US startups can access this low-hanging fruit relatively easily for a number of reasons. First, in the software business there aren’t the risks and costs associated with inventory that you would find in a manufactered goods business. The costs and risks are still there, but they are greatly reduced to the extent they aren’t a strategic issue. Next, most of your startup competitors have the attitude of the first paragraph, and are contentedly pounding away at their home markets. Next, it is far easier to adjust prices to local markets and set up segmentation fences through localization in the software business, than it is in a hardware business. In addition, if you are a US-based company, there will be some overflow effect from your US marketing efforts, since the US is the center of the software world. And last (but definitely not least) is the unique attribute of secondary markets: the ability to find good distribution Partners. Partners that have a head start in their markets, existing momentum that you can leverage.
We’ll come back to this last point in a minute. But first, let’s go back to our typical US-based software startup. This CEO is rather bold compared to his peers. He decides to dip the company’s toe into international markets. It “feels” the most like home. The UK is the SECOND MOST COMPETITIVE and sophisticated market in the world. To add to this misstep, although the UK is officially part of Europe, from a cultural and marketing/distribution perspective, it is quite different. So this initial step doesn’t even provide quite the learning experience you’d like when moving on to continental Europe.
Let’s get back to that unique attribute of secondary markets, the ability to find good partners. I’ve highlighted partners because it is so important to find the right partners and treat them well. What you are looking to do is find someone to ACT ON YOUR BEHALF in this local market. Someone who will put out the effort, spend their own capital, and be just as committed to the product’s success in this market as you are in your home market. This isn’t easy to do, but the payoff is high if you get it right. Find the best potential partner, then structure the deal to get them excited. Give them high discounts, provide extensive sales and technical training. Do give them at least a short term exclusive. Set the deal up so that they aren’t competing with other distributors of your product or even you–just your common enemy, the competition. If you do this right, you will have created an order/revenue generation machine that will work for you for years to come–with very little ongoing investment. And might even be humming away while you’re still investing and pounding away trying to get established in your home market. This is contrary to what many will tell you, but it is true. I have done it many times across a variety of markets and products. I could write about this topic almost indefinitely, and of course, the devil is always in the details.
Copyright 2006 PJM Consulting
Report on the business meeting of the Asian WTO Research Network held at NTU
Data Source: Asian WTO Research Network
Bulletin: 2009/6/19
Attachments:
Content:
On 23 May 2009, the AWRN held a business meeting at the National Taiwan University. As Mr. Iwamoto, the Secretary of the Network, was not available, Professor Mitsuo Matsushita chaired the meeting on his behalf. The meeting was attended by Prof. Rokaih Alavi, Dr. Deborah K. Elms, Prof. Minkang Gu, Dr. Fahmida Katun, Prof. Meredith Kolsky Lewis, Prof. Chin Leng Lim, Prof. Da-Nien Liu, Prof. Chang-fa Lo, Prof. Bryan Mercurio, Prof. Junji Nakagawa, Prof. Nohyoung Park, and Prof. Lawan Thanadsillapakul. This report provides a brief summary of the issues discussed at the meeting, based largely on the report of the AWRN business meeting held at Singapore Management University on 11 October 2008.
1. On the number of the regular members
?It was agreed that the three-per-jurisdiction would remain.
2. On the financial responsibility of the hosting institution
?It was agreed that the hosting institution should be responsible, as a minimum, for the local expenses for the members who participate in a meaningful way, including submitting papers and making oral presentations.
?On the other hand, some members expressed a concern that the hosting institution may not cover such cost fully due to the increasing financial burden as a result of the increase in the participating members. It was agreed that (1) the hosting institution shall make best effort to cover the local expenses, (2) it should avoid any situation where some members would be reimbursed and some would not, but (3) in an exceptional case, the hosting institution may decide as to the extent of coverage of local cost on a case-by-case basis. Of course, if the host institution has sufficient resources, it may offer to pay for the expenses for other members or for other expenses of the participating members. Such additional responsibility is not mandatory.
3. On the participants of the meeting
?It was agreed that three-plus-one-per country rule would remain. It was also agreed that the hosting institutions may invite participants who are not regular or associate members to attend the meeting, but that only the regular members are entitled to attend the business meetings of the AWRN.
4. On the treatment of absent members
?Members warned of becomi
Logistics Software To Improve Your Business
Think about the advantages of purchasing a logistics software! It will improve your time and experiences in your business area. True professional companies always stay on the cutting edge of technology innovations to deliver state-of-the art solutions to their clients.
Freight Forwarding Software, for example, is designed especially for small Freight Forwarders and Warehouse Management Companies. It can handle Ocean Freight, Air Freight along with Warehousing. Newest version releases have taken the request of customers in consideration and added the QuickBooks export support. That means that now you can easily export invoices to QuickBooks, saving time and reducing errors.
A lite suite version will be able to handle all the requirements of a Cargo Warehouse operation including Warehouse Receives, Warehouse Withdraws, Labels, On Hand Reports and Invoices. The Ocean Export and Air Export modules may provide an array of features like Quotes, Bookings, Manifest, Labels, Waybills (Houses, Masters, Directs) and reports that will let you keep track of your company operations at all times.
Still, if you can afford to spend more, there are more powerful softwares that will offer access to cargo status information directly through your company’s internet website, providing your customers with a powerful online shipment tracking tool. Authorized users can search, view and print information in various forms, such as: Warehouse Receipts, House Airwaybills, Master Airwaybills, House Bill of Ladings, Master Bill of Ladings and Cargo Manifest.
A complete featured suite offloads much of the administrative overhead associated with addressing client shipment inquiries, helping you to reduce cost and increase employee productivity. Also agents can enter POD information without having to call your office.
Usually, the software companies understand how critical it is for their clients to have their logistics software running 100% of the time. That is why they give their support department the higher priority. Any technical support team is committed to provide superior support service, and is available twenty four hours, seven days a week.
The companies’ staffs now understand that today is not only the software, but also the customer support that is critical to the clients. Also, if a customer has non-time critical issues or just has some questions, an e-mail should be provided for any inquires or an online support request form.
Medical Billing Software
Medical billing software is definitely your solution to smarter billing and efficient client service. The latest medical billing software will do that for you as well as save the amount of time you spend searching and accessing that information; the costs it takes to manage all the different databases, and the headaches you get from worrying about all the various aspects of your business.
Consolidate Offices—Medical billing software allows you to consolidate all your offices together. You will not have to log-in and log-out of a bunch of different databases; that’s all taken care of with this system. All you need to do is log-in through this billing system, and manage each separate account without the hassle of going into multiple databases.
Easy-to-Use—The #1 web-based software is simple to use. Your clients will reap the benefits from you using this system. Without the hassle of going through multiple databases, you will be able to close out all your business day dealings in a timely manner. The data always stays separate and doesn’t require duplication or extras hassle. Quick, easy, and efficiently, the job will get done right and on time for the convenience of your customers.
Payment—Medical billing software won’t take much money out of your business either. You can pay monthly as you go and don’t have to worry about or deal with large, up-front software fees. Best of all, no long-term commitment is required.
Work From Home—Do you have a computer and broadband connection? That means you are ready to go. Once logged into the system, you can work from your home, office, or on the road. If you’re not in the office, you don’t have to worry whether or not your business information is staying up-to-date. With medical billing software, you’re able to manage and stay on top of your business functions at all times and places.
Security—Your data is safe and backed up at all times. Medical billing software is protected through HIPPA-compliant servers that only you and other authorized staff members can access. If you ever have a problem, a team is ready and willing to help at all times. The support team will answer as quickly as possible to solve any needs or concerns about your system.
Antivirus Software
Many people are reluctant to shell out the cash for decent antivirus software. I’ll agree that at roughly $50 for a decent antivirus program, it isn’t exactly small change. But, let’s look at the costs more closely for a moment:
Computer –> $600-$4,000
Monitor –> $250-$1000
Software –> $500-$5000
Internet Connection –> $25+/month
Personal/Business Data –> Priceless
So, on the low end of the scale we are looking at a computer investment similar in price to an older used car, on the higher end, similar to a newer used car. Having a computer that does not have up-to-date antivirus protection is absolutely the same. You are simply asking for trouble.
Simply because that is what viruses, worms, malware etc. are made to do. Their ONLY job is to find unprotected computers and attack and hijack them without your knowledge. If your computer isn’t protected, and you share disks or go online, it will get infected.
The top antivirus software programs cost as little as 2 months internet connection. They all include constant and unlimited automatic updates that keep your system safe and clean.
If you can afford $1500+ on a computer, $300+/year on internet connections, you can definitely afford another $50 once to make it safe (and prevent it from being used to spread viruses and Trojan horses behind your back).
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