FRESHviews
RHONDA ABRAMS: STRATEGIES
Rhonda Abrams is the
president of The Planning
Shop, a publisher of books
and software for entre-
preneurs (
www.planning
shop.com).
Go global to grow
MOST SMALL COMPANIES rarely imagine they can
do business internationally. It’s often hard enough
to get customers from across town. But it’s easier,
faster and cheaper than ever before to do business
around the world. It’s good for America, too, helping
our nation improve its trade balance and keeping
jobs here.
Remember, it’s not just products you can sell
internationally, but services and intellectual property. The world is hungry for American expertise
such as engineering, management, design, technology and environmental protection. Figure your
business is too tied to your own locale? You’d be
surprised: I’ve even heard of companies exporting
miniature golf courses!
When I started my business, I never thought
I’d sell internationally. Now, though my publishing
company is small, we license our content to
publishers in more than 30 countries, and sell our
books to entrepreneurs and business schools
throughout the world. That’s helped me create
more jobs right here in the USA.
How can you begin to go—and grow—global?
Shift your outlook. Instead of thinking of yourself as just a small-business person, rede;ne yourself as a global entrepreneur, seeking globalopportunities.St art with markets you have a connection to.Do you know a foreign language or come from another country? How about members of your staff or colleagues? Look for government help. The Export- Import Bank of the United States has launched a new program, Global Access, to help small compa- nies export with ;nancing and insurance (www.
exim.gov/smallbusiness).
Use technology. There’s e-mail, VoIP (Voice
over Internet Protocol), document sharing, project
management and more.
Seek international partners. Instead of
trying to enter a country yourself, ;nd distributors,
sales agents or licensees who already have a
customer base.
Do business face to face. Nothing lands
a deal or deepens a relationship like a personal
connection. Get out there!
So it’s time to get out the atlas, look for new
markets and rede;ne yourself as a modern global
entrepreneur. C
More in archives
On Costco.com, enter
“Connection.”At Online Edition,
search “Rhonda Abrams.”
Business lessons for the family
MANY BUSINESS lessons can be applied to raising a
family, according to Costco member Ritch K. Eich,
president of Eich Associated (www.eichassociated.
com), a leadership, marketing and communications
strategy ;rm in ;ousand Oaks, California.
“My wife, Joan, and I established several ground
rules that we strive to live by,” says Eich. Here are
their recommendations.
Develop a game plan (vision and strategy). It
should consist of a few planks: living in a community where you can participate actively and where
heterogeneity, diversity and a good college exist, as
lifelong learning should be an integral part of your
ethos; getting to know one another better before you
start a family; and a commitment to share experiences and love with each other at the end of your
respective workdays.
Set a high moral standard (ethical stance). Strive
to set a high standard of regularly practicing faith and
remaining active in a denomination of your choice
when starting a family and raising children. “We believe it provides a key part of the foundation for a
strong, healthy family,” says Eich.
Create family traditions (corporate culture). In-
still in your children an appreciation of people di;er-
ent from them, broaden their knowledge of the arts,
literature and history, and visit your own and other
countries. “It was important that our children learn
self-discipline, respect for others, proper etiquette
and how to overcome adversity, for experiencing life’s
ups and downs helps build strong character and resil-
iency,” says Eich. “We also believed it was vital that
they learn to be thankful for what they had and
assist others less fortunate.”
Support for veteran-owned
businesses
CHRIS A RUSNAK
IN JANUARY 2010, The
Connection told you about
Patriot Express, a program
offered by the Small Business
Administration (SBA),
designed to offer special loan
guarantees to small businesses owned by veterans,
reservists and their spouses.
Although many federal
programs have been cut by
the budget ax, the SBA
recently announced it is
renewing the program for
another three years.
“America’s veterans have
the leadership skills and
experience to become
successful entrepreneurs and
small-business owners,” says
SBA administrator Karen
Mills. “Renewing [this
program] means we can
continue to ful;ll our sacred
commitment to the men and
women who serve our
country by giving them every
opportunity for success.”
Patriot Express loans,
available for up to $500,000,
are offered by the SBA’s net-
work of participating lenders
nationwide and feature one
of the SBA’s fastest turn-
around times for loan approv-
als. These loans can be used
for most business purposes,
including start-up, expansion,
equipment purchases,
working capital, inventory or
business-occupied real estate
purchases. SBA district of;ces
can provide lists of Patriot
Express lenders in their
areas. Details of the initiative
can be found at
www.sba.
gov/patriotexpress. C
MARCH 2011 ;e Costco Connection 15
