Blog Posts

Exporting for 2021 and Beyond

27/11/2020

2020 has certainly thrown our personal and professional worlds into disarray. Listening to a news program several months ago, I was reminded by a fellow ND alumnus of the Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr:

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

Kitty and I have grown tired of the negativism and divisiveness of the highly partisan electorate. Change is in the air and we believe this phenomenon can work for us. The response to my last blog Making the World Less Crazy was incredibly positive, but it is time to move forward. We need to begin thinking about what the business and exporting environment will look like post-recovery and how we can capitalize on the chaos and change all around us.

There is a great future ahead if we keep advancing globalism. I have been reminded of the favorable effects of globalism in several books I’ve reread this year; Thank you for Being Late by Thomas Friedman, Factfulness by Hans Rosling and The Smartest Kids in the World by Amanda Ripley.

Why am I optimistic about globalism and opportunities for Exporters in 2021?

A weaker $US. America’s recent pendulum swing to nativism has caused other countries to embrace new country partners and has chipped away at America’s soft power. Other countries have become economically stronger and independent without the US. Their strength can work to our favor as their economies thrive earlier than ours.
A return to lower global import tariffs. Import tariffs shift a heavier cost burden on to the ultimate consumer. Trade barriers and immigration restrictions are on a historic swing of the pendulum. The cost increases associated with these barriers and restrictions are inefficient and, when properly exposed, will go into retreat. Costs for products and services will come down again when the pendulum swings back.
Lower travel and trade show expenses for US exporters. We are a nation with fewer borders than most, my Aussie friends being among the truest country without borders. We have learned to sell virtually and market at lower costs not being able to travel overseas. Video conferencing has been embraced and has its place in our sales toolbox. The rising cost of trade shows has been stemmed as virtual product demonstrations come into vogue as a competitive marketing outlet. Better usage of productive time and $ will flow from more efficient sales visits and trade show expense reductions.
Although innovation and product launches have been stunted during this crazy period, recovery will lead to a proliferation of new products and services. Every salesperson (and Bonnie Raitt) likes to have “something to talk about” excitedly. There is a pent-up demand to hear more about innovation. Few things are as energizing as a new product. Many other prosperous countries have recouped from the pandemic faster than US (and on their 2nd and 3rd waves). They are on their way back and will be receptive to strengthening their recovery with our new product offerings.

I do not consider myself an economic prognosticator, just an incurable optimist-two cancers will do that for you.

We will soon start our sixth year of the Tradewinds Council™ https://www.jimthomasintl.com/the-tradewinds-counciltrade.html . We are Minnesota exporters looking to advance and grow through common experiences. We never run out of topics to discuss. We have added scheduled virtual meetings to our 2021 program. Contact Kenan Hanhan or me with membership questions and test drive a meeting (next one is a virtual meeting February 12 over the lunch hour). The topic is Using Video as Sales Tool.

Remember: We cannot get through these times without each other so embrace each other virtually for the time being!

You can receive this blog directly by subscribing @ https://www.jimthomasintl.com/blog. Past blogs can be viewed on my web site.

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Making the World Less Crazy

25/8/2020

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The response to my last blog World Gone Crazy was tremendous. Many readers commented on the lessons outlined.

Document gratefulness. Start a gratitude list.
Recognize random small acts of kindness.
Appreciate and renew relationships.

Today’s story is about reconnecting and helping those suffering loneliness. The Covid 19 pandemic has lasted longer than any common citizen could have imagined. Now that we’ve experienced a second wave of the pandemic a pall has fallen over many people. I hear woes of hopelessness as if there is no end in sight.

I’m lucky. Having been in sales for the past 20 years self-starting a conversation is second nature. My hero, Teddy Roosevelt told us to Dare Greatly, from “The Man in the Arena.” The posit is to display courage. Better to fight in the middle of the dust and dirt rather than kibbutz from the safety of the sidelines. Many shy away from initiating conversations exposing vulnerabilities and opening up. These are hard conversations to start, particularly if you have not spoken for a while.

Some advice to friends and family that want to contact that person you expect may be suffering from loneliness:

Just make the call. If the person can’t or doesn’t want to answer they won’t. They will get back to you when it’s convenient or explain that they cannot speak at present. Believe me, just hearing your voice is inspiring to them.
Tell them stories. We all love stories. It may be about a recent event that reminded you of them. Maybe the stories are about past times together when you shared a bond.
Repeat their name several times through the call. Most people like hearing their name, it is a sharing of intimacy.
Follow up with a text or e-mail-share a picture so you can remain close and there is a shared physical memory.

Their takeaway is that you care about them-that’s all they need to hear. You’re spending something precious, your time, a perishable commodity not in abundance. It’s a simple gift, always appreciated and a true act of gratitude.

It is not joy that makes us grateful, it is gratitude that makes us joyful
-Brother David Steindl-rast
We can’t get through these times without each other. Thank God!

Next time-busting out! I’ll share my future optimism for globalization. You can receive this blog directly by subscribing @ https://www.jimthomasintl.com/blog.

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Exporting for 2021 and Beyond

Making the World Less Crazy

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Exporting for 2021 and Beyond

Making the World Less Crazy

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