UPDATE

World TradeWinds last issue of 2014 covers the 11th annual Global California conference on innovation, features an article from MBITA sponsor, Andreas Mueller of Bloofusion, who is one of the true pioneers of digital marketing, our usual feature articles on finance and trade from the EximBank and the USDOC, an article on MBITA member, Transmetrics and their partnership with Mount St. Mary's University, and Ayse's corner describes some great opportunities for some foreign markets sometimes overlooked by American business. Good luck in 2015.

California's Super Region Innovators Convene in Santa Cruz

On Dec. 3rd at the historical Cocoanut Grove at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in California the 11th annual Global California conference entitled 'California Super Region of Innovation', took place with an array of business and government leaders from California and China to collaborate and discuss how California's Super Region of California (San Francisco Bay, Silicon Valley and Monterey Bay) can conduct bilateral trade and investment with the major innovation centers in China (Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Shanghai and Shandong).

The agenda for the conference included 23 panelists and presenters. A special opening presentation was given by Xiang Xia, Economic and Commercial Counselor, Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in San Francisco. The various panels for the conference covered such topics as the new 'innovation superhighways' between California and China replacing the old 'silk road' trade channels, the movers and shakers for China-U.S. bilateral trade and investment in innovation, marine science and agro-technology and how they coexist to address today's 21st Century challenges, and the new Global eCommerce solutions for trade and investment, such as the 'single window' and the new 'click & chat' trade promotion service methodology.

The conference was very timely following the historical climate change agreement recently signed by China and the U.S. with a focus on the epicenter of climate change, California, as Governor Brown recently stated. His comments echoed California's conundrum of being a major polluter but also being the world's center for innovation that will provide the leadership for the solutions to climate change, as well as other 'green' sectors in waste management, transportation and green construction.

The conclusions made from this timely conference is that China is ready with resources, markets and innovation to collaborate with California to lead the world in the solutions we need for our challenging times.



Visit our photo gallery in our Facebook page

MBITA New Sponsor

So what am I alluding to here?

Let me illustrate with a conversation we often have with a prospect:
"Do you have a web site?" -- "Check."
"Is it a vital tool for your business?" -- "Check."
"Does it provide sales or leads for you?" -- "Check."
"Are you monitoring and constantly improving goals achieved, conversion rates, ROI?" -- "Hmmm. What do you mean?"

But how do you manage a website like an employee?
As odd as it sounds, you have to manage your site as if it were part of your staff.

The first step is to identify measurable business and marketing objectives, much like the quarterly goals of your managers. Of equal importance is defining and implementation of conversion points that identify progress towards those goals and how they will be measured.

Think conversions. Appropriate measurements of conversion are:

• Reaching target pages
• Completing of forms
• Complete viewing of videos
• Downloading of documents and applications
• Traffic from owned social profiles
• Requesting contact or completing a purchase
  

The key to confirming progress and success is the use of analytics and conversion tracking.

Imagine if you could make your website 20% or even 50% more efficient? How would that impact the bottom line?

Stay tuned. In the next World TradeWinds eZine we'll discuss a few straight-forward and inexpensive steps you can take.

For further information contact:

Transmetrics, Inc., is a civil engineering firm based in Campbell, California. In business for thirty-two years, TRANSMETRICS provides its professional civil engineering design services to local, state and federal transportation agencies.

The firm has a policy to return a portion of its income to communities where the firm works. Thus in 1993, when the Los Angeles County MTA awarded TRANSMETRICS a civil engineering project, the firm set up the Transmetrics Scholarship Fund at Mount Saint Mary's University. 

Mount Saint Mary's University was established in 1925 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and has two campuses at Doheny and Chalon. The college has been recognized for its innovative programs and strategies in educating a culturally diverse student body. Mount Saint Mary's undergraduates reflect the ethnic diversity of Southern California and many students are from East Los Angeles.

With the Transmetrics scholarship funds, Mount Saint Mary's University has made twenty-two awards to fourteen students, granting a total of $22,500 to date. Of the fourteen students, twelve students have graduated and two students are currently completing their course work. Three students went on to receive advanced degrees.

Nearly sixty percent of the entering freshman class are first generation college students, while three quarters of the student body is made up of minority students. Women make up ninety-five percent of the first year undergraduates. In addition to the local diverse student body, the University has attracted many students from Southeast Asia. In recognition of the current realities of globalization, the college plans to direct more of its business students toward international relations and trade.

Jack Ybarra, President of TRANSMETRICS, said, "This scholarship fund is one of our best and most successful investments.

Ayse's Corner

Ayse's Corner is a feature column of the World TradeWinds eZine'. Ayse Oge is a published author and global trade marketing expert and author of Emerging Markets.

Regional Economic Partnerships: Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey

Several business prospects with Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey were presented in Washington D.C. on October 7, 2014 at the majestic Ronald Reagan Building. This panel on global business opportunities was organized by the World Trade Institute and International Trade Center with a sponsorship by Nobel Oil.

The panel was comprised of U.S. government officials, diplomats accredited in Washington D.C., and members of the international trade community. The panel was moderated by Susan Sadigova, the Executive Director of the United States Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce. I had the great privilege of being a presenter alongside my distinguished co-presenters, Mr. Elin Suleymanov, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United States, and Dr. Mamuka Tsereteli, Professor at John Hopkins University.

Mr. Suleymanov indicated that the Azerbaijan government has been focusing on the development of a diversified economy including construction, banking, telecommunication and tourism along with using the energy industry to attract foreign businesses to the region. Mr. Suleymanov also pointed out the regional infrastructure projects in Azerbaijan and said that projects like the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and the Baku International Trade Port that create diverse cargo terminals "make Azerbijan a favorable place for businesses."

Dr. Tsereteli spoke on the overall economic and business environment in Georgia and Azerbaijan's financial support of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project.

Ayse Oge is President of Ultimate Trade, International Trade Consulting, Speaking and Training. She is also Board Member of California Business Education Association.

Statement from U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Stefan M. Selig on International Trade in Goods and Services in September 2014

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Stefan M. Selig issued the following statement today on the release of the September 2014 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services data. U.S. exports of goods and services decreased to $195.6 billion in September from $198.5 billion in August. Record levels were reached in other business services (e.g., legal, financial, and product development services) and charges for the use of intellectual property. U.S. exports through the third quarter of 2014 continue to grow, reaching an all-time high of $1.75 trillion.

"Today's data show that U.S. businesses are driving toward a fifth straight year of record exports," said Selig. "American companies recognize the benefits of selling their goods and services to the 95 percent of consumers who live outside the United States. Exports support 11.3 million jobs throughout our nation, and the Commerce Department and the International Trade Administration are committed to building on that success as we continue to help U.S. firms start exporting and sell more of their goods and services to new markets."

To continue strengthening U.S. exports, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker launched NEI/NEXT in May, which will continue helping more U.S. companies reach additional overseas markets with objectives focused on improving data, providing information on specific export opportunities, working more closely with financing organizations and service providers, and partnering with states and communities to empower local export efforts. NEI/NEXT builds on the success of the National Export Initiative (NEI) announced by President Obama in 2010.

Since the launch of the NEI, a record number of U.S. companies have exported annually, and the United States has seen an increase of 1.6 million export-supported jobs since 2009. U.S. goods and services exports have hit record highs four years in a row, reaching $2.3 trillion in 2013.

This press release was issued on Nov. 4th by the International Trade Administration. Press release source article. Contact: Mary Trupo (202) 482-3809

The International Trade Administration (ITA) is the premier resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace. ITA has 2,100 employees assisting U.S. exporters in more than 100 U.S. cities and 72 countries worldwide. For more information on ITA visit www.trade.gov.

##########

The National Export Strategy is available also at
http://trade.gov/NEI and http://export.gov.
International Trade Update at
http://www.trade.gov/publications/ita-newsletter/

United States Department of Commerce
Office of Public Affairs - Tel. 202-482-4883
##########

You are one click away from a 30-Day Free Trial. 
Click here to give it a try!

Women’s Online Media and Education Network (W.O.M.E.N.)
aspires to give women and all people a much larger voice. W.O.M.E.N. publishes WomensRadio.com, a rich content site; WomensCalendar.org; WRMusicReview.com, and AudioAcrobat.com.

Sponsors, Partners, & Affiliates