International Business

International Business Organization

Export/International business can take on many challenges as it unfolds. Goal should be to construct the company's strategic building blocks, using it's assets to support international opportunities. The outline is formatted from a more basic approach, increasing through stages of complexity. There will be points below that overlap and dovetail. Some corporations may have already touched on many of these points. The examples below are geared toward the food/protein industries. Nevertheless, the concepts are transferable to many others. Below are organizational ideas for consideration:

I. International Business Unit Establishment- Create P&L.
A. Budget to encompass 3-5 key trade shows and conferences that support the geographic strategy.

- Restaurant Chain Shows (Subway, McDonalds, etc.)- Important shows that demonstrate a company's willingness to globally expand with the chains.

- Distributor Shows.

- Trade organization conferences. Provide key insights to new emerging markets and trends i.e., USMEF, USDEC, etc.

B. Forecasting- By product category and market to determine business profitability.

C. Expenses- Identify expenses against the business. Be fiscally prudent.

II. Geography- Are the most immediate markets being efficiently addressed by export? Begin with the immediate opportunities i.e., target nearest or import friendly international geographic markets.

A. Canada-

B. Mexico-

C. Caribbean-

D. Domestic Exporters-

III. Export Product Portfolio- Product's export potential? What are the popular US items sold? Using meat products as an example:

A. Pork- More than likely highest export potential.

B. Poultry- Certain drawbacks (Avian viruses), but often has the necessary price points for market entry.

C. Beef- Still questionable into many overseas markets (BSE). Slowly improving.

D. Other- Veal and lamb offer the specialty items often sought in many of the smaller boutique markets i.e., Caribbean. Should be a high margin opportunity?

IV. Utilize and maximize current customer base. Grow internationally with domestic customers.

A. Chains- What chains are currently being serviced (i.e., McDonalds)? What are the int'l springboard applications of those chains?

B. Distributors- GFS,US :: GFS, Canada; Sysco, US :: Sysco, Canada...Sysco, Export
C. Schools- Offer products supplied to the US to Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and Guam have same requirements.

D. Retail.

V. Expand Geography- Be first in emerging markets. Chains, trade organizations and trade shows will assist in breaking into new venues.

A. Australia, open to US pork imports. US plants must be Australian approved.

B. Brazil and Argentina- as economies improve, so should pork imports.

C. Middle East- Israel.

D. Asia- SE Asia, Latin America.

VI. Product adaptation-

A. A commitment to international product customization. Overcome import non-tariff barriers through product modification.

B. As point "A" is evaluated, determine volumes and pricing with the customer completing the value proposition.

C. New protein introduction- Growing US Hispanic community looking to satisfy traditional diets i.e., goat. US ranchers begin to emerge from their traditional ranching habits to fill a consumer need. Shift creates new export opportunities.

D. Profit Margin/Revenue Growth- Theoretically, there is no competition for custom production and margins should reflect business value.

VII. Resource utilization-

A. R&D efforts to meet a qualified opportunity. Example, a 51% breaded product can be exported to Canada vs. a product with less than 50% breading.

B. Account Managers- Joint calls on corporate to further support the chains international expansions.

Distributor Managers- Joint calls in evaluating immediate opportunities extending across borders.
C. School Managers- Joint calls in US territories to expand and maximize product presence.

VIII. International Partnership Arrangements. Partnering/Joint Ventures with like businesses overseas. Some ideal targets are Japan, Australia, Mexico, China. Key defining terms...product novelty, business profitability, uniqueness, pricing, product demand, market distribution, language understanding, product understanding. If there is a commitment from an overseas manufacturer who understands the product/species, but lacks certain manufacturing capabilities, a partnership should be suggested.

A. Responsibility considerations :

o Raw Material Hedge

o Currency Hedge

o Brokerage Agreement

o Time lines

o Production Capacity

o Legal contract/Export Insurance

B. Partner's Responsibilities:

o Volume Projections

o Co-Pack Agreement

o QA Plant Approval

o End User Presentations

o Stand-by Letter of Credit/Purchasing Contract

o Exclusivity

o Currency Hedge

o Other product opportunities

Notice currency hedge may fall under both and is open for negotiation. It depends on relationship's strength. Many times it should be for the account of the partner. An exception may be made to consummate the deal, or as a long term service insuring a yearly contract renewal.

IX. Licensing- Often used as a barometer in evaluating potential opportunities and minimizing immediate risks.

A. Brand Licensing- What is the true value of a certain brand in an international market? Would be determined by the partner company in that country.

Example. What was the value of the Parkay brand in Canada? Became the second best Canadian margarine brand. Produced by Parmalat in Canada. Brand was licensed by ConAgra US.

B. Technology- Minimizes capital overseas investment, while transferring US production technology.

X. Mergers and Acquisitions- Up to this point a corporation may be supplying and evaluating their export potential. Simultaneously, it should be considering the business worthiness of certain key markets. Ultimately, it may consider investment in those markets.

A. Partnership/JV company may be ripe for buy-out.

B. Margin potential internationally warrants an acquisition for corporate diversification purposes.
C. Many similarities i.e., language, business culture, profitability, increased product demand from growing middle class, business supporting political environment.

D. Overcome stringent food import barriers i.e., EEC. Example- Companies have improved international exposure, opening manufacturing plants within the EEC. An example has been the recent purchase of Sara Lee European brands by Smithfield.

XI. Summary- These idea compilations are based on 20 years of international business experiences with four major corporations and an MA in International Business. No one size fits all. The outline can be used to build new profitable opportunities that may not otherwise have been realized or fully exploited.

An international business company or international business corporation (IBC) can be regarded as an offshore company that has been formed under the laws of specific jurisdictions as a tax-free company which does not have the permission to engage in business within the jurisdiction it is incorporated.

The characteristics of International Business Company do vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. However, some common characteristics of International Business Companies are:

• The International Business Companies are exempted from local corporate taxation and stamp duty, with the condition that, it should not engage into any local business. However, the fees for the annual agent and registration taxes are not included in the exemption.
• They help in reserving the confidentiality of the beneficial owner
• The International Business Companies do have corporate powers to engage in different businesses and activities
• The International Companies can issue shares. That can be either in the registered or bearer form.
• They have a provisional place for a local registered agent
• It can abrogate the requirement to demonstrate corporate benefit or appoint local directors or officers.

The process of an International Company Formation involves the following steps:

Approval of company name

The approval of the name is the first step in the setting up of an International Company. The Registrar of the Companies only approves the proposed name when it is not identical or almost identical to the name of any company that is already existing. When it comes to the name, the words like bank, insurance, and group are used only if the company has a special requirement for that or functions in particular sector/sectors related to those.

If any existing has any problem with the name of a new company, it can object the same, however, within a span of six months.

Registered office

Another integral requisite is the address of the company. The address which is recorded in the Companies Registration Office is the registered office of the International Company. This is a very important part of company formation as the official mails or correspondences need to be sent to the address which is recorded as the registered office. Please note that the registered office address can be different from the trading office address.

Shareholders

In the International Company Formation, the shareholders and stockholders play a very important part as they invest into and hold shares in the assets of the company. They have also specific rights like voting at general meetings of the company.

If the company is making considerable profit, they have the right to be awarded a considerable dividend. If it is liquidated, they can also make claims to get back the money they invested. What's more, the shareholders even have the power to remove the Directors of the company.

Authorized and issued share capital

The authorized capital signifies the total numbers of shares that can be issued among. This plays a key-role in the International Company Formation as shares are allotted to different share holders which is known as the issued share capital of the company.

Memorandum and Articles

The objectives are, main and subsidiary, are together referred to as the Memorandum of Association. It describes in a nutshell the name and the limited liability of the members of the company. The internal operations and the management that sets the meetings and the number of directors for a quorum are governed by the Articles of Association.
International company services

Corporation or limited liability Company like Offshore Incorporation is set up outside the country where the particular company is already set. Some examples are the Nevis LLC, British Island, Belize Company and Panama IBC. The owner is given a financial confidentiality like, an offshore bank account, which also aids in providing easier traceability to account holder.

In the current Global Business paradigm outsourcing and purchasing from international vendors is the norm in Corporate America. Even small and medium sized businesses must be thinking here to trim costs, remain competitive and survive. With these truths unveiled perhaps I might be so bold as to recommend a very good book, on International Purchasing:

"International Purchasing Handbook" by James M. Ashley - 1998.

There are almost too many traps to consider in international purchasing. This book spends quite a bit of time explaining how global sourcing in the Pacific Rim, must be understood by international purchasing agents if they hope to succeed. Finding experts is paramount and understanding how these suppliers think is too and that is before you even get into language barriers, legal barriers, tariffs and getting payment to them or receiving payment. How to use brokers, clearing houses, freight forwarders and trading companies are clearly defined in this book with case studies, examples and warnings.

Importing on your won, there is a whole chapter on commercial invoice, certificates of insurance, certificates of origin and payments in accordance with importing rules and regulations. There is also a chapter on developing a sourcing plan, finding international sources and making international relationships; empathy, understanding, history, etiquette, friendliness, and how to win and dine. Sub-chapters on Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea, with topics on Southeast Asia, Europe - both East and West. Some discussion on Middle East, Israel, and Latin America too.

Learn how to negotiate with foreign partners and suppliers. How to negotiate with various cultures and how to document tactics, all key to international purchasing and well defined in this work. The book is filled with contracts and things you need to know when contracting once you have negotiated terms, more importantly how to enforce these contracts and how to consider the costs in every single clause of the contract. There is a chapter on various laws in international business as well as trade quota issues and explanations of International Agreements and Associations:

• GATT
• WTO
• NAFTA
• ASEAN
• APEC
• AFTA
• ATPA
• OECD
• CCET
• CBERA
• CCET
• CBERA
• IBCC

Next, the book describes the important issues of quality when dealing with foreign suppliers and how to manage accounts payable, letters of credit and managing of changing currency exchange rates. This is the best International Purchasing Book that I have ever seen and thus it resides as a reference book on my personal business library shelf. I recommend you go and find the latest printing a pick one up for yourself.

Deciding to expand your product sales or business services into the international arena is a bold and exciting move. It seems so exotic to think of your products being purchased by locals and tourists alike in places like Brazil, Buenos Aires and Santiago, Chile. Shopping bags filled with your unique items flying back from far away cities such as Tokyo, London, Athens and Cairo is enough to have you running to the bank for additional capital to make this dream a reality. However, before you go betting the farm on your new international strategy I would like to share with you insights I have learned during my extensive career in international business and how you can expand your business globally without putting a huge strain on your capital.

Proper preparation which includes a solid understanding of the different markets available and which ones are right for your product or business is crucial. Below are a couple of facts which can give insight into the global retail world:

1. Brazil is the 10th largest economy in the world.  Sao Paulo Brazil is the 19th richest city in the world and poised to move up to 13th by 2020.  Imagine what type of product or service can be generated in this type of market.
2. Buenos Aires is the financial hub of Argentina ann its port is the third busiest in South America.
3. Santiago Chile, with its 6 million plus population, generates 45% of the countries GDP.
4. Chile has the closest model of the department store concept of anywhere in South America and completely understands the Big Box concept.
5. Cairo, Egypt is the largest city in Africa, as well as, the largest Muslim city in the Middle East.

I have a first hand knowledge and understanding of the global retail market so you do not have to.  To get you started I have outlined the seven areas I feel are crucial when doing business abroad.

1. Local culture & customs:  Understanding a countries culture, customs and specific business practices will make the difference between closing the sale and going away empty handed. International business relationships are built over time and based on mutual respect and common interests. The fast paste, multi-tasking approach common in the US will not be as successful in the Middle East or South America. You may walk away empty handed from a business lunch in Saudi Arabia simply because you ate with your left hand.  Saudi's only eat with the right hand as the left is considered dirty. Speaking the local language, knowing when to push, when to eat, when to call it a day, when to relax and when to close are all nuances specific to each country and learned over time.
2. Packaging:  Packaging, product copy, images and displays need to be culturally specific and appropriate to each country. It would be disappointing to build an entire product launch around a female celebrity only to find women on packaging in the Middle East is not accepted as women are held in high regard and are not to expose body parts. Ensuring your packaging is in the correct language and dialect needs to also be a consideration. Packaging in China would not go over well if it were only in Mandarin; it would also need to be in Cantonese. Be sure your graphic designer understands which colors are strong and acceptable for each country and region. In China the color green is associated with "Health, Prosperity and Harmony", however do not market green hats as they are associated with infidelity.
3. Logistics:  Freight forwarders, lead times, port authorities, peak ship times, reverse logistics due to returns, customs and freight rates are just a few of the issues you will have to be an expert at to ensure your products get to market as promised.
4. Regulations & Certifications: Just like UL approval in the US other countries have a multitude of different certifications, approvals, and packaging requirements that need to be planned for and allotted the appropriate amount of time to complete. The loss in revenue caused by the confiscation of an entire shipment by the Saudi government because it didn't have the appropriate SASO approval can be devastating to any company as will finding you shipped your 4^th quarter products to Israel without the appropriate ISI certifications.
5. In country representation: Using in country representation can be a critical part of your products success. An agency who is dialed into the specific retailers you are targeting can give you an even greater understanding, insight and specifics regarding your product and how it is performing. Having someone on the ground in country at all times can also help with training and product promotions to ensure their success.
6. Pricing your products for local retail & wholesale: Pricing your product to be competitive internationally can be tricky. Before committing to any deal you should be aware of the following:  What are the sensitive price points in the countries you are selling into?  What prices will move your product and get you the sell through you and the dealers are looking for?  Have you factored in freight, duty, certifications and import costs into your model?  When using an in country Distribution Partner ensure you factor in the different pricing levels knowing each level needs to make a profit.  Currency variations: Is the country you are selling into having large currency swings or does it have a level balance? Will you sponsor a currency smoothing program or take your chances with the market?
7. Payments & Credits: Once you have mastered the above 6 items and have a deal in the works I am sure you want to get paid. Acceptable credit, terms and payments schedules can vary by country. A "Letter of Credit" with a well known bank is most common; however, this can add expense to your customer who will likely want to recoup it somewhere. International receivable insurance, short shipments, charge backs and credit checks are some other critical areas to consider when looking to get paid in full for your product.

Taking your products and services to the global market is a complicated project that takes experience, connections, expertise and a fearless attitude. As an international business consultant and manager I have been assisting and guiding companies for the last 10 years on how to develop and sustain top sales in a foreign market. I can assist and guide you through the above 7 steps and create a successful marketing plan to take your products global and create exceptional results.

A not-so-new concept, open-source (OS) is the emerging alternative that has been gaining more and more popularity over the years. The open-source business intelligence has extended its breadth, and has become the trend - from financial and office software to Web, desktop utilities and games to practically almost all significant ways of organizing business tasks.

Revolutionizing business and software strategies in a massive way, the open-source movement allows information to be produced, distributed and controlled in the hands of many. This idea, which is exemplified by Linux in the operating system landscape - is, at present, gaining momentum in the marketplace.

A solid example of the success of OS is the emergence of Wikipedia - the open-source encyclopedia founded in 2001 - which in just a matter of years, has made paid encyclopedias virtually obsolete.

Suddenly, the world is seeing that Wikipedia - which is based on cooperation and contribution - can work, it being free and convenient to use, with content that is characterized by real-time updates. People are also seeing how the free flow of information can provide efficiency on a massive scale.

Low book sales typify the scenario of ever-growing OS adaptation. In a related report by The UK Telegraph, low sales have beleaguered the generic books industry in the United Kingdom in 2009 - despite international business marketing efforts- owing not only to the recession but also to technological changes.While books cannot be thought of as dispensable, analysts are projecting that online book sales will soon overtake hardbound publications in terms of revenues.

Focusing on the business arena, research from Gartner Inc. states that in 2012, production deployments of open source business intelligence tools will be five times its scope in 2009. The study notes that adoption of open source differs between the telecommunication and financial sector; and midsize companies, healthcare, the public sector, manufacturing and other similar industries that are more "conscious" about costs. The open-source concept is poised to be a viable approach for the displacement of incumbent vendors.

The utilization of open-source tools, which is becoming part of enterprises' transformed business and software strategies, is embraced in projects as it is deemed to lead to the creation of better and notably more affordable software. Buyers of licensed software for business from major vendors find that complex products that do not allow for control or additional functionality and size-ability options are just too costly.

At present, companies are realizing that by purchasing closed-source software, they are bound by the need to tap their provider for support, which then translates to unplanned overheads. Moreover, tremendous upgrade costs are putting off enterprises.

While the idea of open-source is seen with its benefits, it is far from being perfect. Open-source software also necessitates payment, servicing and licensing- although not requiring as much as big software platforms from leading providers.

Apparently, on the international arena, the international business involves the transactions between two nations. Most of the time economic resources are the primary goods of transactions such as skills, people and capital for several purposes such as finance, construction, banking and services. In the 21st century where technology, corporations and communications are vital, many are claiming that our world is now a global society with plenty of international issues related to business, even causing hot debates and controversies.

The international business career is entirely different from the domestic trade as it involves the understanding of diverse cultures. From there we can conclude that it is now a desirable skill in the market so it should be your ideal field of study or occupation if travelling, understand foreign cultures, and cultivating new languages are your interest forte. Besides, due to the need to deal with numerous different people, you should be well equipped with some math skills, brilliant communication skills as well as some passionate creative thinking.

Upon the implementation of international business, the current economy contains no strong national boundaries and they are constantly diminishing. It does not come with one primary factor; it is caused by the massive electronic communication, particularly the internet. The great sharing and transfer of immediate knowledge from one corner to another opposite side of the world allows the proliferation of information thus triggering the collaboration of marketing, sales, outsourcing and manufacturing. Besides, the wide networks of most financial institutions have helped in addressing currency problems as aid can be delivered almost instantaneously.

No doubt, the international business career is one potential field to develop. But of course, one who intends to specialize in this area should comprehend will the intricacies of establishing a strong business association with partners from other nations. The difference in culture, political systems, understanding and language is definitely a challenge in the business collaboration. Always perform sufficient research beforehand and carry an open mind to make the deal a success.

When it comes to making profit all over the world one of the best ways to do so is to take advantage of an international business opportunity. This kind of opportunity can be done on the Internet and it can be promoted to all types of people all over the world. This is one of the biggest advantages since you literally do not have any limitations when it comes to marketing your product or service.

Even though you will have to deal with people that do not know your language it will be a huge market for your capture because not only are you going to be successful for getting people in your specific country but also the different countries around the world. When it comes to limitations the only thing that restricts your profit is not being able to promote all over the world and this is why a lot of people who just get involved in local businesses are never able to go to another level in profits.

Dedicating the time to learning about the facts of the international business opportunity will pay off in the long run when you're finally able to start your own international business. It will take some time for you learn and get familiar with the different languages and countries that you will be dealing with but remember that it's worth it in the long run even though it will take some time to investment into it.

There are many different types of international business opportunities available on the Internet so just make sure you take your time when it comes to choosing one. Make sure you're comfortable with the opportunity and that they offer a very valuable service at a very affordable price. This will prove to be a huge help in the long run when people are very satisfied with what you are offering and continue to stick around.

Starting your own business is never easy. If you are planning to start a business that entails international setting such as having it through the internet, then a good international business plan should be involved. If you want to expand your business, then you must exert more effort too.

To have a good international business plan, you need to do the following:

1. Make a feasibility study and start with the nature and scope of the business. You have to include a particular country that will be part of your target market. Study all the requirements needed and study how to get your return of investment faster.

2. Create your business description with the history included. In the history, you have to place the founders, milestones achieved by your business from local settings including all your products, process, technologies and services.

3. Obtain all the requirements needed for your license and all permits to pursue your international business.

4. Create a detailed description of your products to provide information to your clients.

5. Conduct a thorough research on all your possible expenses regarding your overhead cost which includes all your marketing expenses.

6. Study your current market in regards to volume of products purchased, geographical location, social changes that would affect your business.

7. Make a price strategy for all your products. If possible, include promotions and bonuses in your calculations.

8. Include the foreign Market and its Environment in your study plan. You need to be familiarized with it and should know the proper procedure for it.

Making an international business plan is not that easy as you think it is. You have to make sure that you are ready to take another step higher and should be equipped with all the information in regards to legalities. Use this as your guide in making your own plan, and then have your way towards success.

Many firms are interested in investing and seeking finance from foreign sources and exporting goods and services to foreign countries. Overseas involvement of firms is increasing, and this trend is expected to continue. This has been stimulated by a variety of forces. First is the change in the international monetary system from a fairly predictable system of exchange to a flexible and volatile system of exchange. Second is, emergence of new institutions and markets, particularly the Eurocurrency markets, and a greater need for international financial intermediation.

In 1971, the US dollar was unlinked from gold or allowed to "float". This brought about a dramatic change in the international monetary system. The system of fixed exchange rates where devaluations and revaluations occurred only very rarely, gave way to a system of floating exchange rates.

The distinguishing characteristics of international business finance are multiple currencies, differential taxation and barriers to financial flows. Of these, the multiple currency factor and the attendant issue of exchange rates has received considerable attention, particularly in recent years. An exchange rate represents the relationship between two currencies.

The procedure for evaluating a foreign investment in international business finance consists of identification of cash flows, choice of an appropriate discount rate and determination of net present value. Foreign investments generally involve higher risk, which arises from factor like changes in currency value, discriminatory treatment of a foreign company and threat of expropriation. Risk stemming from fluctuations in exchange rate looms constantly on the horizon of foreign investment. In addition, a foreign investment is subject to discriminatory treatment and selective control in various forms motivated mainly by political considerations. Finally, the threat of expropriation without adequate compensation may exist, particularly in countries where radical nationalistic sentiments are strong. In view of the higher risk associated with foreign investment, a firm contemplating foreign investment would naturally expect a higher rate of return.

Arbonne International came into the professional front in Switzerland in the year 1975. Then within a span of five years, in 1980, it moved to America. The company has established itself as a reliable brand earning goodwill for over thirty years now. To increase productivity and sales, Arbonne has independent distributors.

A cost-effective joining process

If you want to be a part of the Arbonne business, then you get started as a consultant spending a paltry $29. You can get the super starter kit at the cost of $65.

A varied range of products

Arbonne offers a varied range of products starting from anti-aging, baby care, cosmetics, and skin care to weight loss, aromatherapy and the like. The skin care products are well accepted by the people because of the constituents and ingredients of the products. The varied products were made in the most natural way based on botanical principles. The hypo-allergenic products became popular because they were environment friendly, safe for the environment.

Retailing products online

In order to get the facility to retail your products online, you need to spend money for buying a retail website from Arbonne International. You need to pay $120 per annum to the company. The company does not confine you within the boundaries of a specific territory unlike its competitor Avon. So you are free to retail your products to prospective consumers and reach your target market in the areas you think it fit. You can increase your local client base also.

The compensation plan

Business is aimed to make profit. The earning potential of this company is two fold. When you sell the products to the potential consumers, it generates your commission. The other option to earn is elucidated by the uni-level structure of the residual compensation plan. This calls for the use of your convincing power to get potential candidates whom you can sponsor. You need to build up a strong line of distributors. The line of distributors or the people you have sponsored can be as many as you want. The incentives that you get are performance based. There are provisions for getting bonus also when you achieve a significant goal.

The scar, though not a deep one

Arbonne International had to face the worst time when the holding company of Arbonne International filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection at the beginning of the year 2010. Without paying much heed to this problem, the representative of the company worked in smooth co-ordination restructuring its financial graph. The reorganization of the structures within the company under a new holding company enabled Arbonne International to be back with a bang on the financial front. Arbonne International could do away with the debts to a large extent and sorted out the financial equation with the former holding company.

Take your own decision

Individual skill, leadership qualities, the determination to do business whole-heartedly has to be there if you want to excel in Arbonne International business. No doubt Arbonne International business provides business opportunities, but whether it would work for your benefit, can be best judged by you.

What are the benefits of international business? All you have to do to find the answer to this question is to see what smart investors do on Wall Street. They develop a portfolio that includes international stocks in order to hedge their losses if prices go down in the U.S., and to bolster their chances of gaining lucrative returns from a variety of sources. If you are a small business owner and have a product or a service that has relevancy outside of the United States you may be able to expand your reach into other markets where the shipping costs and taxes are not exorbitantly high. The question is how does someone living, for example, in Great Britain or Germany find out about you? Here are some tips that you should consider following.

In the first place, you will need to have a website that contains what are called "keywords" or "keyword phrases" that people use when searching for certain items. Having a website online without any of these phrases in your text or domain name will serve you poorly when it comes to driving traffic to your site. You can learn how to use online marketing techniques, however, to greatly enhance your visibility factor online, and to use social media to create a promotional campaign that can eventually garner you untold thousands of dollars in profit.

The benefits of international business are yours for the taking, but only if you create a plan for it. Take some time to learn online marketing and social media techniques, and not only can you expand your reach oversees but you can increase your profits at home.

Are you interested in growing your business internationally? Now, with the internet and social media, it's easier than ever to create an international business. Below are 4 simple steps to follow:

1. Define your Vision and Define your Target Market. Develop a clear vision of what you want to accomplish. If you have a fuzzy vision, you will get fuzzy results. For example, you can ask yourself: What are my ultimate career goals? What do I stand for? What is the purpose of my business? How can I best serve others? You may also want to write down your core values and beliefs. These values and beliefs will guide every action that you take. Incorporate your values into your vision.

When defining your target market, you can ask yourself: Who is my ideal client or customer? What is their demographic? What topics are they interested in? What books or Authors do they like?

Those are just a few of the questions to think about. You want to be very specific when it comes to your vision and target market.

2. Use Social Media to Connect with your Target Market. There are over 200 million Twitter users and over 500 million Facebook users, so no matter who your target market is, they are using social media. You can use social media to connect with "targeted" people from all over the world.

Here are some examples - If you are a weight loss coach, then you probably want to connect with people who want to lose weight. If you are an Author, then you probably want to connect with people who are interested in the topic of your book. If you want more listeners for your radio show, then you want to connect with people who are interested in the topic of your show. If you have a coffee business, then you want to connect with people who love drinking coffee. So, no matter who your Target Market is, you can use social media to connect with them.

With Twitter and Facebook, you can connect with people in your Target Market who are located all over the world. There are Twitter automation tools you can use to target people based on the following: their occupation, topics they tweet about, where they live, the language they speak, and more. You can use these tools to automate the process, so it's quick and easy for you. With Facebook, you can't automate the process, but it can still be done very easily.

3. Create a Genuine Connection with your Target Market. Once you've connected with your target market, you want to provide them with a lot of value. You could provide them with helpful tips and guidance concerning your niche. You could provide them with links to inspirational stories. Inspire them, motivate them - show them that you care. Go to their profile pages, and comment on their posts. Share their posts with your followers. Show them that you support them. Be genuine. Be your authentic self. When you provide people with value, and you show them that you care, they will want to work with you - they will want your services.

A big mistake that a lot of people make with social media is that they promote, promote, promote, all the time. This is the opposite of what you should do. Think about it - do you like to be solicited to all day long? Probably not. People love to buy things, but they don't like to be solicited to.

You could have the best products and services in the world, but.. "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." ~ John C. Maxwell

4. Have a Business Plan. If you don't have a plan, you will experience "information overload". In today's world, there's so much technology and so many options available. Many people become overwhelmed with all of the options and programs out there, and they don't even know where to begin. If you don't have a plan, you'll wind up spending hours and hours on the internet & on your social media sites, but you won't get anything accomplished. You need a results-oriented action plan, a strategy, to achieve the results you want.

You may have heard about GDI, Global Domains International, before but did not fully understand the business. It is time to clear up all the mystery and help you understand why this work from home opportunity is one of the best available today.

Multi-Level Growth Potential is the Key to Income Growth

If someone said you were going to only earn a one dollar commission per month on a sale you'd probably think it was the worst business plan of all time. What if the $1 was every month for years? What if each person who you signed up started inviting other people to join and you earned $1 for each of those people per month? Is it starting to sound more interesting?

This is exactly how the GDI plan works. You are selling a.WS domain name and web hosting for people to use as they wish and you are making $1 for each month they keep paying the low $10 per month fee. Most people rarely change web hosting companies.

With each of these people you sign-up they can start making profits, too. You need to let them know about the income potential and as they sign-up other people for websites you start getting $1 per month for each of them through 5 layers. The income potential is amazing.

Why Sell a.WS Domain Name?

As you may already know good.COM domain names are hard to find today. The.WS domain names are the next logical choice which is being quickly snatched up by companies like Geico Insurance, Choice Hotels, Volvo, 3M, Sherwin Williams, and many other large corporations. You can offer local businesses and individuals an opportunity to get a great domain name with high quality hosting for a low price.

The opportunity for you and the partners who sign up with you is tremendous. People are buying domain names like crazy every day.

Working To Build A Great Income

If you really want your income to explode you will need to get busy and work at it. Start developing a large social network on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to share your story with. Learn to make simple videos for YouTube telling about your business opportunity. Find a good partner to help you with search engine optimization to get your GDI website ranking highly. By taking simple steps every day you can grow a business which quickly replaces a full-time income and much more.

Every business owner that needs to travel overseas for work needs an international SIM card. Apart from the obvious benefits of saving anywhere between 60 and 90% on what you would have spent had you used your home SIM card I outline three less obvious benefits below as to why you need one of these SIM's. They have three less tangible but no less important benefits for you as the end user and international business person. They are a great branding tool, they make it easy for you to keep in contact with family, friends and contacts and they are great for cash flow management.

These SIM cards are great. Here's why:

Good for branding- If you have an international SIM mobile numberon your business card as well as your home mobile number people will see you as a bit of an international jet setter. There will be an aura about you and people will think of you more highly. I mean, who doesn't want a James Bond style aura? I know I do!

Great for keeping in contact- I keep hearing people espousing the benefits of buying a prepaid SIM from whichever country you travel to. I have never heard anything so stupid in my life. I mean, how much time and effort will you have to waste updating people with your new number each time you change country and phone number. Reclaim this time back by getting an International prepaid SIM. People will always be able to contact you on the one number.

Great for cash flow management- In my opinion, this benefit of an International SIM card is one of the greatest benefits. The best value international SIM cards are all prepaid. This means that you know exactly how much money you are spending at all times. You will not need to worry about exorbitant roaming charges when you get home. These have been immense pain for many a business and an international SIM card removes these problems. Even in a country where the savings aren't huge when you compare the costs with your home phone, being prepaid you can still keep better track of how much money you are spending.

You really need to do yourself a favour and get one of these SIM's before you head off back overseas. Don't waste your time and money, make sure you look bigger than you are and make it easy for business colleagues, family and friends to keep in touch with you whilst you are travelling.

If you are one of the companies in the USA that is selling internationally, congratulations, you are part of the minority of only 4% of the US companies that export! If you are already exporting you should nevertheless beware. It is very easy to become complacent or to lose focus on your international sales. It is easy for your international business to become the company's read-headed stepchild. A good company leader must avoid this, and needs to make sure that a serious amount of time and thought is given to international business development. We recommend that you ask the following 10 difficult questions. These will help you challenge the status quo in your export effort and encourage you to put resources into international sales if appropriate.

10 Questions You Should Ask If You Are Already Selling Internationally

1. Are you satisfied with the current sales levels you are achieving in international?

2. Do you believe that you could improve sales at the international level?

3. If so by how much?

4. Do you believe you could be doing better in some countries/continents than others?

5. Are your Distribution Partners successfully selling only some of your products but not the others?

6. Do you have some new products coming down the line for which your current Distribution Partners in some countries may not be the best distribution solution?

7. Does your sales team have long term relationships with some/many of your Distribution Partners that are perhaps " too comfortable"?

8. Are you happy with your international margin structure and that your pricing is maximized?

9. If you, as the leader, initiated a program to focus on and increase sales internationally by 15%-25%, do you believe it could be achieved?

10. If you did initiate such a program, would using external help with more bandwidth increase the likelihood of success or are your current personnel and resources sufficient?

Depending on how you answer these questions you may well find there is an opportunity for growth. The very act of asking these questions will encourage you to take a good look at your export effort. Finding accurate answers to the big international questions is inevitably more difficult that answering similar questions on your domestic business. Too often because it is more difficult, it may be ignored. Or these questions will be put to and answered by the VP of International Sales who may have a different agenda. If appropriate it is recommended that you utilize outside resources to help research the answers to the questions, develop plans and for practical help in the execution of any distribution transitions necessary.