Everything To Like About The 2011 Dodge Caliber Heat!

After driving the 2011 Dodge Caliber Heat for the week we determined that not only was it sufficient and efficient, but a great value as well. We were spoiled in the pleasure of driving a great car that offered performance, styling, and great value!

Engine: 2.0L in-linefour-cylinder DOHC with variable valve timing and four valves per cylinder
Unleaded fuel
Fuel economy: EPA (08):, 23 MPG city, 27 MPG highway, 24 MPG combined and 326 mi. range
Multi-point fuel injection
13.6gallon fuel tank
Power (SAE): 158 hp @ 6,400 rpm; 141 ft lb of torque @ 5,000 rpm


CAR CONCERNS ROCKS IN THE USA EVERY WEEK-DAY MORNINGCALL HARRY MONDAY THUR FRIDAY...9:00 TO 11:00 A.M.(EST). BORDER-TO-BORDER...COAST-TO-COAST...USA TOLL-FREE: 1-888-454-3378HEARD ON THE CAR CONCERNS RADIO NETWORK: Boston 1460 WXBR Chicago 1230 WJOB Las Vegas 970 KNUU Pittsburgh 1550 WLFPGuam 560 KGUM Orlando/Winter Springs IPR RadioSeattle/Bothell Big R RadioInternet Streamed @ www.lifestyletalkradio.comEMAIL: harry@carconcerns.com

What's Your Excuse For NOT Going Global?

Too busy, too complicated, too expensive or too risky?  It's all of these excuses plus more on why companies don't expand their businesses internationally. 

My latest contribution ...

Top 10 Excuses For Not Going Global
American Express OPEN Forum via Small Business Trends

What's yours?

A Piece of the World Trade Center Arrives

A 4-foot, 215-pound piece of steel rectangle arrived on the flatbed of a Department of Public Works truck July 19th in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. The piece of steel will be permanently installed at Memorial Pond (dedicated in 2003 in memory of four residents killed in terrorist attacks 9/11).

Those in attendance greeted the steel by taking pictures of it. By noon, it was in the firehouse, where it will stay until officials decide where to place it at the pond.

 The pond is behind Borough Hall and adjacent to Muni Field.

The final phase of the pond project — the creation of a waterfall — is in progress and will be completed in time for the 10th anniversary of 9/11, officials have said. A commemorative ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at the pond.

Learn more about this symbol of healing story here.

Photo credit here.

News

New stock was added yesterday, so please check out the stock list, we've also made some changes to our webserver to increase loading speed of everything from the homepage to the stock and images. We've run many test's and we knocked off around 2 secs from loading the homepage, but have you noticed the diffrence? and if your new to the site does it load faster than other car dealers sites? please let us know. We've also just launched Porsche Tips on our website a new feature which has some easy to understand guides on how to do some jobs on your porsche or things you din't know you could do.  We are looking for idea's for articles so if you have some let me know. If you could also link to these pages to help out other porsche owners that would be great.

Overtake America? Seriously?

Is the United States losing status as a global superpower?

A new Pew Global Attitudes survey finds that while the U.S. is better regarded around the world now than it was in the Bush years, in 15 of 22 nations surveyed most say that China either will replace or already has replaced America as the world's "leading superpower." This view is especially widespread in Western Europe, where at least six in 10 respondents in Britain, France, Germany and Spain see China eventually overtaking the U.S.

Read the entire commentary here:

Andrew Kohut (president of the Pew Research Center) and published by The Wall Street Journal: The World Says China Will Overtake America

Related resource:

Pew Global Attitudes Project
China Seen Overtaking U.S. As Global Superpower

What do you think?

Illustration credit:  Pew Research Center

Are Your Processes In Place For Going Global?

As your organization grows global, do you have a support system in place that can take you where you want to go with total transparency and minimal operational, supply chain and distribution missteps? We hope so.

What the management needs is a global view of its inventory and operations, as well as tight coordination between manufacturing and distribution operations to ensure an efficient supply chain. In addition, they want a consolidated view into the company’s financial data so that they have clear visibility into their costs and margins. This ensures that the organization is able to monitor its financial and operational model closely as it prepares to take on the significant new risks of going global.

If you have doubts, read:

Is Your Company Ready to Take Advantage of Market Growth?
Manufacturing Business Technology
by Thomas Tan

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

2011 (Global) Small Business Influencer

I am honored to be nominated for the "2011 Small Business Influencer" - the top influencers in the small business market.  If you haven't cast a vote, I'd welcome yours for the (global) guru category.  Go here to learn more. Thanks in advance.

Four Misconceptions About Exporting

Yes, exporting is a little more challenging than conducting local business but it doesn't mean you shy away from it altogether.  Quite the contrary.  You just need to learn the ropes!  That's why you're here.

Here are four misconceptions about exporting.  See if you fall into these traps (or what I call excuses for not exporting).

Four Common Misconceptions About Exporting

Be sure to check out because there is a whole lot more featured than just misconceptions!

Illustration credit:  SUSTA (Southern United States Trade Association)

SUSTA is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), its member states and private companies. FAS administers and executes many foreign market development activities.

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

Tips to Make a Website Global

With an effective international website, you can sell to the world.  Here's how.

Mind Your Language

Related article:  10 Ways To Transform Your Web Site Into a Dynamic Two-Way Communication Tool

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

Are You a Star Exporter?

ThinkGlobal is accepting nominations for the 2012 Exporter of the Year Award. The Exporter of the Year Awards are given to one U.S. company in each of ThinkGlobal's Commercial News USA magazine's industry categories.

Nominate yourself (why not?) or someone else you know who is doing a fabulous job on the exporting front.

Criteria:

Winners in each industry will be chosen by the ThinkGlobal publishing team based on the total number of documented export deals completed in 2010, total percentage increase in sales in 2009 compared to 2009, exports as percentage of total sales, the company's commitment to exporting, the company's commitment to customer service, and the company's innovation and originality in marketing products or services. To be eligible for the award, the nominee must be a company that is exporting from the United States. Companies may nominate themselves for the award.

Go here to apply/nominate.  At the same time, find out who won in 2011.

Deadline: September 17, 2011

Illustration credit:  here.  Good luck!  And let us know if you win!

The Car Concerns Auto Index 100 Newsletter

Looting Trillion's of Dollars in OPEC Profits
The Car Concerns Auto Index 100 Newsletter | Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

We have enough anger towards OPEC, the trillion dollars they'll make this year from oil exports takes our anger to a whole new level.

Did we honestly expect OPEC to raise production?

With price hawks like Iran and Venezuela struggling to maintain output, it's not a hard case to make for them.

After all, oil is money and in this case, a whole lot of money.

According to the EIA, oil export revenues for OPEC members could reach a trillion dollars this year, rising to $1.17 trillion in 2012.

Revenues last year totaled $778 billion, which was a 35% increase over 2009.

Perhaps their trillion-dollar racket shouldn't come as too much of a shock. After all, we've watched oil prices rise more than 200% within the last two and a half years.

Besides, if a member really wanted to increase output, there's certainly nothing stopping them. Cheating on their quotas has become so commonplace; was it really necessary for the Saudis' dramatic announcement that they would raise output regardless?

The Saudi production increase, like everything else dealing with OPEC, comes with a catch...

The Saudis' Sour Crude Supply

Even though Libya's production has fallen from 1.7 million bbls/d to a mere 200,000 bbls/d, the Saudis capacity that will help make up the difference isn't exactly the same.

Libya's production is light, sweet crude with an American Petroleum Institute (API) gravity of about 380. The API gravity tells us how heavy or light the oil is compared to water.

Typically, having an API gravity greater than 10 means the petroleum is lighter and floats on water. Light crude oil has an API gravity higher than 31.10.

The problem is the Saudis' additional production is heavier, meaning most of the European and Asian refineries cannot process it.

And it doesn't get much better for future Saudi production, either.

Their Manifa oilfield, which is expected to reach 900,000 barrels per day by 2014, is also a heavy crude.

Over the next decade, however, OPEC will be losing a good chunk of our change, especially now that we're lowering our dependence on Middle East oil. We currently import approximately 4.5 million barrels every day, or about 40% of our total oil imports, from the OPEC cartel.

Unfortunately, there are very few places we can look to replace that Middle East oil with only one, in particular, holding any great promise.

That country is sitting on 174 billion barrels of crude.

Canadian Shale Oil Opportunities

According to the IEA's Medium-Term Oil and Gas Markets report, Canadian production is projected to reach 4.7 million barrels per day within the next five years.
And it's not surprising where the report is expecting to see that increase: North America is now seen as the strongest-growing non-OPEC region... upward revisions to U.S. onshore crude from tight oil formations.

This is on top of higher expectations from Canadian natural gas liquids (NGLs) and oil sands production.

Now let's add some more perspective on this future growth.
North Dakota is one of the few places in the United States that can increase production. In March 2011, the state broke its own oil production record, pumping out 359,589 barrels per day. State officials are now expecting production to double to more than 700,000 bbls/d during the next decade.

If that forecast becomes reality, North Dakota will then become our second-largest oil producing state.

Not too shabby, right?

In Alberta, just one oil sands producer is expecting to increase its production as much as 500,000 bbls/d over the next decade.. The way production is falling in California and Alaska – currently our second and third largest oil-producing states – would mean our Hot Stock Pick might be ranked third on the list.

Interestingly, these institutional Canadian companies are exactly where we will see the largest growth in oil sands production.

In other words, oil sands production will make up nearly 80% of all Canadian oil production.

A recent oil sands report by the Royal Society of Canada sheds even more light on the matter, too. Although production from surface mining operations is expected to double between 2008-2018, production will likely increase threefold and make up approximately one-half of total bitumen production.

Going forward, that gap will continue to widen.

At the Car Concerns Auto Index 100 we loaded the wagon with oil drilling interest that will be the big winners in this North American Oil Bonanza.

Peabody Energy has been our BIG WINNER in the second quarter of 2011.

Harry Douglas- Publisher
The Car Concerns Auto Index 100

The trades that we made in June have so far produced a 28% return. The Car Concerns Auto Index 100 has experienced a 64% return on money since inception in 2009.

Subscribe to THE CAR CONCERNS AUTO INDEX 100 Newsletter - Annual Rate $149 - Check or Money Order: E/V Media & Publishing, P.O. 10883, Knoxville TN 37919

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Win The Value Of Your Car!

In April 2012, Sir Stirling Moss who is the endorsement behind the safe and sound brand, will randomly draw a safe and sound policy holder's name from a database. This lucky person will win back whatever they paid for their car, up to £15,000*.

*Terms and Conditions Apply

Hope For Young People: Overcoming Adversity In Any Country

Seoul National University professor Kim Nan-do (pictured) will be selling his new essay, "Growing Up Is Painful" in China, Japan, Taiwan and Italy. The essay will be published as a book and will deliver its message of hope to young people all over the world.

In explaining the reason for signing the deal, foreign publishers said the essay will help mentor young people in their countries because they share the same pain and uncertainty.

Chinese publisher Guangxi said professor Kim’s intellectual writing makes young people realize what they have failed in so far. The essay encourages young people to overcome a slump no matter how severe, which will deliver a good message to Chinese youth, it added.

Learn more: Korean professor's essay on growing up going global

Illustration credit here. 

Porsche To Have another go Porsche has surprised the motorsport world by

Porsche has announcing its plans to return to the legendary 24-hour Le Mans race by 2014. The Prestige & Supercar manufacturer is the most successful overall in the history of Le Mans, winning in all classifications 16 times. Weirdly, the company has not won since 1998, with fellow German team Audi being the most successful team of recent years, winning from 2004-2008 and 2010-2011 and even using a DIESEL! hopefully porsche can show them how its done again.

Happy Birthday No. 7 to The Global Small Business Blog

Photo courtesy:  ©Laurel Delaney 2011.

Happy Birthday No. 7 to The Global Small Business Blog (http://borderbuster.blogspot.com)! Yes, seven years ago we started this blog with the subject line of:

What's "Borderbuster" have to do with The Global Small Business Blog? Everything.

And from there we went on to tell you that The Global Small Business Blog is a newborn marketing channel ... well, the rest is history.

We are still going strong and with a following of fans -- like you dear reader -- who stay with us.  Some posts we receive 30 page views and others, more than 200,000 views!

Thank you for your readership.  It means the world to me.  Now raise your glasses/cups.  Let's toast.  Here's to many more posts to come on anything related to helping entrepreneurs and small businesses tackle global business.  And to far more comments, opinions and insights from you!  I look forward to it.

Warmest regards,
Laurel Delaney
(I wish I could say that's a photo of me above - but it's not; I took it though :-)!
Founder and Publisher, The Global Small Business Blog
July 20, 2011

Whats been going on?

Well as this is our first blog I better let you know whats happend over the last 3 months?

New Warranty Company!
WMS have launched Safe & Sound a new type of car warranty. Sir Stirling Moss is the endorsement behind the brand and in my mind the last of great drivers. Skill and a true gent a real legend!.

Porsche!
We've sold a reccord of 4 Porsche boxster's and Cayman's in 4 days with another 2 to be sold 2 days after this post. This would make any prestige car dealer jealous which is why where putting it here for them all to see.

Were Now BLOGING!

Yes you heard us Luigi Motor's will now be bloging with all the lastest news for our self and everything to do with cars!

"Drive The Vote In 2012" We Can Make It Happen!

In 2012 it will be the millions upon millions of American Motorist border-to-border-coast-to-coast who will "DRIVE THE VOTE!"

It's Time For The Millions Upon Millions Of American Motorist To Stand Up And Lead!

As American Motorist And Retail Automotive Consumers, We Turn The Wheels-Of-Commerce In The USA. We Buy,The Vehicle, We Finance The Vehicle,We Service The Vehicle, We Insure The Vehicle, And The List Goes On.

We, As American Motorist Are The Back-Bone Of The
American Economy. When We Don't Spend, The Economy Comes To A Halt Has It Has Done Now Under These Crippling Gas Prices. High Energy Cost Is The Real Fuel Behind The Roaring Inflation That We Are Seeing On The Horizon Now.

Get Strong And Empower The American Motorist Of The USA! Join And Donate What You Can! Stand Tall Now: www.americanmotoristvote.com

Recorded on July 16, 2011 using a Cat Smith Photo Opp Flip Video Cam.

CAR CONCERNS ROCKS IN THE USA EVERY WEEK-DAY MORNING
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Reduce Hassles and Dollars on Calls From Abroad

Hello E-Z Roam, a low-cost global cell phone service for international travelers.

Learn more here

Illustration credit here.

Global Rebalancing

What is global rebalancing?

The idea is to change the world economy so that it relies less on American consumers and more on shoppers in China, Germany and other countries with big trade surpluses. The aim is to build a firmer foundation for global growth and avoid financial instability.

Easier said than done?  You bet.  Learn more here.

Illustration credit:  Country sources; OECD; Moody's Analytics

World: Do What Matters Most

“Beach sand, perfect tans. Day walks, night talks. Sleepless nights, pillow fights, and spending every day with those who matter most.” ~ Unknown

Photo credit:  ©Laurel Delaney 2011.  All rights reserved.  Chicago, Oak Street Beach.

The More Trade, the More Opportunities

The new World Trade Center (pictured) in Tijuana is glass enclosed, has eight floors and 200,000 square feet of office space.

Its purpose:

“We want to open Tijuana to the world and the world to Tijuana,” Gregorio Goldstein, CEO of the Tijuana World Trade Center.

Learn more here.

Photo courtesy the Center.

U.S. International Trade Data May 2011

According to the ITA Blog Tradeology, exports decreased by 0.5 percent in May, total exports are still up 16.4 percent compared to the same period last year.

Thank goodness.  Otherwise, the NEI would fall flat on its face.

Statement from U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services:

“While exports dipped slightly in May, exports have been growing at a strong pace overall in the first five months of 2011, up 16.4percent compared to the same period last year. We’re making progress but we still have a way to go. Accelerating job growth remains a priority for this administration and we will continue to provide our businesses with the necessary tools to compete and win globally and create more American jobs. As we move closer to reaching the president’s goal of doubling exports by 2015, the Obama administration will continue to help businesses reach the 95 percent of consumers who live outside our borders,” Locke said.

Export fact sheet here.  Illustration credit:  U.S. Foreign Trade Data (U.S. Census)

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

Victoria's Secrets: Taking It Slowly in the International Marketplace

Limited Brands, owner of lingerie Victoria's Secret (pictured) and personal-care retailer Bath & Body Works, is traveling slowly through the international marketplace.  According to The Wall Street Journal article, "Victoria's Secret Gets Out Overseas," VS doesn't have any locations overseas.  Why?

Find out more here.

Does a cautious approach to going global work for your business too?

Photo credit:  Victoria's Secret

It Just Keeps-on Keeping-on: 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan Crew

The Chrysler Corporation takes their good thing and just keeps on making it a better vehicle. What's the line, "your not getting older...your just getting better!"

My first new car dealership was a Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth franchise in 1984. That was the first year that Lee Iaccoca introduced the Mini-Van to the automotive World. The Dodge Caravan and the Plymouth Voyager were the hottest things since pancakes.

Since that time the Dodge Caravan has evolved into one of the best selling vehicles of all time and has virtually eliminated all the competition in this segment. Millions of Chrysler and Dodge Mini-Vans roll on the Worlds Roadways today

Engine
Fuel System SMPI, Engine Order Code ERB
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM 283 @ 6400
Engine Type Gas V6, SAE Net Torque @ RPM 260 @ 4400
Displacement 3.6L/220
Transmission, Reverse Ratio (:1) 3.21, Trans Description Cont. Automatic w/OD
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1) 3.16
Trans Order Code DG2
Trans Description Cont. Again NA
Second Gear Ratio (:1) 2.84
First Gear Ratio (:1) 4.13
Third Gear Ratio (:1) 2.28
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1) 0.69

Drive-train Front Wheel Drive
Clutch Size (in) NA
Trans Type 6
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1) 1.45 - 1.57
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1) 1.00

Brakes
Brake Type Pwr
Drum - Rear (Yes or ) NA
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in) NA
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in) 11.9 x 1.1
Disc - Rear (Yes or ) Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in) 12.0 x 0.5
Disc - Front (Yes or ) Yes
Brake ABS System 4-Wheel

Steering
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft) 39.1
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft) - TBD -
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering) 2.90
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall 14.3
Steering Type Pwr Rack & Pinion

Tires
Spare Tire Size Compact
Front Tire Order Code TRZ
Rear Tire Order Code TRZ
Rear Tire Size P225/65R17
Spare Tire Order Code TBK
Front Tire Size P225/65R17

Wheels
Front Wheel Material Aluminum
Spare Wheel Size (in) Compact
Rear Wheel Size (in) 17 x 6.5
Spare Wheel Material Steel
Front Wheel Size (in) 17 x 6.5
Rear Wheel Material Aluminum

Suspension:
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in) - TBD -
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.) w/Coil Springs
Suspension Type - Rear Twist-beam axle
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in) - TBD - Suspension Type - Front Independent
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm) - TBD - Shock Absorber Diameter -
Front (mm) - TBD - Suspension Type - Front (Cont.) MacPherson Strut

Recorded on June 28, 2011 using a Cat Smith Flip Video Cam.

CAR CONCERNS ROCKS IN THE USA EVERY WEEK-DAY MORNING
CALL HARRY MONDAY THUR FRIDAY...9:00 TO 11:00 A.M.(EST).
BORDER-TO-BORDER...COAST-TO-COAST...
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HEARD ON THE CAR CONCERNS RADIO NETWORK:
Boston 1460 WXBR Chicago 1230 WJOB Las Vegas 970 KNUU
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Opportunities Abound for Exporters But Not Without Challenges

As Pankaj Ghemawat (pictured), a professor of global strategy at Spain's IESE Business School and author of the new book, World 3.0 (Harvard Business Review Press) says:

By recognizing that borders still matter, says Ghemawat, companies can better calibrate which markets and trading partners offer the best chance for truly global gains.

Inc. Magazine contributor Ryan Underwood spoke with Ghemawat about how businesses should approach a global strategy. Their discussion addresses four questions:

1. What makes you think that popular views about globalization are incorrect?
2. What does that mean for American small businesses?
3. But hasn't technology moved us any closer to a borderless world?
4. What advice do you have for companies that are thinking about global expansion?

Read the interview here.

Related posts:

There are Great Opportunities to Conduct Business Abroad

Redefining Global Strategy

How Global Is Your Business?

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

Mr. Potato Head Goes Global

Photo credit:  ©Laurel Delaney 2011, Mr. Potato Head

To John Yunker ... I too am a fan of Mr. Potato Head (as shown).  Delighted to see he's going global in a serious and effective way.

So everyone knows what I am referring to, read:

Global by Design's The Mr. Potato Head Global Gateway

Photo credit:  ©Laurel Delaney 2011.  All rights reserved.  Mr Potato Head.

World: Set Aside Quiet Time To Unwind

©Laurel Delaney 2011, Birds Resting

"Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.” ~ Salvador Dalí

Photo credit: ©Laurel Delaney 2011. All rights reserved. Birds Resting.

India Is Home to Nearly 7% of the World's Billionaires

Mukesh Ambani, India

According to Sadanand Dhume at The Enterprise Blog, with barely 2 percent of the world’s GDP (in dollar terms), India houses nearly 7 percent of the world’s billionaires.

How does this affect the way we market products in India (e.g., hire Bollywood actors and actresses to develop a brand)?

Read:  Does India Have Too Many Billionaires?

Related article:  India's Richest

Pictured: Mukesh Ambani, one of India's richest.  More on Ambani's firm and latest buy-in.

Argentina-Brazil: Trade Trouble Ahead?

Will Brazil's new government will be quicker to react to Argentina's non-tariff trade barriers than its predecessors?

Trouble began brewing in February, when Argentina lengthened the list of Brazilian-made products that no longer qualify for its automatic import licenses from 400 to 600. One of the first sectors to take a hit was Brazil's footwear manufacturing. After the U.S. and the U.K., Argentina is the biggest market for Brazilian shoes.

Learn more over at Knowledge at Wharton: "The Ties That Bind: A new Twist in Brazil-Argentina Trade Tactics?

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

In a World of Risk, How Do You Write It Up?

As the article featured below in CFO Magazine indicates, in emerging markets, the clash between politics and profits presents numerous threats.

Read more here.

Illustration source:  Multilateral Guarantee Agency survey of investors, 2010

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog 

Contacting a Manufacturer: Script It To Perfect It

Preparation is everything when it comes to initial contact with a manufacturer on a product you wish to import or export.

Here's a script I prepared that hopefully guides you with your first communication.

Scripting Your Communication to the Manufacturer:  Importing and Exporting Business

Happy 4th of July America: We Are Still The Country of the Future

Happy Independence Day United States of America!

According to Walter Russell Mead, no country is better positioned to take advantage of the opportunities or manage the dangers than the United States.

... the United States of America is better placed to surf this transformation than any other country. Change is our home field. It is who we are and what we do. Brazil may be the country of the future, but America is its hometown.

Read:  The Future Still Belongs To America

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

Borderless Benefits

©Laurel Delaney 2011.  All rights reserved.

Should we open our borders to free international trade?

By contrast, as a whole, American citizens actually hold a slightly negative (cited from 2009 so things may have changed since then) view toward trade with some 49% perceiving it as a threat to the economy from foreign imports. Why the disconnect?

Find out here.

Related piece (go figure):

Americans On Board with Opening Doors to Cuba

Photo credit:  ©Laurel Delaney 2011.  All rights reserved.  Madonna Della Strada Chapel on Loyola's Lake Shore Campus in Rogers Park.

New News: Look For Customers Outside of Your Country!

©Laurel Delaney, All rights reserved.

We love a good chuckle but seriously, the article below talks about the importance of looking to the world for your market.

“It makes sense that 10 years ago, if you could sell to your neighbor in Iowa, that was a whole lot easier than having to venture out and sell abroad,” says Roberts. “But I’m confident that our Illinois companies, once they get in the game, they’ll push up their sleeves and it’s no different.”

Exporting Illinois

Moral of the story: Include exports in your business plan!

Related articles:

Small Firms Lead the Way on Illinois Exports

Photo credit:  ©Laurel Delaney 2011.  Oak Street, Chicago, Illinois, looking up at the John Hancock building