New Ways For Entrepreneurs To Do Business With China

UPDATE: I just found out only the first day of the conference had been planned to be streamed, this being a first and all.  I was very impressed with the professional quality presented.  Technically, on-screen graphics for each speaker, multi-camera switching, good lighting, excellent sound.  It was obvious that IU had some capable media folks making things happen.  It was quite an improvement over some other ‘streaming broadcasts’ I’ve seen which tend towards one camera, low-def set-ups. I mention the technical end only because as the experience improves so does the learning.  The speakers were of very high quality and some great issues were discussed. Next step suggestion – let us send our questions in on-line for the speakers in real time!

UPDATE: Live video link is here.

This week, for the first time, a live video feed from the Indiana University China/US Business Conference will be officially available in China and set up for viewing at places like Zhejiang University. The entire three day conference and over 50 speakers from China and the US will be streamed live. Building international relationships has never been easier. The feed is available here on April 15th.

Technology has been doing its part to make it easier for individuals, entrepreneurs and small businesses to access to the world community and IU has been doing a lot to bring business and the world community closer together.  In addition to it being viewed in China, it is also available worldwide as a FREE live stream.  (A bit of fair disclosure: My wife is the Director for the Indiana University Center For Business Education Research (CIBER) which is an event partner and I’m an alum of the IU Kelly School of Business.)

This conference is looking at US-China business cooperation and opportunities for entrepreneurs from the perspective of business leaders from both China and the United States. The schedule of speakers is here.

Streaming the conference spreads the benefit of this conference around and increases the potential of meaningful contact development. International virtual meetings don’t end the need for face-to-face contact but create the ability for more meaningful, frequent conversations among geometrically larger audiences.  Exposure builds trust.

I’m not sure you are interested in doing business across the world’s ever more permeable borders. But the ease of communication is bound to have an effect. For example, my art director has moved to Spain and is able to complete assignments as easily as if he was across town. Even entrepreneurs with the smallest of resources can now reach an international audience and maybe an international clientele. Which of course raises that ever present entrepreneurial question – how are my products unique? Not only in the neighborhood, but  now overseas as well!