Well What Do You Know: Small Businesses Go Global

According to "Small Businesses Go Global," exporting has never been easier:

Much of Gladden’s business is in the United States and Canada, but an increasing amount has popped up in places like Australia, the Caribbean and across Europe, prompting him to move forward on opening an office in the United Kingdom. As a small business diving head first into the export market, Gladden Sales represents the kind of trend economic development officials would like to see more of in Louisiana.

Read the entire article here.

Illustration credit:  Gladtags (as mentioned in article)

Have Yourself the Sweetest St. Patty's Day Ever

©Laurel Delaney 2012, "St. Patty's Day Cookies"

My favorite day of the year:  St. Patrick's Day.  Even if you are not Irish, pretend you are.  No one will know the difference and you will be all the more happy for the stretch!  Wish I could say I made these sweets.  Didn't.  Photographed them though.

Enjoy and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Past Irish posts here ...

Photo credit:  ©Laurel Delaney 2012, "St. Patty's Day Cookies"

Taking a Strategic Meetings Management Program Global

Kevin Iwamoto, vice president of enterprise strategy at StarCite provides a checklist for taking your SMM program global here.

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

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

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

Changing the World One Heart at a Time

What is Hearts For Hearts Girls (pictured)?

Playmates Toys, the company behind Hearts For Hearts Girls, is among the most respected and innovative marketing and distribution companies in the global toy industry. Playmates Toys has a proven 40-year history in the creation of innovative and imaginative products as well as the development and management of profitable, long-term brand franchises.

Learn real stories from girls all over the world here.  And why it matters.  Visit World Vision as well.

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

Tip for Global Small Businesses?

It's our monthly e-newsletter, Borderbuster!  You probably already know about it but just in case, go here to subscribe.

Tips for Small Businesses Going Global

And see what the Federation of International Trade Associations (FITA) says about Borderbuster.  They must like it because they featured it to more than 70,000 readers of their own newsletter!  They also mention The Global Small Business Blog and the About.com Import and Export site.

We are grateful and thank FITA for their support.  Our social media platforms are buzzing!

Giving Thanks to You Dear Readers Round the World!

Thank you for your readership and comments from time to time. Without you, this blog would not be nearly as lively or as much fun.   Have a Happy Thanksgiving (celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada)!

Photo courtesy:  ©Laurel Delaney 2011, "World's Largest Pumpkin"

Posted by The Global Small Business Blog

We Made the List: The 20 Best Small Business Blogs!

Subject:  The 20 Best Small Business Blogs

Check out these great small business blogs - from Small Business Trends to Duct Tape Marketing + more - we are delighted to be among so many thought-leader bloggers!

Go here to learn more.  Thank you to BuyerZone for making this happen!  Congrats to our peers!

The Tale of Cheescakes Exported Nearly On Open Account

Our latest contribution for the American Express OPEN Forum via Small Business Trends.

Making Tough Decisions in the Global Marketplace
by Laurel Delaney

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

A New Concept: Business Without Borders!

Business without borders, borderless business, Borderbuster - call it what you wish but in this case, HSBC unveils its new international business website geared toward U.S. companies involved in international business.

“Business without Borders” is billed as a “knowledge exchange” tool that offers industry-specific articles and commentary about global business. It includes content from The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Master Class and The Economist Intelligence Unit.

Beyond articles, it also allows business leaders to track global trade trends and identify the most promising locations for international expansion. Certain information is available only to those who register as members of the site.

Business Without Borders (BWB)
www.businesswithoutborders.com

Read more about this here.  BWB claims to be the first-of-its-kind knowledge exchange in the United States.

Illustration credit: Business Without Borders | Trade Connections Tool

Posted by The Global Small Business Blog (founded in 2004 for entrepreneurs and small businesses interested in going global).

Note to HSBC:  Come to us when you launch your small business channel.

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

What Is a Freight Forwarder?

Good video from the U.S. Census/Foreign Trade that addresses the question of:  What is a freight forwarder?

Related articles in support of video:

11 Questions a Logistics Specialist Will Ask

Packing for International Shipping:  10 Factors to Consider When Packing For International Shipping

How to Prepare a Proforma Invoice

Posted by: The Global Small Business Blog

Spend Your Weekend Your Own Way

"There is only one success – to be able to spend your life in your own way." ~ Christopher Morley

Photo credit:   ©Laurel Delaney 2011, Loyola University Chicago lakefront North Shore Campus (6/17/11)

Spring Has Sprung: Free Screensaver For Everyone on the Planet!

"Every spring is the only spring - a perpetual astonishment." ~ Ellis Peters

Photo (click on to enlarge) credit:  Laurel Delaney ... right near the Old Water Tower, downtown Chicago ... and feel free to use as a screen saver!  

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

World: Be Happy in the Moment

"Be happy in the moment - that's enough.  Each moment is all we need - not more." ~ Mother Teresa

Photo credit:  Laurel Delaney, Pratt and the lake, Rogers Park, Illinois, U.S.A.

Worldly Web Re-Design: Should You Incorporate Red, Yellow, Blue or Violet?

One thing is for sure: You don't want to offend anyone, anywhere in the world with your color choice!

Learn more here about what colors mean by culture.  We are not surprised to see from the report that:

Blue is often considered to be the “safest” and “most positive” global color.

GlobeTrade.com is heavy with blue and so is this blog.  Remember that different colors hold different meanings throughout the world.

Graphic source credit here.

Will Eric Schmidt Run Apple?

In light of what's happening at Apple with the upsetting situation of Steve Jobs taking another leave of absence from the company due to his health, I can't help but wonder at the same time why there is a sudden management overhaul over at Google.

 Change is the only thing that is constant in life.  This could become disruptive innovation at its best.

Your thoughts?

Posted by:  Laurel Delaney, The Global Small Business Blog

A How-To On Expanding Your Business Globally

Considerations and a plan for going global.

How to Expand Your Business Globally

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

Happy 2011 From The Global Small Business Blog

And on the first day of the new year, do some productive reading to get your business even more global.  Try:

The Art of the Global Gateway by John Yunker
(Google Books here).

Reach out to the e-world for business.  It starts with web globalization and John Yunker can teach you a thing or two about it.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011!

Posted by:  Laurel Delaney, The Global Small Business Blog