How is the National Export Initiative Working For You?

That's the question I have for small businesses after I read this article:

Small Businesses Barely Keeping Afloat

As always, the comments baffle me.  But I am serious about my question:  Is the NEI working for small businesses?

Is it the best of times for BIG businesses and worst of times for small?  We welcome hearing from you!

How to Have Happy and Safe Travels Internationally

In response to rising travel threats worldwide, the following article might be useful to you in preparation for your next trip.

Crisis Abroad:  Tips for International Travelers

Related article:

International Travel Alerts:  Travel Alerts By Country

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

Expand Your Global Business Through Constant Reinvention

Do it the IBM way:

What started as a business making clocks, scales and cheese slicers has evolved into a global enterprise that’s responsible for a blur of innovations that include ATMs, mainframes, mini-computers, supercomputers, memory chips, the now obsolete typewriter, the barcode, and even that thin magnetic strip you see on your credit card.

Thanks to the Internet (and IBM), our world is not only becoming smaller but smarter too.

Read more about how IBM is transitioning from a multinational corporation to a globally integrated enterprise.  See if what they are doing applies to your global small business.  For example, where is your best work being done?  Put yourself and your business in the place with the most opportunity -- wherever that might be.

Thinking Big

Lady Gaga Is Conquering the World

Lady Gaga, queen of American pop music, and her management team have decided it's time to focus on conquering the rest of the world.  One of her first targets, after Germany with its 'Top Model' performance finale (as shown above) will be India.

Read more here on how Lady Gaga is going global.

Work Through the Critical Processes of Exporting

• How to determine your export readiness
• Worksheets for global market research
• Financing information and options
• Customizable export and marketing plan templates

Learn more here.   All brought to you by SBA.

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

How Retailers Can Find Riches Overseas

A new report, “The Global E-Commerce Gold Rush:  How Retailers Can Find Riches Overseas,” by Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group (IBSG) sizes up the challenges, opportunities and best practices for retailers who want to take advantage of e-commerce growth -- estimated to reach nearly $1.4 trillion in 2015 -- by going global.

Learn more here.

To read the report go to cisco.com/web/about/ac79/globalecom

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

My Top 10 Favorite Global Small Business Web Resources

Visiting these resources and studying them will help you get on top of your global game.  Here they are (originally published by Crain's Chicago Business (6/8/11):

Laurel Delaney:  Top 10 going-global websites

Do you have a favorite?  Let me know your best-kept secret!