Introduction
Technology has single handedly brought about radical changes in the way that business transactions are carried out. The growth of the internet in the period between the early 1990s and today has seen the area of network for businesses spread to cover the entire world (Jay, & Olive, 1997).
This internet technology has also led to entrepreneurs coming up with new business ideas most of which are hosted and supported fully over the network. This essay seeks to highlight the importance of the internet in the expansion of businesses outside the United States.
How the internet is used and viewed by consumers in other countries
Aside from the United States and other developed countries, the internet is far and large a new concept. Countries in Asia Africa are now setting up infrastructure to facilitate the usage of internet including the likes of submarine cables. Apart from direct communication by e-mails and internet calls, students the internet is gradually becoming an acceptable academic resource all over the world.
Teachers are softening their hitherto hardliner positions regarding sources for academic material allowing their students the chance to cite information they have collected on the internet. Very few of the developing countries have embraced the internet as a credible place for handling business transactions and in the more conservative regions the internet is perceived as immoral on account of pornographic material it hosts. The lack of computers and other
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facilities which support the provision of internet access have been credited as the major hindrance towards the acceptance of internet commerce in these developing countries.
How technology aids in attempts to gain clients outside the US
Gaining clients outside the United States is a variable that to a large extent depends on technology and particularly internet technology (Opara, 2003). Depending on the goods or services being provided internet merchandizing is gradually becoming a credible trade domain. Internet calls are by far the cheapest way of voice communication across borders and the numerous money transfer services that are being hosted on the internet have enabled the trade of goods and services without physical contact of the involved parties a reality.
For many companies and more so in recent years, the website has been perceived as the greatest sales channel (Opara, 2003). People are able to access information about the company and the services or goods provided and in most instances even purchase these goods and services over the internet. The internet provides the platform for exposure of the company to global markets and supported by other technological avenues like the telephone it is gradually becoming a formidable trade arena.
How technology supports attempts to expand a business globally
The first and most important aspect that enables the expansion of businesses globally in the ability for individuals to network in circles that were traditionally thought of
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as impossible (Jay, & Olive, 1997). Business people have established communities on the internet where they share ideas and even strategize on how to work together in order for their businesses to grow globally. Other networks link the client to the seller and by the cosmopolitan nature of the internet, the distance between the two parties in a transaction is no longer an issue (Opara, 2003).
Partnering activities between business people in similar fields can be facilitated by the internet (Jay, & Olive, 1997). Connection via internet enables teleconferencing and one person can address five meetings in different countries at the same time. This enables the business partners share ideas and account for the growth of their businesses.
For companies involved in the provision of creative services like design and writing, the internet can facilitate the recruiting of talent all over the world. Individuals can work from offices set up in their specific countries or even from their houses and submit their work either directly to the customer or via the central administration of the company (Jay, & Olive, 1997).
Internet technology has seen the advent of some business ideas with a global bearing. For instance there are websites which have been created as marketing avenues for business. These include sites like Amazon which provide opportunities for sellers to distribute their products worldwide. In this sense, Amazon as an entity is a global business as people from all around the globe pay to use it and it also serves to facilitate the support of other businesses which use it to sell products.
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Conclusion
Global business is a modern reality even for the smallest of ventures. Technology has provided the opportunity for business people to directly link with clients and almost in a way disregarding the aspect of distance as a factor in trade. People are able to network with other individuals of similar interest and business partnering has been simplified with partners now being able to address meetings in as many countries as they can invest in.
Reference List
Jay J. R., & Olive D. C. (1997). Applying telecommunications and technology from a global business perspective. United Kingdom: Routledge.
Opara, E. O. (2003). The effect of information technology on global business. Journal for international business and entrepreneurship development. 1(2), 45-49. doi: 10.1504/JIBED.2003.007826