Author Archive
Consumer Demographics: Leverage Point for U.S. Exporters
As with any market opportunity, you need to understand your consumers. There are five cursory demographics with which to explore your export strategy: population, urbanization, gender, age, and socioeconomic status. The first demographic is the population of a particular country. The idea is to identify volume markets, or markets in which you [...]
Using Leverage Points for Strategic Business Success in Emerging Markets
"Give me a place to stand, and I shall move the earth with a lever" Archimedes International business and trade is challenging and adds complexity to a business venture. Add to that today's turbulent business environment, it would seem that reaching beyond domestic borders can be too difficult. In business, there is rarely, if ever, a time [...]
The Defense Mission and ICT in Africa
This article was commissioned by ITWeb/Brainstorm for May 2010 edition. It was co-written with Hilton Tarrant. The Department of Defence admits its information communications infrastructure requires serious upgrades and replacements. IT in the public defence arena in South Africa can be summed up as a state of under-investment. While [...]
Shifting Economic Paradigms: A New Future for Africa?
Commissioned by ITWeb/Brainstorm of South Africa for May 2010 issue. While the economic crisis at the end of the first decade of the 21st century has made the most headlines, there are more significant shifts afoot that will inform the future of business. The years 2000 through 2009 represented not only a decade, but the end of a generation [...]
Tanzania’s Economic Landscape in 2010
As host to this year’s World Economic Forum on Africa, Tanzania also provides opportunities for business and investment. It holds a unique position in that it is a member of both SADC and the EAC regional economic communities. Dual membership is beneficial for business because Tanzania provides its firms access to a 120-million consumer [...]
A New Economic Growth Path for Africa: The BRICs
BRIC countries constitute 15% of global GDP today. They also represent 20% of trade with Africa compared to 13%-14% by the United States says Goolam Ballim, Chief Economist of Standard Bank of Africa. This is a re-cap of, and a few additional notes to, his panel session at the Milken Institute Annual Global Conference 2010. Africa was [...]
Is North America Presenting a New Business Proposition to Africa?
Many lament the lack of focus on Africa for business and investment from both the Canadian and U.S. side of the border, but this year seems to signal a major shift. On the U.S. side, Obama has initiated the National Export Initiative aimed at doubling exports in the next five years and heavy-weight organizations like The Whitaker Group and [...]
Pharmaceuticals and ICT: A Necessary Partnership
This piece was commissed by ITWeb/Brainstorm for April 2010. Original Title is "Regulation is the Name of the Game." Hilton Tarrant co-wrote the article. Pharmaceutical players need to be able to track everything. Regulatory and legislative requirements are top of mind in the pharmaceutical sector. “Our customers are coming under a [...]
The Influence of Diplomacy on Business and Trade in Africa: The Madagascar Situation
Near the end of 2009, the United States implemented trade sanctions against Madagascar, Niger, and Guinea. The sanctions encompass programs like AGOA and the Millenium Challenge. These programs are designed to support regimes that align with democratic ideals. With coups in Madagascar, Niger, and Guinea taking over democratically elected [...]
ICT in the Business of Insurance in Africa
This piece was commissioned by IT/Web Brainstorm for March 2010. It was written jointly with Hilton Tarrant. It’s all about the customer right now. The insurance sector is grappling with the same sorts of cost pressures evident in other industries, and “outsourcing is a trend” among most players, says Haydn Pinnell, MD of [...]
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