Legitimate Inquiry. Fake Company?

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Many of us receive what looks like legitimate business inquiries from all over the world on a daily basis but how do you determine if they are each on the up-and-up?

This will help.  Read:  How to Determine If a Foreign Company is Legit

Reduce Dependence on Domestic Demand By International Franchising

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Reduce dependence on domestic demand and grow new, future revenue and profit centers worldwide by international franchising.

Extending a brand globally through franchising requires minimal investment and offers a huge upside potential on scaling capabilities.  Further, you don't have to be big to franchise.  You just have to have a successful model.

Below I examine what is international franchising, its benefits, examples of companies that have successfully franchised internationally, how to get started in franchising and where to look for additional help.

Read the entire article: International Franchising: A Global Strategic Initiative

Open For Trade: U.S. and E.U.

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The United States and European Union aim to start negotiating the Transatlantic Free Trade Pact this year. The two top economies hope the pact will revive their respective economies.

The goal of the agreement is to cut tariffs, lower trade barriers and ease commerce–thereby setting higher standards for the world to follow. 

The alliance should help create jobs, spur economic growth and strengthen the transatlantic economic ties.

Read the entire article:  The Transatlantic Free Trade Agreement:  Open Trade Between the United States and the European Union

How a Furniture Maker's Triumph Translates to International Success

Photo courtesy:  ©Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.  "Business As Unusual"

Here are five out more than a hundred principles-in-action that former president and chief executive officer Hugh DePree at Herman Miller implemented and how they relate to running not just a global small business but any business.  Hugh passed away in 2002.

Five Tips for Business Success

Contemplating New Product Expansion Overseas?

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Everybody loves an international success story.  It goes like this:

Your overseas venture is booming and delivering profits. Your next step might be contemplating new product expansion.  You wonder whether you should create an entirely new product for an overseas market.  What's involved?  What's the upside?  What's the downside? 

Here's a scenario  -- article -- that might help you decide.

Creating New Products to Expand Your Overseas Market

First Step to Global Success? Companywide Commitment

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Global success is directly related to a companywide commitment. That companywide commitment involves you alone if you are a sole proprietor, or in the case of a large corporation, the executive committee, finance, operations, marketing and sales, logistics, research, technology and culture.

Who do you look for on your team?

A new breed of communicator who pays attention to detail and who has great salesmanship qualities, persistence, integrity, an interest in international matters, bi- or multilingual language capabilities, cultural empathy, and good writing and speaking abilities. The individual must be  ...

Read the entire article here.