Insights From Pope Francis on Globalization

©iStock/Nico_Campo

In this article, I reference Pope Francis's remark on "one-dimensional globalization" and touch on some other interesting quotes that were made by him during his first-time historic trip to the United States.

Read more:  Globalization is Good and Can be Noble

Use Mobile Applications to Boost Efficiency Worldwide

©iStock/Leadinglights

How do you tap economic global potential?  Use mobile applications to boost efficiency by cutting travel costs and allowing workers to share information and have online meetings.  That's what Google Australia head of small business marketing Richard Flanagan says.

“Going online opens up nat­ional and global markets for businesses restricted to local buyers, as well as accessing ser­vices and labour markets that aren’t local for specialised workers,” he said.

Read more:  Online strategy turns bush [Australian] business global

Today in Global Small Business: Pope Francis Weighs In On Benefits of Globalization

©iStock/Nico_Campo

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

• Why big shipping giants are snatching up global e-commerce service providers.
• The Pope gives impassioned remarks on globalization.
• Pope Francis weighs in on benefits of globalization.
• Microfinance brings impact opportunities and new markets for companies.
• How Arizona connects to the world.
• Eli's Cheesecake President Marc Schulman to give keynote talk on taking his business global 10/23.

Prohibition-Era Gem of a Bar in Chicago

©2015 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

The Hideout Chicago (pictured) is a prohibition-era gem of a Chicago bar in a small space that hosts all kinds of live music and dancing on Saturday night.  I had the opportunity to be at the Hideout Tuesday night (9/22) to listen to the incredibly talented Eagle Rock Gospel Singers.

Leveraging the Growing Internet Usage

©iStock/Scanrall

According to eMarketer, the Asia-Pacific region is projected to capture 33.4 percent share of global e-commerce sales by the end of 2015.  Embracing e-commerce will accelerate access to international markets, promote innovation, create jobs and expand customer reach for business owners.

“We need to leverage on the growing Internet usage, burgeoning middle class, and the increasing accessibility and affordability of technology to enable our micro, small, and medium enterprises to enter the global market. E-Commerce has evolved into a regular marketplace option for many buyers,” she [Doris Magsaysay-Ho, 2015 chairman of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Business Advisory Council (Abac)] added.

Read more:  'Free and open trade should benefit small businesses'

What Happens When International Expansion is High On a List?

©iStock/Maselkoo99

You can start out a year by saying "We will develop the absolute best social media campaign," or you can declare, "International expansion will be our number one priority this year."  Whatever you say ends up guiding your directives throughout the year.

In this case, Onfido, a London-based background-checking startup established by three Oxford graduates, has put international expansion high on their list of strategic priorities for 2015.

Onfido's technology allows companies to carry out remote background checks and is used by everyone from Airbnb rival Onefinestay to on-demand cleaning business Handy.

Ed Ungar, Google's former head of channel partnerships in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, has been named COO of Onfido.

Read more:  Onfido hires Google's Ed Ungar to lead expansion

Globalization Presents Growth Opportunity for Businesses

©iStock/Elen11

Global payment and currency risk management solution company AFEX surveyed more than 450 of their SME client base worldwide, to explore their experiences and attitudes towards global trade, and their approaches towards managing currency risk. The responses offer a fascinating insight into the concerns and expectations for growing businesses trading beyond their domestic borders.

Biggest finding?

... "almost half of their clients (48%) are expecting to increase their level of international trade in 2015, compared to just 38% planning to do so in 2014. As a result, and against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty, one in five (19%) of clients also plan to increase hedging activity to mitigate currency risk."

The question becomes:  What portion of your revenue is exposed to currency fluctuation and how are you mitigating that risk?

Read:  AFEX Currency Risk Outlook 2015

Creating the Next Billion Global Jobs

©iStock/Yellowcrestmedia

At the 2014 Social Good Summit last year, Dell provided a strategy for achieving the next billion global jobs through a program known as Goal 8, which has been suggested as a goal for the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) created by the United Nations.

Goal 8 is focused on achieving specific agenda items that will work toward ending poverty by increasing lending for small businesses, offering access to more technology, eliminating child and slave labor, enabling equal opportunity employment and pay, fostering green initiatives and improving working conditions.  

To help ensure that Goal 8 makes the final cut, Dell formed a community to champion it.  Go to Entrepreneurs UNite (https://entrepreneursunite.com) to sign up. #EntrepreneursUNite

Today in Global Small Business: Amazon Hands Shopify a Big Win

©iStock/Killerbayer

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

• Three focus areas to strengthen your global business.
• How woodworkers can go global.
• Does being a big reader make you a better (global) leader?
• A discussion on the digital economy's potential.
• What five experts say about the future of e-commerce.
• How Amazon has handed Shopify a big win.

Birds and Spirits of the Dead

©2015 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Some birds (as shown atop the lighthouse) are known to carry the souls of the dead to the “next world.”  Is there a relationship between birds and the spirits of the dead?  Or are birds more commonly associated with life, fertility, and longevity?

Last Chance For Early Bird Discount on Global Small Business Forum Held in Chicago 10/23

Don't miss out.  You have until close of business today (Central time) to receive a discount on our Global Small Business Forum.  If you plan to attend, why not grab a savings while you can?  The Global Small Business Forum guarantees you will learn how to boost your business through exports and network with your peers.

To learn more and to register, visit:  http://www.globalsmallbusinessforum.com  See you there!

Are Small Businesses Plugged Into the Internet?

©iStock/Szepy

According to a landmark global survey commissioned by GoDaddy, most very small businesses aren't fully plugged into the Internet.  Why is that?  Could it be that the businesses are just too small for the Internet?

There are over 200 million small businesses in the world, but for many, making the leap to have their own website is challenging: survey respondents said they hadn't had the time, money or expertise to create a website.

These small businesses -- 59 percent of them -- claim that they don't have their own website.

Read more:  Very small businesses poised to go online for first time, with huge expectations

A Rare Glimpse of Steve Job's Vision, Aspirations and Managerial Approach

And the Winners of the Global Technology Competition Are ...

©iStock/Rypson

Who's out there tackling problems in our world?  First, you must spot a gap and then fill an opportunity.  In this instance, Sir Richard Branson has crowned the winners of global technology competition, the Talent Unleashed Awards, at a high profile event in Sydney last week.

The Awards recognize disruptive entrepreneurs who utilize innovative technology solutions to improve communities, social problems and the environment.

Read more:  Game-changers:  Winners of global technology competition announced  Shortcut to winners here.

Today in Global Small Business: Are Grads Ready for Their Jobs Globally?

©iStock/Lanolan

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

• What California's new 'Made in USA' legislation means.
• Whitebox launches a fully automated ecommerce solution which helps manufacturers and brands scale globally.
• Does the Bitcoin community need another wallet?  Find out.
• Are grads ready for their jobs globally?
• Globalization in a small Southern city.
• Up your global game by attending Forum held in Chicago on 10/23.

Explore Chicago's Rich History

©2015 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

How do you explore Chicago's rich history, famous architecture and amazing skyline?  Consider Shoreline Sightseeing.

Intuit Gets Lean in India

©iStock/Noppasin Wongchum

US accounting software company Intuit has retrenched at least 440 employees globally and the wave has hit Indian shores, too.

According to officials in the company's Bengaluru office, 35 employees including developers, sales and marketing staff were asked to leave last month. The employees were told in July that the company needs to get leaner and a reorganisation was on the anvil.

Read more:  Intuit Fires 440 Staff Globally, 35 in Bengaluru

Customers Love Roasting Coffee Beans On the Spot in Kyoto, Japan

©iStock/Frank Mirbach

% Arabica, a Kyoto, Japan based coffee shop, is the brainchild of Kenneth Shoji, a trading company boss who’s been investing heavily in specialty coffee.

In addition to owning a coffee farm, his company, Asiamix, is a distributor of high-end Slayer espresso machines and the sole exporter of the Japan-made Tornado King roaster. (The first branch of % Arabica opened in 2013 in Hong Kong, where Asiamix is headquartered.)

How does % Arabica have a steady stream of multinational customers?

While overseas visitors tend to discover % Arabica via the TripAdvisor website (where it’s currently ranked as the fourth-best “Restaurant in Kyoto”), Yamaguchi says that Japanese customers often come after word-of-mouth recommendations. Social-networking app Instagram is another major lure: Yamaguchi and his latte art have attracted more than 33,000 followers.

Read more:  Roasted-on-the-spot coffee from Kyoto is going global

Up Your Global Game

©2015 GSBB Media LLC

Global TradeSource, Ltd. invites startups, entrepreneurs and small business owners to learn the secrets to financial global success at a one-of-a-kind forum with the theme "Up Your Global Game" at the historic Navy Pier in downtown Chicago on Friday, Oct. 23, 2015.

The Global Small Business Forum will inspire attendees to get out of their own backyards and transition from local, regional or niche-market players into global titans. Event attendees will gain the knowledge and insights they need to market, sell and fulfill orders internationally by taking full advantage of the Internet and the opportunities it creates. Attendees will be able to boost their revenues by learning how to expand beyond borders.

For more information and to register, visit:  The Global Small Business Forum 2015 (http://www.globalsmallbusinessforum.com)

Is Global Uncertainty Taking Its Toll?

©iStock/Devonyu

Confidence in smaller firms is "cooling," with increasing caution among business prospects, while global economic uncertainty is taking its toll on Britain's manufacturers, according to new studies published by the Federation of Small Business (FSB).

Read more:  Small firms and manufacturers report dip in confidence

Today in Global Small Business: How to Take Advantage of Significant Duty Savings On Imports

©iStock/Emarto

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

• How do you predict the future?  These 8 tips might help.
• The Global Small Business Forum held in Chicago on 10/23/15.  Have you registered?
• Would you recognize DHL Global Forwarding as a top employer?
• How U.S. importers can take advantage of significant duty savings.
• Trend for female entrepreneurship is significantly up globally.
• The best supply chain and logistics blogs on the web (according to Freightos).

Happy Labor Day to all Americans who have contributed to the strength of our economy.

Mickey Mouse Sitting on the Sand

©2015 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

You never know what you will find on the beach.  In this case, Mickey Mouse is sitting on the sand in Rogers Park, Illinois (Pratt Beach), waiting for his/her owner to bring him safely and lovingly back home.

Listen In: Illinois Exporters Say It's a Struggle With No Export-Import Bank

©iStock/Marcoscisetti

WBEZ morning shift on August 31, 2015 interviews Richard Paullin, Executive Director, International Trade Association of Greater Chicago on the impact for Chicago business owners concerning the lapse in the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

IL exporters say it's a struggle with no Export-Import Bank

Meanwhile, our Global Small Business Forum 2015 (registration OPEN) held in Chicago at Navy Pier on Friday, October 23rd, will help small business owners boost their exports and gather alternative methods for financing their sales.  Richard Paullin will be participating in the event.

In Pursuit of Development Opportunities Outside the United States

©iStock/BlueRingMedia

Despite challenging economic conditions, a competitive environment and severe currency headwind, Rolling Meadows, Illinois-based Boston Scientific managed to post better-than-expected second-quarter 2015 results.  How is that?  They continue to strengthen their core businesses and invest in new technologies and global markets.

An important aspect of the company’s growth strategy is its pursuit of development opportunities outside the U.S. by expanding global presence, inclusive of the emerging markets. 

Read more:  Boston Scientific Expands Globally, Fights Currency Woes

Private Capital Access Project: Small Business Optimism on Upswing

©iStock/A-Wrangler

Dun & Bradstreet and Pepperdine University has released the Private Capital Access (PCA) results for Q3. In addition, Dun & Bradstreet will be at the upcoming WBDC 29th Annual Entrepreneurial Women’s Conference on Wednesday, September 2nd at McCormick Place West in Chicago moderating the morning breakout session focusing on access to capital issues for small businesses in addition to co-hosting the 1:1 Lender Matchmaking session.

To learn more about the WBDC Conference and D&B's morning breakout session, visit:
http://www.ewc29.org.

To learn more about D&B and Pepperdine University's Private Capital Markets Project, visit:
http://bschool.pepperdine.edu/about/people/faculty/appliedresearch/research/pcmsurvey/pca-index/

Read the press release:  Small Business Optimism Continues Along Three-Year Upswing, According to Dun & Bradstreet and Pepperdine Graziadio PCA Index

Disruptive Innovation in the Cargo Space

©iStock/Prasit Rodphan

Cargo shipments are coming into the Internet age and promise to reshape the transportation industry.  Find out how in the following article I authored for the About.com Import and Export site.

Shipping Global Cargo in the Internet Age