What is Going Global? Who can participate?

October 2nd, 2008 at 10:04am Teresa Beach-Shelow

Yesterday I was in a conversation about Rockford Area Manufacturers going Global…what is that? Who can participate? Do you have to have a product line? Is it for a small, 11 person, company like mine that provides services to other manufacturing companies?

My old pocket Webster’s says global means “of or pertaining to the entire world.” Adjectives for global are —broad, general, universal, urban, widespread and worldwide. Are we interested? Why should we be?

Those who support Manufacturing are encouraging us to think about going global. The Rockford Chamber is having a Globalization conference on Oct 29th, at Eclipse. They are encouraging Rockford Area Manufacturers to participate in the “worldwide” marketplace. RAEDC has staff members who belong to the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce. They are spending time and dollars to encouraging us to particpate in business outside of our region—on Swedish soil or here with someone from Swedish soil. Patrick Hope is a government representative placed here to help us work with any country in the world.

Why would you go to a conference on Globalization?
Information is good! Being informed about the global climate helps as you make business decisions.
Find out if your customer is being effected by pressures that make your solution maybe not the best solution in the marketplace–or maybe it is the best solution and then you can get ideas of who else to sell to.
The other companies that attend might be companies you would like to talk to but you cannot get past the receptionist.
Maybe there is a way you can make a lot of money!?
Are there more reasons….?

A few years ago we really focused on getting to know the manufacturing companies and capabilities of our region. That has been a huge success; I believe part of why our region is still leading the way for manufacturing in the USA. Now let’s think about broad, general, universal, urban, widespread and worldwide…..global.

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