Related to last weeks post on one-person businesses, the Contra Costa Times has an interesting article discussing “micro-multinational” businesses, or small to medium sized companies that do business on a global scale. Instead of following the traditional pattern of growing locally, nationally, then globally—these entrepreneurs are taking advantage of technology resources to compete on a global scale.
The article mentions in specific the increasing affordability of international shipping as a reason why these small businesses are able to expand globally.
Anita Campbell, of Small Business Trends, comments on the article:
“Today it’s not uncommon to buy a $75 item on eBay and have it shipped internationally, especially if it’s a small item that can be packed and shipped easily and cheaply. But even large items like furniture are routinely shipped internationally.”
Here at uShip, the growth over the past year in international shipments confirms how much more comfortable individuals and businesses are becoming with using technology to ship items across borders.
While one of uShip’s aims is to help the individual consumer navigate the sometimes complicated world of large-item shipping, we also like to think that the marketplace enables small businesses (on both the Shipper and Service Provider side) to grow and compete in markets that may have not been possible before.
Since many of the Service Providers and Shippers in the uShip community are small businesses, I’m curious: What technologies have you discovered in the past few years that let you grow your business? Also, how much do you want to expand your business? Are you happier rooted in your local community, or are your itching to take over the world? I look forward to your comments!
