Untold Opportunities for Women

©iStock/IPGGutenbergUKLtd 

In his opening remarks, Navin Seeterram, Trade and Business Development manager, Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, said there were still untold opportunities for women especially with regards to the development of the private sector and diversification of the economy.

The session titled Entrepreneurship: A Female Perspective, featured four of T&T’s leading female entrepreneurs—Kristine Gibbon-Thompson from Chuck E Cheese’s, Dominique Lewis from Amare Probiotics Limited, Angella Persad from The Office Authority, and Jacqueline Francois from Oscar Francois Limited.

Seeterram conceded later on in the program that gender equality was an issue which needed to be addressed in a significant way.

Read more about how female entrepreneurs are encouraged to step up.

Today in Global Small Business: Shipping Container House Delivered by Amazon

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

• Why small businesses are not scared of the global economy.
• And the 'Crowdfundie Award' goes to Karen Kerrigan.
• How can you master and simplify global shipping?  Easy solution.  Listen in on our next WEGGinar™ on 11/1/17 where UPS Illinois Small Business Marketing Manager Andrea Cervini will talk about how to take the guesswork out of international shipping: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3272777010361474561.
• DHL partners with Shopify to bring online shopping to small businesses.
• E-commerce takes off.
• You can now order a shipping container tiny house on Amazon.

Strike It Lucky

 

Looking for bowling with premium lanes, live DJs with state-of-the-art sound system, and luxurious, modern decor coming together for a one-of-a-kind atmosphere?  Lucky Strike Chicago has you covered.  Check them out here.

Photos courtesy:  @2017 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

How to Export Online

Why Global Trust is Waning

©iStock/Jacob Ammentorp Lund

We all know to excel in this world you must develop trust and articulate a value far beyond the numbers to different audiences worldwide.

Global trust in large businesses is waning, yet recent studies show that trust is highest amongst people’s friends, neighbors, and communities – the places where small businesses thrive.

The good news is that new digital tools are making it easier than ever to start and run a global business and we are in an environment where investors are constantly looking for opportunities to diversify.

However, small businesses still struggle to grow.

Learn about the real strength and value of small businesses here.

Why Hong Kong Is an Ideal Base for Global Business

©iStock/danielvfung

With cross-border e-commerce growing bigger and faster, it is worth noting that an increasing number of retailers are choosing Hong Kong as their base location.  It's an ideal market where cross-border retailers can grow two to three times faster than the global average.

Today, e-commerce has effectively removed the entry barrier for starting a new business, giving a platform for small and new retailers to compete on the same level as those who are more established and globally recognized. This results in a burgeoning cross-border market where local startups can go global even without physical market presence.

To make it happen though, you will need a trusted, reliable global business logistics provider.

Sensational: 3rd Annual Global Small Business Forum Held in Chicago

Our Global E-Commerce Explosion (#GEE) was a sensational success.  Special thanks to our Event Sponsor, MB Financial Bank and to our Event Host, Loyola University Chicago, Center for International Business, Quinlan School of Business for their support on this program.

Our amazing speakers were as follows:

1. Marc Schulman, President, Eli's Cheescake
2. Richard Paullin, International Trade Association of Greater Chicago
3. James Kornacki, Chief Wine Revolutionary, Ullo
4. Andrea Sreshta, co-founder, LuminAID
5. Lil Mohan, Entrepreneur and Academician
6. Jennifer Bayon, Vice President of International Sales, Paris Presents
7. Alexander Lans, Founder and CEO, Foal LLC 

In addition, we thank all other important participants:  vendors, moderators, Major Partners, and helpers.  See the full line up of speakers and moderators here.

The Forum enabled attendees to set an e-commerce strategy, improve their online selling techniques, drive more sales, expand globally, and more.

We encourage everyone who attended the Forum to keep the conversations going and connect with all the people you met to grow your business globally.

Get ready for the 4th Annual Global Small Business Forum held Friday, September 19, 2018 in Chicago.  See you there!

Photos courtesy:  @2017 GSBB Media LLC.  All rights reserved.

Today in Global Small Business: The Impact of NAFTA on Midwestern Businesses

©iStock/Darwel

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

• How could changes to NAFTA impact Midwest businesses?
• Our 3rd Annual Global Small Business Forum held in Chicago on Friday, October 20 with the theme Global E-Commerce Explosion (#GEE) was a HUGE success. We thank our event sponsor, MB Financial Bank and our host sponsor, Loyola University Chicago, Center for International Business, Quinlan School of Business for their support on the program.  We'll be sharing photos and a recap tomorrow, 10/24, at this blog.  Watch for it.
• Urban warehouses:  what's old is new again.
• How can you master and simplify global shipping?  Easy solution.  Listen in on our next WEGGinar™ on 11/1/17 where UPS Illinois Small Business Marketing Manager Andrea Cervini will talk about how to take the guesswork out of international shipping: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3272777010361474561.
• Here's why you need to know about trade finance.
• The state of small business marketing.
• What trade data tells us about the state of globalization.

Where Ideas Sing: The New Apple Store at 401 North Michigan Avenue in Chicago

Grand opening (10/20) of the new Apple store at 401 North Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois.  What a treat.  Go visit. Sing.

Photo credit:  ©2017 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Sell Your Wares to the World

©iStock/ipopba

Having a website rather than a bricks-and-mortar shop means a company can sell their wares to the world. But taking payments for international sales may not be straightforward.

"One of the biggest realisations we had when looking to expand was that credit card penetration is generally much lower in most markets outside the UK and US," he [Nigel Whiteoak, co-founder of LoveCrafts] explains.

Payment difficulties contribute to about 15% of online shoppers abandoning their virtual shopping baskets before completing the purchase, research suggests. That and difficult-to-navigate, fiddly websites.

Read more ... how can you help your local online business go global?

Last Chance: Register for the 3rd Annual Global Small Business Forum Held in Chicago 10/20

©2017 GSBB Media LLC.  All rights reserved.

The best forum on the planet.  To learn more and to register, visit: http://www.globalsmallbusinessforum.com.  See you there!

Invest in Exporting

©iStock/wissanu01

Expansion into Europe was already a no brainer for Vancouver-based Axine Water Technologies ahead of CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement), Canada’s free trade agreement with the European Union, taking effect this fall.  “The biggest thing that I see in the short term is just access to talent,” said company president and CEO Jonathan Rhone.

“As we’re becoming more of a global trading system, I think that small and medium-sized enterprises have to understand that there are opportunities to be had in investing in exporting,” [Werner] Antweiler [associate professor at the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Sauder School of Business and a chair in international trade policy] said, adding that many European manufacturers are already poised to take advantage of that trend, being on average a bit larger than those in Canada and possessing a stronger culture of global expansion.

Read more:  Seeking CETA's Small Business Benefits

Using Bitcoin to Facilitate Global Trade

©iStock/thamerpic

Many people roll their eyes when you bring up bitcoin.  Yet IBM is using the technology behind bitcoin to help farmers and other small businesses in underdeveloped countries participate in global trade.

The companies [Stellar.org and KlickEx.com] will use IBM's blockchain technology to process financial transactions across borders and currencies — a process which is often prohibitively slow and costly for small business owners, especially when they are in developing regions with smaller banking infrastructures.

It's a path forward through underdeveloped payment corridors.

Read more here:  IBM, bitcoin and countries in weak banking systems.

Today in Global Small Business: How to Cut Costs on International Sales

©iStock/BrianAJackson

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

• Join us for the 3rd Annual Global Small Business Forum held in Chicago on Friday, October 20 with the theme:  Global E-Commerce Explosion (#GEE)!  Check out the amazing speaker lineup!  This forum is about entrepreneurs and small business owners who are running global e-commerce businesses and will share their experiences. To learn more and to register, visit: http://www.globalsmallbusinessforum.com
• How can you simplify global shipping?  Easy.  Listen in on our next WEGGinar™ on 11/1/17 where UPS Illinois Small Business Marketing Manager Andrea Cervini will talk about how to take the guesswork out of international shipping: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3272777010361474561.
• Twelve (12) ways to cut costs on international sales (by Laurel Delaney).
• SMEs are key driver to UAE's economic growth.
• Global e-commerce is expected to double in the next five years.
• Export regulations:  business versus personal travel.

Time Spent With Cats

©2017 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Time spent with cats is never wasted." -- Sigmund Freud

Unlocking Market Access to China for South African Small Businesses

©iStock/sculpies

South African Small Business Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu is unlocking the Chinese market for South Africa’s small businesses and cooperatives.  Zulu challenged her Chinese counterparts and Chinese businesses to help open their markets to South Africa’s small and medium businesses.

“Many SMMEs and Cooperatives have pointed out to us that their growth and sustainability is hampered by lack of access to markets. CISMEF must be a platform that opens the doors for many SMMEs to enter global markets,” Zulu said.

Read more about unlocking China for South African small businesses.

One-Third of Global Employment is Created by SMEs

©iStock/Prasit Rodphan

Small businesses are the backbone of the world.

Indeed, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) contribute significantly to the GDPs of their countries. In fact, in the U.S. alone, SMBs account for 46 percent of private, non-farm GDP, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

But there's another measurement to track the progress of SMEs:  jobs.

In emerging markets like China and Medico, SMBs make up one-third of employment and up to 40 percent in developed economies.

Read more about how SMEs around the world create jobs.

Men With a Vision, a Passion, and Powerful Mind

When I watched this video, all I thought is:  They need more women!  So here's one of mine from 2014.

Manage a Spotify Ad Campaign for Your Global Small Business

©iStock/Wachiwit

Listen up global small business owners.  You now have access to a powerful tool to reach potential new customers.  With the new self-serve advertising platform called Spotify Ad Studio, you can now create and manage a Spotify ad campaign for your small business.

The big question for a small business is, will an audio ad have any impact in today’s video-centric world? According to a 2017 Nielsen Media Lab study, Spotify cites audio ads had 24 percent lift compared to display ads. What this means is, with the right platform, such as Spotify, your audio ad spend will go further to engage with your customers.

Read more:  Small Businesses Can Now Advertise on Spotify with New Ad Studio Launch

Today in Global Small Business: What's in Store for Global Business Travel in 2017?

©2017 Women Entrepreneurs GROW Global.  All rights reserved.

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

• Global business travel in 2017 is complex.  Find out how to navigate it via a free WEGGinar™ on 10/11 with Stephanie Lewin, Global Immigration Attorney at Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP (www.balglobal.com). She is responsible for managing the global immigration accounts of multi-national companies, providing leadership and guidance to legal teams and clients: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6874264726093775875.
• Are you a New Jersey business owner who wants to expand your business globally?  Apply for a STEP grant.
• Is Facebook a trusted tech company?
• Join us for the 3rd Annual Global Small Business Forum held in Chicago on Friday, October 20. Check out the amazing speaker lineup!  This forum is for and about entrepreneurs and small businesses who are running global e-commerce businesses.  First 5 business owners who email me wanting to attend the forum are guaranteed a 'flash discount.'
• Look who is boosting e-commerce sales with a new check-out toolkit.
• One of the biggest and most profitable sectors of the financial industry is the lending sector. See how Fin Tech is changing the global financial segment.

A Canvas to Our Imagination

©2017 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"The world is but a canvas to our imagination." -- Henry David Thoreau

Found: Success in Exporting

©iStock/thitivong

According to the Greater Philadelphia Export Plan, launched by the Economy League of Philadelphia and the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) in April 2016, manufacturing and services firms that export enjoy higher revenues, faster growth, a stronger labor pool and higher profitability than non-exporters.

Here are four Pennsylvania companies that have found success in exporting, are growing their businesses, and strengthening Pennsylvania's economy.

1. VideoRay
2. Sandmeyer Steel
3. GreenerWays
4. Bassetts Ice Cream

Read:  how four Pennsylvania companies found success in exporting.

What Keeps Us Happy and Healthy as We Go Through Life?

Why Cross-Border Promotion of a Brand is New For China

©iStock/a-image

Cross-border investment isn’t new. Cross-border promotion of a brand is relatively new for China and increasingly diverse for Japan.

Many of Asia’s corporations are expanding their brands overseas. From Alibaba and Tencent leveraging their internet, social media and payments capabilities to invest in and grow businesses outside China, to Malaysia’s Grab expanding its ride-hailing capabilities in Southeast Asia, companies are broadening their reach.

In the global marketplace, it's easy to expect the unexpected.  In this case, expect Southeast Asian companies to increasingly spread their wings.  But the key to success will be a company's management team and whether it is up for the task.

Want to expand overseas?  Hint:  Make your sure your management team is worth exporting.

Global Opportunities Abound for Startups

©iStock/anyaberkut

Global enthusiasts from the public and private sectors recently gathered at Temple University’s Fox School of Business for Startup Global Philadelphia. This was the seventh Startup Global event, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Global Innovation Forum meant to provide focused assistance and information to early-stage companies by connecting entrepreneurial ecosystems with government and community resources.

What prompted the event?  Today’s startups and small businesses can be global from day one.  Sometimes it only takes a few resources to make the journey less daunting and way more efficient.

Here are a few of the event’s key takeaways, specifically 3 tips on selling overseas.

Today in Global Small Business: How to Adopt a Small Fish Culture

©iStock/AlexStar

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

• The big fish are looking to adopt a small fish culture.  There is great value in the startup culture.
• Our Singaporean friend and colleague, Inderjit Singh, continues to advocate for global SMEs.
• Global business travel in 2017 can be complex.  Find out how to simplify it via a free WEGGinar™ on 10/11: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6874264726093775875.
• The CNBC and SurveyMonkey latest quarterly business survey.
• FedEx poised to win big with global e-commerce growth that seems to be on steroids.
• Join us for the 3rd Annual Global Small Business Forum held in Chicago on Friday, October 20. Check out the amazing speaker lineup!  This forum is for and about entrepreneurs and small businesses who are running global e-commerce businesses.