NEWS RELEASE
Andres Chagolla/Nelson Mitchell–MCbiz Team
602-506-2249 / 602-50MCbiz
achagolla@mail.maricopa.gov
mitchelln001@mail.maricopa.gov
Arizona Small Businesses “enSYNCH” with the Art of Growing Internationally
MCbiz – Maricopa County’s Small Business Enterprise Program hosted the Arizona International Growth Group (AZIGG)’s monthly early morning meeting on Monday, April 7, 2008 with Roger Philips of Concordia University, David Ziton of enSYNCH, and Dr. Gary Waissi, PH.D., Dean of ASU School of Global Management & Leadership speaking.(Refreshment Sponsor – Business Partners 360).
The keynote speaker was Roger Philips, Concordia University, and his presentation “Growing Your Business Internationally: Where Do I Start?” outlined topics from his book: Guide to Software Export: A Handbook for International Sales. Approximately half of the small business owners attending were existing firms doing business internationally, while the other half indicated they were interested in venturing internationally. 90% of the information presented, noted Philips, was universal in respect to business-to-business transactions. Philips further strategized with the attendees, suggesting:
- Indirect vs. Direct sales in many markets, improving margins
- Global- and Country-level Marketing
- Forecasting and Sales Marketing/Management
- Know and thoroughly Research the Culture
Roger, winner of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Excellence in Export Award, recommended reading Chapter 11 (“How Companies Cope”) of Thomas Friedman’s book, The World is Flat, which provides insight into worldly business coping strategies. A few of the “Rules” were:
v “Whatever can be done will be done – the question is whether it will be done to you or by you;”
v “Most important competition now is between you & your imagination;” and
v “The small shall act big.”
enSYNCH’s Director of Sales, Managed Services, David Ziton, also provided the audience with key information regarding the identification of advantages and one’s threshold in operating/expanding internationally, understanding the foreign/local market, and defining success. With respect to success, Ziton noted that one should ask/answer “What are the key metrics?” and “What is your exit strategy and its timeframe?”
Douglas K. Newton (Desert Sage Consulting, LLC and Member of the Valley Advisory Group, A Non Profit Organization providing advisory resources for Arizona Companies, and Frank C. Beltran from First Financial Security, Inc. indicated that the information garnered was valuable.
Roger Philips can be reached via email at enrapt@gmail.com or 602-300-7079 and David Ziton at dziton@ensynch.com or 602-714-0180.
MCbiz Workshops:
April 16, Chandler Public Library 3-5pm (Tenant Services, Organizational Work Optimization, Doing Business with Maricopa County)
May 15 (Davis Miles Law plus); May 29 (Matchmaking Event – ULBC);
June 10 ( “The Power of Small Business in Local Economies” - National Minority Enterprise Development Week Celebration-ASU SkySong);
August 29 (Matchmaking Event –ULBC)
MCbiz is charged with facilitating procurement activity and helping the small business community progress in Maricopa County through workshops, outreach, and partnering with organizations such as AZIGG (www.azigg.com).
Please visit our website at www.maricopa/mcbiz for more details or call Nelson Mitchell at (602) 506-2249 to RSVP/participate in a workshop.
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