CHAPTER 3
69 www.trekbikes.com
90 www.wsj.com
91 www.x-rates.com
91 www.wtm.com
91 www.wto.org
91 www.x-rates.com
92 www.yahoo.com
92 www.landsend.com
Best of the Web: Navigating Global Business Differences, page 72
Exploring the Best of the Web: Navigating Global Business Differences, page 91
USA Trade, www.usatrade.gov
In today’s global marketplace, knowing as much as possible about your customers’
international business practices and customs could give you a strategic advantage. To
help you successfully conduct business around the globe, navigate the resources at USA
Trade.gov. Begin with the Country Commercial Guides. Prepared by US Embassy Staff,
these guides contain helpful information on foreign marketing practices, trade
regulations, investment climate, and business travel for a number of countries. And if you
international plans include a business trip, begin your journey here. You’ll be glad you
did.
The resources available at USA Trade.gov will start your journey into the world of global
business on the right foot. Log on to this site, and access the Country Commercial Guide
for a specific country you would like to earn more about.
1.
What are the economic trends and future outlook for that country?
Question 1 directions: From the home page, click on Market Research, then on Country
Commercial Guides. Select a country from the drop down box. Click on Economic Trends
and Outlook and read the material.
2.
What role does the government play in the country’s economy?
Question 2 directions: From the Country Commercial Guides page, Click on Economic
Trends and Outlook, and scroll down to Government Role in the Economy. (Note, this
section may not be included for smaller, less popular trading countries.)
3.
How do the business customs of that country differ from those of the United States? What is the
country’s official language?
Question 3 directions: From the Country Commercial Guides page, click on Business
Travel and read the material in this section.
Best of the Web: Going Global, page 73
Exploring the Best of the Web: Going Global, page 91
Basic Guide to Exporting, www.unzco.com/basicguide/index.html
Have you ever thought about getting into the world of exporting? Where would you go for information and
help? Many small and large companies have gotten valuable export assistance from online material such as
the Basic Guide to Exporting. This joint publication by the U.S. Department of Commerce and Unz & Co.
has a wealth of information about export procedures; foreign markets, industries, companies, and products;
export financing; unfair trade practices; trade statistics; and more.
1. Describe the general factors you should examine before reaching a decision to
enter the global marketplace.
Question 1 directions: From the home page, click on Table of Contents; next click on and
read the information in Developing an Export Strategy (Chapter 1).
2. What kinds of information can your find at U.S. Export Assistance Centers?
Question 2 directions: From the Table of Contents, click on Export Advice (Chapter 3),
and then click on Assistance Sources. Read the information under Export Assistance
Centers.
3. What questions should a company consider before preparing a product for
export? Why do governments impose foreign product regulations on imported
goods?
Question 3 directions: From the Table of Contents, click on Preparing Your Product for
Export (Chapter 7), and then click on Questions to Consider, and then on Product
Adaptation.
Best of the Web: Banking on the World Bank, page 81
Exploring the Best of the Web: Banking on the World Bank, page 91
The World Bank, www.worldbank.org
The World Bank plays an important role in today’s fast-changing, closely meshed global
economy. Do you know what this organization of five closely associated institutions
does? Do you know who runs the bank, where the bank gets its money, and where the
money goes? Learn how this organization’s programs and financial assistance help
poorer nations as well as affluent ones. Log on to the World Bank Web site and find out
why global development is everyone’s challenge.
1. What is the goal of the World Bank? What does the World Bank do?
Questions 1 directions: From the home page, click on About the World Bank Group, and
then click on Overview. Read the first four sections.
2. Who runs the World Bank? Where does it get its money? Where does the money
go?
Question 2 directions: From the home page, click on About the World Bank Group; next
click on Overview and read these sections: Where Does the World Bank Get Its Money?
Where Does the Money Go? Who Runs the World Bank?
3. What are the World Bank’s latest environmental initiatives?
Question 3 directions: From the home page, click on Research and then Environment. On
the right side of the screen, click on Environment and then Latest Environmental
Initiatives.
Explore on Your Own, page 91
Review these chapter-related Web sites on your own to learn more about doing business in the global
marketplace.
1.
World Trade Markets, www.wtm.com/, provides trade leads by date, country, or product type.
2.
Members of the World Trade Organization, www.wto.org, must abide by the rules that pertain to
international security, cooperation, economic growth, trade restrictions, human rights, and dispute
settlement. Log on and learn more about these rules, international economic relations, and a variety of
trade topics.
3.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rates, www.x-rates.com/, provides foreign exchange rates and history of
performance in table and graph format.
A Case for Critical Thinking: Doing Everybody’s Wash--Whirlpool’s Global
Lesson,
pages 91-92
Whirlpool, http://www.whirlpool.com/
Question 4. Find out how Whirlpool is faring with its global strategy. Follow this
text’s online instructions to read the latest news releases about Whirlpool’s financial
performance, international operations, and plans for expansion. How are
Whirlpool's sales doing outside the United States? Where is the company strongest?
Where is it struggling? What changes, if any, is the company making to its global
strategy?
Question 4 directions: At the company Web site, click on We Are Whirlpool, Whirlpool
and the Community, and In the News to read the latest news releases.
Part 1: Mastering Global and Geographical Skills--Adios, Argentina--Hello, Brazil,
page 94
Use the following Web sites to answer the questions:



The CIA World Factbook, www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/.
U.S. State Department Background Notes, www.state.gov/www/background_notes.
Big Emerging Markets Resource Page, www.ita.doc.gov/bems/.
1. Briefly describe Brazil’s infrastructure. How do most products reach Brazil? Is
internal transportation primarily by air or truck? Which state in Brazil has the best
highways? Which transportation related industries have been privatized or are
scheduled to be privatized? In which area of Brazil does the majority of the
population live? How does the size of Brazil compare to that of the United States?
Which countries border Brazil?
Question 1 directions: To find information on Big Emerging Markets use three Web sites: (1) at the Big
Emerging Markets Web site, click on the Executive Summary, and Economic Trends and Outlook; (2) at
U.S. State Department Background Notes, click on Economy; (3) at the CIA World Factbook, click on
Geography.
2. How does the size of Brazil’s economy compare to other nations in the world? What industries are
strongest in Brazil? (find info in Background Notes—Economy, World Factbook—Economy)
Question 2 directions: To find comparative information on Brazil’s economy use two Web sites: (1) at U.S.
State Department Background Notes, click on Economy; (2) at the CIA World Factbook, click on Economy.
3. Briefly outline the typical steps required for importing products into Brazil.
Question 3 directions: Import steps are located at the Big Emerging Markets Web site.
Click on Marketing U.S. Products and Services.
4. Discuss the overall economic outlook for sales of security and safety equipment in
Brazil.
Question 4 directions: The economic outlook for sales of security and safety equipment can be found at the
Big Emerging Markets Web site. Click on Leading Sectors for U.S. Exports and Investment, Sector:
Security and Safety Equipment.