The power of competitive currency. How can countries stimulate and sustain strong export growth? The authors of this report examine 92 episodes of export surges, defined as significant increases in manufacturing export growth that are sustained for at least seven years.

Read more here.

Here's a look at the top trends shaping social entrepreneurship in 2009. Three of them touch on our outlook as well: social enterprises (as it applies to education), mobile technology and green innovation.

After exploring my exciting new online membership over at the International Council for Small Business, I caught that Scott A. Shane (pictured) won the 2009 Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research.

I have admired Scott's prolific work at both Small Business Trends and OPEN Forum by American Express OPEN but little did I know that he was that gifted in writing about entrepreneurship.

For those of you who don't know Scott, he is the A. Malachi Mixon III Professor of Entrepreneurship Studies at Case Western Reserve University.

We are very proud of Scott and his wonderful accomplishments and wish him continued success in the field of global entrepreneurship.

We need to innovate our way to a new business model, at least that's what The New York Times, Sunday, February 1, 2009 article, "Disruptive Innovation, Applied to Health Care," states regarding health care.

Using innovation management models previously applied to other industries, Clayton M. Christensen, a Harvard Business School professor, argues in “The Innovator’s Prescription” that the concepts behind “disruptive innovation” can reinvent health care. The term “disruptive innovation,” which he introduced in 2003, refers to an unexpected new offering that through price or quality improvements turns a market on its head.

Disruptive innovators in health care aim to shape a new system that provides a continuum of care focused on each individual patient’s needs, instead of focusing on crises. Mr. Christensen and his co-authors argue that by putting the financial interests of hospitals and doctors at the center, the current system gives routine illnesses with proven therapies the same intensive and costly specialized care that more complicated cases require.

This falls right in line with our Trend No. 1 in Top 10 Global Trends for Small Businesses for 2009 (published January 21, 2009):

1. Disruptive innovation will be both the coolest and hottest new growth strategy in 2009 because it will transcend all boundaries and transform businesses.

Clayton Christensen, a Harvard Business School professor who focuses on innovation, discusses this very same topic in “How Hard Times Can Drive Innovation.” Also, a hip report by Trendwatching covers half a dozen consumer trends for 2009 and supports Christensen’s, and our theory, with prediction No. 6: Happy Ending. It states:

“At the same time, this is a great moment to innovate: shrinking budgets and diminishing revenues from existing offerings normally bring out the best and most creative in business professionals.”

Economist Joseph Schumpeter popularized a similar concept called “creative destruction” in 1942 in his book, “Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy,” that describes the process of transformation that accompanies radical innovation. Look for more of this type of disruptive innovation in 2009.

How can you better serve worldwide customers in 2009? By applying and hopefully winning the 2009 Dell Global Small Business Excellence Award.

In its sixth year in the United States and second year globally, the award gives small businesses applying technology in innovative ways to better serve customers a chance at up to U.S. $50,000 in Dell solutions and a meeting with Dell Chairman and CEO Michael Dell.

Call for entries have already started with the first round of submissions due by Friday, April 3, 2009. Ten national finalists per country will be announced in mid-June and the 13 national winners will be announced in September 2009.

India is the newest country to participate in the global award and recognize local small businesses for technology leadership. Additional countries participating include Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

For a description of the award criteria, rules, award levels, partners and judges and to complete an application, visit here and good luck!

Because we are so passionate about helping you -- entrepreneurs and small businesses -- expand your business internationally -- we decided to become a member of another organization that is equally as committed: The International Council for Small Business.

Founded in 1955, the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) was the first international membership organization to promote the growth and development of small businesses worldwide. The organization brings together educators, researchers, policy makers and practitioners from around the world to share knowledge and expertise in their respective fields.

One of our trusted colleagues, Dr. Jeffrey Cornwall, is also a member so when you have time, check out what ICSB has to offer ... lots of tips, tools and resources to enable you to learn more about going global ... and see if membership might benefit you too.

Knowledge sharing helps improve our global economic environment and fosters an understanding and appreciation for each country's contribution to the world marketplace.

Very interesting opinion piece in the WSJ:

First, America must remove trade barriers on exports from the poorest countries, regardless of trade policies in those countries. With global market access, poor countries would automatically attract private investment, despite their institutional weaknesses. These institutions would become stronger over time as businesses flourish. Private investments capitalizing on access to global markets would necessarily employ low-cost labor, thus creating jobs.

Next, small entrepreneurs can be bolstered with seed money in the range of $25,000. Small entrepreneurs create jobs, products and services that form the bedrock of flourishing democracies. With some tangible changes in its operation, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) within the World Bank Group could promote development through entrepreneurs. The World Bank should stop lending to governments and be absorbed into the reformed IFC.

Read more here.