International Trade
- Good & Bad Reader Comments
- Trade Site Reader Statistics
- Writing and Editing Import Labels
- Leading Trade Articles
- Trade Article Copyright
- Our Sister Site Suite101.de
- Market Culture Final Exam
- Social Media Marketing
- Student Trade Projects
- Student Trade Presentations
Posted by
Daniel Workman
Daniel Workman
We have receive 59 comments on our international trade articles since Suite101 introduced the new comments feature for our readers on April 24, 2008.
Online magazine Suite101 implemented a feature that enables readers to post comments. Since then, page views for our international trade site are up about 9%.
In the 18 day period after comments went live, international trade received 59 comments. As the feature writer for this site, I've allowed 27 comments to be posted while deleting 32.
Guidelines for Comment Moderation
Creating a comment doesn't necessarily guarantee online publication.
Management has given us explicit instructions to delete comments that are spam, sales pitches, libelous, multiple postings, or contain abusive language. That code of conduct also requires that Suite101 writers act as professionally and diplomatically as possible when encountering contentious material.
Bear in mind that typically Suite101 writers will not respond to your comments. Also, comments must be text-only so links are images are excluded.
Examples of Good Comments
We received the most positive affirmations for Brazil's Trade Buddies. Comments range from "This article gives some trade information about Brazil - which is what I have been looking for, thanks" to "Very good! I Learned alot from reading this! thank you very much."
We also received compliments on how informative our international trade site is.
Constructive criticism is also welcome. For example, one reader tactfully pointed out that our article on Eastern European Dental Tourism did not address the quality or durability of dental materials used in low-cost countries.
Examples of Bad Comments
We will instantly delete any comments that are rude, insensitive or obscene. Can you imagine a newspaper editorial page including swear words or random rantings? We also delete meaningless comments like "wow i dotn no what to say" since these add little to the content or professionalism of our site.
UPDATE: We disabled comments on May 14, 2008 due to profanity.
In the 18 day period after comments went live, international trade received 59 comments. As the feature writer for this site, I've allowed 27 comments to be posted while deleting 32.
Guidelines for Comment Moderation
Creating a comment doesn't necessarily guarantee online publication.
Management has given us explicit instructions to delete comments that are spam, sales pitches, libelous, multiple postings, or contain abusive language. That code of conduct also requires that Suite101 writers act as professionally and diplomatically as possible when encountering contentious material.
Bear in mind that typically Suite101 writers will not respond to your comments. Also, comments must be text-only so links are images are excluded.
Examples of Good Comments
We received the most positive affirmations for Brazil's Trade Buddies. Comments range from "This article gives some trade information about Brazil - which is what I have been looking for, thanks" to "Very good! I Learned alot from reading this! thank you very much."
We also received compliments on how informative our international trade site is.
Constructive criticism is also welcome. For example, one reader tactfully pointed out that our article on Eastern European Dental Tourism did not address the quality or durability of dental materials used in low-cost countries.
Examples of Bad Comments
We will instantly delete any comments that are rude, insensitive or obscene. Can you imagine a newspaper editorial page including swear words or random rantings? We also delete meaningless comments like "wow i dotn no what to say" since these add little to the content or professionalism of our site.
UPDATE: We disabled comments on May 14, 2008 due to profanity.
Posted by
Daniel Workman
Daniel Workman
In April 2008, our online articles had the greatest number of page visits on Wednesdays - over double the number of Internet hits on Saturdays.
Page views on Wednesdays in April were tops, about 2% more than online visits on Tuesday.
Thursdays and Mondays also averaged well over 3,000 page views daily.
Recording the fewest page views for a week day, the time window from Friday to Saturday seems to be when many Web surfers are offline doing other activities such as shopping or entertaining.
Below is a summary of page views for each day of the week, based on April 2008 statistics.
What we can safely say is that, in April 2008, page views from:
Thursdays and Mondays also averaged well over 3,000 page views daily.
Recording the fewest page views for a week day, the time window from Friday to Saturday seems to be when many Web surfers are offline doing other activities such as shopping or entertaining.
Below is a summary of page views for each day of the week, based on April 2008 statistics.
- Wednesdays ... 18,337 for a daily average of 3,667
- Tuesdays ... 18,017 for a daily average of 3,603
- Thursdays ... 13,228 for a daily average of 3,307
- Mondays ... 13,097 for a daily average of 3,274
- Sundays ... 11,169 for a daily average of 2,792
- Fridays ... 10,113 for a daily average of 2,528
- Saturdays ... 7,168 for a daily average of 1,792.
What we can safely say is that, in April 2008, page views from:
- Monday to Thursday were 62,679 for a daily average of 3,482.
- Friday to Sunday were 28,450 for a daily average of 2,371.
Writing and Editing Import Labels
Posted by
Daniel Workman
Daniel Workman
Last Thursday I fulfilled an international trade writer's dream by editing the language on import labels to be printed in China for products destined for a BC importer.
I never realized the opportunities that international trade offers for technical writers - particularly bilingual technical writers.
A consultant in Winnipeg contacted me and asked whether I could proofread some shipping labels with English and French text. I was up for the challenge, particularly when I heard that Chinese manufacturers were waiting for the corrected labels to finish their production runs.
When I received the first batch of 76 pages (some labels had front and back text), I realized that I could make the 6 p.m. delivery deadline. Products for the labels included office supplies like glue, pens and erasers. Of course there was some overlap, for example boxes of blue pens in quantities of 12 or 24. My job was to ensure that the French translation was accurate, and that both the English and French wording was clear, consistent and correct.
The second batch of about 30 pages was a little more problematic. By 6 p.m. I had sent out the first delivery, but by then my mind had slowed. Fortunately, I was able to negotiate an early morning deadline for the second deliverable. I made the second delivery at 9 p.m.
The next morning the client thanked me for meeting the tight deadlines.
Key success factors included an ability to work in both Canadian official languages, plus a table in MS Word that summarized discrepancies by label form number. Each row in the table was for a particular form with suggested improvements to the French wording plus any discrepancies that I uncovered (for example: form number on label didn't match form number in file name).
Who says there isn't any opportunities in international trade documentation?
A consultant in Winnipeg contacted me and asked whether I could proofread some shipping labels with English and French text. I was up for the challenge, particularly when I heard that Chinese manufacturers were waiting for the corrected labels to finish their production runs.
When I received the first batch of 76 pages (some labels had front and back text), I realized that I could make the 6 p.m. delivery deadline. Products for the labels included office supplies like glue, pens and erasers. Of course there was some overlap, for example boxes of blue pens in quantities of 12 or 24. My job was to ensure that the French translation was accurate, and that both the English and French wording was clear, consistent and correct.
The second batch of about 30 pages was a little more problematic. By 6 p.m. I had sent out the first delivery, but by then my mind had slowed. Fortunately, I was able to negotiate an early morning deadline for the second deliverable. I made the second delivery at 9 p.m.
The next morning the client thanked me for meeting the tight deadlines.
Key success factors included an ability to work in both Canadian official languages, plus a table in MS Word that summarized discrepancies by label form number. Each row in the table was for a particular form with suggested improvements to the French wording plus any discrepancies that I uncovered (for example: form number on label didn't match form number in file name).
Who says there isn't any opportunities in international trade documentation?
Posted by
Daniel Workman
Daniel Workman
For April 2008, Internet searchers focused on the world's richest and poorest countries as well as on trade details for individual countries.
Many of the international trade articles on our top 10 list for April 2008 were published at least a year ago. For example, pieces about the world's richest and poorest countries first appeared in autumn 2006. Articles like the top French and Italian exports and imports were published about 8 months ago.
Brazil has shown the greatest increase in readership. Articles ranging from Brazil's trade partners, exports and imports to trade regulations bring in a combined total of about 5,000 page views.
Below is the top 10 list of articles with the most page views during April 2008.
Of these articles, rice offers exciting opportunities since over 50% of the world's population depends on rice as a food staple. Our article on Leading Rice Export Countries finished in 30th place despite having been published in mid-month.
Countries that provide grains that feed the world are sure to benefit from the increased demand and therefore prices around the globe.
Brazil has shown the greatest increase in readership. Articles ranging from Brazil's trade partners, exports and imports to trade regulations bring in a combined total of about 5,000 page views.
Below is the top 10 list of articles with the most page views during April 2008.
- World's Richest Countries ... 7,647 page views
- World's Poorest Countries ... 3,421
- Brazil's Trade Buddies ... 2,941
- Top Ten Oil Countries ... 2,766
- America's Trade Buddies ... 2,567
- China's Top Trading Partners ... 1,787
- Top French Exports & Imports ... 1,733
- Top Italian Exports & Imports ... 1,439
- Germany's Trade Buddies ... 1,406
- Brazil’s Top Exports & Imports ... 1,376
Of these articles, rice offers exciting opportunities since over 50% of the world's population depends on rice as a food staple. Our article on Leading Rice Export Countries finished in 30th place despite having been published in mid-month.
Countries that provide grains that feed the world are sure to benefit from the increased demand and therefore prices around the globe.
Posted by
Daniel Workman
Daniel Workman
Always ask for permission before copying text you find on the Web, no matter how compelling the writing may be.
Suite101 writers often find that blogs and competitive websites copy original articles without first asking permission.
Using Google Alerts, many of our authors track keywords embedded into their articles or references to their names as authors. This notifies us when our writing is duplicated on another website.
Suite101.com has exclusive electronic rights for one year after an article or blog is published on the website. That work cannot be published elsewhere on the Internet unless you are granted special permission by Suite101.
You are welcome to post an introduction followed by up to 50 words from the writing, provided that your text includes a link to the original article or blog on Suite101.com.
After the first year of publication, ownership rights shift to me as the sole owner of the online-published work. Just as you would during Suite101's one year ownership period, you must ask me for permission to publish my work on another website.
If this is not acceptable, I would ask you to please remove my article or blog from your site. I do appreciate your interest in my work, and I would suggest that if you would like to publish works written by writers outside of your organization that you ask their permission first.
Here is the link to my original article, in case you would like to edit your blog post.
Using Google Alerts, many of our authors track keywords embedded into their articles or references to their names as authors. This notifies us when our writing is duplicated on another website.
Suite101.com has exclusive electronic rights for one year after an article or blog is published on the website. That work cannot be published elsewhere on the Internet unless you are granted special permission by Suite101.
You are welcome to post an introduction followed by up to 50 words from the writing, provided that your text includes a link to the original article or blog on Suite101.com.
After the first year of publication, ownership rights shift to me as the sole owner of the online-published work. Just as you would during Suite101's one year ownership period, you must ask me for permission to publish my work on another website.
If this is not acceptable, I would ask you to please remove my article or blog from your site. I do appreciate your interest in my work, and I would suggest that if you would like to publish works written by writers outside of your organization that you ask their permission first.
Here is the link to my original article, in case you would like to edit your blog post.
Posted by
Daniel Workman
Daniel Workman
Early in 2008, Suite101 launched a German-language version of its leading online magazine from Deutschland.
The relatively new German Suite101.de site scores higher than 95% of the hundreds of thousands of websites that HubSpot's Website Grader has previously evaluated,
Sure that's less than Vancouver-based Suite101.com's score of 99%. Then again, the English version Suite101 electronic magazine has been online for over 10 years with more than 7 million readers each month. The English version has over 900 writers while the German counterpart has 200 authors.
Suite101.com has a Google page rank of 7, one more than Suite101.de's ranking of 6. One reason is that the Vancouver-based Suite101.com has 825,000 indexed pages (mostly articles and blogs) while the younger Suite101.de has only 47,400.
Further, Suite101.com has an Alexa online traffic rating of 3,004 which is in the top 0.01% of all websites. Suite101.de has an Alexa score of 147,368 as of April 13, 2008. This is good for the top 0.51% of sites.
One area where Suite101.de has a competitive advantage is in inbound links. The German site has 1.6 million inbound links compared with 236,508 for Vancouver's Suite101. That's because the larger Suite101.com site provides many links to its sister German portal.
So how does our International Trade site stack up against the German site version (Weltwirtschaft & Welthandel translates as Economy & Trade)? Consider the following comparison.
Sure that's less than Vancouver-based Suite101.com's score of 99%. Then again, the English version Suite101 electronic magazine has been online for over 10 years with more than 7 million readers each month. The English version has over 900 writers while the German counterpart has 200 authors.
Suite101.com has a Google page rank of 7, one more than Suite101.de's ranking of 6. One reason is that the Vancouver-based Suite101.com has 825,000 indexed pages (mostly articles and blogs) while the younger Suite101.de has only 47,400.
Further, Suite101.com has an Alexa online traffic rating of 3,004 which is in the top 0.01% of all websites. Suite101.de has an Alexa score of 147,368 as of April 13, 2008. This is good for the top 0.51% of sites.
One area where Suite101.de has a competitive advantage is in inbound links. The German site has 1.6 million inbound links compared with 236,508 for Vancouver's Suite101. That's because the larger Suite101.com site provides many links to its sister German portal.
So how does our International Trade site stack up against the German site version (Weltwirtschaft & Welthandel translates as Economy & Trade)? Consider the following comparison.
- International Trade Website Grade is 97% (61% for German site)
- International Trade Google Page Rank is 5 (0 for German site)
- International Trade Indexed Pages equals 393 (5 for German site)
- International Trade Inbound Links are 1,287 (2 for German site).
Posted by
Daniel Workman
Daniel Workman
Our final exam in International Market Culture delved into Microsoft in India, Japanese versus American management styles, and autocratic Middle Eastern business leaders.
To prepare for our final exam, I had the unique privilege of researching and writing about leadership styles from Germany to Japan as well as human resource management issues including international job assignments.
One question asked for a list of 5 differences between Japanese and American leadership styles. In Japan, promotions are very slow and based on seniority. Promotions in the U.S. can happen lightning-fast for the right candidate in the right specialty. Individual American managers make decisions, whereas Japanese see decision-making as a team responsibility. Besides, the Japanese are much more wary of risk than the more entrepreneurial Americans. Japanese leaders want to care for their workers both on and off the job, whereas American managers focus their concern for their employees at work only.
Another question posed a scenario in which Microsoft launches an international operation in India, then asked whether we would send Americans to run the Indian operation, hire local Indian talent or outsource the Indian initiative to a sub-contractor like Infosys. My answer was that it is a lot less expensive with fewer cultural barriers to use host-country nationals. Although more secure than a subcontractor, my only concern was whether the Indian operation ran the risk that some Indian employees would take proprietary Microsoft trade secrets to competitors. It's much harder to persecute local Indians than American citizens, because obviously international law is harder to enforce and more expensive in the host country.
The last question asked whether international travellers will improve their understanding of other cultures. George Brown College's International Market Culture course helps identify basic underlying values that drive a culture's norms and values, which are behind a lot of the distinct behaviours we see when we travel.
One question asked for a list of 5 differences between Japanese and American leadership styles. In Japan, promotions are very slow and based on seniority. Promotions in the U.S. can happen lightning-fast for the right candidate in the right specialty. Individual American managers make decisions, whereas Japanese see decision-making as a team responsibility. Besides, the Japanese are much more wary of risk than the more entrepreneurial Americans. Japanese leaders want to care for their workers both on and off the job, whereas American managers focus their concern for their employees at work only.
Another question posed a scenario in which Microsoft launches an international operation in India, then asked whether we would send Americans to run the Indian operation, hire local Indian talent or outsource the Indian initiative to a sub-contractor like Infosys. My answer was that it is a lot less expensive with fewer cultural barriers to use host-country nationals. Although more secure than a subcontractor, my only concern was whether the Indian operation ran the risk that some Indian employees would take proprietary Microsoft trade secrets to competitors. It's much harder to persecute local Indians than American citizens, because obviously international law is harder to enforce and more expensive in the host country.
The last question asked whether international travellers will improve their understanding of other cultures. George Brown College's International Market Culture course helps identify basic underlying values that drive a culture's norms and values, which are behind a lot of the distinct behaviours we see when we travel.
Posted by
Daniel Workman
Daniel Workman
Unlike traditional outbound methods like telemarketing, trade shows, direct mail and email, social media is an inbound form of marketing with a social component.
HubSpot's latest webinar offered practical advice on taking advantage of social media. One metaphor for social marketing is a cocktail party without time or space constraints.
Publishing Social Media Sites
HubSpot highlighted the following sites as tools to build interest in our blogs and articles.
Networking Social Media Sites
The following sites enable us to build a following of friends with whom to share article and blog links.
Promotional Social Media Sites
Of the promotional sites below, Digg has the most visitors per month with 18 million. Del.icio.us has 2 million while StumbleUpon has 1 million per month.
Publishing Social Media Sites
HubSpot highlighted the following sites as tools to build interest in our blogs and articles.
- Google Groups
- Podcast.net
- Squidoo
- UTube
- Yelp.
Networking Social Media Sites
The following sites enable us to build a following of friends with whom to share article and blog links.
- Bebo
- Care2.com
- Eons
- Friendster
- Gather
- Myspace.
Promotional Social Media Sites
Of the promotional sites below, Digg has the most visitors per month with 18 million. Del.icio.us has 2 million while StumbleUpon has 1 million per month.
- Bloglines
- Del.icio.us
- Digg
- Fark
- Mixx
- Newswire
- Propeller
- Slashdot
- StumbleUpon.
Posted by
Daniel Workman
Daniel Workman
Our second session of student presentations highlighted international market cultures in Australia, China, Germany and Switzerland.
Our final evening of student presentations started with a Filipina partnered with a French girl dressed in a black jersey labelled G'Day Toronto! With an interesting accent, Claire explained that Australian strongly believe that the way they do business will be successful around the world without modification. Australians are also highly individualistic, placing highest priority on taking care of themselves and their immediate family.
The next team was comprised of two Brazilian women who analyzed China. A key feature of the Chinese market culture is a strong focus on long-term success. This in turn makes decision-making very slow and cumbersome in the People's Republic.
My Ukrainian partner and I were third to present. Germany is the world's number exporter, and has strong language, cultural and perceptual barriers that may prevent Germany from becoming a true global superpower. For example, Germans are very formal and require that they be addressed by title (like Herr Workman) rather than by first name. Also, Germans have a strict - if unspoken - code of conduct for attending business presentations. No one should enter the meeting room until invited and told where to sit. The oldest and highest rank enter the room first. Among those of equal rank, men go in before women.
A Middle Eastern couple made the final presentation on Switzerland. While Switzerland's population of 7.5 million is much smaller than Germany's 82.4 million, Switzerland has a multicultural population including people of German, Italian and French heritage. This fact makes it easier for Swiss management to adapt to cultural demands of multinationals, since they need to adjust to different cultures within their own boundaries. In contrast, 95% of Germans speak German and are conditioned to well-documented and proven German business practices.
The next team was comprised of two Brazilian women who analyzed China. A key feature of the Chinese market culture is a strong focus on long-term success. This in turn makes decision-making very slow and cumbersome in the People's Republic.
My Ukrainian partner and I were third to present. Germany is the world's number exporter, and has strong language, cultural and perceptual barriers that may prevent Germany from becoming a true global superpower. For example, Germans are very formal and require that they be addressed by title (like Herr Workman) rather than by first name. Also, Germans have a strict - if unspoken - code of conduct for attending business presentations. No one should enter the meeting room until invited and told where to sit. The oldest and highest rank enter the room first. Among those of equal rank, men go in before women.
A Middle Eastern couple made the final presentation on Switzerland. While Switzerland's population of 7.5 million is much smaller than Germany's 82.4 million, Switzerland has a multicultural population including people of German, Italian and French heritage. This fact makes it easier for Swiss management to adapt to cultural demands of multinationals, since they need to adjust to different cultures within their own boundaries. In contrast, 95% of Germans speak German and are conditioned to well-documented and proven German business practices.
Posted by
Daniel Workman
Daniel Workman
Our first night of international market culture presentations included projects on India, Sweden, Ukraine, Ireland and Japan.
Each culture was presented by a nationality of a completely different origin.
A team of Filipinos described the rigid and authoritarian rule in India. Meetings last many hours behind closed doors in India. In group discussions, only the most senior persons may speak even if the rest of the group disagrees. Never shake hands with your left hand, which is considered unclean in India.
Two Brazilian classmates discussed Sweden. Swedish businesses take some of the highest risks. Sweden has flat, decentralized organization structures and is more concerned with a cooperative and friendly work atmosphere. Swedish managers allow employee freedoms, and are more conservative to the environment.
Two Colombians examined the Ukraine, with its warmer and more emotionally open culture. Then again, the Ukraine is highly authoritarian and bureaucratic. Job vacancies in the Ukraine specify the acceptable age range for applicants. Also, Ukranians are more focused on oral communication.
A Mexican couple presented Ireland. Once a poor country, the Celtic Tiger is now host to many multinational corporation operations including those of Dell, Intel and Microsoft. Ireland's culture has a decentralized power structure, high emphasis on taking care of an individual's immediate family, a strong focus on earnings and promotion, as well as a willingness to take on risk.
An Indian gentleman and a Chinese lady presented Japan. Like Ukraine, at work the focus is taking care of fellow group members rather than individual competition. Working in Japan is highly stressful due to the emphasis on earnings and promotion. Yet the Japanese are highly adverse to risk.
A team of Filipinos described the rigid and authoritarian rule in India. Meetings last many hours behind closed doors in India. In group discussions, only the most senior persons may speak even if the rest of the group disagrees. Never shake hands with your left hand, which is considered unclean in India.
Two Brazilian classmates discussed Sweden. Swedish businesses take some of the highest risks. Sweden has flat, decentralized organization structures and is more concerned with a cooperative and friendly work atmosphere. Swedish managers allow employee freedoms, and are more conservative to the environment.
Two Colombians examined the Ukraine, with its warmer and more emotionally open culture. Then again, the Ukraine is highly authoritarian and bureaucratic. Job vacancies in the Ukraine specify the acceptable age range for applicants. Also, Ukranians are more focused on oral communication.
A Mexican couple presented Ireland. Once a poor country, the Celtic Tiger is now host to many multinational corporation operations including those of Dell, Intel and Microsoft. Ireland's culture has a decentralized power structure, high emphasis on taking care of an individual's immediate family, a strong focus on earnings and promotion, as well as a willingness to take on risk.
An Indian gentleman and a Chinese lady presented Japan. Like Ukraine, at work the focus is taking care of fellow group members rather than individual competition. Working in Japan is highly stressful due to the emphasis on earnings and promotion. Yet the Japanese are highly adverse to risk.
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