Biggest Barrier to Becoming Your Own Global Small Business Boss?

©iStock/benmm

The desire to be your own boss resonates with a lot of people, so much that many aspiring entrepreneurs are willing to take a pay cut, work longer hours, and even go without a holiday for a year.

According to research from PayPal Australia, almost 70 per cent of Australian budding entrepreneurs say getting the up-front financing is one of the biggest barriers to becoming your own boss. Yet almost two-thirds of Australians have visions of working for themselves, with the overwhelming majority (69 per cent) willing to take a pay cut to realize this dream.

Read more:  Australia's Entrepreneurs | Financial hurdle is toughest

Exports Are Critical to Survival, Especially With Music

©iStock/Veleri

According to a new report commissioned by the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA), Music in Motion: An Analysis of Exporting Canadian Independent Music, six out of 10 Canadian music companies feel that exports are critical to their survival and that small independent music businesses are more likely to spend 21 times more on export activities for breakthrough artists than they do for artists at other stages of their career.

"It reaffirms the fact that music has no borders now - it is a global market, period," says [CIMA President Stuart] Johnston. "So that strategy and that approach has to be taken into account by any artist and the companies that support them when they're commercializing their music."

The study finds that exports are a key part of a business plan for 87% of Canadian music companies.

Today in Global Small Business: Don't Overlook the Global Day of Giving

©iStock/Leks_Laputin

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

• Why small businesses are going from local to global.
• Will TPP or the lack thereof, impact Hawaii's businesses?
• Guess what the main driver of growth is for businesses this holiday season?
• How to avoid giving your data to cyber thieves this holiday season.
• Four ways to get in on a global day of giving (and don't overlook WEGG).
• A glimpse into 1.35 billion Chinese lives.

Macy's World Famous Walnut Room 2016 in Chicago

©2016 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

A look at the holiday tree in The Walnut Room 2016 Chicago.

TPP or No TPP, How to Tweak Your Website For Global Growth

©iStock/wwwebmeister

It's on.  It's off.  TPP is up in the air until President-elect Trump decides how to improve it before signing.

Meanwhile here are six easy steps to implement on your website to demonstrate you know how to communicate with people effectively regardless of geography, culture or language, and that you are open to doing business with a few of the countries (e.g. Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam) in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP).

We Are Grateful For Your Readership

©iStock/jenifoto

"A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues." -- Cicero

Best Business Blogs in 2016: The Global Small Business Blog Makes the List

©iStock/AlexBrylov

Out of 52 featured blogs, we are No. 6 in the Business Blogs Professionals Should Read, right before Google Small Business.  The authors of the blog say, "We’ve taken a look around the web and pulled together this comprehensive list of 52 of the best business blogs which you should be following in 2016, split by categories."

6. The Global Small Business Blog
For those businesses who are still small, but are dealing on a global scale, look no further than the Global Small Business Blog.  Even if your business isn’t quite global yet, it’s always good to keep an eye on how things are being done all around the world. 

Why CETA Is Getting a Bad Rap

©iStock/scyther5

According to Global Research, Centre for Research on Globalization, a look at the text of the CETA agreement – and recent declarations designed to reassure critics and gain support for its ratification – shows that concerns over it are seemingly well-founded.

Behind the PR attempts by the Canadian Government and the European Commission to sell it as a progressive agreement, CETA remains what it always has been: an attack on democracy, workers, and the environment. It would be a major mistake to ratify it.

Read more:  The Great CETA Swindle

Today in Global Small Business: Invest in Hole-Free Socks When Visiting Japan

©iStock/coward-lion

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

• Why small businesses are going from local to global.
• How the good business owners get better by being charitable and profitable.
• Creating a digital version of its small business education program in Colombia.
• See how Maui kicked off Global Entrepreneurship Week.
• Four (4) factors holding back businesses from long-term growth.
• Why you should take your shoes off in Japan.

Remember Who You are and What You Stand For

©2016 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

“Remember who you are, what you stand for, and what's most important in your life…” ― James A. Murphy, The Waves of Life Quotes and Daily Meditations

Why You Should Scale Your Global Business

Why You Should Scale Your Global Business 

Seven Painful Lessons I learned From Others On Importing Products from China

©2016 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Trading with China is challenging.  Because with it comes dealing with the unknown, famously low (scary) prices, inconsistent quality problems and intellectual property concerns. Here, I examine the perils with conducting business in China and offer seven lessons to help treat some of the pain points.

Are SMEs Losing Out on Value By Not Going Global?

©iStock/mariusz_prusaczyk

How does a small business unleash its true value?  Entrepreneur Jeremy Harbour saw an opportunity to fix just one of the areas of the SME community that was “broken” last year – and his ultimate goal is not only creating a broad-based network of advertising businesses through his listed company The Marketing Group, but actually changing the way small businesses interact with global markets so that more business owners can harness wealth.

Learn more:  Why founder of global digital agency The Marketing Group thinks the economy doesn't support the value of small business

The Best Exporting Book on the Planet and It Is Laurel Delaney's

©2016 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

©2016 Apress.  All right reserved.

My 2nd Edition to Exporting:  The Definitive Guide to Selling Abroad Profitably is available for purchase now.

Exporting …

• Lays out simple steps to conduct market research, find customers, open new markets, get paid, and ship goods and services.
• Takes you through the exporting process via the Internet and other means.
• Shows you how to use social media to expand your international presence.
• Provides insider tips and strategies to export efficiently and profitably.
• Explains how the U.S. government helps exporters.
• Walks readers through the export business plan.

Here’s what’s new in the 2nd edition, and available for purchase now (https://www.amazon.com/Exporting-Definitive-Selling-Abroad-Profitably/dp/1484221923/):

• Data and citation updates.
• Updates on actual and prospective trade agreements (especially TPP, TTIP, and Brexit developments), new CFR and EAR rules, and export controls.
• Updates and two new contributions from specialist interviewees in Chapter 30.
• Substantive enhancements adapted from articles that I have written in the past several years.
• The population of hyperlinks is updated and augmented with new sites that have appeared since the book’s initial publication.

Best news of all? “Good to Great” author Jim Collins has endorsed my book!  Here's what he said:

“Laurel Delaney writes in a tremendous spirit of service to entrepreneurial and small business leaders navigating the opportunities of globalization. Whether leading a fresh start-up, a small business, or an entrepreneurial growth company seeking greatness, the question of whether – and how – to go global must be addressed. Delaney shows yet again her passionate dedication to serving her readers with deeply practical guidance.” -- Jim Collins, author of Good to Great and co-author of Beyond Entrepreneurship

I can’t wait for everyone to read this 2nd edition.  If you like my book, please write a favorable review on Amazon.  Thanks so much in advance!  Happy exporting!

Oh, and if you want to be kept up-to-date on exporting, come visit over at the Exporting Guide and sign up for the newsletter.

The Biggest and Brightest Supermoon in 70 Years

©iStock/GoranPetrov

Catch a glimpse of the biggest and brightest supermoon -- when a full moon is at its perigee, the closest point to Earth along its orbit -- in 70 years has been moving across our sky.  Have you seen it?  It's a wonder.

Miss it, and you’ll have to wait 18 years for another supermoon this close.  Next one won't be until 2070 in New York, for example.

You can still catch it tonight (11/14) -- don't wait.

Today in Global Small Business: America Competes

©iStock/wabeno

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

• Ways to lose customers at your international trade business.
• Seven lessons to learn before importing products from China.
• See how America is more competitive.
• Discover key indicators on trade and services in 195 different economies.
• The last, best hope for TPP.
• What's holding back SME global traders?

Pursue Your Path

"Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence." -- Henry David Thoreau

Photo credit:  ©2016 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Should You Stay Or Should You Go?

©iStock/a_Taiga

The United States election is over and Donald Trump is the new President.  Many entrepreneurs and business owners feel Trump repeatedly:

...indicated his antipathy to forces that encourage innovation, such as global trade, support for science and technology and net neutrality. As a result, many cutting-edge business people and entrepreneurs may feel now is a good time to seek greener pastures [flee USA].

Where will that be?  Canada?  Britain?  Australia?  Ireland?  Find out your options here.  A small-business visa might be required.

The Sun Has Come Up in the United States and Donald Trump Is the New President

SMEs Can Borrow and Invest Without Borders

©iStock/the-lightwriter

Launched in 2013, Bitbond, the world's first online SME global peer-to-peer lender eschewed dollars and euros to focus on digital currencies, specifically Bitcoin.  To date, they claim more than 1,400 loans have originated with users from over 120 countries.

The global peer to peer lender provides access to capital for small business around the world. As many parts of the globe are under-banked, Bitbond can provide a valuable credit option matching lower rates to SMEs in need of growth capital.

Learn more about how Bitbond specializes in global small business lending, where most borrowers run their own online business and need financing to cover a short-term liquidity gap, make a bulk purchase, or hire new staff.

Remote and Alluring Places Around Ireland and Britain

©iStock/Richard Semik

In his comprehensive guidebook, Britain and Ireland’s Best Wild Places: 500 Essential Journeys, Christopher Somerville takes you through some of the most untouched and scenic pieces in Ireland and Britain.

Have a look.

Today in Global Small Business: Confronting Black Swans

©iStock/rayisa

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

• Join us in Chicago for our first on the ground WEGG Export Workshop at the Polsky Exchange 11/9.
• How SBA helps SMEs grow through exports.
• Why global ecommerce needs global payments in local geographies.
• Canada is open for global business.
• How the next U.S. president will confront 'black swans' -- disruptive events that no one sees coming.
• How the World Bank researchers made some interesting discoveries about the business environment in countries around the world. 

Pinch Yourself! The Chicago Cubs Win the World Series

©2016 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Chicago Cubs, World Series Champions.  Congrats!  Inside a win that will bond and last for generations.

Finding Creativity in Your Global Small Business Work

©iStock/eternalcreative

Stuck?  In a rut?  Everyone reaches a point where they can't imagine doing the same thing one more time, whether it be servicing the needs of a customer you've had for more than a decade, conducting an export training seminar for the umpteenth time, or attending a networking event that guarantees you will land new business.  What is one to do?

Shake it up.  Here I talk about five ways to spark creativity in your international trade work.

Discover Global Markets in Chicago With the Help of the U.S. Commercial Service

I had the great privilege to attend the Discover Global Market Business Forum 2016 Building Smart Cities, Chicago, Illinois, November 1-3, 2016 event in Chicago and hosted by U.S. Commercial Service.  What a robust program to learn more about international sales opportunities.

The event brought together leaders in smart cities industries to examine global market trends, learn about best practices and make connections for future business deals.  The program took place at the Swissôtel in Chicago.  And I am always glad and honored to see the Mayor of anything to do with international trade in Illinois:  Richard Paullin, Executive Director, The International Trade Association of Greater Chicago and Chairman, Illinois District Export Council.

In 2015, Illinois exported more than $2 billion of goods alone to India, the Philippines, Vietnam and Qatar (all countries were represented with buyer delegations at the forum).

In addition to dynamic keynotes, cool workshops and plenary sessions, attendees had the opportunity to conduct B2B matchmaking on-site with foreign buyers.

To learn more, visit:  http://2016.export.gov/discoverglobalmarkets/buildingsmartcities/index.asp

Photos courtesy:  ©2016 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

A Story About How Going Global Isn't Easy

©iStock/Onypix

CEO and Co-Founder of Los Angeles, CA-based Enplug, Nanxi Liu, makes going global easy but it wasn't always that way. At 26, she leads a company that develops digital display software for Fortune 500 companies and small businesses around the globe.  How did she convince top management at her firm to take the plunge globally?

I had to show them that expanding our licensing internationally would be worth the risk. I also thought it could be helpful in motivating our development team if they saw our software being used abroad. When we got positive feedback from our new European distributor, it was definitely motivating for our team.That initial spark helped me convince the other founders to expand our international presence.

Read more:  How Does This 26-Year-Old CEO Negotiate Business Globally?  With Respect

The Relationship Between Language and Culture