How to Develop a Culture of Exporting

Get a New Perspective While Learning: Look Beyond Borders

As part of Mahatma School's International School Award Program, a group of Swedish students were invited to take part in an interactive session with their Indian counterparts.

The session was designed to toss out perspectives on a variety of subjects, ranging from orphans and street children in India to the effects of tourism on environment.

Here's what resulted at the Global School in Lidingo, Sweden.

Illustration credit here.

My Kind of Hometown: Chicago

©Laurel Delaney, 2012, All Rights Reserved, "Hometown Chicago 2012"

Have a great weekend my worldly readers!  And thank you for your readership.

Photo credit:  ©Laurel Delaney

Ever Thought About Going Global?

In case you have been living in a cave, stretch, dust yourself off and come out into the light (the living).

Read:  Small Business Ideas for 2012:  Why Not Go Global?

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

The Good and Bad About Globalization

What's the impact globalization has on our world?

It is true that the impact of globalization is visible and affects largely the politics and the economy of the country but its effect on the mindset and the culture is noticeable gradually in the way people think and react. It's like the Iceberg theory wherein what we do and say are at the tip and what we think and believe is at the base. The base is not visible but manifestations at the top are conspicuous. It applies here as well where people do not change abruptly but may be after a decade the change starts showing and seems radical.

Learn more about the pros and cons of globalization here.

Economic Success Is Dependent Upon Global Collaboration

That's what former President Bill Clinton says.

Delivering the keynote address at the 101st National Retail Federation Big Show, former President Bill Clinton did not shy away from the challenges that businesses face in this economy. In his speech, entitled "Embracing Our Common Humanity," Clinton spoke about the inequality, instability and unsustainable way of life which makes up the world today.

Learn more here.

Researching Your Export Markets

Check out the first-part of a six-part course on global trade Wednesday at the Rabobank Regional Business Center.

The three-hour session, “Researching Your Export Markets,” starts at 8 a.m. in the center that serves as headquarters for Coachella Valley Economic Partnership and the iHUB, 3111 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California, 92262.

Learn more here.

Illustration credit:  RRBC Facebook

What To Do During An Internet Blackout

Creative America, the entertainment community united against content theft, will tell you what to do during an Internet blackout.  Learn more here and be sure to spread the word.

Illustration:  Creative America logo

Winter Has Cometh in Chicago

"Winter is the time of promise because there is so little to do - or because you can now and then permit yourself the luxury of thinking so."  ~ Stanley Crawford

Photo credit:  ©Laurel Delaney 2012, "Snow on the Evergreen Tree Chicago"

Elements Involved in Running a Fit-For-Fast-Growth Global Business

Here's an interview I did with a major international bank.  The bank (name withheld for confidentiality purposes) was eager to help their small business clients expand internationally. This is Part 2 of the interview. (You can find Part 1 here).

Read the article here.

Export: How Ventrac Did It

Emerging Nations Proceed With Caution

Andrew Burns, head of macroeconomics at the World Bank, told journalists in London: “Developing countries should hope for the best and prepare for the worst.”

Predicting significantly slower global growth in 2012 than it expected last summer even if the eurozone muddles through its crisis, World Bank economists said that if financial markets deny funds to eurozone economies, global growth would be about 4 percentage points lower than even these figures with poorer economies far from immune.

Read the entire article: World Bank Warns Emerging Nations

How to Write An Effective Export Plan

Dr. Doug Barry, International Trade Specialist (Doug.Barry@trade.gov) discusses via a webinar how to best develop an export plan for your company.

A good plan can generate and sustain new business, and this webinar presents a framework for writing your export plan as well as including resources to help complete each section of it. A good export plan can also allow you to be proactive in seeking international buyers rather than passive.

Launch your export business here.

View the Presentation

Related articles:  How to Develop An Import/Export Business Plan

Illustration credit here.

Yoghurt Business Goes Global

You never know when your best idea comes to you.  In this case, Henry Gosling (director of Australia-based Co Yo) got his at 2:00 a.m.  He set his sights on taking an already successful yoghurt business global.

"It's local companies going all over the world. A small business can always make it if they put into it what they want to get out of it."

Read: Co Yo Is Going Global 

Worldly Work

"Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else." ~ James M. Barrier

Photo credit:  ©Laurel J. Delaney 2012, "Worker Up In the Air During a Chicago Blizzard, 1.12.12"

The Power of the Internet: Eric Whitacre's Global Virtual Choir

Related post:  Humanizing Our Connected World

Taking Your Business Global: A Digital Short

Hopefully this 39-second digital short will make you smile (shameless plug involved) and will also give you ideas on how to use technology, namely animation, to market your brand globally.

Taking Your Business Global (Go!Animate)

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

Harry's Law

We found this episode of "Harry's Law" particularly interesting.

HARRY’S LAW “American Girl” Season 2 Episode 7 airs Wednesday November 9 on NBC (9-10 p.m. ET).

Episode Synopsis: GEORGE WENDT (“CHEERS”) GUEST STARS – HARRY MUST DEFEND HERSELF AGAINST A SMALL TOWN FOR FAILING TO DRIVE AN AMERICAN MADE CAR – While Harry (Kathy Bates) is on vacation, her trip takes a frustrating turn when the small town of Langford, Ohio impounds her Mercedes Benz for violating their “Buy American” law. Harry, with Oliver (Mark Valley) at her side, challenges the town’s law and is pit against a young, homespun attorney and the engine behind the law, Langford’s mayor, Franklin Chickory (George Wendt).

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...
USA TOLL-FREE: 1-888-454-3378
HEARD ON THE CAR CONCERNS RADIO NETWORK: Boston 1460 WXBR
Greenwhich 1490 WGCH Las Vegas 970 KNUU Pittsburgh 1550 WLFP
Guam 560 KGUM Orlando/Winter Springs IPR Radio
Seattle/Bothell Big R Radio
Internet Streamed @ www.lifestyletalkradio.com
EMAIL: harry@carconcerns.com

Cars Deliver World News!

Two assailants on a motorcycle attached a magnetic bomb to the car of an Iranian university professor working at a key nuclear facility, killing him and another person Wednesday, state TV reported. The slayings suggest a widening covert effort to set back Iran's atomic program.

The attack in Tehran bore a strong resemblance to earlier killings of scientists working on the Iranian nuclear program. It is certain to amplify authorities' claims of clandestine operations by Western powers and their allies to halt Iran's nuclear advances.

The blast killed Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan, a chemistry expert and a director of the Natanz uranium enrichment facility in central Iran, state TV reported. State news agency IRNA said Roshan had "organizational links" to Iran's nuclear agency, which suggests a direct role in key aspects of the program.


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...USA TOLL-FREE: 1-888-454-3378
HEARD ON THE CAR CONCERNS RADIO NETWORK: Boston 1460 WXBR
Greenwich 1490 WGCH Las Vegas 970 KNUU Pittsburgh 1550 WLFP
Guam 560 KGUM Orlando/Winter Springs IPR RadioSeattle/Bothell Big R Radio
Internet Streamed @ www.lifestyletalkradio.com
EMAIL: harry@carconcerns.com

Scoping Out Hot Business Opportunities in Emerging Markets

You can do good to do well.  In this case, corporate employees help and scope out opportunities in developing countries.

Read:  Doing Good to Do Well (The Wall Street Journal)

World Cleanup 2012

Garbage is a big deal and local efforts in the Estonian capital are expanding into a global initiative.

On January 13th volunteers from 83 countries will converge on the Estonian capital, Tallinn, to launch World Cleanup 2012, the biggest attempt so far at voluntary rubbish collection. This year’s target is to mobilize 300 million people to pick up 100 million tons of illegally dumped waste in six months, starting on March 24th.

Who is the spirit behind this garbage campaign? Find out here:

Collecting Global Garbage: Effluence of Affluence || The Economist

Are You Doubling Your Exports By 2015?

According to the “Perceptions of Global Trade” survey of more than 1,000 American SMEs, 24 per cent were currently engaged in global commerce.

Almost half of small businesses in the United States expect to double their exports by 2015, and 66 per cent say that up to 25 per cent of their annual revenue comes directly from exporting, according to a survey by UPS.

Read more here.

Related post: Key to Future Success For Small Businesses: Going Global

Find Peace in the New Year

©Laurel Delaney 2012, "Peace At the Winter Lakefront," Rogers Park, IL, U.S.A.

"Nothing can bring you peace but yourself; nothing, but the triumph of principles." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Photo credit:  ©Laurel Delaney 2012, "Peace At the Winter Lakefront," Rogers Park, Illinois, U.S.A.

Tokyo Motor Show - Toyota Fun-Vii Concept

Japan this year wanted to show they are back with car makers returning to Tokyo's show after a shock of the past 2 years. Over the past 2 years Japan  has found it hard in the car market with Toyota's bad press, the Lehman Brother crash the global economic down turn and majour prestige car makers pulling out of the country's automotive event. Japan is now back for a come back not just after all these problem but post-tsunami of last March.

There were many models shown off and cars, including Toyota's new GT-86. What you all want to know about is the stupid concepts that will never be seen again.

I know I should hate it, but I kinda love it. I don't know why or how but I want them to make it I kind of love the design and the idea behind it.

Many of you are now about to stop reading our blog and go back to searching our website stock to find your self a nice porsche but for everyone still reading, let me tell you about the Toyota Fun-Vii and why I love it.

The Fun-Vii is a concept it will never be built, but we may see some of its idea's around in the far future of cars? Its made up of LCD touch screens for the body work, making it a BIG ipad. Yes I said it, maybe it should of been called the Icar rather than the Vii.

Now you may think its pointless having LCD screen on a car but trust me its not think of it as eva changing paint. How many times have we wished we had a red car one day and a black another, well this would allow you to just do it or display some lovely flowers or patterns. You could even have it say BUY ME and with it being a touch screen you could do stuff on it, add notes, and kids wouldn't vandal it they'd be playing games on it!

One of Many Best-Kept Secrets to Global Success

For a small business with a sizable budget, the Gold Key Service (GKS) — through the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service — is one of the most efficient ways to meet with pre-screened potential cross-border customers.

Learn more:   The Gold Key Service: How to Find Customers the World Over

Stocklist Page Speed & Car Finance Application Online

We have just done some more changes to our website, http://luigimotors.com/stocklist.html now loads 3s faster than it did, We know this doesn't sound a great deal but will make the website easier for Mobile users who now look at our car stock list. To see this change you would need to refresh the page to update it. If you see a page loading a little slow let us know and we will put it threw some testing to improve it. Our website has an average page load speed of 1.4s and google says this is 74% faster than most sites on the web today!

Carlye Finance have just launched a way to do your fiance prob form online, we are going to trail this on there site, with plans to role it out to vehicles on our site. This will mean you can just hit apply fill in a form and have an answer within 24 hours or less.

Corruption is a Universal Worldly Challenge

The Global Integrity blog seeks to play a role in promoting accountability and transparency reforms by developing tools that address the needs of the public, private, and civil sectors equally.

Global Integrity is a tax-exempt organization incorporated in the District of Columbia in the United States under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is supported by charitable foundations, governments, multilateral institutions, and the private sector.

Never heard of them? You have now.

In short, we are an innovation lab for the transparency and accountability community.

Learn more here.

Illustration credit here.

Off-the-Books Global Businesses

Wired Magazine interviews Robert Neuwirth, author of Stealth of Nations: The Global Rise of the Informal Economy on why black market entrepreneurs matter to the world economy.

Further, he (Neuwirth) says, these enterprises are critical sources of entrepreneurialism, innovation, and self-reliance. And the globe’s gray and black markets have grown during the international recession, adding jobs, increasing sales, and improving the lives of hundreds of millions. It’s time, Neuwirth says, for the developed world to wake up to what those who are working in the shadows of globalization have to offer. We asked him how these tiny enterprises got to be such big business.

Read the entire interview here.

Photo credit:  Stealth of Nations Blog

We Search For The Best Car Wash!

The Car Concerns Radio USA Road-Crew is out and about seeking America's Best Car Wash.

If you know where that Car Wash is let us know!

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...
USA TOLL-FREE: 1-888-454-3378
HEARD ON THE CAR CONCERNS RADIO NETWORK: Boston 1460 WXBR
Chicago 1230 WJOB Las Vegas 970 KNUU Pittsburgh 1550 WLFP
Guam 560 KGUM Orlando/Winter Springs IPR Radio
Seattle/Bothell Big R Radio
Internet Streamed @ www.lifestyletalkradio.com
EMAIL: harry@carconcerns.com

Aging Population in BRIC

According to a December 7th report by Goldman analysts, as the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India and China) slow down, global growth probably will peak at about 4.3 percent this decade and fall to 3.9 percent in the 2020s.

The number of people older than 65 in Brazil, Russia, India and China will rise 46 percent to 295 million by 2020 and to 412 million by 2030, according to United Nations projections. The pool of 15 to 24-year-olds, the mainstay for factories will fall by 61 million by 2030 or about the population of Italy.

Read the entire article here.

Note:  Goldman Sachs Asset Management Chairman Jim O’Neill, who coined the BRICs acronym a decade ago, said other emerging economies may now be better investments -- especially Indonesia, Turkey, Egypt and Mexico.

What about MIST (Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea and Turkey)?

2012 Rogue SL FWD To Go!

More than expected was the 2012 Nissan Rogue SL FWD. The 2.5 liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine proved to be an efficient power-plant that generated plenty of horse-power while enabling city MPG of 23 and a Highway MPG of 28. Most average drivers should experience closer to 33 MPG.

For comfort and convenience the driver has a 6-way power drivers seat with power lumbar support. For the front passenger there is a four-way manual front passenger seat.  For rear seating there is a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat with heating and cooling ducts.

The cargo area has a storage tray under the floor. Our Rogue was equipped with a five inch color touch screen monitor. The Bose Premium Audio System with seven speakers and a rich sounding sub-woofer is top rank in our opinion.

To show of the  fantastic design on the exterior there is dual body color power remote controlled outside mirrors. A body colored rear spoiler and sporty aluminum alloy wheels.

At the Car Concerns Radio Proving Grounds the 2012 Nissan Rogue SL rolled flawlessly through the course and proofed to be nimble, agile, and aggressive with a ready-to-roll attitude.

The 2012 Nissan Rogue SL FWD continues its versatile platform that give the driver crisp handling and sporty characteristics in a five passenger compact cross-over package. Nissan has managed to provide cross-over consumers with a more efficient and economical alternative in a super competitive segment.

Engine and Drivetrain Standard Features
2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine. Aluminum-alloy cylinder block and cylinder head.
Timing-chain-driven camshafts. Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS)
Nissan Direct Ignition System (NDIS). 105,000-mile tune-up-free engine
Electronic drive-by-wire system. Electronic sequential multi-point fuel injection
Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System. Front-wheel drive
Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with Adaptive Ratio Control
Suspension & Steering Standard Features Independent strut front suspension
Independent multi-link rear suspension. Front and rear stabilizer bars
Vehicle-speed-sensitive Electric Power-assisted Steering (EPS)
Brake Standard Features
Power-assisted 4-wheel disc brakes. Vented front and rear disc brakes
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) - Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD)

Wheels & Tires Standard Features
Aluminum-alloy wheels - 17 x 7.0. All-season radial tires - P225/60-17. Space-saver spare tire

Chassis Standard Equipment
High-strength steel body components. Body undercoating

Exterior Standard Equipment
Jewel-type halogen headlights. Power outside mirrors - Folding Privacy glass
Rear window wiper/washer
Exterior trim - Chrome grille. Exterior trim - Body-color bumpers
Exterior trim - Body-color outside mirrors. Exterior trim - Chrome door handles
Exterior trim - Polished exhaust tip finisher. Roof rack side rails. Towing prewiring
Interior Standard Equipment
Front bucket seats - 6-way power driver's seat. Front bucket seats - 4-way manual passenger's seat
Front bucket seats - Fold-down passenger's seatback. Rear seats - 60/40 split folding seatback
Seat trim - Premium cloth

Comfort and Convenience Standard Features
Adjustable tilt steering column
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) - Air conditioning
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) - In-cabin microfilter
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) - Rear floor ducts
Rear window defroster with timer
Front-seat center console. Front overhead console - Dual map lights, Sunglasses holder
12-volt power outlets - (Two)
Power windows - Auto-up/down for driver's window. Auto power door locks
Cruise control with illuminated steering-wheel-mounted controls
2-speed windshield wipers with variable intermittent and mist functions
Sun visors - Dual vanity mirrors, Illuminated vanity mirrors

Vehicle Security System (VSS)
Nissan intelligent Key keyless entry and ignition. Remote keyless entry
Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System - Availability of specific features is dependent upon the phone's Bluetooth support. Please refer to your phone's owner's manual for details. Cell phone not included. The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Nissan is under license.. RearView Monitor - Parking aid/convenience feature.

Instrumentation Standard Features
LCD odometer with dual trip meters. Drive computer. Safety Standard Equipment
Traction Control System (TCS). Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
3-point ALR/ELR front- and rear-passenger seat belts. 3-point ELR driver's seat belt
Front seat belts with pre-tensioners and load limiters
Advanced Air Bag System (AABS)
Driver and front-passenger air bags (SRS) with dual-stage inflation - Advanced Air Bag System (AABS)
Driver and front-passenger side-impact air bags (SRS)
Roof-mounted curtain front- and rear-seat side-impact air bags (SRS) - Includes rollover sensor
Front-adjustable head restraints
Front seat Active Head Restraints (AHR)
LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tether for Children). Child restraint seat tether anchors
Child safety rear door locks
Energy-absorbing steering column. High-strength side-door guard beams
Zone Body Construction. Hood deformation point and safety stops.Front and rear crumple zones
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Audio System Standard Features
AM/FM/CD - 6 speakers - With CD-MP3/WMA playback, Radio Data System (RDS), and speed-sensitive volume (SSV) control
Illuminated steering-wheel-mounted audio controls
Auxiliary input jack - Driving is serious business and requires your full attention.

USB port - Driving is serious business and requires your full attention. Do not operate any devices connected to the auxiliary input while driving.
XM Satellite radio
Warranty Standard Features
New Vehicle Limited warranty - 3 years/36,000 miles. Limited Powertrain coverage - 5 years/60,000 miles
Corrosion coverage (original body panels/perforation) - 5 years/Unlimited miles
Corrosion coverage (cosmetic/surface) - 3 years/36,000 miles

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

Car Concerns Radio Certified Program

This year my only New Years Resolution is to "Get-After-It!" in 2012.

I am beginning a Car Concerns Certified Dealer Program (CCCDP). Being Car Concerns Certified is a stamp-of-approval for all of our listeners to do business with our exclusive Dealerships.

The cost is economical: $99.00 Per Month. A paid-in-full one year contract is required.

National exposure, border-to-border...coast-to-coast, for pennies a day!

HEARD ON THE CAR CONCERNS USA RADIO NETWORK:
Boston on WBRX - Pittsburgh WLFP - Chicago WJOB - Greenwich WGCH - Las Vegas KNUU-NEW -
Orlando-Winter Springs IPR Radio - Pittsburgh KA KESK - Hagatna KGUM! NOW ON SATURDAY IN 34 GREAT NEW MARKETS! Cullman WMCJ - Mobile WABB - Fort Smith KHGG - Holbrook KDJI - Show Low KVWM - Plam Springs KPSI - San Diego KLIV - San Jose KPRL - San Luis Obispo WSMN - Boston WPTX - Lexington Park KVBR - Brainerd KSWN - Lebanon KBNN - Aurora KSWW - Waynesville KJPW - Troy KYRO - Helena KBLL - Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill WKSC - Concord WASR- Las Vegas KLAV- Columbia WSIW - Jackson WDXI - Lexington WDXL- Johnson CityWGOC -Kingsport-Bristol- Big Spring KBYG - Ashland WHAN - Richmond WLEE- Seattle-Tacoma KLAY - Port Angeles KONP- Park Falls WPFP - Bothell WDOV- Detroit-Lavonia WCAR Is Car Concerns Radio USA Heard In Your Market?

Nationally Syndicated Car Concerns Radio USA! Monday Thur Friday 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. (EST) USA TOLL-FREE: 1-888-454-3378 Just Added 33 USA Radio Markets!

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

Global Entrepreneurship: Make Yourself Valuable in 2012

As Scott Adams puts it:

If you’re having a hard time imagining what an education in entrepreneurship should include, allow me to prime the pump with some lessons I’ve learned along the way.

He offers seven ways to get a real education.  First one:

Combine Skills. The first thing you should learn in a course on entrepreneurship is how to make yourself valuable. It’s unlikely that any average student can develop a world-class skill in one particular area.

What a great way to start off the new year! 

Scott Adams is the creator of "Dilbert."  Read the entire article:  How to Get a Real Education 

Illustration credit:  "Dilbert" by Scott Adams

Posted by:  Laurel Delaney, The Global Small Business Blog

Happy 2012 From The Global Small Business Blog

©Laurel Delaney 2012, "31st Street, Chicago Lakefront 1.1.12"

Wishing you a new year filled

with hope, promise and going global!