." ~ John F. Kennedy 

7 Billionth Person In Our World: Sorry, No Vacancy?

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In the coming days marks the celebration of 7 billion people on our planet.

The milestone, to be declared on October 31, 2011, is a huge spike from less than a century ago. In 1927, the global population was only 2 billion. Only 13 years ago, the population was at 6 billion, the U.N. says.

Have a look at people, possibilities and the challenges that come with dramatic population growth here.

Time to do some planning and invest in people power!

Creative Ways to Partner With Your Overseas Customer

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Export this.  Import that.  But how do you partner with your overseas customer (or supplier) in such a way that they feel totally committed to you?

Have I got the ideas!

Read:

Become Your Customer's Partner

5 Inspiring Ways to Partner with Your Overseas Customer to Grow the Relationship

Internet Start-Ups in Brazil

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A look at Brazilian investment firms and the role they play with Internet start-ups in Brazil.

According to the New York-based Latin America Venture Capital Association, five of 32 venture capital and private equity deals in Brazil in the first half of 2011 were early stage, seed or incubator investments. In 2010, that ratio was 12 of 28.

A few interesting companies that are mentioned in the article:

• Elo7
• Akwan Information Technologies (acquired by Google)
• Peixe Urbano
• Baby.com.br

Read the entire article here.

Deciding Against a Life-Sentence of Selling Soap

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The Economist offers "the outlook for entrepreneurs in India."  And yes - we are all looking for the next Infosys.  One particular comment in the article stood out for me:

And yet, for all these barriers, new firms are emerging in unexpected places. Vinayak Chatterjee, who graduated from IIMA in 1981, first joined a consumer-goods firm. After deciding against a life-sentence of selling soap, he went on to establish Feedback Infra, an engineering and consulting firm in Delhi that specialises in infrastructure projects. With 1,250-odd staff, half of them engineers, and a list of blue-chip and government clients, it exemplifies the kind of high-end services that India could excel at. Mr Chatterjee reckons his costs are a quarter of rich-world firms’. Big parts of this business are “no different fundamentally from IT outsourcing”, he says. The priority for now, though, is to build scale at home. With about $50m of revenue, growing by about 30% a year, the firm is on its way to that goal. A flotation would be a natural next stage in a few years’ time.

Reminds me of the bold statement Steve Jobs once made to former Pepsi exec John Sculley when he tried (and succeeded) to woo Sculley to run Apple:  "... prefer to sell sugar water for the rest of your life or come with me and change the world?" (refer to 1983-1993).

So you can choose:  Become a global entrepreneur or sell soap in India for the rest of your life!

Read the entire article here.

Victoria's Secret Goes Middle East

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In its early days of international expansion, Victoria's Secret -- with the help of partner M. H. Alshaya, run by Mohammed Alshaya (operator of Aeropostale and H&M stores as well) -- will focus on the Middle East.

Big issue?  Whether or not to install fitting rooms at lingerie boutiques in Saudi Arabia.

Read the entire article here.

Related article:  Victoria's Secret:  Taking It Slowly in the International Marketplace

We Made the List: The 20 Best Small Business Blogs!

Subject:  The 20 Best Small Business Blogs

Check out these great small business blogs - from Small Business Trends to Duct Tape Marketing + more - we are delighted to be among so many thought-leader bloggers!

Go here to learn more.  Thank you to BuyerZone for making this happen!  Congrats to our peers!

Hip Hip Hooray to Free Trade!

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Barbara Weltman, founder and owner, Big Ideas for Small Business, Inc., writes an article for American Express OPEN Forum, "Why Small Businesses Should Pursue Free Trade."

We are all for BIG ideas!  And we are totally for open trade.

Related articles:

Direct Exporting:  Advantages and Disadvantages to Direct Exporting

Indirect Exporting:  Advantages and Disadvantages to Indirect Exporting

What is the Export-Import Bank of the United States?

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

Exporting the Television Show Raymond

Perhaps Moscow will not find the show as funny?

Retiring Abroad? Here Are Five Top Countries

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International Living magazine rated the top five countries for (Americans) to retire abroad. Must you be an American to enjoy these places? You tell me!

Anyway, the Chicago Tribune travel section featured the International Living ratings.

The areas are rated based on real estate prices, cost of living, culture, health care, special benefits for retirees, infrastructure, safety/stability and climate.

The five countries are as follows:

1. Ecuador
2. Mexico
3. Panama
4. Spain
5. New Zealand

Check it out here.

Do Americans Still Know How to Make Stuff?

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Paul Fichter, who founded Taphandles in 1999, anticipates $11 million in revenue this year, employing 33 people at its Seattle headquarters and roughly 450 at the Chinese factory that produces the beer-marketing products it sells to breweries.

Mr. Fichter discusses the factors that led him to bring some of his manufacturing back to the United States with The New York Times.

Here's the last question posed by the interviewer:

Q. Do you think Americans still know how to make stuff?

A. Absolutely. My baby’s crib was made here, and that was important to me. I didn’t have to worry about the safety of, for example, the paint used. The key to success for the United States will be using machines instead of brawn. When we surveyed other countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia, we didn’t find the skilled labor base we needed. While I’m really proud of creating jobs here in America, it’s not just an emotional decision. It makes sense. 

Read the entire interview here.

Do you see this as a trend to bring manufacturing back to the United States?  We welcome your comments and insights.

Make a Sale, Research Your Market and Satisfy Your Customer: Here's How

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My recent column for Ann Dwyer's entrepreneur blog over at Crain's Chicago Business.

To make a sale, research your market and satisfy your customer

If you've missed my previous Crain's Chicago global business columns, they can be found on the right sidebar of this blog.

Related articles:

Five Ways to Satisfy Your Overseas Customer

Market Research:  Dreaded Chore, a Powerful Tool

How to Be the Happiest Person in the World

©Laurel Delaney 2011, "Bicycle on Pratt Pier"

As a kid I had a dream - I wanted to own my own bicycle. When I got he bike I must have been the happiest boy in Liverpool, maybe the world. I lived for that bike. Most kids left their bike in the backyard at night. Not me. I insisted on taking mine indoors and the first night I even kept it in my bed. ~ John Lennon

Why Global Entrepreneurship is a Good Career Move

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In many parts of the world, especially in the U.A.E., entrepreneurship is viewed as a good career move that offers high status, which also helps enable favorable media attention.

“Entrepreneurs in the UAE are looking eagerly for [business] opportunities in different sectors. They feel that they can improve their standard of living by owning a business rather than be employed,” al Mutawa told INSEAD Knowledge. “The type of business ranges from the regular to the innovative, and we even have lifestyle entrepreneurs.”

Read the entire article at INSEAD Knowledge here.

Today We Bring You: The World

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The World is a collection of private and commercial islands that form a singular expression of exclusivity. Located off the coast of Dubai and created by Nakheel, Dubai's premier developer, The World wants to become Dubai's exclusive island destination.

Learn more here.

How Delivering on Your Promises Matters in the World Marketplace

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My thoughts on the importance of delivering on your promises in the world of commerce.  It boils down to integrity, being true to your word.

Read:  Deliver on Your Promises | About.com Import and Export | by Laurel Delaney

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

Revolutionary Global Entrepreneur: Steve Jobs

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On the theme of mourning the loss of Steve Jobs as well as celebrating his success, here's a look at what some promising Indian entrepreneurs had to say about him.  There's a reason for posting so much about Steve Jobs.  If you take the time to read what everyone is saying, you can set a new direction for your business and your life.

Here are a couple of comments before you click on the link below:

Anand, Kuliza, “Steve jobs is a truly inspirational leader for our generation. His greatest legacy would not just be the products he created but the number of innovative companies he will inspire.”

Kallidil Kalidasan, MindHelix, “The man who moved computers from a room to a portable box. Man responsible for the smartphone revolution! Really a sad day! Truly, Steve changed the world immeasurably!”

Kshitij Minglani, Homebuy360, “It was not about technology, not about creating a product that sells, but empowering the human race by creating change agents. And, as we leave for office today, we carry his thought in our pockets.”

Divyesh Kharade, Deltecs, “The world will not be the same any more. Steve Jobs re-defined and re-designed people’s life like never before. Truly the darkest day for all technology innovators! R.I.P Steve Jobs: An apple will be co-related to you more than Newton”

Read the entire article: Indian Entrepreneurs Salute Steve Jobs

Related article:  Why Hasn't India Produced an Innovator Like the Apple Founder?  And this is intriguing as well:   Steve Jobs, Atari Employee Number 40

The World Pays Tribute

©Laurel Delaney 2011, "Apple Store, Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., 10.8.11"

The tributes keep coming in from all over the world on the passing away of Steve Jobs.

I visited the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue in Chicago on Saturday, October 8, 2011 to give my farewell to Steve and condolences to Apple folks and as I stood in front of the store for half an hour, I was moved by the outpouring of emotion from people everywhere.  Some individuals prayed and set down a memento; many wrote messages on post-it-notes and affixed them to the front of the store window (as shown above; what you see is the left side of the store, the right was completely covered with post-it-notes too ... look closely at the messages and some of the items posted) and still others photographed or videod the experience.  You knew something larger than life had happened and it would never be the same again for many.

Steve was admired and respected around the globe.

Here's an interesting UK perspective:

Steve jobs:  the world pays tribute

Global Commons: Water

Photo credit:  ©Laurel Delaney 2011, "Water Fountain"

"I understood when I was just a child that without water, everything dies.
I didn't understand until much later that no one "owns" water.
It might rise on your property, but it just passes through.
You can use it, and abuse it, but it is not yours to own.
It is part of the global commons, not "property" but part of our life support system."

~ Marq de Villiers, Water, 2000

Can You Break This World Record?

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First lady Michelle Obama wants to jump into the Guinness World Records book next week by helping break the title for the most people doing ... __________________________ (fill in the blank).

She will lead hundreds of local children in doing this act on the South Lawn on Tuesday.

Find out what record she is attempting to break here or if you must, take your magnifying glass out and see the answer below.

Answer: Jumping jacks in a 24-hour period.

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

The Apple iPhone 4S = Sensational!

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In memory of Steve Jobs, we feature the latest and greatest from Apple:  the iPhone 4S. 

Learn more here.  And catch:  Report:  Life As We Know It Already Changed Following iPhone 4S Debut

The World Is Insanely Sad Today: Steve Jobs Dies

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Considered the Thomas Edison of our time, Steve Jobs (1955-2011) died today.  We thank him for changing the world - making it a much better place to live.  May he rest in peace.  Our condolences to his family and all the Apple loyalists.

Wired (photo courtesy of Wired)
New York Times
The Washington Post
LA Times
CNN

Steve Jobs Wikipedia

The Global Small Business Blog:

Related posts (Apple)
Related posts (Steve Jobs)
Related posts (iPad)

Photos: Long Trip To China

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Award-winning photographer Kristopher Grunert just returned from a long trip to China and shared his exquisite new portfolio.  Go here to view.

While you are at it, check out his "My City Moves Me."  And here's a PDF file that describes some of his China photographs:  click.

Kristopher Grunert website

Amazon: Time to Go Global?

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Is Amazon testing the waters with its electronic gadgets to determine at some point whether to stay local or do a global roll out?

For Amazon, which has always been overwhelmingly focused on the U.S. and anglophone markets, the entry-level Kindle’s modest international support is actually a huge improvement. Even a year ago, when the third-generation Kindle launched, it was an English-only device.

Even in non-digital retail, Amazon’s global reach has been limited; the company is only now launching a Chinese-language bookstore, in tandem with a local bookseller. Building an international reputation takes time, partnerships and a lot of hard work.

Read the entire article:

From Kindle to Fire:  Why Amazon Needs to Go Global (Wired.com)

Related article:

Who Has the Global Edge on Wireless Reading Devices?

Best Bloopers in the Global Marketplace

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When you conduct business internationally, you absolutely must develop cultural awareness!  There's no easy way to tackle this sensitive issue but there is a way as noted below to have some fun learning about it.

Expanding internationally is a goal for most growing small businesses, yet the misuse of simple words can sabotage even your best border-crossing efforts. Just as one size doesn't fit all in importing and exporting, one word doesn't fit for all cultures, either. In fact, if used erroneously, it can cripple the most promising of international deals.

Read:  Adventures in Mistranslations from Around the World

Time by Chicago Sculptor Lorado Taft

Chicago Sculptor Lorado Taft's "Fountain of Time," ©Laurel Delaney photo

Chicago sculptor Lorado Zadoc Taft does Fountain of Time, or simply Time as featured above, measuring 126 feet 10 inches (38.66 m) in length, situated at the western edge of the Midway Plaisance within Washington Park in Chicago, Illinois (south side), in the United States.  Very close to the University of Chicago area.

Time was constructed from a new type of molded, steel-reinforced concrete that was claimed to be more durable and cheaper than alternatives. It was said to be the first of any kind of finished work of art made of concrete.  Before the completion of Millennium Park in 2004, it was considered the most important installation in the Chicago Park District.

Learn more here (including additional photos).

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog