globalEDGE

globalEDGE Newsletter             November 2004               Vol. 3 - Issue 5 


INSIDE THIS ISSUE
  1. New @ globalEDGE: 2004 Market Potential Indicators
  2. Featured Country: Finland
  3. Selected Articles
  4. Media Updates
  5. Recently Added Sites
  6. Newsletter Information


1) NEW @ globalEDGE: 2004 MARKET POTENTIAL INDICATORS

The Market Potential Indicators is a yearly study conducted by MSU-CIBER comparing the marketability of 24 emerging markets, as identified by The Economist. The study assists companies that wish to internationalize in their identification of global marketing opportunities. Eight dimensions (including Market Size, Economic Freedom, and Country Risk) are chosen to represent the market potential of a country. These elements are given weights, thus contributing to the overall market potential index.

The 2004 Market Potential Indicators are accessible through globalEDGE at:
http://globaledge.msu.edu/ibrd/marketpot.asp

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2) FEATURED COUNTRY

Our featured country this month is Finland.

Known as one of the best economies in Europe, Finland has been achieving success in both agriculture and technology sectors. Despite slowdowns in the general European economy, the Finns have been experiencing a GDP growth of approximately 2% in 2003 and expect this trend to continue through 2005. Further, the World Economic Forum in the
2004-2005 Global Competitiveness Report listed Finland at the top of its list-outranking global powerhouses like the United States and the United Kingdom. With roughly 5 million people, Europe's seventh largest country boasts one of the highest literacy rates. Coupled with high innovation rates, Finland seems to have a strong base with it can both build its economy and maintain its competitiveness to remain a flourishing economy.

globalEDGE has more information and links on Finland at:
http://globaledge.msu.edu/ibrd/CountryIntro.asp?CountryID=50

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3) SELECTED ARTICLES

The Next Generation of Global Branding?
MarketingProfs.com, by Nick Wreden (October 19, 2004)
http://www.marketingprofs.com/4/wreden10.asp
Global branding has become a big challenge for corporations around the world. To survive in this day in age as a global leader, a distinction between global and local brand management has to be acknowledged. Global communication consists of controlling a brand's global direction by defining the brand's core values. Local brand building is to refine the brand's core values by tailoring their promotional strategies to that local market's interests. The key for global marketers is to ensure consistency in the brand's communication while at the same time pursuing the autonomy of local management.

Making the Supply Chain a Strategic Asset
World Trade, by Steve Palagyi (October 1, 2004)
http://www.worldtrademag.com/CDA/ArticleInformation/features/BNP__Features__Item/0,3483,133875,00.html
How has Dell been able to successfully expand its boundaries beyond simply selling PCs and laptops? How does Wal-mart know what customers are buying and which Wal-Mart store they are buying it from? How did Toyota significantly reduce the average time between dealer order and delivery? All of these answers link to supply chain management developments that these companies have adopted. These three companies are not alone, many companies have discovered that their supply chain systems are logistically inefficient, and are taking great strides to change their chain to more of a strategic asset. To make this transformation, companies must understand four key concepts: Leadership, accountability, customer alignment, and simplification.

More "Selected Articles" from globalEDGE at:
http://globaledge.msu.edu/KnowledgeRoom/SelectedArticles/index.asp

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4) MEDIA UPDATES

Africa's Big Plan 'Disappointing'
BBC News (October 22, 2004)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3945795.stm
The New Plan for Africa's Development, also known as NEPAD, is structured to address the current challenges facing the continent of Africa. In October 2001, African leaders, like Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade, committed themselves to developing a new vision, aiming at the revival of Africa. Although there is strong need to implement the NEPAD projects, the objectives have not been executed, leaving delegates disappointed and confused. Three years into the project, the leaders have realized that their vision has been blurred.

Remodeling Japan Inc
BBC News, by Sarah Buckley (October 13, 2004)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3733274.stm
The Japanese business style seems to be in need of modification. Nissan and Mitsubishi, two automakers, are examined in terms of management style and success. It appears that the more successful company, Nissan, has moved towards a Western-influenced style of management while Mitsubishi has continued using a traditional Japanese business model. Differences between the two styles and how each company implemented changes in the company are examined. To make comments, join the Japanese Business Model discussion.

More "Media Updates" from globalEDGE at:
http://globaledge.msu.edu/KnowledgeRoom/MediaUpdate/


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5) RECENTLY ADDED SITES

A sample of some of our recently added sites:

Contact Finland
http://www.contactfinland.fi/
Contact Finland is published by the Central Chamber of Commerce of Finland. It provides a directory of businesses (sorted by industry) in Finland with contact information. Contact information for the public sector is also provided a brief description of Finnish business culture, key facts, and useful information for travelers.
Listed in the following country: Finland

World Federation of Exchanges
http://www.world-exchanges.org/WFE/home.Asp
The World Federation of Exchanges, formerly FIBV - International Federation of Stock Exchanges, is the trade organization for regulated securities and derivative markets, settlement institutions and related clearing houses, and their diverse services to capital markets. The Federation is a private international organization comprised of the operators of the world's leading markets, and it provides a forum for communication, analysis and debate among members, publications and up-to-date news.
Listed in the following category: Money: Stock Exchanges

WorldtradeAA.com
http://www.worldtradeaa.com/
WorldtradeAA.com is a global B2B e-marketplace. The site features a searchable database of suppliers and products, and an interactive trade center as a trade lead source for vendors and a venue for buyers to comparison shop. In addition you will find an updated trade and industry news and other information.
Listed in the following category: Trade: Trade Portals

Iraqi Business Center
http://www.iraqibusinesscenter.org/
Iraqi Business Center provides information of various companies (foreign and domestic) that operate in Iraq, and how to do business in Iraq (registration, etc). Sections on Kirkuk, Baghdad, Basrah, and Nineveh also provide business news, events, and sponsorship opportunities. Also there is a paid members section where Iraqi-owned businesses can register and receive additional benefits such as subscription to IBC business journal.
Listed in the following country: Iraq

A list of recently added sites to globalEDGE is available at:
http://globaledge.msu.edu/ibrd/whatsnew.asp


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6) NEWSLETTER INFORMATION

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