The World of Internet Business: Internationalize Your Economy

These days, it is not sufficient to market solely in the United States, much less your local area. Business is being conducted on a global scale, and if you do not join in on the global commerce, you're missing out on a sizable chunk of change! Don't let your competitors pass you by as they expand their businesses to reach out across the oceans, especially with all of the mobility the internet has to offer. In this article I will tell you how you can add a whole new stream of income to your business, by moving to a global internet business model.

If you aren't doing global business yet, you are simply missing out on many great markets. Not only is the internet so easily accessible, but there is no comparison to the quality that the United States has to offer. People far and wide are looking for your online business because of the level of excellence and performance that we demand here in the United States. One of the quickest ways to expand your business to suit global needs is to adjust your site to be presentable in multiple languages. This process is neither complicated nor affordable, and will add an immense volume of new customers who will feel comfortable and appreciated because your site is tailored to their needs. It's built-in customer service that requires little to no feedback on your part.

Another great way to enhance your website and expand it to a global scale is to reference the global markets and current affairs on your website. This will convey to your customers your global view of business and your ability to incorporate information from all around the world in developing your product. This simple strategy adds immense credibility to you and your website, as people will be able to see that you put in the time and effort to think internationally.

These are just two easy ways to present yourself as a world business leader who operates on a global scale, instantly dwarfing your competitors who cannot boast the same credentials. When people see that you offer your site in Spanish, French, etc. they will automatically assume you have done your homework and are serious about doing business. The United States is a large country, but only a small fraction of the commerce and economic market, so quit thinking small, get out there and go global!

Martin Hatch is an expert at creating income online.

If you're looking honest, ethical, and legitimate way to generate a full-time income from home Click Here

Global Business Ethics

Global Business ethics today have proven themselves to be non-existent. If there had been some degree of self-regulation in the global financial industry, then there is little doubt that the current financial situation that now exists around the world would not be happening.

This lack of business ethics in the financial industry has caused riots in many European countries and no doubt many deaths that have gone unrecorded. This obvious lack of business ethics globally is to be deplored at every level of society and in every nation on earth.

There is little wonder that our financial industries are in such disarray. The banks have not been able to resist the temptation of greed and have operated on the assumption that because they can, they should. So they have.

The problem is that they have nearly brought the whole world crashing into utter chaos due to their greed and lack of ethical behaviour. Business in every country today is often held in little regard; and many big Multinational businesses in many instances are loathed. Once upon a more regulated time, to be a business person meant something and was considered to be an honourable profession. Today this loathing of the International financial sector stems from the fact that many 'ordinary' people have lost their life savings.

As baby-boomers are nearing retirement age and many were thinking they would have a safe and secure retirement fund, have now lost many hundreds of thousands of dollars. This in some instances has caused untold hardship through no fault of their own. After all, they did what they had been advised to do and saved their pennies and added them into retirement packages and other financial products to increase their wealth for a comfortable retirement.

The Financial Investment industry who were serving two masters ended up serving none. In fact, they are a large part of the problem. If a financial advisor is receiving commissions from the products he is recommending to prospective investors and then claiming investment or brokerage fees from those same clients, the question has to be asked as to who is his actual client? Many reputable stockbrokers and financial advisers didn't do that but there were far too many who did.

The banks between themselves sold off packages to each other and rewarded the selling broker financially.

This unethical behaviour gets much worse though as it goes up the regulatory financial chain. The banks themselves, all around the world, invented their own financial products or packages, by bundling up these products being sold to Joe and Jane Citizen and started selling them backwards and forwards to each other. In essence, they were re-selling something that had been sold several times previously. This greed is actually fraud.

It gets even more unethical because they put some 'bad' products (that is, some financial packages that they knew were never going to be redeemed) amongst valuable properties that paid enough to partly cover the losses on the properties that weren't earning. The International banking fraternity then sold these financial products back and forth to each other and from country to country. So that is why we had the global financial crises that I believe, quite frankly, is a long way from being over yet.

As I see it, the only way the International financial industry will get some ethics restored back into our financial systems, is to put in some meaningful financial regulation to halt the rape and pillage we have all been subjected to.

Now if only we could all find a politician somewhere who has the gumption to stand up to this greedy unethical industry and say "Enough and No More".

Instigating ethical accounting practices back into our banking industry will help many small businesses today

International SIM Cards Can Save Your Business Big Bucks

Whether you are aspiring to become an entrepreneur or you are already highly successful, the communication devices used are essential to the running of a profitable business. There are several tools for communication available around the world, but none arguably more important than the tiny SIM card in your cell phone. With the evolution of international SIM cards, global communications have become much more cost effective.
Whether you are embarking on a small or large venture, you always need to communicate with your clients effectively. This might mean being able to get in direct contact with your clients, responding to leads generated from your website or staying in touch with traveling employees. You can maintain communications using a global phone whether you are within your home country using the home network or when you are traveling to other foreign countries. If you have traveled abroad and have experienced the challenges of using foreign phone systems or had your call disconnected unexpectedly, you'll understand how annoying not having a reliable communication device can be. An international SIM card and global phone takes away many of the frustrations.
It is extremely simple to get these cards from online service providers. Naturally it is important to deal with a reputable company. Check their website to look for a variety of services, information about the services and background information about the company, references, and what support they offer. Some companies offer customized options. It is possible to get SIM cards for a particular country, several countries or the entire world. The prices will vary depending on whether an international phone is also required. Once you have selected a company it only take a few days to receive a global SIM card or world phone.
A global SIM card enables the phone it is in to roam and connect outside of the home network. Getting starting using them involves having a phone that is unlocked so it is able to connect to a GSM or Global System for Mobile Communications network, a standard developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute. Your cellular or smart phone is usually purchased with proprietary software that makes the phone only usable with the carrier you purchased from. This is called being locked. It means there will be roaming charges incurred if it is used outside of the home country. An unlocked cell phone can be used with any SIM card from any carrier. World, global or international phones are unlocked and ready to accept any SIM card.
It is very costly to make international calls using your local cell phone because of the associated roaming charges. But once you get your global SIM card you will be able to reach your working staff and potential clients without those charges. The international SIM card is designed to cover more than 200 destinations all over the world seamlessly. So, when you are traveling to another country, you will also be able to run your business without incurring any additional charges. These cards will not only keep you in touch with business associates but also ensure you will be able to reach your family.
You need to check out Brightroam if you are lucky enough to be going to London this summer. Here you can get one of the available UK sim cards for your trip to the Olympics and stay in touch with family and friends during the games.

Challenges for the Global Business

The world has grown smaller and businesses are taking advantage of this. But with the emergence of more global business, comes new hurdles that require immediate solutions. One important aspect of international business is business localization. This is more than merely penetrating local markets. It's actually a socio-cultural step towards business success.

Three major hurdles must be overcome by any global business wanting success. The first concern is providing real-time communication. The speed at which people communicate is one important problem that is continuously limiting business growth. To compound on this concern, people are becoming mobile and instant communication is important. Every second counts in business, and it becomes doubly difficult when people speak different languages. Business localization technology offers immediate response to this by incorporating a way for people to communicate faster with little or no language issues.

Another concern that global companies have to contend with is the fact that they have to cater to people from different parts of the world at the same time. Just the differences in language can slow down communication and business. Now multiplying this several times can cripple any company without the ability to address this concern. Being able to handle this problem warrants an almost impossible task of simultaneous language needs. Business localization services and technology offers the solution to this very pressing concern.

On top of all these problems, companies have to contend with the pressure of both mobility and immediate communication needs at the same time. Juggling one and the other at a time can be a challenge enough. But putting them in just one basket for a company to carry around everyday, can be more difficult (and discouraging for many smaller businesses). Solutions are important in this highly competitive world.

Solutions to these business predicaments are answered by business localization services. Business success comes to those you are able to crack this language puzzles given to all global companies.

Cel Santos works at Day Translations, Inc. -- Professional Translation Services, a global provider of translation solutions. Visit our website at http://daytranslations.com/default.aspx

The World of Internet Business: Internationalize Your Economy

These days, it is not sufficient to market solely in the United States, much less your local area. Business is being conducted on a global scale, and if you do not join in on the global commerce, you're missing out on a sizable chunk of change! Don't let your competitors pass you by as they expand their businesses to reach out across the oceans, especially with all of the mobility the internet has to offer. In this article I will tell you how you can add a whole new stream of income to your business, by moving to a global internet business model.

If you aren't doing global business yet, you are simply missing out on many great markets. Not only is the internet so easily accessible, but there is no comparison to the quality that the United States has to offer. People far and wide are looking for your online business because of the level of excellence and performance that we demand here in the United States. One of the quickest ways to expand your business to suit global needs is to adjust your site to be presentable in multiple languages. This process is neither complicated nor affordable, and will add an immense volume of new customers who will feel comfortable and appreciated because your site is tailored to their needs. It's built-in customer service that requires little to no feedback on your part.

Another great way to enhance your website and expand it to a global scale is to reference the global markets and current affairs on your website. This will convey to your customers your global view of business and your ability to incorporate information from all around the world in developing your product. This simple strategy adds immense credibility to you and your website, as people will be able to see that you put in the time and effort to think internationally.

These are just two easy ways to present yourself as a world business leader who operates on a global scale, instantly dwarfing your competitors who cannot boast the same credentials. When people see that you offer your site in Spanish, French, etc. they will automatically assume you have done your homework and are serious about doing business. The United States is a large country, but only a small fraction of the commerce and economic market, so quit thinking small, get out there and go global!

Martin Hatch is an expert at creating income online.

If you're looking honest, ethical, and legitimate way to generate a full-time income from home Click Here

Facts About A Global Business Company

According to the Financial Services Development Act 2001, a Global Business Company is committed to have qualified business done globally. This company is based in Mauritius and dealing with the people who are residing out of Mauritius. Global Business Company deals in the countries where they can conduct business in currencies other than Mauritius rupees.

Well, this is the predefined structure for any corporate body, partnership, individual, society, trust or a limited liability partnership and various other high-profile business enterprises.

Any Global Business Licence 1 Company can incorporate locally or can be enrolled as a branch of any foreign company. Only few public or government holding companies such as those of in banking, fund managing, insurance and beneficiary companies of DTAs (Double Taxation Agreements), can be enrolled as a Global Business Licence 1 Company.

Under the implementation of the Financial Services Development Act 2001 the GBL-1 Companies are not authorized to reveal any information. The confidentialities are strictly maintained and none of the organizational and individual bodies can reveal any documents to any judiciary bodies including court, inquiry committees, tribunals and any other Mauritius authorities until and unless they are ordered by a Court of Law with a petition from the Director of Public Prosecution. Even the Court of Law is authorized to do so only in certain cases like tracking of illegal drugs, narcotics, unlicensed weapons, smuggling and illegal money laundering. However, on the receipt of application to FSC, it is a must to disclose full information as and when it is required.

Dale Trust International is a licenced offshore management company. Visit their website for your Global Business Company requirements and for a range of trust services including professional trusteeship, secretarial services, administration of funds, back office accounting and so much more.

Risks in International Business

Just as there are reasons to get into global markets, and benefits from global markets, there are also risks involved in locating companies in certain countries. Each country may have its potentials; it also has its woes that are associated with doing business with major companies. Some of the rogue countries may have all the natural minerals but the risks involved in doing business in those countries exceed the benefits. Some of the risks in international business are:

(1) Strategic Risk
(2) Operational Risk
(3) Political Risk
(4) Country Risk
(5) Technological Risk
(6) Environmental Risk
(7) Economic Risk
(8) Financial Risk
(9) Terrorism Risk

Strategic Risk: The ability of a firm to make a strategic decision in order to respond to the forces that are a source of risk. These forces also impact the competitiveness of a firm. Porter defines them as: threat of new entrants in the industry, threat of substitute goods and services, intensity of competition within the industry, bargaining power of suppliers, and bargaining power of consumers.

Operational Risk: This is caused by the assets and financial capital that aid in the day-to-day business operations. The breakdown of machineries, supply and demand of the resources and products, shortfall of the goods and services, lack of perfect logistic and inventory will lead to inefficiency of production. By controlling costs, unnecessary waste will be reduced, and the process improvement may enhance the lead-time, reduce variance and contribute to efficiency in globalization.

Political Risk: The political actions and instability may make it difficult for companies to operate efficiently in these countries due to negative publicity and impact created by individuals in the top government. A firm cannot effectively operate to its full capacity in order to maximize profit in such an unstable country's political turbulence. A new and hostile government may replace the friendly one, and hence expropriate foreign assets.

Country Risk: The culture or the instability of a country may create risks that may make it difficult for multinational companies to operate safely, effectively, and efficiently. Some of the country risks come from the governments' policies, economic conditions, security factors, and political conditions. Solving one of these problems without all of the problems (aggregate) together will not be enough in mitigating the country risk.

Technological Risk: Lack of security in electronic transactions, the cost of developing new technology, and the fact that these new technology may fail, and when all of these are coupled with the outdated existing technology, the result may create a dangerous effect in doing business in the international arena.

Environmental Risk: Air, water, and environmental pollution may affect the health of the citizens, and lead to public outcry of the citizens. These problems may also lead to damaging the reputation of the companies that do business in that area.

Economic Risk: This comes from the inability of a country to meet its financial obligations. The changing of foreign-investment or/and domestic fiscal or monetary policies. The effect of exchange-rate and interest rate make it difficult to conduct international business.

Financial Risk: This area is affected by the currency exchange rate, government flexibility in allowing the firms to repatriate profits or funds outside the country. The devaluation and inflation will also impact the firm's ability to operate at an efficient capacity and still be stable. Most countries make it difficult for foreign firms to repatriate funds thus forcing these firms to invest its funds at a less optimal level. Sometimes, firms' assets are confiscated and that contributes to financial losses.

Terrorism Risk: These are attacks that may stem from lack of hope; confidence; differences in culture and religious philosophy, and/or merely hate of companies by citizens of host countries. It leads to potential hostile attitudes, sabotage of foreign companies and/or kidnapping of the employers and employees. Such frustrating situations make it difficult to operate in these countries.

Although the benefits in international business exceed the risks, firms should take a risk assessment of each country and to also include intellectual property, red tape and corruption, human resource restrictions, and ownership restrictions in the analysis, in order to consider all risks involved before venturing into any of the countries.

Dr. Sidney Okolo is a professor, consultant, strategist, and Africa expert. He is affiliated to several universities, the Managing Director of International Business Associates, a management consulting firm, and also the CEO of Global Education Support, an education assistance program.

Among other things, he engages in all aspects of learning, knowledge, organization and human change. His focus is on leadership, management, entrepreneurship, profit engineering, human potential, excellence, achievement, business strategy, research and development. Product management, change management, conflict management, athlete management, marketing, business development and operations. He works with clients to adapt to change due to change in factors of production, technology, goods and services. He engages clients in training, retraining, development, skills enhancement, association, behavior modification, ways of thinking, and attitude adjustment. In addition to his work in the United States, his focus is also on developing countries in the continent of Africa, their leadership, culture, economic and market structure, community planning and development, and his created four letter word, "PIES", which stands for: poverty, instability, ethnicity, and sectarianism.

Take Your Business to the Global Market With Document Translation Services

Today, business enterprises are spanning the globe with numerous services and products. This huge global world includes several languages, dialects and variations. Even commercial and business interactions may differ on the basis of diverse cultures present in different parts of the world. Communicating clearly, effectively and accurately is always considered as the keystone for business success. Especially businesses seeking to expand in the global market need to effectively communicate in many other languages depending on their target market. Thus, in order to take their business to the global market, they ought to go for document translations offered by the translation agencies.

However, it is important to select a service provider you can be confident about. They should be able to communicate your core business message to your target audience accurately, clearly and effectively. They should also offer non-disclosure contracts and privacy agreements indicating a strong commitment to security and confidentiality of your business documents. The business must be totally conducted in professional manner. For successfully bridging the language barriers as well as cultural differences, hiring the services of a highly skilled and experienced translator is a must.

These professional bilingual speakers and writers are well versed in the grammar, spellings, punctuations as well as the nuances of target language in which you want your documents to get translated. They are also knowledgeable about the differences in the local dialect and use of colloquialisms the correct way. This way they are able to translate the core message of a business in a culturally acceptable manner. You can check out the free quotes proffered by the document translators. However, before going ahead with any company make sure to explore about their work in detail. You must probe about their turn-around time, their punctuality past record, their rates etc. Also make sure they offer 24 hours support and check all translations through in-house editors and proof readers to ensure quality assurance. Besides, the company you choose must be bound by the commercial confidentiality apart from being professional and reputable.

Today, document translation services play a significant role in copious business fields including legal, medical, technical, financial and educational. Accurate translations are particularly crucial to all types of legal contracts and documents. For the best outcome, it is advisable to always seek the services of professional translators and interpreters who are licensed. Adept translation service providers completely understand the quintessence of a business's marketing message and appropriately convey it to the prospective customers which ultimately provide you with great returns on your marketing efforts.

Tips For Conducting Business Globally

These mistakes may be innocent enough, but can carry substantial, financial repercussions and unintended brand erosion. Understanding cultural differences from both a business POV and a social POV is paramount to succeeding in global waters. If you are new to the challenge of pursuing business in foreign territories please be aware, the American way, is not the only way and in some cases can be shunned.

Example: An American executive who relocated to London for a Branding position was a novice to British culture. He was a bright, head strong, opinionated American who multi-tasked constantly, had a get-it done work ethic and would happily stay up all night to complete a project. However, he was not being received well. He quickly learned from a personal branding, likeability and efficiency perspective, it was incumbent that he rehabbed his professional personality. To fit in, he needed to adjust to the locale if he wanted to be welcomed by his British colleagues. He started with simple measures, lowering his speaking voice by several octaves. He then got in sync with the speed and efficiency of his colleagues. He refrained from making any comments on the British Aristocracy. Lastly, he became much less overtly assertive. He happened to be a quick leaner, therefore his challenges were measurably overcome in a short period and it made a substantial difference. He was still American, but he was no longer the stereotypical, over-the-top, unintentionally offensive American.

This lesson was repeated (although abbreviated) when he conducting branding excursions in Central Eastern Europe, Spain, France, Australia, Germany and other territories. Each country has it's own set of business, cultural and social attributes. It is imperative to develop some cultural sensitivity and personal branding acumen before attempting to launch your brand, sale products, or increase awareness for a brand, product or service in different cultures.

Tips from a PR Expert:

1) Invest in due-diligence. Research the country's cultural history.

2) Research, the company you want to do business with. Understand their past failures and success. What are their goals? What can you offer them?

3) Research the people you will be meeting with. Are they married? Are they single? What was their previous position? How long have they been at that position? This information can serve you well.

4) If you can, determine in advance their perspective on American's.

5) Work hard, but smart. Be careful not to alienate colleagues, or put off superiors.

6) Understand the currency and the exchange rate so you can calculate quickly and efficiently, demonstrating (at some level) your understanding of their global trading system.

7) Research global shipping and customs guidelines for that territory.

8) Become your own Public Relations Consultant and brand yourself as one who is interested and understanding of their social and business culture.

In summary, and most of all, listen, restrain, adjust, assimilate and communicate best practices for that specific international territory. Demonstrating and communicating your understanding and respect for their culture and business methodology is key to success! If they do not connect with you, they will not connect with your brand.

Michele Clayborne is an International Public Relations Consultant with over 15 years of experience and a former Vice President with Fleishman Hillard International Communications. She has lived and worked in London and has conducted branding initiatives all over the world for her clients.

Importance of a Document Translation Service in the Global Business World

Globalization has led to a drastic rise in the demand for the services of language translations by business organizations. This has further resulted in a significant rise in the number of language translators and interpreters who offer a wide range of services for translating content written in a particular language to some other language. Depending on the nature of a business, companies ask for different linguistic services like document translation, software localization, personal translation, website translation and many others. Among all these, document translations are often regarded as the most sought after services by businesses.

These services are used for translating documents from one language to another language. Besides, document translation being an umbrella-term covers a number of subjects including law, banking, finance, business, social sciences, marketing, physical sciences, technology, sports, engineering, education, culture, literature and many other subjects. Today, a growing number of businesses are going global to offer products/services to a wider audience, but they usually encounter the daunting task to create, update and manage documents in different languages concomitantly. These documents can be for sales deeds, transfer of the business information, financial reconstruction, legal documents, marketing material etc. Translating such important documents to another target language often calls for the skills of a certified translator.

It is important to know that service providers offering language translations usually work as an agency with an expert team of qualified and experienced translators, managers and proof readers, offering complete linguistic solutions. Perfect translations need expertise of an adept translator knowledgeable about the relevant industry, target language and also the culture. Thus, different types of document translations are offered by these agencies such as financial transaction, technical transaction, personal transaction, legal transition etc.

If you're seeking language translation solutions, for getting your business documents translated into some other language, it is advisable to hire only experienced professionals. The company you choose should have an expert team of adept linguistic professionals capable enough to satisfactorily serve your document translation requirements from small to big multilingual projects. To get the best deal of work, it is viable to perform a good research and gather needed information about all translation service providers present around your locality. You must meticulously analyze your selected company's website to get important information and details about its portfolio, services, customer's reviews and rates. Comparing packages offered by different companies would help you choose the best one as per your budget and business needs. So, go ahead and mark your presence in the global business world with credible document translation services.

Global Business - Licensing and Franchising

Another approach to international business is licensing. Important point, license agreements entitle one company to produce or market another company's product or to utilize its technology in return for a royalty or fee. Sounds good with our company. Here's an example - a U.S. business might obtain the rights to manufacture and sell a Scandinavian skin lotion in the United States, using the Scandinavian formula and packaging design. The U.S. company would be responsible for promoting and distributing the product, and it would pay the Scandinavian company a percentage of its income from sales in exchange for the products rights.

Licensing deals can also work the other way, with the U.S. company acting as the licenser and the overseas company as the licensee. Another important point, the U.S. firm would avoid the shipping costs, trade barriers, and uncertainties associated with trying to enter other markets, but it would still receive a portion of the revenue from overseas sales. Moreover, licensing agreements are not restricted to international business. A company can also license its products or technology to other companies in its domestic market.

Just going to expand a little on franchising. This technique is getting expensive everyday. Franchising is another was to expand into foreign markets. With a franchise agreement, the franchisee obtains the rights to duplicate a specific product or service (ex. restaurant, photocopy shop, or a video rental store). And the company selling the franchise obtains a royalty fee in exchange. Holiday Inn WorldWide has used this approach to reach customers in over 60 countries. The point is that by franchising the operation, a company can minimize the costs and risks of global expansion and bypass certain trade restrictions.

Remember Success comes when we work together. [http://www.obriangroup.org]

Tips For Conducting Business Globally

These mistakes may be innocent enough, but can carry substantial, financial repercussions and unintended brand erosion. Understanding cultural differences from both a business POV and a social POV is paramount to succeeding in global waters. If you are new to the challenge of pursuing business in foreign territories please be aware, the American way, is not the only way and in some cases can be shunned.

Example: An American executive who relocated to London for a Branding position was a novice to British culture. He was a bright, head strong, opinionated American who multi-tasked constantly, had a get-it done work ethic and would happily stay up all night to complete a project. However, he was not being received well. He quickly learned from a personal branding, likeability and efficiency perspective, it was incumbent that he rehabbed his professional personality. To fit in, he needed to adjust to the locale if he wanted to be welcomed by his British colleagues. He started with simple measures, lowering his speaking voice by several octaves. He then got in sync with the speed and efficiency of his colleagues. He refrained from making any comments on the British Aristocracy. Lastly, he became much less overtly assertive. He happened to be a quick leaner, therefore his challenges were measurably overcome in a short period and it made a substantial difference. He was still American, but he was no longer the stereotypical, over-the-top, unintentionally offensive American.

This lesson was repeated (although abbreviated) when he conducting branding excursions in Central Eastern Europe, Spain, France, Australia, Germany and other territories. Each country has it's own set of business, cultural and social attributes. It is imperative to develop some cultural sensitivity and personal branding acumen before attempting to launch your brand, sale products, or increase awareness for a brand, product or service in different cultures.

Tips from a PR Expert:

1) Invest in due-diligence. Research the country's cultural history.

2) Research, the company you want to do business with. Understand their past failures and success. What are their goals? What can you offer them?

3) Research the people you will be meeting with. Are they married? Are they single? What was their previous position? How long have they been at that position? This information can serve you well.

4) If you can, determine in advance their perspective on American's.

5) Work hard, but smart. Be careful not to alienate colleagues, or put off superiors.

6) Understand the currency and the exchange rate so you can calculate quickly and efficiently, demonstrating (at some level) your understanding of their global trading system.

7) Research global shipping and customs guidelines for that territory.

8) Become your own Public Relations Consultant and brand yourself as one who is interested and understanding of their social and business culture.

In summary, and most of all, listen, restrain, adjust, assimilate and communicate best practices for that specific international territory. Demonstrating and communicating your understanding and respect for their culture and business methodology is key to success! If they do not connect with you, they will not connect with your brand.

Michele Clayborne is an International Public Relations Consultant with over 15 years of experience and a former Vice President with Fleishman Hillard International Communications. She has lived and worked in London and has conducted branding initiatives all over the world for her clients.

Risks in International Business

Just as there are reasons to get into global markets, and benefits from global markets, there are also risks involved in locating companies in certain countries. Each country may have its potentials; it also has its woes that are associated with doing business with major companies. Some of the rogue countries may have all the natural minerals but the risks involved in doing business in those countries exceed the benefits. Some of the risks in international business are:

(1) Strategic Risk
(2) Operational Risk
(3) Political Risk
(4) Country Risk
(5) Technological Risk
(6) Environmental Risk
(7) Economic Risk
(8) Financial Risk
(9) Terrorism Risk

Strategic Risk: The ability of a firm to make a strategic decision in order to respond to the forces that are a source of risk. These forces also impact the competitiveness of a firm. Porter defines them as: threat of new entrants in the industry, threat of substitute goods and services, intensity of competition within the industry, bargaining power of suppliers, and bargaining power of consumers.

Operational Risk: This is caused by the assets and financial capital that aid in the day-to-day business operations. The breakdown of machineries, supply and demand of the resources and products, shortfall of the goods and services, lack of perfect logistic and inventory will lead to inefficiency of production. By controlling costs, unnecessary waste will be reduced, and the process improvement may enhance the lead-time, reduce variance and contribute to efficiency in globalization.

Political Risk: The political actions and instability may make it difficult for companies to operate efficiently in these countries due to negative publicity and impact created by individuals in the top government. A firm cannot effectively operate to its full capacity in order to maximize profit in such an unstable country's political turbulence. A new and hostile government may replace the friendly one, and hence expropriate foreign assets.

Country Risk: The culture or the instability of a country may create risks that may make it difficult for multinational companies to operate safely, effectively, and efficiently. Some of the country risks come from the governments' policies, economic conditions, security factors, and political conditions. Solving one of these problems without all of the problems (aggregate) together will not be enough in mitigating the country risk.

Technological Risk: Lack of security in electronic transactions, the cost of developing new technology, and the fact that these new technology may fail, and when all of these are coupled with the outdated existing technology, the result may create a dangerous effect in doing business in the international arena.

Environmental Risk: Air, water, and environmental pollution may affect the health of the citizens, and lead to public outcry of the citizens. These problems may also lead to damaging the reputation of the companies that do business in that area.

Economic Risk: This comes from the inability of a country to meet its financial obligations. The changing of foreign-investment or/and domestic fiscal or monetary policies. The effect of exchange-rate and interest rate make it difficult to conduct international business.

Financial Risk: This area is affected by the currency exchange rate, government flexibility in allowing the firms to repatriate profits or funds outside the country. The devaluation and inflation will also impact the firm's ability to operate at an efficient capacity and still be stable. Most countries make it difficult for foreign firms to repatriate funds thus forcing these firms to invest its funds at a less optimal level. Sometimes, firms' assets are confiscated and that contributes to financial losses.

Terrorism Risk: These are attacks that may stem from lack of hope; confidence; differences in culture and religious philosophy, and/or merely hate of companies by citizens of host countries. It leads to potential hostile attitudes, sabotage of foreign companies and/or kidnapping of the employers and employees. Such frustrating situations make it difficult to operate in these countries.

Although the benefits in international business exceed the risks, firms should take a risk assessment of each country and to also include intellectual property, red tape and corruption, human resource restrictions, and ownership restrictions in the analysis, in order to consider all risks involved before venturing into any of the countries.

Dr. Sidney Okolo is a professor, consultant, strategist, and Africa expert. He is affiliated to several universities, the Managing Director of International Business Associates, a management consulting firm, and also the CEO of Global Education Support, an education assistance program.

Among other things, he engages in all aspects of learning, knowledge, organization and human change. His focus is on leadership, management, entrepreneurship, profit engineering, human potential, excellence, achievement, business strategy, research and development. Product management, change management, conflict management, athlete management, marketing, business development and operations. He works with clients to adapt to change due to change in factors of production, technology, goods and services. He engages clients in training, retraining, development, skills enhancement, association, behavior modification, ways of thinking, and attitude adjustment. In addition to his work in the United States, his focus is also on developing countries in the continent of Africa, their leadership, culture, economic and market structure, community planning and development, and his created four letter word, "PIES", which stands for: poverty, instability, ethnicity, and sectarianism.

Global Business - Licensing and Franchising

Another approach to international business is licensing. Important point, license agreements entitle one company to produce or market another company's product or to utilize its technology in return for a royalty or fee. Sounds good with our company. Here's an example - a U.S. business might obtain the rights to manufacture and sell a Scandinavian skin lotion in the United States, using the Scandinavian formula and packaging design. The U.S. company would be responsible for promoting and distributing the product, and it would pay the Scandinavian company a percentage of its income from sales in exchange for the products rights.

Licensing deals can also work the other way, with the U.S. company acting as the licenser and the overseas company as the licensee. Another important point, the U.S. firm would avoid the shipping costs, trade barriers, and uncertainties associated with trying to enter other markets, but it would still receive a portion of the revenue from overseas sales. Moreover, licensing agreements are not restricted to international business. A company can also license its products or technology to other companies in its domestic market.

Just going to expand a little on franchising. This technique is getting expensive everyday. Franchising is another was to expand into foreign markets. With a franchise agreement, the franchisee obtains the rights to duplicate a specific product or service (ex. restaurant, photocopy shop, or a video rental store). And the company selling the franchise obtains a royalty fee in exchange. Holiday Inn WorldWide has used this approach to reach customers in over 60 countries. The point is that by franchising the operation, a company can minimize the costs and risks of global expansion and bypass certain trade restrictions.

Remember Success comes when we work together. [http://www.obriangroup.org]

The Importance of International Conferencing to Modern Business Processes

Never before has international conferencing been so useful. As businesses become globalized, companies need to use every tool at their disposal, and success is often achieved by exploiting even the smallest advantage over the competition.

One asset that is often overlooked is the availability of a global workforce. Even as one part of the world sleeps, the other wakes and begins its workday. This is a global resource that companies can tap, either as part of their workforce, or as clients and partners for their business.

It is no longer unusual for businesses to outsource some of their processes and operations outside their home country. Many companies have gone this route and are finding success in it. Outsourcing can potentially reduce the cost of operations, reduce capital investments, enable easier access to different skills and technology, and broaden the flexibility of the company.

These benefits are nothing to scoff at. Companies all over the world have achieved significant growth by understanding that we are now living in a global economy, and the only way to achieve success is by gaining access to new talents and resources.

Taking advantage of the benefits of outsourcing requires the use of international conferencing. International teleconferences allow managers and corporate decision makers to instantly communicate with partners and employees worldwide, and get the information they need to make informed business decisions.

This method of instant communication allows for a great deal of flexibility. Projects are easily planned and updated despite vastly different locations. If the company needs to immediately adapt to a situation, a quick call during the appropriate time can easily shift production and other business processes.

But that is not the only advantage of having a global view. After all, the global market is huge and organizations can offer new products or services that can easily answer the demands of businesses and consumers from all over the world.

The savvy businessman must still close deals by himself, and that means getting into contact with the right individuals and presenting the case for his company. The right international conferencing tools allow businesses to do just that. Not only will it give the ability to quickly communicate with clients when it is convenient, new technologies are now also available to better facilitate collaboration. This convenience enables companies to create new opportunities while reducing travel and other assorted costs.

Savvy businesses achieve success by properly using the assets that are available wherever they may be.

"Brave New World" - Business Sans Borders

Shakespeare's Brave New World was one that was inhabited by handsome, noble creatures -- especially in the eyes of young Miranda who had never seen such people before and rather trusted her first impressions. From there the expression came to be ironically used by Aldous Huxley to describe a Utopian world state. And now in our own times, we use this to signify our advanced world and existence where technology reigns supreme. The new brave world is one envisioned as the flat world by bestselling author Thomas Friedman who sees it as a global, web-enabled playing field that "allows for multiple forms of collaboration without regard to geography or distance-or, soon, even language." Now, how does this flattening of the world impact businesses? Though opinions are divided on this, the pros outweigh the cons.

The Positives

Friedman's "playing field" is flat or level in the sense that there is free flow of information worldwide. This flattening has been made possible with the fast paced technological advancements. The world has become a much smaller place with the tremendous explosion in communication systems. The information we need is at our fingertips. We receive information via mail, chat, blog and mobile phones to speak of a few information sharing platforms. The popularity of the Internet and easy accessibility of technology have proved advantageous to small as well as large businesses across the world. The so-called borders have been disrupted facilitating smooth communication. Businesses can now look to becoming much more competitive.

It's a Small World after All

The internet and mobile technology has made the world a small and cozier place to live in. Businesses can now enter new markets and reach out to organizations anywhere in the world forging new relationships and enhancing performance. Language was something that was a major deterrent earlier, hindering smooth business functioning. Now there are Internet translation tools to help you out. Remarkable advancements have been made in speech and voice technology such as those introduced by Google that is bound to revolutionize communication. Smartphones and other advanced business phones help businesses thousands of miles apart to work together.

Leverage Skill and Talent on a Global Level

The concept of the flat world rules out the prospect of businesses functioning in watertight compartments. The entire world is lying open before you, waiting for you to tap into the immense skill and talent available. It is now easy to cut costs and invest more in core areas that can bring about business improvement. Mobile, cloud and social computing are the greatest breakthroughs that help businesses function from virtual offices, with employees in far-off destinations. The outsourcing industry has experienced tremendous growth with the globalization trend. With their guarantee of affordable labor, efficient handling of non-core business processes and round the clock functioning, business process outsourcing companies have earned the trust of even big businesses. These companies have an exceptional way of functioning, rounding up trained and experienced professionals from around the world and utilizing the best technology has to offer. Businesses aiming to cut costs and work on a more global level, thereby improving productivity and profit could consider outsourcing some of their business processes.

There is no doubt that global economy has changed, it is flat now and sooner or later all companies will have to rethink their business model if they still want to be around in a few years from now. Competitiveness will remain the prerogative of those businesses that are sensitive to the trends in the market and change their business models accordingly, to inhabit the brave new world.

Managed Outsource Solutions (MOS) is a leading BPO company in the US providing individualized business process outsourcing services.

International Conferencing for Your Business Brilliance

With fast paced globalization, world economy has witnessed a drastic change and now the companies have decided to head on foreign investments to maintain pace with the changing market scenario. Companies are keen to set up offices across the world. The reason for establishing offices abroad is to keep a strong footing in international arena. So, in order sustain close contacts and co-ordination with the regional branches of the corporate houses, international conferencing has become really indispensable. Besides, such conferencing solution has proved to be an essential means of connecting multiple parties straight to people in various locations round the globe.

Frankly speaking, gone are the days when business personnel and representatives were required to throng to foreign countries to meet and invite new business collaborates, suppliers, channel partners, retailers and other dealers. With international conferencing becoming the most sought after tool these days nothing seems impossible. One can just make good use of internet or telephone to connect with the stakeholders and communicate with them in real-time. So it is not only convenient but also reduces the conference calling expenses, curtailing the traveling time and costs each time.

Big business houses and organizations, seeking for the most cost-effective means to manage their conferencing arrangements can look for call service providers which offer effective services at reasonable costs. The service providers come up with wide range of web interacting solutions that let the users work in virtual setting which is pretty supportive to collaboration. The basic requirement for such type of virtual meeting is computer or laptop well accompanied by fast net connection and a conferencing application. The conferencing service doesn't demand any software installation by participants or moderators. What's more is that the user-friendly application is well accessible from all the web browsers devoid of any plug-ins. Simply put, they are fully safe, as the service operator encrypts the solutions as per maximum security protocol.

There are plenty of providers dealing with international conference call service who are into offering global conferencing service to company. The providers present applications which are installed with multiple advanced features. The users get the choice of transferring the applications, documents and files without any heck followed by sharing the whole desktop with participants present on the other side. The webcasting service lets the participants to record the meeting for further reference. Apart from these, the effective features include drag and drop, white boarding which are included into the transmission software to guarantee right brainstorming and transmission at real time amongst participants who are located at distant places. Companies as well as individuals can choose such features as per their needs and requirements while gaining international conferencing solutions from reliable service providers.

To conclude, this can be said that with operator backed conference call, you get the liberty to simplify the whole conference process and facilitate your meeting in a more effective and formal manner. Well, regardless of your business size, be it big or small, you can make good use of this superb international conferencing and make the communication easy like never before.

Hope Dever being a professional in international conferencing service considers that there is a horde of easy available options, when the matter relates to international conferencing. He also believes international conference call with its loaded features makes communication easy like never before.

Take Your Business Global With Website Translation Services

Today, internet is accessible in almost every country of the world. However, as all these nations have a native language of their own, as a business owner you must invest in the right techniques to reach out to them. For instance, by availing the services of website translations you could potentially boost up your business sales. Still wondering what exactly a website translation agency can do for a business? Well, let's just say your website offers only a single version in English language. This would apparently limit your customer base to only the English-speaking clients while failing to grab the attention of customers speaking other languages.

However, as a business owner you must know that there are numerous languages spoken all around the world. By implementing an efficient and systematic approach they can target the non-English speaking internet users and reach out to a wider group of audience. This in turn would provide them with more contacts, more sales and therefore more revenue. While hunting for professional services for website translations, you must seek out an agency offering professional, top quality and an extensive variety of services. Today, the web is getting bigger day after day and as it's growing, innovative technologies are being developed. Make sure the translation agency you hire holds the skills and ability to develop as the web evolves.

Today's web users are more sophisticated and smarter. So, the translators and interpreters you choose must have an excellent grasp on the target language they would be translating your site to. They should make the most suitable word selection to ensure that the text remains as gripping as it was before being translated. For this they must be totally immersed into the culture of your target nation. Besides, it was also stated above that looking for a translation agency offering as extensive range of services can turn out to be a great decision. And in fact there are several reasons why you should seek such agencies.

Today, the web has become more interactive and one great way to keep the visitors engrossed and draw more potential customers is to smartly capitalize on swelling popularity of various multimedia advertising and marketing platforms. By selecting a reliable website translation service provider offering services like voice-over translations, video translations and other interactive and interesting translation services, you can significantly raise the graph of your business profits. Deciding to jump on to the international market holds the potential to improve the outcome of your business like nothing else.

International Trade Has Benefits for the Consumer, Worker and for Businesses

When a consumer in the UK buys mangoes or bananas, coffee or a bottle of wine, they are experiencing the effects of international trade not only in the products that are on offer but often also in the price of those products.

But it doesn't only apply to the products on the supermarket shelves. Increasingly the flat pack furniture a consumer buys at a competitive price, the clothes and shoes they wear, or the toys they buy for the children all have their origins in another country.

The chances are that the furniture originated in South East Asia, the clothes were made in India, the shoes in Brazil and the toys in China.

The same is true for businesses, who manage their overheads by "offshoring" using call centres in India or the Philippines to manage their communications with customers or potential customers, or having their websites hosted and managed, or their R & D carried out in India.

Part of the reason for this is that international trade with countries where production costs are cheaper because wage rates are lower and raw materials widely available means that there is greater competition and this means that the end price to the consumer is lower than it might be for the same goods to be manufactured at home.

It also makes possible a wider choice for consumers about the products that are available to them.

These examples illustrate the importance to the modern global economy of international trade not only to the consumer but also for businesses seeking to develop and grow.

Equally in an inter-connected global economy international trade can be a source of more jobs and therefore income in other countries that have developed expertise in particular areas as India has done with IT support services and China with manufacturing.

While it could be argued that this has increased levels of job insecurity as companies constantly look for locations where there is a plentiful and cheap source of labour and raw materials, it could also be argued that it also creates opportunities.

Rapidly growing economies such as the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India and China) may have cheap labour and plentiful raw materials but as they seek to grow into fully mature economies they may experience skills shortages in certain areas of expertise.

They need time to develop that expertise and this provides opportunities for educational establishments such as universities to market their courses to overseas students. Equally it provides opportunities for consultants to offer their services overseas.

For example, there is a worldwide shortage of engineers in many fields and therefore there will be opportunities for qualified people in places where efforts are being made to improve the transport and energy infrastructures, such as Brazil.

There may not be the in-country facilities for manufacturing the heavy plant and machinery needed for such projects and this too provides opportunities for businesses in other countries.

Initial research into such possibilities can be carried out by using an online trading portal to advertise services, find the local contacts and organisations that can help and to understand the legalities that are in place in the target country.

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Air Freight Forwarders - How They Help Make Global Business Work

Our global economy depends on the import and export of goods to other countries. In fact, the cost of logistics in America accounts for 10% of national GDP. Logistics is undoubtedly one of the top industries driving our world economy. Much of logistics consists of managing a variety of air, land, and sea cargo carriers, as well as complex customs requirements. Enter the Air freight forwarder: how they help make global business work.

Many people underestimate the complexity of shipping goods or belongings overseas. Whenever you initiate a shipment, a network of carriers will relay the cargo from your door step, to the nearest air, land, or sea port, across oceans and mountains, to the receiving country, and finally to the shipment's ultimate destination.

At every step of this process your shipment requires a unique set of paperwork outlining what the shipment contains, who it is being shipped to, where it is coming from, and any parties claiming the shipment. Shipments must be claimed at every relay point in the supply chain, the customs process must be navigated, and any tariffs handled.

This is the role of the air freight forwarder. Officially, an air freight forwarder is a professional or organization that organizes and oversees shipments for individuals and companies alike. An air freight forwarder serves as a third-party to manage the relationship between shippers and the various freight carriers who physically transport the goods.

Shipments are bid on in a marketplace of freight carriers. It is possible for a company or individual to request bids for shipments themselves, but unless they have a very large volume of freight, they are often at the mercy of the carriers in terms of cost and terms. Air freight forwarders, on the other hand, can batch multiple shipments to gain bargaining leverage over the carriers, achieving the best terms at the lowest cost.

This process happens at every leg of the shipment. Some carriers can handle more than one leg of the journey, but a select few (often the most expensive) handle comprehensive door-to-door shipment. Freight forwarders negotiate on the client's behalf at every leg of the journey.

Air freight forwarders serve as transportation brokers, negotiating the best possible rates and shipment terms for their clients. Unlike brokers in other industries, once a shipment has been successfully brokered the air freight forwarder prepares all necessary documentation, and oversees the goods during transport, ensuring the fastest, most efficient shipment, delivery, and route of travel.

When companies and individuals are able to ship goods quickly, at minimal cost, they are better able to grow their business. By effectively outsourcing their logistics operations, they can focus their budget and attention on their core competencies. This leads to higher quality goods and services, at lower cost. It also often means more jobs.

There are a lot of factors driving our global economy, but it cannot be denied that the movement of goods is a critical one. Air freight forwarders serve as an agent to lower the cost and difficulty of shipping. This allows companies to ship more goods, bringing entrepreneurs and employees alike greater wealth and greater opportunity.

The Scariest Components of Business for Young, Hopeful Global Managers

In a world that, thanks to technology and outsourcing, only continues to get smaller how are young professionals today going to tackle the task of staying in touch with their employees in global organizations? As a young MBA student myself, I see myself as ambitious and ready to take on the world, however, only recently did I realize that this might mean actually taking on the world. How can you manage people globally when they speak another language and have completely different beliefs and customs that only add to the information challenges? Suddenly the way you assess your local employees is not going to be good enough, this is a whole new dimension to management and it's going to be one that most ambitious young managers will get to experience firsthand. I get overwhelmed just thinking about the issues that could come up with employees in global organizations so I decided to attack the issues that scare me the most and evaluate them.

First off, having global language barriers with your employees could seem like enough to make you give up before you get started, but the way the world is today, and the way it will undoubtedly be in the future, leaves no question that language barriers are something that are going to have to be continuously managed in a successful global organization. Good communications skills have never been more critical. Highlighting the issues with language barriers, a recent article in The Rio Times states, "A report by the Economist Intelligence Unit says that Brazil is among the worst at coping with the language barrier of the English-speaking world of business, and that deals are being hindered because of it. Experts are warning that, with increased international interest in businesses based in Brazil, the need to break down the barrier has never been more acute." (Tavener, 2012). So what are some solutions to language barriers (other than Rosetta Stone)? Offhand, I would think that trustworthy interpreters are going to take a lot of the stress out of language barriers, but other aids I've considered would be visual aids, technology (electronic interpreters), and body language (if present or skyping with the person you're communicating with). Language barriers are always going to be out there, it's finding the ways to overcome them that leads to success. "Industry experts say that despite the possible setbacks caused by inefficient language communications, a multinational approach can yield the biggest gains, as long as initial cultural misunderstandings can be overcome." (Tavener, 2012).

The second thing that scares me to death about global management is differences in ethics, beliefs, and customs. While I think that cultural differences among people are beautiful, the thought of offending or not comprehending the ethics of those I'm managing simply terrifies me. There's no playbook for this. "Many of the ethical issues in international business are rooted in the fact that political systems, law, economic development, and culture vary significantly from nation to nation." (Hill, 2010, p.136) As a manager, you're going to have to make yourself particularly sensitive to and aware of these differences. The way you navigate differences in customs and beliefs is going to vary based on what part of the world you're dealing with and defining ethical business conduct will more than likely be dependent upon that as well. As a young, unworldly MBA student this topic perplexes me, but I would have to think that there is a global ethical standard to be defined when it comes to business. Without one, we would restrict our ability to do business effectively in a world where borders have become less and less meaningful. As an effective global manager I would think my first step would be to define this shared set of global ethical values and capitalize on it.

After overcoming language barriers and ethical differences, how do you evaluate the employees at hand? However unfamiliar global business practices may seem at first, mangers with global responsibilities must be able to make a fair and accurate assessment of employees from other countries. What's most scary about this for me is the issue of trust. Who can you trust do assess employee performance for you from overseas? You're going to have to find dependable people to get things done, ones who can give you valuable insight into organizational issues. Personally, one of my biggest fears and biggest challenges in this scenario would be my dependence on the people immediately surrounding me to form judgments regarding employees' performances. This, for me, would be the biggest obstacle of all in global management, and it's probably the issue that is dealt with more often. I would imagine that communication barriers between overseas management and home base management are some of the largest factors hindering the success of global business.

As I've pondered the most concerning issues for myself in becoming a global manager, I've learned that one thing is clear; success in global management begins with an attitude of acceptance, a willingness to learn, and an eye for problem solving. I'm hoping that I, along with other up-and-coming managers alike can dominate these key issues and the infinite possibilities that come with the world's current globalization and the management opportunities it affords us.

References:

Hill, C. W. (2011). International Business: Competing in the global marketplace (9th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

Tavener, B. (2012, May 15). Language Barriers in Brazil Business. The Rio Times. Retrieved July 21, 2012, from http://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/rio-business/language-barriers-in-brazil-business/#

The Usability Of International Teleconferencing In Business Growth And Prosperity

The evolving communication technology has led to globalization of the world. It has not only resulted in international teleconferencing solutions but also enabled people in the corporate world and domestic front to interact with others in far distant countries with greater ease and at lower cost. People can now easily attend to the business meetings, academic tutorials, medical conferences, analyst calls, and many other important events without going out of station. All this is possible due to cost-efficient, easy to use and personalized international audio conferencing and video conferencing services with real time user experience. In fact, international teleconferencing system have become a much reliable medium for people to get connected with others from all over the world and reduced distance and time constraints.

International conferencing has always benefited the corporate world in its every form no matter whether audio conferencing or videoconferencing is put into use. International videoconferencing is preferred by many as it involves the process of making an interactive conference call by using either a toll free or local access number. Here, two or more number of users can see and speak to each other beyond the geographical barriers. The usability of video conferencing is not just to lower the international call charges but also to give people a feel of virtual interaction. It also assures to save people time by allowing them to meet participants over phone lines and avoid travelling to another country or continent.

International teleconferencing is emerging as the best alternative for business owners to raise their profit level and survive the corporate world. It allows them to curtail the business communication cost, expand the business activity and ensure significant return on your investment. When a business operates globally, the most effective way to save it money is by investing in international teleconferencing service. Apart from catering to communication requirements, international teleconferencing assures to contribute to the growth and prosperity of international businesses. Below are given how bigger effects of teleconferencing are realized.

Great Time Saving Tool

International teleconferencing is recognized as a great tool for saving time which will be required to make individual contact with conference call participants. By giving call access to multiple users at a time, business owners are able to communicate in a desirable manner and avoid wastage of time in real time.

Comfort And Convenience

When there is urgency for a business meeting involving offices from all over the world, business associates have to spend a lot for traveling to distant countries. Again, all the participants have to ensure timely arrival. With the use of international teleconferencing services, the business houses can ensure the participation of all its employees on time and avoid the business tour expenses. It takes only a couple of hours to set up and initiate a business meeting from a comfortable office environment. So, the main objective is to facilitate business connectivity and cut down expenses.

Cost-effective Business Interaction

International teleconferencing services have led to successful communication over long distance at low cost. Instead of mounting the monthly international call bill, the business houses are charged per user, per minute in the teleconferencing. It brings a significant reduction in the business interaction cost. If the conference calls are not made for a month or more, they won't have to make a minimum payment for using the international teleconferencing service.

It is always a smart decision to invest in international audio conferencing so that growth of businesses can be ensured in a smooth and convenient manner. Those seeking help of web video conferencing companies have been able to become real players in the global front.

Hope Dever is dealing in international teleconferencing for several years and getting good returns for his call investment. He gives equal priority to international audio and video conferencing for increasing his business connectivity across the world.

International Conference Call Service - What Are Its Contribution To Business World?

Why International Conference Call Service Is So Much Popular These Days?

Today, businesses are going global with an objective to find more exposure and opportunities at the same time. The highly evolved communication technology like international conference call is enabling the business owners to reach to their customers across the world in a comfortable, cost-efficient and quick possible manner. If you are seeking to spread your business operations throughout the world and earn more business than usually possible, you need to take advantage of economical global call packages and programs. Some of the international telecom carriers are providing international conferencing services at lower communication cost or price. Just check out their offers and you will definitely be able to find a suitable call service that would help spread your business connectivity and increase your productivity much faster.

How Does International Conference Call Service Contribute To Business Expansion?

Global call programs are designed to ensure multiple benefits to all type and size of business organizations, particularly Multi-National Companies (MNCs).

Business Productivity Enhancements - You are allowed to give instructions, advice and promptly resolve the queries in a global conferencing call, even through you are not present physically. It is more likely to pass on your business message to your employees very fast, bring a boost in the overall performance of your staff and the organization as well.

Time Savings On Overseas Tours And Travels - Business tour and travel has become a common phenomenon for multi-national companies which consume a great deal of time. Not only will you have to invest a significant amount of time in traveling, but also in making arrangements for it. A business meeting in real sense can be easily replaced by an international conference call, resulting in considerable reduction of time.

Reduction In Long Distance communication cost - There is a large number of affordable global call programs available. You can take advantage of these programs to enjoy long distance calls at reduced price. Since a number of people can get connected to an international conference call simultaneously and you don't have to call them individually, it can save you a considerable amount of money as well.

Personalized Interaction With Clients And Associates - Just like web video conferencing, international conferencing call service is fully effective in catering to customer's communication needs across the world. It helps people to go beyond geographical boundary and interact with greater ease. It also helps in building long term customer relationships by having more frequent and personalized interaction at convenient schedule.

Advance Schedule And Planning - You can not only plan your business meeting details well in advance but also schedule an international conference call consequently. Some conference calling programs even offer reservation conferencing, which makes you use the service anywhere and anytime without even reserving time slots.

Boosts Decision Making Power - Through international conference call, you can easily receive feedback and suggestions from large number of people. It will automatically lead you to make quick and informed decisions.

In this growingly competitive business world, business owners need to reach out to more and more customers at reduced communication cost. By choosing for a professional and experienced international call service provider, they can surely save significant amount of money. In fact, international conferencing has more powerful features than web video conferencing service that is helping people to make long distance communication calls at greatly reduced cost.

Hope Dever is working as a consultant in a web video conferencing company for nearly about 10 years. His company has recently started a venture in international calling and ensuring users every option to make the long distance calls cheaper and faster for them.

Tips for a Small Business to Enter Into International Trade

President Barack Obama's National Export Initiative (NEI), instituted in 2010 and designed to double U.S. exports within the next five years, has created quite a stir among American small businesses. Only4% of today's businesses, small and large, engage in international trade, and the 96% of those business not engaged in international trade feel that barrier to entry is high, especially since more risk would be involved with their already shrinking revenues. The idea behind the NEI is to give a shot in the economic arm of the U.S., and create a more export-focused economy.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has created a campaign to educate small business owners on how to engage in exporting and create a growth strategy for their business. SBA has many U.S. Export Assistance Centers around the country which are ready to assist in providing the tools that the small business needs. However, before diving too deep in the international trade waters, there are some areas which small business owners should carefully consider.
  1. Parlez-vous? Speaking their language, and their culture, helps. Before entering any market, whatever the geography, you have to know the customer you are targeting. Knowing the customers' needs and wants for the product or service that is being sold is key to any revenue. Since the geography for your customer is global, it would be helpful to speak their language. No one HAS to be fluent in the official language of the target country. If someone wants to market to China, for example, having a basic understanding of some conversational Chinese would help create rapport between you and your potential client. Also,an understanding of the customs and being sensitive to the values of a country is helpful when meeting your potential client. For instance, when meeting with a Saudi Arabian business man, it is best not to offer him an alcoholic drink, since there is a high probability that he is Muslim and Islamic law prohibits consumption of alcohol.
  2. Learn about your potential markets, especially their politics. Knowing your customer is one thing, but knowing the political environment in your potential customer's country is equally important. Tariffs, quotas, and other trade policies would be something to investigate when looking into another market, so that you have a full picture of the pricing and logistics of products into that country. Political unrest, in some cases, could mean opportunity. The recent unrest in the Middle East has actually created an opportunity for the aluminum industry, by the Gulf State countries looking to build its railway infrastructure. http://www.aluminiumtoday.com/news/view/middle-east-opportunities-in-crisis/
  3. Understand any regulations (U.S. or otherwise) that could hinder opportunity. Along with the barrier to trade, a knowledge of the legality of your product or service in your target market is key, and knowledge of those regulations could save you a great deal of "paperwork headaches" here in the U.S. Export controls of products is a way for the U.S. to create a system of national security and enhance foreign policy interests that would protect domestic interests. Industrial sectors, such as IT, would have to adhere to such policies, and even the sending of information via email could be covered by export controls.
  4. Terms, terms and more terms... documents, documents and more documents. Terms and documents are the unofficial language of the international business. Incoterms, the official terms that were adopted by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), are the standards of knowing who is responsible for what in the immediate details of a transaction. New Incoterms were enacted in January 2011, introducing new terms including Delivery at Terminal (DAT), where the seller pays for the delivery of the goods to the point of the destination terminal and the importer pays the rest including customs, inland transport, etc.; and Delivery at Place (DAP), where the seller pays for the delivery of the goods at an address, or place, and other costs such as customs and unloading are billed to the importer. Documents, including the commercial invoice, would need to spell out these terms and show exactly how each cost is broken down. Valuation is so important when creating the invoice. Also, additional documentation may be required, including a Certificate of Origin, Packing List and other inspection certificates. These would all depend on what the customer needs and what that particular country needs when clearing the goods through their customs.
  5. Get a respected broker or representative who knows their stuff. Having someone working with you who has experience in clearing goods through customs and exporting products into other markets would be key so that there is not many missteps when it comes to getting the job done right. There are many respected customs brokers and freight forwarders in the business who would help you in some of these steps of creating documents, setting up the logistics and arranging the clearances of your product. You can check out the National Customs Broker and Freight Forwarders Association website and find a registered broker/forwarder in your geographic area.
Amy Breeman-Rhodes is owner and consultant with BreemanRhodes Consulting LLC, offering Virtual International Trade Assistance to businesses for support in supply chain, business development and import and export compliance needs. She is a US Licensed Customs Broker and Export Compliance Professional (ECoP) with over 15 years working in the import/export industry. Visit her website at http://www.breemanrhodesconsultingllc.com and her professional blog at http://breemanrhodes.wordpress.com

Significance of Website Language Translation for Global Businesses

Websites are the means of generating revenues for the business. These websites inform targeted audiences about the business and its products and services. It not only informs, but also encourages people to buy its products and services. In today's world, people use the internet to find anything and everything over internet. With such growing enthusiasm for online shopping, most businesses are turning towards internet to represent themselves among the targeted audience. The internet is also useful for businesses desiring to go global. If you have a website, your business has certainly taken its first step towards globalisation. The internet allows you to get connected with the large number of people beyond the geographical borders. Thus, it increase avenues for your business.

It is not enough to have an online presence. It is important your online presence must be appealing to your targeted audience. If you want to reap all the benefits of your online presence, you need to hire website translation services of reputed localization organisations. Website language translation is a means of transforming your website into the language of your targeted clients. It is different from general translation of any text from one language to another and tends to bring all the elements of localization in your website.

Translation and localization of website allows your business to grow exponentially removing all language and cultural barriers. Even, if your website is translated into a particular language, your content has to be localized to eradicate cultural barriers. Lets understand this phenomena. English is a language of many cultures and also used with variability in different cultures. Different idioms and connotations of English words may mean differently to the people from different cultures. For example, gift in America means present but gift in Germany means poison, similarly, pommes in french is used for apple and in German for chips

Thus, it is essential that localization must be conducted by professionals who not only translate the message conveyed in your website but will also make your website adaptable to the culture of your targeted audience by using key phrases and words that appeal to the target market. Website language translation is conducted to let the business communicate in the language of customers. Most of the people around the globe prefer to buy in own language. If the website content is in the customer's language, they are able to easily grasp information as well as take interest in what business is offering. Thus, website translation is an effective means of bridging the gap between the business and its targeted global customers.

Author is a contribute writer and industries analyst. He writes many articles about different industries. Now he is associated with braahmam.net and writing about website translation services and website language translation. To know more about Website language translation please visit our website: http://www.braahmam.net

Applicant Management in a Brave New Business World

With all of the information and data involved in the recruiting and hiring processes, finding the right applicant tracking solution is essential for many businesses. Things are different today. There are so many more factors considered by employers today because there is so much more information about potential hires available. Many businesses, including small businesses, draw heavily on areas far beyond their local region for talent and labor. The global marketplace isn't just the realm of multinational corporations these days. Even small businesses are active participants in global economic activity. Targeted business technologies are designed to meet the human resource management needs of our modern business era in the changing circumstances of how business is conducted today.

Pre employment screening software has become an important part of systems designed for tracking applicants through the consideration and hiring processes. That is because of the amount of information that is typically reviewed these days. Civil and criminal background checks, credit reports, and similar types of information have become easier and more affordable to collect on potential hires, offering deeper insight into a person's potential to fit well within an organization. As valuable as this type of information is, it also makes more work for the human resource management team, because information that is collected must be organized and managed properly if it is to be effectively utilized.

Using software developed specifically to aid in management of this information is a vital part of conducting these operations in as efficient and cost effective manner as possible. Recruiting software and tracking systems for potential hires offer a broad range of practical features when it comes to information accessibility and management. Real time updating, ease of use, data readily available to key human resource management staff, and information organized in an intuitive and easy to utilize form are just a few of the advantages offered by this type of business software.

Outsourcing of labor used to be something that pretty much only large corporations did. That has changed with the technologies that we have available today. Even small businesses are able to take advantage of the advantages that outsourcing offers. Competing for talent and labor in the world market, however, requires a bit more than the traditional means and methods of recruiting and hiring staff. It requires the sort of information collection and management solutions offered by software and systems designed to aid in recruiting, screening, and tracking potential hires, since those functions are typically done at a distance when outsourcing labor and dipping into the global pool for talent.

Managing the vast amount of information collected during recruiting and hiring operations doesn't have to be overwhelming or costly, not with the smartly designed business software and targeted information management systems available today. These business technologies are able to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of every stage of the staffing process, whether you are seeking more traditional work on site staff or running a business in which personnel are geographically scattered throughout a region, a nation, or the world.

Applicant Tracking System

The Scariest Components of Business for Young, Hopeful Global Managers

In a world that, thanks to technology and outsourcing, only continues to get smaller how are young professionals today going to tackle the task of staying in touch with their employees in global organizations? As a young MBA student myself, I see myself as ambitious and ready to take on the world, however, only recently did I realize that this might mean actually taking on the world. How can you manage people globally when they speak another language and have completely different beliefs and customs that only add to the information challenges? Suddenly the way you assess your local employees is not going to be good enough, this is a whole new dimension to management and it's going to be one that most ambitious young managers will get to experience firsthand. I get overwhelmed just thinking about the issues that could come up with employees in global organizations so I decided to attack the issues that scare me the most and evaluate them.

First off, having global language barriers with your employees could seem like enough to make you give up before you get started, but the way the world is today, and the way it will undoubtedly be in the future, leaves no question that language barriers are something that are going to have to be continuously managed in a successful global organization. Good communications skills have never been more critical. Highlighting the issues with language barriers, a recent article in The Rio Times states, "A report by the Economist Intelligence Unit says that Brazil is among the worst at coping with the language barrier of the English-speaking world of business, and that deals are being hindered because of it. Experts are warning that, with increased international interest in businesses based in Brazil, the need to break down the barrier has never been more acute." (Tavener, 2012). So what are some solutions to language barriers (other than Rosetta Stone)? Offhand, I would think that trustworthy interpreters are going to take a lot of the stress out of language barriers, but other aids I've considered would be visual aids, technology (electronic interpreters), and body language (if present or skyping with the person you're communicating with). Language barriers are always going to be out there, it's finding the ways to overcome them that leads to success. "Industry experts say that despite the possible setbacks caused by inefficient language communications, a multinational approach can yield the biggest gains, as long as initial cultural misunderstandings can be overcome." (Tavener, 2012).

The second thing that scares me to death about global management is differences in ethics, beliefs, and customs. While I think that cultural differences among people are beautiful, the thought of offending or not comprehending the ethics of those I'm managing simply terrifies me. There's no playbook for this. "Many of the ethical issues in international business are rooted in the fact that political systems, law, economic development, and culture vary significantly from nation to nation." (Hill, 2010, p.136) As a manager, you're going to have to make yourself particularly sensitive to and aware of these differences. The way you navigate differences in customs and beliefs is going to vary based on what part of the world you're dealing with and defining ethical business conduct will more than likely be dependent upon that as well. As a young, unworldly MBA student this topic perplexes me, but I would have to think that there is a global ethical standard to be defined when it comes to business. Without one, we would restrict our ability to do business effectively in a world where borders have become less and less meaningful. As an effective global manager I would think my first step would be to define this shared set of global ethical values and capitalize on it.

After overcoming language barriers and ethical differences, how do you evaluate the employees at hand? However unfamiliar global business practices may seem at first, mangers with global responsibilities must be able to make a fair and accurate assessment of employees from other countries. What's most scary about this for me is the issue of trust. Who can you trust do assess employee performance for you from overseas? You're going to have to find dependable people to get things done, ones who can give you valuable insight into organizational issues. Personally, one of my biggest fears and biggest challenges in this scenario would be my dependence on the people immediately surrounding me to form judgments regarding employees' performances. This, for me, would be the biggest obstacle of all in global management, and it's probably the issue that is dealt with more often. I would imagine that communication barriers between overseas management and home base management are some of the largest factors hindering the success of global business.

As I've pondered the most concerning issues for myself in becoming a global manager, I've learned that one thing is clear; success in global management begins with an attitude of acceptance, a willingness to learn, and an eye for problem solving. I'm hoping that I, along with other up-and-coming managers alike can dominate these key issues and the infinite possibilities that come with the world's current globalization and the management opportunities it affords us.

References:

Hill, C. W. (2011). International Business: Competing in the global marketplace (9th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

Tavener, B. (2012, May 15). Language Barriers in Brazil Business. The Rio Times. Retrieved July 21, 2012, from http://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/rio-business/language-barriers-in-brazil-business/#