The Enlightened Way to Marketing

The era of Globalization may be on the ropes, but international business ain't going anywhere. Whether you are in Los Angeles or Lubbock, serving customers not only in America, but South America, Asia, or Europe is becoming increasingly likely.  But each geographic region has distinct markets. Understanding how to serve them will prove crucial to being a flexible entrepreneur able to adapt to an ever-changing world.

Once you've studied and identified a market (or two) to serve, gaining awareness of deploying a product or presence will prove pivotal to profitability.

This section will be a work-in-progress that will aggregate learnings across regions to serve as reference to readers.  

North America

The North American Region, at a glance, remains one of the wealthiest and most desirable in the word. With almost 400 million people, and an estimated GDP Per Capita of $63,327, it is the marquee region to any MNC. Key facts are provided for the three countries.

Canada

At $1.8 Trillion, Canada's Economy is a significant one. It's population of 36 Million makes it a solid consumer market for those looking for new customers with money to spare. Its labor force is 20 Million (2017 estimate) and the country boasts a number of metropolitan areas such as Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Ottawa. Below is its trade profile.

Exports: $433 billion (2017 est.)
Motor vehicles and parts, industrial machinery, aircraft, telecommunications equipment; chemicals, plastics, fertilizers; wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, natural gas, electricity, and aluminum. 

Imports: $443.7 billion (2017 est.)
Machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, crude oil, chemicals, electricity, and durable consumer goods. 

The United States

With a population over 318 Million (2014 estimate), the United States is the world's largest economy at $16 Trillion.  Its labor force is ~150 Million. Here is an overview of its international trade profile:

Exports: $1.575 trillion (2013 est.): agricultural products 9.2% (soybeans, fruit, corn), industrial supplies 26.8% (organic chemicals), capital goods 49.0% (transistors, aircraft, motor vehicle parts, computers, telecommunications equipment), consumer goods 15.0% (automobiles, medicines) (2011). 

Imports: $2.273 trillion (2013 est.): agricultural products 4.9%, industrial supplies 32.9% (crude oil 8.2%), capital goods 30.4% (computers, telecommunications equipment, motor vehicle parts, office machines, electric power machinery), consumer goods 31.8% (automobiles, clothing, medicines, furniture, toys) (2011).  

Mexico

A vibrant country with a sizable population of 120 Million, Mexico is a global tourist destination as well as the center of a number of major industries. It has a GDP of $1.2 Trillion (PPP) and a labor force of 50 Million with 13% in Agriculture, 25% in Industry, and 60% in Services. Here is its trade profile:

Exports: $370.9 billion (2013 est.): manufactured goods, oil and oil products, silver, fruits, vegetables, coffee, cotton. 

Imports: $370.7 billion (2013 est.): metalworking machines, steel mill products, agricultural machinery, electrical equipment, car parts for assembly, repair parts for motor vehicles, aircraft, and aircraft parts.  

Europe

Europe remains a premier market of the world, with the European Union's Single Market being the largest continental bloc. The European region includes both EU member states as well as non-members such as Switzerland. 

The EU

The European Union is the most economically significant organization of countries on the planet. With economic powerhouses such as Germany, France and many others, it is un-ignorable. [2] At 490 Million, it has the single largest population of economically advanced consumers, making it a massive market valued at over $13 Trillion. This Supranational Entity has a GDP per Capita of over $30,000.

Germany

Once the greatest Trading power in the world, Germany has retained the number 2 spot and persists as an international export machine. EU subsidies and the US defensive alliance has fueled Germany's return to international political and economic prominence. A nation of 80 Million, its economy is valued at $4 Trillion. It boasts a highly productive labor force of 44 Million, significant percentage of which are guest workers. Below is its trade profile.

Exports: $1.493 trillion (2013 est.): machinery, vehicles, chemicals, metals and manufactures, foodstuffs, textiles.

Imports: $1.233 trillion (2013 est.): machinery, vehicles, chemicals, foodstuffs, textiles, metals.  

The United Kingdom

A country of 63 Million people, the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland recently exited the EU. Nevertheless, it remains a key player with notable industrial and services offerings, especially financial services. It leveraged its colonial plunder to become the center for international finance. With an economy of  $2.3 Trillion and a labor force of 30 Million, it has managed to remain relevant despite declining fortunes. Here is a snapshot of its trade profile.

Exports: $813.2 billion (2013 est.): manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals; food, beverages, tobacco.

Imports: $782.5 billion (2013 est.): manufactured goods, machinery, fuels; foodstuffs.   

Central & South America

Normally treated as part of the Latin American region along with Mexico, Central and South America are integrated more wholly with their immediate locales.

Central America

With countries such as Costa Rica, Honduras, and Belize, the nations of Central America are best known for their tourism and raw materials based economies. With tremendously diverse populations, each market has its own unique idiosyncrasies. Other than an exception or two, these are predominantly Spanish-speaking countries.

Brazil

The single largest country of Latin America, Brazil is a Portuguese speaking nation of over 200 Million people. Like the rest of Latin America, it is a melting pot of European, African, and Indigenous populations. Its GDP is  $2.2 Trillion, with a labor force of 100 Million. A tongue-in-cheek joke asserts that Brazil is the country of the future...and always will be. That aside, it remains an economic powerhouse well beyond raw materials, and features finished goods such as the famous embraer planes.  Below is its trade profile.

Exports: $250.8 billion f.o.b. (2011 est.): transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, autos. 

Imports: $219.6 billion f.o.b. (2011 est.): machinery, electrical and transport equipment, chemical products, oil.  

Argentina

With an economy of $770 Billion, Argentina is another key power of South America. It has a population of 43 Million and a labor force of 20 million. This Spanish-speaking country has a GP per capita of $20,000.

Exports: $85.08 billion (2013 est.): edible oils, fuels and energy, cereals, feed, motor vehicles. 

Imports: $71.3 billion (2013 est.): machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal manufactures, plastics. 

Africa & Middle East

Among the two most resource rich continents in the world, Africa is typically treated as two key entities: Sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa (which abuts the Mediterranean). The unique people and the rich cultures that characterize this enriched land mass make for opportunity, risk, and enrichment. Nations such as Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Kenya, are all economic engines in their own right, with various vectors driving successful business in the polity.

The Middle East features significant entities such as UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. Dubai is another center of global finance.

Asia

Asia is the single-largest continent on the planet, but consists of a number of distinct regions. East Asia, South East Asia, South Asia, West Asia, and Central Asia are regional agglomerations with their own languages, civilizations, and idiosyncrasies. But some markets, Japan, China, India, are too big to group with others.

Smaller but still-significant economies include Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The city-state of Singapore is a pivotal port of the East, and has also become a center global finance.

Japan

An economy of $4 Trillion, this nation is another great trading power of the world.  Its population of 100 Million is among the most productive on the planet. It has a labor force of 65 Million and a per capita GDP of more than $40,000.

Exports: $697.8 billion (2013 est.): transport equipment, motor vehicles, semiconductors, electrical machinery, chemicals. 

Imports: $766.6 billion (2013 est.): petroleum 15.5%; liquid natural gas 5.7%; clothing 3.9%; semiconductors 3.5%; coal 3.5%; audio and visual apparatus 2.7% (2011 est.). 

China

The World's largest Economy by Purchasing Power Parity ($23 Trillion), The People's Republic of China is the predominant trading power of the planet. Its exports span the world over, and has world beating industrial engine. This once agricultural economy catapulted into Heavy Industry in the 20th Century and now Services in the 21st. However, it has suffered tremendous ecological degradation, with pollution threatening the quality of life in this medium income nation. This nation of 1.3 Billion people features a labor force of 500 Million people. Below is its trading profile. 

Exports: $2.216 trillion (2017 est.)
Major Exports: Electrical and other machinery, including computers and telecommunications equipment, apparel, furniture, textiles 

Imports: $1.74 trillion (2017 est.)
Major Imports: Electrical and other machinery, including integrated circuits and other computer components, oil and mineral fuels; optical and medical equipment, metal ores, motor vehicles; soybeans 

India

The second most populous country in the world, India has a $5 Trillion Economy by PPP. It is a resource rich nation with a large labor force of 500 Million people. In recent decades, it has liberalized its economy and expanded from agriculture into heavy industry and notably, software services.

Exports: $313.2 billion (2013 est.): petroleum products, precious stones, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, vehicles, apparel. 

Imports: $467.5 billion (2013 est.): crude oil, machinery, gems, fertilizer, chemicals. 

Australia & Oceania 

At once an ancient landmass and new political force, Australia and Oceania provide some of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet. But there is more to business opportunity here than just tourism and commodities. A deeper study will provide guidance on the future of this region, as well as its growth prospects for serious entrepreneurs.

Sources:

1. https://www.infoplease.com/world/countries/
2. https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/political-science-and-government/international-organizations/european-union