Develop a Winner's Attitude

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Economic woes are causing lots of anxiety among small business owners. A couple of things I always encourage during a downturn ... start a business! ... GO global! ... be bold!

Whatever you do, don't look for a reason to hide.

Read more here, here, here and one more -- here.

Goings On in the World

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We've written about this resource before but thought you might want to revisit it in light of the downturn doldrums. Cool stuff. Twelve destinations. Six of the world's great cities.

Globespotters.

American Bailout Goes Global

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A financial problem that began in the United States is making its way across the globe. Now, the American bailout is going global, too, a move that could raise its cost and increase scrutiny by critics.

Read more here.

Is This What We Want in Healthcare?....10/7

Looking back at the sub-prime mortgage mess, you have to consider what the original 'intent' was, and what has happened in practice. There are considerable parallels that can be drawn between that and what the future of healthcare holds for us. Freddie and Fannie were pseudo governmental entities--sort of like the Post Office.

"1970: The U.S. Congress creates the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., nicknamed Freddie Mac."

What may play out could possibly be foretelling the fate of healthcare in a foreseeable future.

Well, what do I mean by that? De-regulation is being slapped about as the cause of the problems, but was it de-regulated? There were several mandates that were placed on lenders to make sub-prime loans. They made them, but in order to minimize their exposure (risk), they would re-sell those mortgages. Those were repackaged and sold as securities by Freddie Mac. When the mortgages were defaulted, the securities were devalued...do we see where this is heading?

"Freddie Mac is a shareholder-owned corporation whose people are dedicated to improving the quality of life by making the American dream of decent, accessible housing a reality. We accomplish this mission by linking Main Street to Wall Street--purchasing, securitizing and investing in home mortgages, and ultimately providing homeowners and renters with lower housing costs and better access to home financing. Since our inception, Freddie Mac has achieved more than 30 consecutive years of profitability and financed one out of every six homes in America."

30 years of profitability---didn't quite make 40, did we? And, for the last several years, the CEO of Freddie Mac was stating that the reported figures were not accurate! Why isn't the former management team of the F.M.s coming under the same scrutiny as Enron? There is far more money and far more impact in the trickle-down effects.

Do we want this kind of management turned loose on healthcare? How about the politics? Speaking of politics, Senator Obama has the honor(?) of being the recipient of the second largest amount given to campaigns of elected officials by Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae ($126,349). McCain's campaign also received contributions, but far less substantial ($21,550). I'd say both would be better off returning the money. (Note: The Republican 'leader' that is being touted by the Democrats as having reached an agreement on the bailout was on the list--the most money taken in by a Republican campaign from the F.M.s.)

Current members of Congress have received a total of $4.8 million from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, with Democrats collecting 57 percent of that.

Can you say, "Deal Maker?"

We see the purpose as providing 'accessible' housing. Isn't that similar to the mantra of 'accessible' healthcare.

Can you see the writing on the wall?

Understanding China

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If you plan to do business in China, first and foremost, understand its interests and challenges. And then learn the rules of robust engagement.

This Foreign Affairs piece, "A Strategic Economic Engagement," by Henry M. Paulson, Jr. (U.S. Secretary of the Treasury) covers everything you need to know about how to strengthen the U.S.-Chinese ties. Worth a read. After all, China's path affects the ability for us to achieve our goals internationally.

Thrive Guide 2009

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Really good stuff. Not too much on entrepreneurs expanding internationally (I'll get on them!) but if you get and apply what advice the authors offer, you'll build a company fit to go global.

My title for it:
Thrive Guide 2009

Emerging Market Companies Take On The World

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Emerging markets are not merely generating economic growth. They are also producing companies that are worth investing in, and that are even starting to take on and beat the best of the developed world’s multinationals.

Find out who they are and where they operate here.

And while you are at it, check out the Economist country profiles to figure out a plan on how to work with these champions.

Worth Migrating For

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In our hyperglobal economy, opportunity abounds but how do you know where? A new study sheds light for people desiring to leave their homelands and for the countries that might adopt them.

Bribes, Red Tape and Cultural Differences

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OPEN Forum offered by American Express and under Anita Campbell's stewardship has my next entry up on bribes, red tape and cultural differences. It goes into great detail about whether there is a true opportunity for consultants in the United States to do business globally or is the opportunity primarily for product companies.

If you find it useful or wish to add to it, be sure to do so at the designated areas. Also, we placed an official badge on our blog to show all the OPEN Forum entries. Be sure to check out when time permits.

RBN: Atrivo Goes Dark

Not the end, not the beginning of the end, but perhaps the end of the beginning.

As from today the Internet is a little safer, as Atrivo goes dark.


It is pleasing to report the last remaining peer routing Atrivo (AS 27595 Atrivo/ Intercage), ‘Pacific Internet Exchange’ (PIE) see Spamhaus ref below, was withdrawn at 2:35am EST Sunday Sept 21st 2008.

This is an excellent example of community effort involving a wide cross section of anti-spammers, malware and botnet researchers, journalists, and Internet network operators.


Although this is good news we should not relax too much, some of the bad stuff has migrated elsewhere, similar to the self re-distribution of AS40989 RBN Network last year. However, we look forward to the forthcoming ‘Atrivo – Cyber Crime USA’ report version 2.0 from HostExploit which may cast some light on this re-distribution and other bad actors.

Magnanimous in victory we should give the last word to the vanquished as Emil Kacperski long time spokesman and apologist for Atrivo / Intercage said,

“I just put my fate into companies I shouldn't have.”

For the record the CIDR report - RIP

Refs:

Spamhaus - PIE - Lasso

Atrivo: Cyber Crime USA Report - Hostexploit.com

Cidr Report - Atrivo / Intercage

Gap Gains Ground Internationally

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To boost its sales, Gap is seeking growth outside the U.S.A. Key strategy: franchised partnerships. Read more here.

Latest Global Hotspot?

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Good old USA! There's no place like home and as U.S. manufacturers become more efficient through the use of lean methodologies, flowing production back from China to the United States can be a smart business move.

Read more here.

Selling 10.3 Million Korean Customers

I looked at these photos and thought: What an EXTRAordinary branding and selling opportunity! Imagine getting your product or service mentioned in Korean (with a dot com link) on every single umbrella in South Korea during a typical day at the beach? Imagine if you manufactured the umbrellas?

WOW.

Photo credit: Global Trade & Technology Center

Entry corrected 9/19/08. We were originally told these photos were taken in China but learned from one of our readers (see comments) that, in fact, they were taken in South Korea at a place called "Haewoondae" in Busan (Pusan) which is the second largest city in South Korea.

Building Out Your Global Small Business

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Learn what's happening in the Middle East area for IT players serving the needs of the engine that drives global economic growth: SMBs. Read "Building Out Your Small Business"

Whether big or small, this advice applies to us all:

“Honest business and always one consistent message to the market (as well as inside the company). Kyocera started the business in 1959 with 28 people and in 2007 it is now an enterprise comprising of 180 companies with about 63,500 people with 8.1-billion Euros in revenue.” Each company has various views and opinions about starting a small business. However, each of these reactions relates to their own experiences and know-how and that definitely is a big thing to consider. Starting your own small business may face trials and hardships at first, but it will somehow begin to show signs of development once you learn to see what makes it progress.

Doing Business 2009

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Doing Business 2009 is available. The sixth in the World Bank Group's annual series on business regulations, Doing Business 2009 provides a look at five years of reforms since 2004.

Browse for it here or download report overview here (PDF, 339KB).

Going Beyond the Basic Online Presence

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How do you go beyond the basic online presence to attract international customers? Case in point: If you live in Barcelona (which I am sure many of you do!) and wish to travel to the Midwest to get an idea of what a USA farm is like, which of the following would you aspire to visit assuming both farms produce similar items and are close in proximity?


This picture represents exactly how you set yourself apart (online) in the global marketplace. Think Richardson's Farm Corn Maze, is going to go unnoticed for long? I doubt it because they understand the difference between ordinary and EXTRAordinary! And with it comes lots of hard work, exceptional marketing and bold creativity.

Richardson has put in the sweat equity to declare they have the World's Largest Corn Maze!

What are you doing to carve your spot online as "the world's best xxx?" Will we find you?

Entrando En El Juego Del Comercio Internacional

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SBA’s “Breaking into the Trade Game: A Small Business Guide to Exporting” was translated into Spanish by Argentina’s Chamber of Exporters and will be disseminated as a joint effort between the Argentinean Chamber and the Small and Medium Enterprise Congress of the Americas on International Trade.

Says SBA Acting Administrator Sandy K. Baruah:

“In our global economy, trade among nations has proven a leading factor in economic development and job growth. For small businesses, learning how to break into the international trade game is a must to make them more competitive."

Download PDF file here:

Entrando En El Juego Del Comercio Internacional (Breaking Into The Trade Game -- Argentine translation)

The guide will be made available in other countries with large Spanish-speaking populations.

Join The Global Entrepreneurial Revolution

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Our respected colleague, Matthew Bandyk, at U.S. News & World Report, blogs at Risky Business and did a Q&A with me. You can catch it here: The Global Entrepreneurial Revolution.

Build a Global Team

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Of all the things Dave Gray, founder and chairman of Xplane, worried about when he branched out overseas, tripe never entered the equation. Yes, you read that right. Find out what this is all about here.

And if you need more, visit, "Export Dream Team." (Requires fast, easy and free sign-up.)

Go Global Right At the Start

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Again, welcome Wall Street Journal readers -- happy to have you with us!

Here's what Randy Komisar, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers says (2004) about whether to go global right at the start:

According to Komisar, globalization needs to be part of the tool set for every entrepreneur doing a start-up today. This doesn't mean immediately going global, but understanding the global market and having a plan for the future, he adds.

Watch his 3 minute, 19 second video clip about it here.

I don't necessarily agree with his remarks but let's give him the benefit of any doubt. After all, this video was done in 2004. A lot has changed since then.

If you are smart, innovative, proactive and know how to manage risk -- you can attack markets in far off places right at the start of your business. Of course, it helps to begin planning early.

I Understand....9/29

Yep, my attention has been diverted as well--the election looms in two months! Bet the decision on our case comes out within the week (after the election results.) Any takers?

But, let's go back to the election. It became a horse race in the middle of the Republican Convention...and with such a weak start, I was beginning to feel that it was all over.

Senator McCain took some advice, and brought in a ringer. She has to be. This was a conservative's wet dream: A working MOM, a member of the NRA, Pro-Life, happily married, active, a governor, and bucks the 'good ole boy' authority in the Republican party. And she can stand up before a record number of people and deliver a punchline. And a punch.

Salvation.

Maybe there are some fleas, but the Democrats are panicking. There are more PIs going through Sarah Palins life (and trash) than the number of times that Obama can say 'uh' in a speech. Their version of recycling is to hand the garbage to the next investigator in line.

And the more that the Democrats poke at non-issues, the more popular and the more of the sympathy vote the Republicans get. Kind of like the blog. When Essent was pursuing hot and heavy, they stirred up national attention. Now, the blog is barely hitting a thousand-fifteen hundred hits a week. (The record is about that in a day!)

But why bring the election up? Just trying to play on the Palin effect? Maybe, but Duc-boy's 'practice Scotish spending' reminds me of the Obama plea to fill your tires to solve the energy crisis. Far too little, Far too late

Weak Dollar and Weak Economy Empower SMEs to Go After Overseas Customers

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Welcome Wall Street Journal readers! Happy to have been a part of this important article by Raymund Flandez, "Looking Abroad For a Bigger Boost in Business."

It talks about how the weak economy, dollar prompts firms to go after foreign consumers.

Exporting Grows a Business

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It's a fact: Businesses earn more and grow faster by exporting or growing global.

Find out how and why here.

Will Outlet Stores Work in Europe?

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A new book, "Le Deal: How a Young American, in Business, in Love, and in Over His Head, Kick-Started a Multibillion Dollar Industry in Europe," by J. Byrne Murphy is a memoir of a decade of dealmaking in Europe, most memorably in France, as Mr. Murphy scouts out commercial sites, partners with local developers, meets the demands of politicians, cuts through red tape, and brings a fresh idea to a place not exactly ready for it.

This all takes place after a catastrophic crash of his American business. Rings loud and clear to similarities many of you are experiencing with your domestic business -- rough going.

So if you feel frustration in your effort to grow your business global and need a dose of inspiration, this might be the book for you. Here's the review I caught in the WSJ after I had read the book.

Is there a pot of gold at the end of this storm-to-rainbow story? You bet. Murphy's MacArthurGlen has 11 centers in Europe now, employing 8,000 people and boasting a billion dollars in annual sales.

Goes to show you that anything is possible provided you have that can-do entrepreneurial spirit (perseverance).

Show Me The Export Money

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Small U.S. companies can get into global trade via creative financing with the new UPS Capital service. The timing could not be better considering economic turbulence is making it difficult for small businesses to obtain affordable financing through traditional means.

The service enables small companies to use their in-transit UPS shipments as collateral for loans. Yes, you read that right.

During the online complimentary news conference on 9/9/08, UPS Capital executives will provide an in-depth look at how the innovative service works and how it helps small businesses. A small-business owner who has been using the service with great success will be part of the call.

Don’t miss out. Reserve your spot and get into global trade TODAY. Click here so we can show you the export money!

Is There A Sweet Spot Overseas?

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For Chocolate Bar, there is. And welcome Wall Street Journal readers! We are so pleased to have been included in this article and that you found us. While you are here, explore. Come back again as often as you like.

Ignore Globalization At Your Own Risk

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Growth during difficult times can most certainly come from emerging markets. It's a good way to be a part of reshaping globalization.

Read more about that, a new book and more here.

Cheap Exports Are Booming For Small Businesses

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America's relatively cheap exports are booming and have played a critical role keeping the U.S. economy out of recession. In response, more small-business owners are looking to tap overseas markets and banks are looking to grow with them.

Read more about it here but don't let this quote confuse you: "There are 50,000 small- and medium-sized exporters in PNC's footprint, and ..." They must mean customers of a certain size who will use their services because our number is more like 240,000 (and growing) SMEs are exporting from the United States.

Can Consultants Go Global?

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Is there a true opportunity for consultants in the United States to do business globally? Or is the opportunity primarily for product companies? If we can go global at GlobeTrade, you can too. Here's why. And feel free to weigh in with your own comments.