Global Gaga

My latest contribution for Small Business Trends at the American Express OPEN Forum:

How to Market Your Business Lady Gaga Style

Pictured:  Lady Gaga

Posted by:  Laurel Delaney, for The Global Small Business Blog

The iPad Makes It Easy to Take Your Business Global

According to Gartner research analyst Raphael Vasquez:

"PC market growth will be impacted by devices that enable better on-the-go content consumption such as media tablets and next-generation smartphones," added research analyst Raphael Vasquez. "These devices will be increasingly embraced as complements if not substitutes for PCs where voice and light data consumption are desired."

 And according to Laurel Delaney, founder of GlobeTrade:

"The iPad will make it a whole heck of lot easier and more fun to take your business global."

Read more here.

Thanksgivingworld

Turkey (pictured) just about done.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving and be grateful for every precious little thing in your life.  I am blessed by your readership -- thank you!  Enjoy the day.

Photo credit:  Laurel Delaney, The Global Small Business Blog

Flag Fascination

Sometimes the first photo is not always the best.  It's more intriguing to capture moments as they occur.  I love the simpleness, cleanness and color in these shots.  On the day (11/19/10) these flags were photographed, I was out at the Chicago lakefront.  The temperature was about 39 degrees F -- chilly -- and the wind was blowing fiercely.

Enjoy your weekend.  May it be filled with magnificence and many more colorful flags!

Photo credit:  Laurel Delaney

Posted by:  Laurel Delaney, The Global Small Business Blog

The Young and the Restless Go Global

OEDb published a list of the 50 Best Blogs for Young Entrepreneurs and we made it!  We are delighted to be among so many accomplished and popular bloggers.  Whether you are young or a seasoned entrepreneur -- this list is worth a read.

Posted by:  Laurel Delaney, GlobeTrade.com

Video Clip from the World Entrepreneurship Forum 2010

I am back from Lyon, France after attending the 3rd edition of the World Entrepreneurship Forum 2010 and it was sensational!  I will provide a thorough recap of my takeaways later in the week but for now, please watch the above video clip from the Gala Ceremony (part 1 of 3).

What an honor (humbling experience) to participate in the ceremony (about 10 minutes into the clip) by presenting the Entrepreneur For The World Award to American Professor Stevenson (his acceptance speech was brilliant).

Dr. Howard H. Stevenson has received the Entrepreneur for the World award in the "Expert" category as he is considered the founder of Entrepreneurship as an academic field. He is the Sarofim-Rock Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. Dr. Stevenson has authored, edited or co-authored numerous books and articles, which are widely used by university professors around the world.

More later ...

Happy Saturday World Citizens

Photo credit:  Laurel Delaney, GlobeTrade.com (www.globetrade.com) -- taken at Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. on October 31, 2010.

Every Thing You Need to Know About Cloud Computing

Three useful articles on cloud computing that cover:  why cloud computing will change the way we work, what ten factors you need to consider before you put your business into a cloud and what are the benefits to cloud computing?  Take a look. 

1.  Why Cloud Computing Will Change The Way We Work

According to Wikipedia (http://tinyurl.com/2qjapp), cloud computing is: “Internet-based computing, whereby shared resources, software, and information are provided to computers and other devices on demand, like the electricity grid.” In simpler language: Cloud computing is a data center, controlled by a vendor, that your employees access to share, edit, store and play files over the Internet from any location in the world. Google’s Gmail, Apps, Docs and Sites ... read more.

2.  10 Factors to Consider Before You Put Your Business in a Cloud

You can choose from a wide range of service providers with varying pricing, depending on the complexity of your business needs and the amount of capacity you require. Here are 10 factors to consider before you make ... read more.

3.  10 Benefits of Cloud Computing

1.  Achieve economies of scale - increase volume output or productivity with fewer people. Your cost per unit, project or product plummets.

2.  Reduce spending on technology infrastructure.  Maintain easy access to your information with minimal upfront spending.  Pay as you go (weekly, quarterly or yearly), based on ... read more.

Full disclosure:  Verio (www.Verio.com) is a client of GlobeTrade.com and GlobeTrade.com is a customer of Verio's.

Photo credit:  Laurel Delaney, GlobeTrade.com

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

Heading Back To France for the World Entrepreneurship Forum 2010

As a pioneering member and appointed Board member of the World Entrepreneurship Forum, I am excited to return to Lyon, France this week to attend the World Entrepreneurship Forum 2010 -- 3rd edition running from November 3-6 -- which will focus on the following:

To design innovative and entrepreneurial solutions to address some of our world’s most pressing challenges at the horizon 2050.  More than one-hundred members (entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs, experts, academics and politicians) from 55 different countries will share their insights and experiences over a three-day period.

Four major topics will be discussed and will lead to a set of concrete proposals of actions on:

• Developing Entrepreneurship at the Base of the Pyramid
• Innovation and the Development of High-growth Organizations
• Entrepreneurial Cities
• Entrepreneurship Education

In case you don't recall, the World Entrepreneurship Forum is a worldwide think tank devoted to the entrepreneur, creator of wealth and social justice.  For more background, refer to a couple of our older posts here, here and here.  The founding members are Emlyon Business School and KPMG France.

The event will be webcast live on www.world-entrepreneurship-forum.com so stay tuned for key moments!  I will also do my best to Twitter about it over at:  http://twitter.com/laureldelaney -- make sure you follow me in France!

Pictured:  World Entrepreneurship Forum 2009 Members

Photo credit here. 

Posted by:  Laurel Delaney, The Global Small Business Blog

Do You Have a Solid Online Global Footprint?

The Legislation recently passed a bill aimed at helping small businesses that will provide $30 billion for a lending fund and $12 billion worth of tax breaks.

Find out what's in store for SMBs as a result of its passage.

Read:  New Legislation Will Give SMBs a Break ... and Much More

Full disclosure:  Verio is a client of GlobeTrade.com's and GlobeTrade.com is a happy customer of Verio's!

Illustration credit here.

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

Repeat: How to Provide Great Global Customer Service

The relationship between you and your overseas customer shouldn't end when a sale is made.  If anything, it requires more of your attention.

Think of your after-sales follow-up as part of your product or service offering. And the first step is to say, wholeheartedly -- whether in person, via Skype, by email or telephone -- "Thank you for your business!"

After all, you want to support your customer's success in any way you can, and you will be building a constructive interdependency that can become your gateway to the world.

Go here to read the entire article:  How to Provide Great Global Customer Service

Photo credit:  Squidoo Borderbuster

Posted by: Laurel Delaney, The Global Small Business Blog

Apple's Grand Opening of New Lincoln Park, Illinois Retail Store

I had a great time standing in the rain and taking photos this morning of Apple's grand opening of new Lincoln Park, Illinois retail store.  Managed to walk away with a classy umbrella souvenir (as shown above).  Those global Apple folks think of everything!

Congrats to Apple!  Nice launch.

Photo credit:  Laurel Delaney, founder of GlobeTrade.com

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

Think BIG (John), Focus Small

Enjoy your weekend!

Photo credit: Laurel Delaney, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. for The Global Small Business Blog -- "Autumn in Chicago."

Grow Global: 10 Tips From Leading Women Entrepreneurs to Help You Make the World Your Business

Re-visiting an article I wrote back in early 2009 that is still relevant to today's times:

Growing Global: 10 Tips From Leading Women Entrepreneurs to Help You Make the World Your Business

The launch (November 2008) of Women Entrepreneurs GROW Global (WEGG) was based on the work I did for on the article. Realized a need and went after it to satisfy.

Enjoy and have a great weekend. Back with you on Monday.

Posted by: Laurel Delaney, The Global Small Business Blog

Bird's Eye View of Downtown Chicago

Have a great weekend everyone!

When I took this photo, I was standing on a pier that extended out over Lake Michigan near Fullerton Avenue beach while looking South at downtown Chicago.

Photo credit: Laurel Delaney, GlobeTrade.com

Posted by: The Global Small Business Blog

Why You Need a Website In Our Wired World

Here are six reasons why you need a website.

No. 1 of 6:

Stand out from the crowd. Taking the easy, cheap route rarely wins new clients or influences prospective customers. If anyone can start a blog or be on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, what distinguishes one company from the millions of others? By having a traditional website, you show you have a little investment in the game. Sure, creating new digital marketing channels can boost your business star power online, but these social media platforms should not stand alone.

Read my entire contribution over at Verio, a world-class web-hosting company for SMBs around the globe:

Why SMBs Need a Website, Not Just a Free Facebook Account

Full disclosure: Verio is a client and we are a happy customer of Verio's at Globetrade.com

Posted by: The Global Small Business Blog

Becoming An Export Country

With its, "Export Nation" article, MyBusiness Magazine (NFIB) tells you what you need to know about the government’s ambitious export initiative—and whether your business can profit.

Be sure to catch the following part for a glimpse at a powerful learning lesson that a small business owner experienced on an export deal:

Earlier this year, Sheridan O’Brien, an NFIB member and owner of industrial products convertor, manufacturer and distributor CS Hyde Co. in Lake Villa, Ill., received a large Internet order via credit card from Germany—close to $20,000 worth of tape and film. The customer kept adding to the order, requiring CS Hyde to pay the freight forwarder—a third-party company that arranges overseas shipments—several different times. This made her suspicious. She called the credit card company and sure enough, the card was a fraud, even though it initially showed up as approved. CS Hyde ended up paying a fake shipping company $7,000 out of its own coffers.

See how it ends up here.

At this blog or elsewhere online, we've covered how critical it is to arrange a secure method of payment (refer to "Methods of Payment" by Laurel Delaney) on international transactions. It doesn't have to be complicated. Don't let the notion of how to get paid scare you away from exporting. You just need to consult with your trusted banker (that's how I learned the ropes). Hopefully, they have a strong international division to walk you through your options. If they don't, find a bank that does!

As for "Export Nation," happy to be quoted in it. Special thanks to Christina Galoozis for writing it. Over time, the topic will become even more relevant and only grow in importance.

Posted by: The Global Small Business Blog

The World Has Changed

International Business Times reporter Hao Li writes, "Global Demand Shifting to Emerging Markets," about how the world has changed with more businesses looking to emerging markets for growth.

According to Ding Yifan, an economist from a Chinese think-tank (reported via Reuters), the U.S. would be the loser in a trade war with China partly because U.S. exporters would lose access to Chinese customers.

I was honored to speak with Mr. Li about how small businesses factor into the grand scheme of emerging market opportunities. Here are a couple of my quotes:

Laurel Delaney, president of GlobeTrade, said the lack of capital and education is indeed two main reasons that small businesses aren't exporting, so government export programs are probably on the right track.

Delaney said the Internet is another reason exporting is increasingly feasible for small businesses because it dramatically reduces the cost of contacting customers. She said the recent emergence of social media makes connecting with prospects globally even more realistic.

Moreover, U.S. businesses should keep in mind exporting doesn't only involve goods, but also services. For small businesses, services exports will become increasingly important, said Delaney.

Read the entire article here.

Illustration credit here.

Posted by: The Global Small Business Blog

Comments? We welcome them.

It's Smart to Sell Your Products Abroad

My fellow colleague and good friend Steve Strauss (pictured above), a USA Today columnist, builds a strong case on how any sized business with an Internet connection can become global provided they do their homework.

And we thank him for including us in it!

Follow Steve on Twitter at @SteveStrauss.

Taking a Business Global Isn't Easy, But It Can Pay Off

Posted by: The Global Small Business Blog

Are You a Loosey-Goosey Leader?

Find out at my latest installment for Small Business Trends and the American Express OPEN Forum:

5 Signs of 'Loosey-Goosey' Management
by Laurel Delaney

Illustration credit: American Express OPEN Forum

Posted by: The Global Small Business Blog