By ASHLEY E. ORGAN, Assistant Editor
Companies looking to go global often are unsure of what the globalization process entails and can face a difficult dilemma in doing so. They want to penetrate international markets, but cannot justify the associated costs. Others simply want to learn about the new tools and processes to improve their bottom line.
Nabil Freij, president of GlobalVision International Inc., has written a step-by-step handbook to for globalization and localization. “Enabling Globalization: A Guide to Using Localization to Penetrate International Markets” describes 10 ways to create a global office to maintain efficient operations while traveling. Here are the first five, according to Freij:
1. Your constant companion and friend in your global office is your portable computer. Since you will be on the move, you need it to be light but powerful. If you are not already using a portable for your daily computer use, purchase one early, set it up immediately, and then get rid of your desktop. Make the portable your primary computer and use it for at least one full month before your scheduled departure. This will ensure that you have all the apps you need with you when you travel.
2. Once you've taken care of the portable, get a global phone. Technology today enables us to make and receive calls pretty much in any commercial country around the globe. Check your carrier and make sure that the same number and phone will work internationally. If not, get a global phone. While traveling, keep in mind that mobile phones are not as secure as land lines and can be very costly while roaming. You can pay upward of US $2/min even on calls that you do not take. Inform your key clients and workers of your travel plans and ask them only to call in emergencies. Also, remind them of the difference in time zones. P.S. Don't be afraid to use the “off” switch on your phone when rest is warranted!
3. For free international calls to the US, bring a Vonage, Ooma, or Magic Jack with you. I have used both Vonage and Ooma and the Ooma Telo stopped working after a few days. Ooma's support was very slow! Vonage worked non-stop my entire stay. You can even forward your home office calls to it.
4. Email is of paramount importance and the centerpiece of the global office. The issue is not just to have an email account, but to have A.) a reliable internet connection everywhere you go, and B.) to train everyone that you deal with to communicate with you by email and not by phone. Email is very cost-friendly and convenient and will allow you to be in control of your own time.
5. Most of us nowadays use online banking. When you travel internationally, you may need more than the basic features. You will need to be able to perform account reviews and transfers, pay checks online, and monitor your credit card transactions. But you may also need to make payments to overseas vendors, so look into online wire transfers options – they can now be handled online in all commercial currencies.
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