5 Tips For Expanding Your Small Business Abroad

Image by thinkpanama via FlickrThe goal of all small businesses is to grow. From a simple idea, your small business begins, you work many weeks and years to make it a success. You reach a point where you have the knowledge and resources to expand. Many businesses expand in their city or state but why not consider expanding overseas.

It's not going to be easy taking your small business global. It will take a lot of patience, money and research. When you do get your business going problems can arise, so it's better to be prepared ahead of time. Here are 5 tips to help you head off any problems:

1. Language.
Communicating with your overseas associates verbally or on paper offers its own set of problems. Either you must be fluent in the language of the country you are dealing with or have someone in that country that will be your representative. It's critical, if you don't speak the language, to have a trusted relationship with an individual or competent middle man who will represent you. Also when dealing with financial data, documents or legal contracts it would be wise to set up a financial translation service beforehand.

2. Local Experts.
Don't think that your home market is the same abroad. You should have a competent advisor who could be a lawyer or a representative of a bank. They will know their way around your foreign economy. If they aren't able to help they will have the contacts to help in a situation.

3. Check with Overseas Commerce Branches of Government.
In the United States there is the U.S. Department of Commerce. All countries have an equivalent branch of government. Their job is to connect business men, foreign or domestic, with information to help businesses function in the economy. The department can give the small business man information on overseas agents, duty fees, and taxes.

4. Understand Your Market.
Doing business in another country means investigating the markets. Just because your product or service is profitable in your home country doesn't mean it will be successful abroad. Just as in your own country you would not just jump into a market without doing exhaustive market research. So much more you would do the same where the economy and culture are different.

5. Respecting the Culture and Values of other Countries.
Language is not the only barrier to doing business abroad. Barriers, to being successful doing business abroad, can arise when not having a basic respect for the values and customs of a country. Speaking the language is important but know the culture and traditions in doing business will only help you be more successful.

The global business world is expanding more and more everyday. It's not easy to expand your business abroad and many businesses don't for that reason. But with proper planning and some expert help, it can be done.

Banks Are Backing Off Debit Card Fees

Mega banks Chase and Wells Fargo are reversing their decision to charge customers for using debit cards. Sun-Trust Banks and Regions Financial were charging debit card fees for some time now but it was when Bank of America announced it's $5 debit card fee, public outrage went off the charts.

Banks have blamed the new fees on the loss of revenue they suffered when new federal regulations kicked in. The new regulations that limit the fees they can collect from retailers for handling debit card transactions.

When the announcement was made Sen. Richard Durbin, D.-Ill, called the fee an "outrage" on the floor of the Senate. Sen. Durbin was one of the authors of the new regulations that started the whole process. Durbin encouraged customers of banks that charge fees to "vote with their feet," but consumers were already ahead of him. Credit unions and community banks nationwide are reporting huge spikes in new accounts as consumers seek no-fee options.

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Now Bank of America has announced, through an unidentified source, that they are going to eliminate the debit card fee. But the damage is already done. Many consumers are so angry that they will never do business with the big banks again. The have switched to credit unions that don't charge fees. According to csmonitor.com.

What to Do Now.

If you have already switched and are happy with your new bank, stay put. Many people are enjoying the more personal touch of credit unions. Stay with your new bank for six months and reevaluate then.

GoBankingRates.com revealed that more than 3 out of 10 consumers will switch from a national bank to a local credit union. The tide has not turned on the motivation to abandon the big banks. Even Bank Transfer Day and Occupy Wall Street protesters are still proposing to bail out on the big banks, so to speak.

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Would You Consider Purchasing Investment Property Abroad?

Image via Wikipedia

It's no secret that adding investment property to a portfolio will add diversity. Diversity is the cornerstone of any vibrant investment strategy. While most people have investment property in their own country, investing abroad doesn't even occur to them.

Overseas investment properties can be as profitable and safe as investing in your own country. While once it may have been a risky proposition, overseas investing has become easier and a new source of investment income. Once only the well to do could invest overseas, today the average investor has an ever increasing number of options to help them succeed.

While the real estate market may be stagnant in one country it could be appreciating in another. Property prices in an emerging real estate market can have below market value (BMV) properties. Giving you a better chance of capital appreciation. With the whole world as your property market you will be able to choose only the best countries and markets.

Even if you are a novice to overseas investment properties, there are many capable real estate professionals in your chosen countries that have the expertise and knowledge to help you select the right property. Today's real estate representatives have a thorough knowledge of there respective areas and can help you through the many unknowns an overseas investor may encounter.

When choosing an international property it's good to determine what goals you you want to attain with it. You need to determine if your investment is for rental income or capital appreciation. Or will the investment be a vacation or retirement home. If your choosing it for income it may not matter. But if you are choosing it for a vacation home and eventually a retirement home, location is more of a priority.

Every day more and more international investment properties are coming to the real estate market. The opportunities for investing continue to be a good choice for the diversified investor.

How To Overcome A Bad Financial Habit - Depending on Others

Over the last few years this country has been in bailout mode. The banks, car makers, some states and unions have been bailed out. The average person is also looking for their fair share of the goodies coming from Washington. Lets also put on the list food stamps, welfare, unemployment and other assistance. There is a place for this kind of help but I worry never ending support is bad in many ways. It's hard to believe but there was a time when none of these programs existed. When trouble came you were either on your own and you suffered alone or you were lucky enough to have friends and family to help in your situation. I am not against a public safety net. I believe that not providing your own safety net is unconscionable.

Definition of self-reliance:
Reliance on one's own capabilities, judgment, or resources; independence.

Self reliance is a skill that we try to teach our children. We want them to stand on their own two feet. Most get the teaching but there are always a few that don't apply themselves and depend on others for their support. Whether it's the kid that doesn't want to grow up or the adult that depends on financial support from parents or others well into their adult life. If this describes you or someone you know, there are ways to retrain yourself and be self reliant.

1. Work.
This can be an odd concept for many people. The foundation of being self reliant is to have a way to make money. Without a consistent in flow of cash on a regular basis you can not support yourself. Those that do find work rewarding an profitable find it strange when people turn work down and lead a life of minimal subsistence. There are many people out there that depend on others to give them a place to live, food, and clothing.

2. Income.
With a job you will be receiving income. With your income you now need a plan to use it. Creating a budget is telling your money what to do. It's a map to help you be self reliant. You will be able to buy the things you need and not depend on others.

3. Stay with Cash.
When your first starting out stay away from the financial system. Start an envelope system for your expenses. An envelope for your rent, food, gas, clothing. Stay away from banks, payday loans and any other financial process. They haven't served you well, you don't need them.

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4. No credit cards.
For this to work credit cards are off limits. You don't have the money to pay them and you will definitely be tempted to over spend.

5. Be prepared for the unexpected.
When something unexpected happens is the time your self reliance will show. Another envelope to add to your budget is "Emergency Fund". This envelope holds the money to pay for the unexpected. An example is if you need health care, auto repairs, leaky roof, or anything that comes unexpected. This envelope must be filled with a portion of each weeks pay. It must be filled consistently. This cash reserve will keep Murphy away from your door. It's your insurance policy. It's the most important part of your plan for self reliance.

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With this plan you can stand on your own two feet and be self reliant. You will not need to depend on others in time of need. It will take work and dedication but the rewards are well worth it.