Global Marketplace Networking Group

Global CIF, an Atlanta-based international consulting and trade show management company, is launching a global networking group. If you are looking for new global markets, products, and services, finding potential leads, or would like to share your experiences about the growing global marketplace, then this is the right meeting for you to attend.

Metro Atlanta is home to over 3,000 international companies, employing over 160,000 people. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, companies in Georgia exported nearly $39.4 billion in goods and services to 211 countries and territories in 2014.

Doing business overseas requires a solid understanding of international business etiquette and manners. Your company needs to be trained in cross-cultural communication. Global markets continue to expand and bring everyone closer. One of the critical elements of a successful business outcome may be the appreciation and respect for regional, country, and cultural differences. You need to be aware of cultural diversity and intercultural communication. Make sure that your company understands international business etiquette and has the resources to utilize their knowledge during international travels and overseas assignments.

At the Global Marketplace Networking events you will meet new business contacts from across Metro Atlanta who have an interest in global business. ss contacts from across Metro Atlanta who have an interest in global business. They will represent some of these industry segments:

Business Development – Coaching – Chamber of Commerce – Consulting Distribution Management – Education – Entrepreneurship – Food – Import/Export Lighting Industry – Merchandising – Telecommunication – Trade Shows

Starting in February, we will select and present one “Featured Product” at every “Global Marketplace Networking” event. We want to introduce products and services that are unique and interesting. The selected company will be able to present one featured product.

If you know of great products, contact us and recommend the company and their products. We will review and choose the “Featured Product” of the month. We will provide the platform for the company to present their products and marketing information. Contact us at info@globalcif.com for additional information.

European Business – The challenge of the “Grexit”.

I recently met with a manager of one of the top hotel properties in Athens, Greece. We discussed business opportunities, future corporate meetings, and how the hotel could increase its visibility in the U.S. travel market. The very next day an email with the word “Grexit” showed up in my inbox. I looked up the idea behind the term “Grexit”. It is commonly used in the European business world, describing the possible “Greek Exit” from the European Union. I have talked to several business owners and clients in Germany to get their input and position on this EU challenge. I was surprised to hear that some of the polls show that the majority of Germans are actually in favor of a “Grexit”. Less than 30 percent of Germans are expecting an economic impact of Greece leaving the EU. On the other hand, the “Grexit” would result in some serious consequences for the Greek economy and its people.

• Greece would face a tremendous number of bankruptcies. There are plenty of businesses that have Euro loans and would have to pay back these loans in a much weaker “new” currency.
• Companies would face challenges to get loans from their Greek banks, as theses banks would face their very own financial and EU investment challenges.
• A “new” currency would suffer massive value losses. As a result, imports would be much more expensive. With increasing unemployment and financial difficulties for the population, the daily living expenses would increase significantly.
• The economic performance of Greece would continue to suffer, and have serious consequences on the job market and everyday life in Greece.

Is there a possibility of a somewhat positive outcome for the Greek economy? Exports would become more competitive. The problem for Greece is that they don’t have a lot of export. I have traveled to Greece many times, spending my tourism monies all across the Greek Islands. There is a very limited export industry. The tourism sector could be the potential “winner” of the “Grexit”. Traveling and vacationing all across Greece would be very affordable. In 2012, tourism accounted for about 16 percent of the Greek gross domestic product.  According to the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises, as many as 18.5 million tourists were visiting Greece in 2014. The number one country visiting Greece is Germany, followed by the U.K. and Macedonia. According to the Greek Tourism Association, about 1 million people will work in the industry by 2021. So back to the impact of the “Grexit” to the Eurozone. The European stock market would see significant ups and downs and the Euro would face serious value issues. There are credits worth billions of Euros on the line. Other European countries that are currently facing their economic challenges could find some breathing room. Nobody wants to see an entire European region face severe economic challenges. This week will be a crucial week for Greece, the EU, and the people living and working all over Greece. I wish everybody a lot of wisdom and foresight in their decision making. One can only hope that politician, business leaders, and the people will make decisions that will not have dramatic consequences for generations to come. More about Global CIF, LLC We will help your company to reach new domestic and global markets. Connect with our network to expand your business. We provide one-on-one consulting that reaches your markets. You can reach us by phone at (404) 735-5646 or email at info@globalcif.com. Our website is www.globalcif.com.

National Small Business Week 2015

This week is “National Small Business Week” in the U.S.A. According to information published by SBA Office of Advocacy in March 2014, small businesses make up for 99.7% of U.S. employer firms, 63% of net private-sector jobs, and 48.5% of net new private-sector employment. These businesses account for 33% of exporting value (sources see below)

Running your own business means a LOT of time where the business owner is on her/his own. They are down deep in the middle of entrepreneurship. They are building their business step by step, dollar by dollar, supporting other business and startup companies with their dollars. This week is your opportunity to help a Small Business near you.

I will continue to support my neighbors and friends who own a small business. As a small business owner myself, I know how important it is for all of us to have local customers.

As business owners, we need to make sure that we focus on providing the very best customer service possible. We want our customers to leave happy, finish a call with a high attention and commitment to customer satisfaction, and doing business with us again and again.

We all know that it is important to network with other small business owners. Therefore, support your local business associations and chambers of commerce.

I also recommend that you work with companies that can provide with business solutions, CRM tools, and training. Evernote is one of the management tools that can help you a lot.

All of these groups mentioned here are small businesses and owned by your neighbors and friends.

Let us help them and make a difference. But, do not stop when the week is over. Continue to help and support them all the time. Small businesses are the engine of our economies.

For more information about “National Small Business Week”, go to https://www.sba.gov/nsbw/nsbw and visit a small business owner near you.

Global CIF – We will help you to reach new domestic and global markets. Connect with our network to expand your business. One-on-one consulting that reaches your markets. You can reach us by phone at (404) 735-5646 or email at info@globalcif.com. Our website is http://www.globalcif.com.

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Source: https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/FAQ_March_2014_0.pdf

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, SUSB, CPS; International Trade Administration; Bureau of Labor Statistics, BED; Advocacy-funded research, Small Business GDP: Update 2002- 2010, http://www.sba.gov/advocacy/7540/42371.

Trade Shows are your Domestic & Global Opportunity – Meet with the right decision makers.

I recently read some very interesting industry statistics about a leading industry event in Las Vegas. I believe that you will agree with me that these numbers are very impressive. The information also showed me that companies are still very interested and focused on participating in a trade show, seminars, and workshops.

I highly recommend that you read on and discuss some of these essential questions within your company. When your team is looking at trade shows as a platform to expand your business reach, you need to be able to answer some of the following questions

– Is our company actually prepared and ready to go to one of the many trade shows and face the eager and hungry
buyers

– Is your team and management prepared to select the right trade show for your company

– Can our team plan all of the 100+ details without forgetting the business cards or reserving the wrong hotel?

There is an art to the planning, marketing, organizing, shipping, onsite setup and tear down, a trade show. You also have to focus on pre-show marketing, social media activities and announcement, as well as buyer communication. Additional attention should be paid to trade show lead management and booth management. The list goes on and on.

Here are some very interesting and impressive industry statistics

– There are approx. 13,000 events annually in the US + Canada (10,000 B2B + 3,000 B2C). Some of the events have a
minimum number of exhibitors around 10 and 40.

– Looking at the overall numbers we see that the US + Canada trade show industry represents 30-40% of the world market.

I also looked at some additional information of some of the trade shows and events that take place in Las Vegas. I believe that these numbers speak for themselves:

Management participation:

• 40% Executive Management
• 29% General Management
• 20% General Staff
• 11% Skilled Trade

Buyer interest and decision marking authority:

• 87% see new products
• 78% get ideas
• 72% keep up with new trends
• 60% see existing vendors
• 65% see new vendors
• 87% net buying influence
• 57% make buying decisions

These numbers should be a very clear indicator of the importance of trade shows as a global sales and marketing tool.

Trade show consultants and coordinators can help you with all of the steps mentioned above and details. These experts are ready to step in and plan every step of your trade show experience.

Good luck with all of your trade show activities!

We can be reached at info@globalcif.com or call us at +1 (404) 735-5646. Our website is www.globalcif.com.

Trade Shows are your global B2B platform!

Trade shows are without a doubt the very best B2B platforms out there! The world meets in one place for a week, offering the highest possible concentration of business leaders, seeking networking and business opportunities, and introducing new products you are looking for. There is no way that your business will be able to reach 30,000+ industry contacts, from over 100 countries, with a mailing or via the social media platforms. Trade shows are the way to go!

Participating in a trade shows is your opportunity to shine. You need to make sure that you will find the best possible location in the show. At the same time you want to make sure that your marketing budget is not going crazy, as your staff is working hard back home to produce the products you are looking to sell. Before you even consider participating in the global trade show world, you need to make sure that you answer the following questions.

1. Is my company even ready for stepping into the global market, or are we still working on the markets here at home?
2. Do we have the time to leave the office and travel thousands of miles into uncharted waters?
3. Do we have support at the trade show and are we able to present our company in this new business environment?
4. What will happen if we return with hundreds of leads and orders? Are we in a position to fill all of these orders? Are we able to immediately follow up?
5. Who will be the person to lead this trip and business mission for us?

There are definitely plenty of resources you can use to be successful. Here are some of the groups and options you want to look into:

1. US Department of Commerce – the office in Washington will be able to immediately assist you with leads and discussing the right trade shows for your business. Visit the following web site http://export.gov/salesandmarketing/eg_main_018195.asp.
2. Gold Key Matching Services, run through the International Trade Administration’sS. Commercial Service, is a low-cost service for American businesses to expand their global reach by making contacts with foreign firms and potential business partners. http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2012/08/10/us-businesses-going-gold
3. This Export Guide is a very helpful tool to get a better understanding how your company can start exporting. http://trade.gov/publications/pdfs/epg_2009.pdf
4. Once you have found the market and trade shows you are interested in, contact the US office of the trade show organizer to connect with their US based staff. They will be able to assist you with all of your questions and trade show planning.
5. Your State often has representatives in the country and also might offer some specific funding when you are ready to export. The Department of Economic Development is a great starting point.
6. Look into a participation in a USA Pavilion at the overseas trade show. The USA Pavilions are organized by various groups and offer an easy way become involved in the trade show. The price is about 25% higher, but you will arrive in the country, can unpack your products, and get started. The pavilions are supported by the USDOC, have local and multilingual staff in the pavilion, offer food and beverages, and a friendly smile and hand when you need them. There will be a business lounge for meetings. This is definitely the best way to move into the markets.

Global markets are challenging and can grow your business beyond your wildest imagination.

Connect with some trade show professionals who can help you to find the best possible platform and trade show. They will help you to develop a trade show strategy, support and enhance your social media activities before, during, and after the event, and help you to communicate on a global level.

Good luck with all of your trade show activities.

We can be reached at info@globalcif.com or call us at +1 (404) 735-5646. Our website is http://www.globalcif.com