Understand the Demands of Customers in Global Markets

Building strong emotional bonds between consumers and Chinese brands remains a work in progress.  Take Haier (Haier America), for example, which ramped up efforts to go global in 1999.

It sold niche products such as small refrigerators to college students and wine cellars, and opened manufacturing plants in the U.S. and elsewhere to bring production centers closer to priority consumer markets.  Haier has distinguished itself among Chinese companies in efforts to build a global brand.

Understanding the demands of customers in global markets is just one of the many challenges Chinese companies face in light of increased global competition and operating in a fast, interconnected world.

Learn what other challenges lie ahead for Chinese companies here.

Related post:  Why China Has So Few Good Brands

Be Ready If Your Product Hits It Big Globally

The article below is confusing but touches on a few key points when it comes to expanding your business internationally.

For example:

Companies should develop what moderator and paid Content Executive Editor Ernie Sander called “the inverse of a disaster plan:"  Track the numbers and be ready if your product hits it big globally. “A lot of companies aren’t ready and when it happens they can’t take advantage of that momentum. They collapse,” said Jones—that hasn’t happened at Zynga  (pictured above) because they tracked usage data closely and had plans in place.

As I said, a bit confusing but there are a couple of insights that are worth searching for.

Best Global Strategy Means Local Partners and Low Prices

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

A Profit Lesson for Global Small Businesses

Wal-Mart (locations noted above) appears to be experiencing international growing pains.  Their strategy for driving global growth is working from a sales stand point but not necessarily from a profit or ease of doing business aspect.

... there’s a big problem with that growth strategy: operating margins are significantly worse internationally then they are in the U.S. In this quarter, U.S. operating margins came in at 7.42%, versus 3.93% for international operating margins. And after taking out currency effects, international operating income fell 3.3% year over year.

The lesson for global small businesses:  Monitor your operating margins country to country.   You may not be the size of Wal-Mart yet this is a common problem for any sized business operating internationally.  Keep your profits strong and healthy worldwide.
 
Read more here.   

Illustration credit:  Wal-Mart stores internationally

Entering New Foreign Markets Can be Hopefully Bureaucratic

Agree or disagree?  That is the question.  And Michigan businesses in U.S.A. address the answer.

The article highlights six common myths (misperceptions) about what it takes to pick up overseas business, and advice on addressing the underlying issues.

Border crossing:  Michigan companies going global find benefits can top barriers

Illustration credit here.

Inaugurating New Mayor of Global City Chicago

Before Rahm Emanuel (pictured above) officially becomes Mayor of global city Chicago -- any minute now -- ... a picture taken of him October 23, 2010 at the Apple store opening Lincoln Park, Chicago.

Photo credits:  ©Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.

The Global Aspect of Business

The Pennsylvania School for Global Entrepreneurship (PSGE) at Lehigh University (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) brings American high school students (ages 15-18) together with International high school students from all regions of the world for a five-week residential global learning experience.

The purpose of the PSGE program is to expose students to the topics of entrepreneurship, globalization, team building, project management, leadership and working within a culturally diverse environment and to ignite the students’ spirit of creativity, innovation and learning.  

This makes me so happy to see!  The notion of getting people interested in entrepreneurship and globalization at a young age is fantastic.

How to qualify?

The program is open to all current high school sophomores and juniors (ages 15-18).  Application to PSGE is a competitive process. The selection committee evaluates each application individually, and looks for evidence of academic ability, leadership, entrepreneurship, and community service.  Students of any nationality are welcome to apply.  To date, the program has had participation from international students representing Afghanistan, Antigua Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Columbia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Netherlands, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.

Get involved!  Learn more here. 

Download applications:

•  International

•  United States

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