Global Trade Gal

Living and working overseas can be challenging. Listen to the Global Trade Gal podcast to learn from Anita, "a nice girl from Milwaukee," about what it is like to navigate business and personal life overseas. Anita talks about how the spirit of adventure is one of the keys to success in working and living in a foreign country. To discover more about life overseas and being part of the Gl...

The new buzzword in sourcing or procurement is strategic sourcing. Strategic sourcing is a process that helps suppliers to source their products efficiently. Never underestimate the proper use of the strategic sourcing process in your supply chain. Strategic sourcing is a significant benefit to all stakeholders within the supply chain. Strategic sourcing forces all stakeholders to look at the supp...

Many people may be surprised to learn that the rise of rattan furniture has a lot to do with Southeast Asia’s colonization. As Western power colonized most of Southeast Asia during the late 19th century and early 20th century, they needed furniture to sit on. When colonizers came to the new countries, they found materials that they were not used to working with, such as rattan, palm, and bamboo. T...

A designer can get a patent for their furniture design if they can prove that the furniture design or the ornamental aspects of the invention are new and worthy of a patent. A furniture design that proves it is something new and revolutionary should be able to get a patent. The truth is that a patent is costly, and getting a patent is a long process, so many furniture designers usually do not both...

The coronavirus has undoubtedly changed our lives forever, and this change affects the colors and trends, which are essential for home decor design. The trend colors we see for 2022 are closely aligned with the life that everyone is living. The buzzwords in color 2022 are Well-being , Verdue, Expedition, and Wired. They are all driving our lives and the home decor trends for 2022. To discover more...

Many designers wonder if they can really copyright their furniture designs or if they should instead try to get a trademark on them. Both of these laws can be a bit complicated. To copyright, your furniture designs a product must be in tangible form . A tangible design has copyright protection, but you must have a registered copyrighted design if you want to bring a case to court—the 2010 case of...

Anyone who visits Southeast Asia may be surprised to find houses with cane furniture or rattan chairs sitting outside. Many of these chairs may also have some caning weaves on them. Many parts of the southern United States are also famous for having cane, caning, or woven furniture out on their porches or outdoor areas. To learn more about Cane Furniture , click this link . Support the show The be...

Underwriters Laboratories or UL is a global safety science certification company that is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois. Underwriters Laboratories is the largest independent testing laboratory in the United States. Underwriters Laboratories makes their money from contributions and grants, servicing and other fees, and investment income. When you view their tax returns, you can see that the...

Many predict that AI will be the way of the future with the supply chain. So whether we like it or not, or agree with AI, it will be the way of the future. Many companies predict that AI is expected to cause a workforce decrease in the supply chain. In other words, AI will start to replace the present-day supply chain workers. To know more about Artificial Intelligence , click this link . Support...

A seven-step strategic sourcing strategy process will help companies be successful when looking to procure a product or a commodity. If companies take the time to go through each of the seven steps, this will help them to ensure they are successful with their sourcing needs. To learn more about Seven-Steps Strategic Sourcing click this link . Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/globaltradegal...

In the Kazakh part of Western Mongolia, the women have kept the skill of 100% hand-embroidery alive.  In this podcast, Anita, The Global Trade Gal, takes you to Mongolia and talks about the unique talent many Kazakh women have in hand embroidery.  The Mongolian Kazakh hand embroidery is an excellent example of supporting local handicrafts as part of the global supply chain. Discover more by readin...

Anyone looking to import or sell consumer products in the United States needs to understand California’s Prop 65.  Today Prop 65 affects most consumer products being sold in the United States.  Anita, The Global Trade Gal, explains what Prop 65 is and why understanding it is essential. Discover more by reading:  What Products Are Affected by Prop 65? The Prop 65 Law Simply Explained Support the sh...

Cognitive procurement is about using technology in the supply chain process. It is the future of the supply chain. Anita, The Global Trade Gal, explains why everyone in the supply chain should understand a bit about Conginitve procurement and why this will be the future of the supply chain. Learn more by reading:  What Is Cognitive Procurement? 6 Ways It Is Different Procurement Support the show T...

One of the major questions that most people ask when they have an idea to manufacture a product is how they can protect their designs or idea?   Anita, The Global Trade Gal, goes through some things that designers, companies, and individuals can do to protect their inventions from others copying them. To discover more read: How Can I Protect My Furniture Designs From Being Copied? Support the show...

Disruptive innovation is the process of when a new or smaller company sees an opportunity to enter and compete in an underserved or new market.  Disruptive innovation can completely change an industry.  Anita, The Global Trade Gal, explains why disruptive innovation is something that every business should understand.  You can learn more by reading  What Is Disruptive Innovation? Its Impact On Your...

If you are designing a product, chances are you will need to sketch your idea out either for a designer or to give a factory.   With modern technology, designing is easier than it has ever been.  In this podcast, Anita reviews using Procreate, Photoshop, and Shapr3D for your product designs.  She explains the difference between each of these design programs and which one she prefers, and why.    L...

Anita, The Global Trade Gal,  explores what it means to have Social Environmental Responsibility and why this will continue to be an important part of the supply chain.  She also talks about how Social Environmental Responsibility can help fight worldwide poverty. Discover more about Social Environmental Responsibility by reading: How Social Environmental Responsibility Helps Fight Poverty  Suppor...

Six Sigma is something that many people have heard about; many people may not know what Six Sigman means.  Others wonder what all the hype is about and if Six Sigma is a farce?   In this podcast, Anita, The Global Trade Gal, explains why the Six Sigma methodologies continue to be important. You can learn more by reading: Is Six Sigma A Farce? 11 Reasons Why Not Support the show The best way not to...

When most people think of Lacquerware, they think of Japan or Vietnam. But like many things in Asia, Lacquerware originally came from China.  Anita, The Global Trade Gals, talks about Lacquerware and why so many things originated from China. Learn more about Lacquerware by reading: Where Did Lacquerware Originate? An Interesting History Support the show The best way not to miss an episode is to su...

Today with the supply chain in such a mess, it is always good to have a good old-fashioned laugh.  Anita tells you some of her favorite supply chain and global trade jokes, so you can also LOL (Laugh Out Loud!) Laugh with us (LOL) by reading:  26 Supply Chain and Other Jokes – Laughing Out Loud (LOL)! Support the show The best way not to miss an episode is to subscribe or follow us on your favorit...

Anita, the Global Trade Gal, goes over why you must understand a bit about the culture of the country you are sourcing products from; She explores how this will help you build relationships and add to your success in sourcing products from overseas.   You can learn more by reading:  8 Tips to Understand the Culture of Your Product Sourcing Country Support the show The best way not to miss an episo...

Many people who have a great idea do not find the right overseas supplier; it can be challenging to find someone to help you manufacture your products.  Anita - The Global Trade Gal -  gives you some ideas to help you to find the right overseas supplier. You can learn more by reading:  How Do I Find an Overseas Manufacturer to Produce My Own Product Ideas? Support the show The best way not to miss...

Have you ever wondered what to do with those Buddha statues you brought home from an Asian trip?  Anita, The Global Trade Gal, talks about do’s and don’ts for having a Buddha statue as part of your decor and what a Buddha-inspired home means. You can learn more by reading: What Is Buddha Inspired Home Decor Designs? Symbolism And Design Tips Support the show The best way not to miss an episode is...

It is not always easy to find the right international partner to work with for your supply chain needs. Some have said it is as tricky as finding the right marriage partner.   Anita, The Global Trade Gal, gives three things you can look for to find the right international business partner. You can find out more by reading :  3 Tips to Finding The Right International Business Partner Support the sh...

Quality is one of the biggest concerns that most importers have.  Anita, The Global Trade Gal, goes over six basic quality product tests that almost anyone can do and why you should be doing them to check the quality of a product you are sourcing.  Learn more by reading: 6 Easy Tests To Perform On Your Home Decor Product Prototypes Support the show The best way not to miss an episode is to subscri...