International Trade Finance Webinar (SBA)

What You Need to Know About Anti-Bribery and Corruption in M&A

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If you are considering venturing overseas, it would behoove you to review what processes you have in place for managing bribery and corruption risk.  For example, with a new, unknown market, you may not recognize the red flags in dealing with the government and third parties.

As Bill George, author, Harvard Business School professor and former CEO of Medtronic said, "To build a truly great, global business, business leaders need to adopt a global standard of ethical practices."

While conducting business across borders, companies have to be mindful of ethics and laws, especially as they relate to exporting and other methods of global expansion.

For more information on what directors at firms need to know about anti-bribery and corruption in M&A, read:  Venturing Overseas?  Pack the Domestic Rulebook

Related article(s):  Canada:  Hidden Dangers in M&A:  Bribery and Corruption; How to Avoid Bribes in International Business and past blog posts on corruption and bribery can be found here.

Connecting Buyers Worldwide with Chinese Manufacturers

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Made-In-China.com claims to connect global buyers with Chinese suppliers and has recently launched iCredit. This business line of credit is a "buy now, pay later" program that enables small businesses to receive shipments from Chinese suppliers and delay payment until after products are delivered.

Learn more:  Global Trade Website Launches Business Line of Credit

Other resources for connecting global buyers with Chinese suppliers:

• Alibaba.com
• Global Sources
• Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)

Today in Global Small Business: Google Can Listen to Multiple Languages At the Same Time

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What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

• An interview with Kati Suominen on catalyzing cross-border commerce
• Why Facebook and Twitter are both aiming at the e-commerce market.
• Google can listen to multiple languages at the same time and be able to process them at the same time.
• Why American steel companies, executives and workers want to punish countries for illegal dumping tactics.
• How a trade mission to Mexico opened doors for leaders in business and education.
• Why global trade might become less important.
• Understanding what a FCC certificate is and why it is important.

Listen to the Murmur of the Water

©2014 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” ― John Lubbock, The Use Of Life

By The End of 2014, There Will Be Almost 3 Billion Internet Users

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According to Brahima Sanou, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, "By the end of 2014, there will be almost 3 billion Internet users, two-thirds of them coming from the developing world, and that the number of mobile-broadband subscriptions will reach 2.3 billion globally."

The question becomes:  Are you ready to serve them?

Note:  By end 2014, 55% of all mobile-broadband subscriptions are expected to be in the developing world, compared with only 20% in 2008.  Close to one out of three people in the developing countries are online.

Read the entire report:  The World in 2014 ICT Facts and Figures

Related article:  The G20 e-Trade Readiness Index:  Good and Bad News for SMEs

Learn About the U.S.-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC)

What's the Key Driver Leading to Overseas Outsourcing?

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According to a 2012 survey from Duke’s Fuqua School of business, nearly three-quarters of respondents indicated labor cost savings as one of the three most important drivers leading to overseas outsourcing.

This was twice the rate of response for any other option. But according to research from the Hackett Group, the cost gap between the United States and China has shrunk by nearly 50 percent over the past eight years, and is expected to stand at just 16 percent by 2013. Labor costs in China and elsewhere are rising, and coupled with rising fuel prices raising shipping costs, the economic argument for sending jobs overseas may be becoming less persuasive.

Oh really.  Currently, a lot of politicians are still using the "sending jobs overseas" as a hot button issue to pin against a favorite candidate. Take the case of Republican Gov. Scott Walker (WI), who is running a campaign ad hitting Democratic candidate Mary Burke (WI) for her family’s company where she used to work, Trek Bicycle, for sending jobs overseas.

Read more:  Walker ad used Trek sending jobs overseas to rip Burke

A little more on global leader Trek bikes.

Are You An American Maker?

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If you make your products in America, this is your chance to be recognized as one of the 2014 Martha Stewart American Made Winners.

Martha, her panel of judges, and the American Made community are selecting the next generation of American Made entrepreneurs: those who are creating beautiful, inspiring, useful products; pioneering new industries; improving local communities; and changing the way we eat, shop, work, and live.

Nominations:  June 3 - August 29, 2014

Turn your passion for quality craftsmanship and well-designed goods into a way of life.  Nominate yourself but first, learn the ropes and rules here. Then get started.

Meanwhile, find out why small businesses should 'sell American' locally and globally.

Today in Global Small Business: eBay Shuts Down Small-Business E-Commerce Software Products

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What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

• Stuck on how to craft an export business plan?  Look no further at the LEBP.
• Even large deals support small businesses through Ex-Im Bank financing.
• How do we get globalization right?
• Why eBay is shutting down small-business e-commerce software products.
• Why Google+ dropped profile photos.
• Don't know too much about Alibaba?  Here's a short course.

110 Real Recipes for Serious Fluffernuts

©2014 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

OK, I admit.  I love the combination of Marshmallow Fluff and peanut butter (throw in a couple of sliced bananas too and I am in food heaven).  If you are in the same camp, then you will love this book.

By the way, my copy (as the photo shows) says 110 recipes yet the Amazon listing says 50 - so shop around to grab the more comprehensive book!

10 Factors to Consider Before You Import

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Here are ten factors to consider before you decide whether to import products from overseas for your global small business.

Here's a snapshot of one example:

4. Is importing actually cost effective?

Once you have an idea of the final landed cost of an item, you’ll be able to check whether importing will be a cost-effective option for your business. There are a lot of additional charges you’ll need to pay over and above the cost per unit from a factory overseas, and these can add up. You’ll want to be able to make a reasonable return on investment after all these costs have been taken into account.

It is a good idea to get your accountant, business adviser or customs broker to go through your calculations to make sure you’ve included all the costs you’re likely to incur.

Read the entire article:  Ten tips before you import

Taking On Global E-Commerce

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Taking on global ecommerce is not an easy process for merchants, small business owners and newbies – and can be quite challenging to say the least.  Language barriers, payment methods, cultural differences, not to mention regulatory requirements vary dramatically from country to country.

Digital River World Payments lays out four distinct strategies for making “going global everywhere” work with its recent white paper, “Going Global, Selling Local: Preparing Your Business to Grab Its Share of the Online Market" (requires quick registration to download).  It also provides a checklist for what ecommerce businesses should do to make the most of the global opportunities that are before them.

Read the entire article:  The Four Ways To Win At Cross Border Commerce

A Few Insights From Global Marketers and Localization Experts

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Check out the first special edition of Brand Quarterly where they have gathered insights from global marketers and localization experts - from companies such as Cisco, SAP, Lego and Mastercard.

Yes, you can learn a thing or two from the big guys when it comes to international expansion.

Read the 68-page free report:  Brand Quarterly July 2014 - Global Marketing Special Edition By Vesey Creative

How to Make Sure Worker Protection Worldwide Doesn't Fall Through the Cracks

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British-based global specialty food ingredients business Tate & Lyle has production facilities and research centers throughout the Americas, Europe, and Southeast Asia. The company’s operating philosophy is, “We always put safety first; nothing is more important.”

To enhance safety performance across geographic boundaries Tate & Lyle has introduced a requirement for a “permit to work” that spells out risks and safety requirements for all non-routine jobs. 

Note:  Don't confuse this permit-to-work (good example can be found here) with a document that allows an employee to work legally in the United States, which is commonly used in Britain and Europe.

The value of the permit-to-work system?  It brings contractor teams together and it provides accountability.

Read the entire article:  Global businesses are crossing borders to find safety solutions

Gateway to Asia: Hong Kong

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Are you interested in conducting business in Asia?  Then consider entering Hong Kong which serves as a gateway to that part of the world.  In getting started, I have referred many colleagues and clients to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).  It's a wonderful organization for helping companies do business in Hong Kong, source products, find partners, attend trade shows and more.

Give it look:  7 Benefits to Working with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council

Barefoot On a Beach and Happy. What About You?

© 2014 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"A simple life is good with me. I don't need a whole lot. For me, a T-shirt, a pair of shorts, barefoot on a beach and I'm happy." - Yanni

Got an Idea? Get a Road Map. Go Make It.

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Wrestling with a new product idea?  The first step is to determine if there is a demand for the product (conduct market research, for example).  Next is to create a prototype.  After that it's sounding the market with a few select buyers.  From there, if all goes well, it's full scale production.  Last, it's managing logistical, supply-chain and fulfillment processes.

Now how do you do all that without knowing where to turn and how to finance it?

Highway1

Highway1 does all the above and more.  It helps you build a global business.

Learn more by reading a related article:  The connected kitchen start-up poised to go global

Export Inspiration: Bassetts Ice Cream

Are We In a Slump In the History of Global Capitalism?

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David McNally is a Canadian socialist and activist, and the author of numerous books, including Global Slump: The Economics and Politics of Crisis and Resistance and Monsters of the Market: Zombies, Vampires and Global Capitalism. He was interviewed by Andrew Sernatinger and Tessa Echeverri.  The interview transcript was first published in two parts at New Politics, and is republished below.

Here's the elephant on the table:

What is the state of the economy, in the U.S. and around the world, seven years into the global crisis--and, more importantly, what is the prospect for further resistance to develop?

Read the entire interview:  Global slump and the new normal

10 Things Web Globalization Will Allow You To Do

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LinkedIn invited me to contribute articles on global business.  Here's the first one.

10 Reasons Why You Should Translate Your Web Site

Today in Global Small Business: Tips to Execute Better Global Marketing Campaigns

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What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

• Are there financial implications to opening shop in Switzerland?
• Things to consider when expanding your business internationally.
• Why successful companies tend to have a multinational presence.
• Why the remote 24/7/365 connected world, better known as the freelancer industry is booming.
• Five tips to execute better global marketing campaigns.
• Is an international quality seal necessary for commerce in Europe?

Assuring the Success of Liberty

© 2014 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." - John F. Kennedy

4th of July: The Best Day of the Year Because It's About Liberty

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Independence Day, or 4th of July, is a national holiday in the United States that celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

To all Americans, I wish you day filled with fun, reflection and a little reading (The Declaration of Independence). Happy 4th of July!

Setting Up Shop in Switzerland

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What a small world we live in.  Michael Shrum, owner of Talencium LLC, reached out to me because he believes Switzerland is a good bet for small business owners interested in setting up shop outside their own borders for the first time.  Why?

Find out through the interview I conducted with him.  It's a two-part series so be sure to catch both parts.

Part I:  Why Should a Small Business Owner Set Up An Operation in Switzerland?

Part II:  The Financial Implications of Opening an Operation in Switzerland

My Shadow

©2014 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves." - Buddha

Oh Happy Canada Day!

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Today is Canada Day.  To celebrate Canada's birthday, Daniella D'Alimonte at the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) put together a wonderful article offering practical and playful insights into how to do business in Canada.  She pulled on some leading experts - from Jim Foley, Director at the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship at Bradley University to John Yunker at Byte Level Research and we are happy she asked us to participate too :-).

Read the entire article:  O it's great to do international trade with Canada!