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

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.