We covered this topic briefly June 18th during our Bank of America "live" online small business community forum, "Cost Effective Strategies To Go Global" (refer to No. 5) but The New York Times expanded on the notion here (6/25/09).

How To Enlist a Global Work Force of Freelancers

Here are the results of my LIVE small business online community forum hosted by Bank of America on "Cost Effective Strategies to Go Global."

Please join us LIVE online Thursday, June 18 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. EST at Bank of America's Small Business Community where I will be covering:

Cost Effective Strategies to Go Global

My version of it is: Going global on the cheap (or shoestring). This is my second event with BofA so I am thrilled to be back in the saddle again with all of you!

Some of the questions I hope to address are:

• How do you leverage social media and networking platforms to grow a business globally?
• What's the most effective way to hire and maintain (nurture) independent contractors worldwide while building a global empire during a tough economic time?
• Is Twitter important? Can it help reach a global audience? If so, what should you be doing to tap into it?
• What are some key elements involved to run a fit-for-fast-growth type of global small business?
• Where do you turn to find out if an overseas market is ripe for your type of product or service offering?

So whether you are thinking of taking your business global or are already crossing borders, please join us and feel free to start asking your questions NOW to ensure I get to them! Look forward to connecting with you there.

You've come to the right place! Just finished the LIVE event for the Small Business Online Community (powered by Bank of America). Here are some of the questions I addressed:

• Can you talk about tips related to container shipping? Also, sometimes I do not have enough merchandise to fill one container, how can I find a partner to share costs?

• How do you go about establishing a relationship with an international merchant? I was traveling and came across some innovative products that would do well in the U.S. Also, what legal or tax related issues are there with shipping goods from overseas to the U.S.?

• When do you know if it's right for your business to expand into other countries? What advantages are there?

• I would like to start a small business. What’s your advice?

• How does globalization impact neighborhood businesses? Do small neighborhood businesses like restaurants, barbershops, local retailers, etc. need to be aware of globalization? How does international trade affect those kinds of businesses, and how can an awareness of global issues make them more successful?

• Are there certain countries that are easier to export to? Why?

Find out the answers here.

Please join me tomorrow, March 24, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. CDT for an open, online global small business "live" forum, on Going Global With Your Business.

I will address questions like:

• What is the single biggest stumbling block to taking a business global?
• How do I find the right international partners?
• Why should I go global?
• How do I evaluate the benefits and risks with expanding my business abroad?
• What advice would you offer to those of us considering expanding our business internationally?

My intent is to empower you to take that first dramatic step toward starting your own business and taking it global from the get-go. And we hope to make going global easy.

Register (complimentary) here and post your questions now or "live" during the event.

Hope to connect with you there. Look forward to it!