Over the decades, a lot of new products have been developed and marketed by small firms. Sometimes, these products find unfulfilled product niches (such as the original Vitaminwater) and then grow large enough to be acquired by giants (such as Vitaminwater’s parent Glaceau being bought by Coca-Cola for more than $4 billion). Many other times, […]
Read moreThe Impact of an Industry’s Life Cycle on a Company
This post is a nice complement to our discussion about Apple’s recent performance. How much do industry life cycles affect firms in those industries? Consider these remarks from Rieva Lesonsky, Contributing Writer, SmallBizTrends.com: “Every industry goes through a life cycle that begins at the startup phase — that is, when the industry first comes into […]
Read moreAll Are Welcome Here
The American Express OPEN Forum has produced a valuable video, All Are Welcome Here, based on the acceptance of diversity: “More than 10,000 small business owners around the country are sending a message. They want their communities to know that all customers are welcome to walk through their doors regardless of religion, country of origin, […]
Read moreAvoid These Mistakes When Selling to China
Selling goods and services to companies and consumers in China is not an easy task for foreign firms. Here are some mistakes to avoid. Based on an interview with Frank Lavin, CEO of Export Now, a company that assists Western businesses that enter the Chinese market, Darren Dahl (writing for American Express Open Forum), describes […]
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