Anyone, Anywhere in the World Can Participate In Your Conference Call On the Cheap

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I've been a big fan and user of FreeConference.com for some time so I am happy to see the following:

FreeConference.com now offers dedicated dial-in numbers in more than 40 countries. These in-country numbers open up new ways to communicate with foreign colleagues and can help small businesses and their international partners avoid long-distance fees. As connected consumers and business professionals, it's easy to take cheap broadband and mobile connectivity for granted in the U.S.

This means that the new International dial-in numbers allow anyone to participate in your conferences, no matter where in the world they happen to be.

Learn more:  FreeConference.com Gears Up for a More Global 2016

Note:  It's not too late to sign up for a WEGG webinar taking place today, 4/13, at 11:00 a.m. Central time and it's on "How to Negotiate a Winning Foreign Distributor Agreement."  Global business expert Doris Nagel is the presenter.  The event is no charge but you must register to attend.  Sign up here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6798724970214043394.

SBA Honors Export Lenders of the Year 2016

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The the U.S. Small Business Administration, honored GBC International Bank of Los Angeles as the SBA 2016 Export Lender of the Year, and BanescoUSA, a community bank with headquarters in Coral Gables, Florida as SBA's Export Working Capital Lender of the Year at the 9th Annual SBA Export Lenders' Roundtable (4/8/16).

Last year, SBA guaranteed a record 1,777 loans to small business exporters for $1.45 billion, which supported an estimated $3.3 billion in export sales.  Small businesses account for one third of all U.S. export sales.

Read more:  SBA Administrator Recognizes Export Lenders of the Year

Today in Global Small Business: A New Startup to Bring SMBs to World Markets

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What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

• How Pinterest is going global, modestly.
• Debating the ethics of national borders.
• India's nascent e-commerce market likely to draw global, local players.
• How Europe’s biggest Internet company wants to reach three-quarters of the world’s mobile phones before it runs out of cash.
• As globalization slows, a new startup raises $27 million to bring SMBs to world markets.
• Oh dear.  It's the end of globalization as we know it.

Self-Portrait: Mommy Long Legs

©2016 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Some may remember the classic movie Daddy Long Legs with Fred Astaire, (1955), the much-filmed story of a millionaire who anonymously sponsors, then falls in love with a young orphan (Leslie Caron).

This is my version of the same theme but calling it Mommy Long Legs.  It's amazing what the sun does for you when it is behind your back while taking a photo.

International Trade Proves Accessible

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According to smallbusiness.co.uk, nearly four in five UK micro-multinationals feel international trade is just as accessible for small businesses.

The article goes on to say that globally, all micro-multinationals believe having a presence in multiple markets makes it easier to sell goods cross-border, with more claiming it is easier to operate internationally now than it was in 2010.

'Innovation has always been stimulated by international trade, so as logistics experts, it’s vital we are primed to help businesses of all sizes take advantage of global opportunities. UK micro-multinationals are no exception, and equipped with the right support could change the face of global business as we know it.'

Read more:  Micro-businesses are born global as international trade proves accessible

Exim Bank 2016 Annual Conference April 7-8

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EXIM Bank back in business and hosting its annual conference in Washington, DC, April 7-8.  They have many prestigious big company speakers -- from Ursula Burns, Chairman and CEO, Xerox Corporation to Vinton G. Cerf, Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist, Google to Jim Clifton, Chairman and CEO, Gallup.

Learn more:  EXIM Bank 2016 Annual Conference Washington, DC:  April 7-8

And it appears that small business owners will have a voice at the conference.

SESSION ONE: 2:45 – 3:45 p.m.

Navigating the Trade Finance Maze as a Small Business Owner (Palladian Ballroom)

Small Business exporters share how they are using EXIM Bank financing to grow their business profits and sell their products globally. Great for first timers!

National Small Business Week May 1-7, 2016

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As the head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet announced that this year’s National Small Business Week will be held from May 1-7.  This year’s theme will be “Dream Big, Start Small.”

At the same time, Small Business Person of the Year winners from the 50 states will be named.  All of the winners have been invited to attend the ceremonies in Washington, D.C on May 1-2 where they will be awarded their individual awards along with recognition of the runners-up and the naming of the 2016 National Small Business Person of the Year.

If that is not enough, announcements will be made for the 2016 National Small Business Week awardees for 17 different categories ranging from exporting, outreach, contracting, lending, disaster recovery to manufacturing and research and development.

Learn more:  National Small Business Week

Wink Models Is Going Global

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Taryn Williams, owner of Australian-based Wink Models, is going global for her latest venture.

Williams, who has been in the Australian talent and modelling industry for the past 15 years, expects her business, THERIGHT.FIT to break even by quarter three of the second year of operations in New York. William's existing business WINK Models has a turnover of $3 million. 

Read the article:  The benefits of going global for your business

Today in Global Small Business: How to Stay True to Your Craft

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What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

• Five trends worth watching in B2B e-commerce.
• Is UPS well positioned to benefit from e-commerce?
• Need a second line to your cell phone?  We've got you covered (and it's FREE).
• Digital globalization:  the new era of global flows | McKinsey & Company.
• Seven trends small businesses need to watch.
• Five lessons on how to stay small (even when you are big) and true to your craft.

Make Your Heart Sing

©2016 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

A recent visit to The Art Institute of Chicago makes my heart sing.