The right product, the right price at the right time. This was the sub-theme of Global Sources’ Webinar on Omni-channel E-commerce held on October 15, 2020. I had the pleasure of hosting the said webinar and to moderate the panel. Learned more about Omni-channel and the cross border trade in general. Didn’t even notice that it got dark in my …
E-commerce Networking Community
Working online can be a grind. It is all about community and networking. Over the years at the Global From Asia community – we have put together a private membership, GFAVIP, where we have been hosting online sessions, group trainings, and a full library of courses on ecommerce and online business. We’re doing this because especially in these times, working …
Catching up With Old Friend Talking E-commerce Re-Kindling
Those who read this blog maybe 5-10 years ago may have seen quite a few posts of Marie. I first met her in Shenzhen, China in 2009 when she applied to work with my crazy e-commerce and SEO office and it was my first time to work with a Filipina. She had been living in Shenzhen for some time and …
Living in a High Tech World (Happening in a Town Near You?)
Getting over the writer’s (vlogger’s) block and have been wanting to share about this – at least here in China – the COVID has pushed big data and high tech to a whole new level. Entering a mall, I am scanning in at a mandatory checkpoint to report I am entering this place of business. The use case is in …
Speaking at the East x West Online Seller Conference
East x West, Asia’s Premier Online Conference for Amazon Sellers will be holding its regular gathering of Amazon product owners, sellers and marketers on April 25, 2020. The entire conference will be done virtually by streaming all the live sessions direct to your device. You will have the opportunity to ask speakers questions live as well as participate during the …
Speaking at Work From Home Initiative Online Forum
The Free Online Forum last April 20, 2020, hosted by Work From Home Initiative was a very informative and productive one. We discussed the topic, Post-Pandemic: Defining and Preparing for the New Normal. Really learned a lot from this forum. Here are some grabs: Work From Home Initiative will be hosting a Free Online Forum with the topic, Post-Pandemic: Defining …
Speaking at Global Sources Virtual Summit
The Global Sources Virtual Summit last April 21 – 22, 2020 was a success! The discussion on how to OPTIMIZE YOUR SOURCING in the current uncertain time was indeed insightful. In the summit, we also talked about sourcing masks and other medical devices. So timely and valuable. Here are some of my colleagues in the summit: I’m honored to share …
Back on The Move – Visiting a Hazmat Suit Factory in Wife’s Hometown
Less than a week from being released from quarantine, and back on the move. But to be honest, not able to leave the province (like a US state) so easily due to the quarantine process and health check in each province. So we are sticking to finding and visiting factories in the “neighborhood”. We’re lucky to have Wendy’s network and …
Last Quarantine Vlog: Will I Ever Be Allowed Back in USA?
Well, this is the last video blog I plan to do under Chinese quarantine. Its Sunday April 5, 2020 as I type this up and tomorrow at 640pm I will be allowed to check out of this makeshift hotel hospital. Coronavirus swab test, Coronavirus blood test, checked the box. Didn’t get issued any results, but guess no news is good …
Quarantine Birthday – Celebrate with Me Online
You may think I am crazy – but I was really trying to time the return to China + 14 days so that I would NOT be in quarantine during my birthday. Tried to fly on March 17 – which would have BARELY gotten me out by April 2 – but the whole airport shut down suddenly. Was thinking to …
Drastic Times, Drastic Measures: Mask Trading & Re-launching Sourcing business
My wife has been pushing me for weeks to do this, and I have been resisting. As always, the wife is always right. We need to change our business models and do what is most needed – for the world and for our businesses. I’m bringing back the old Shadstone Sourcing trading business – Shadstone-sourcing.com – and will be focusing …
Quoted in Wall Street Journal: Amazon not accepting inbound shipments
The crisis continues – this time hitting the Western world and distribution. Last month it was about factories being closed and not able to make the product- now it is about Western countries / USA – being able to receive and ship it. Can you believe yesterday, March 17, 2020 amazon suddenly announced it will not accept new inbound shipments …
Company Retreat in Bohol Turned Operation: Evacuation
Writing this up from my hotel room in Bohol under much different circumstances than I expected for our team retreat. Rushing to the airport on Thursday, Marc told me that Manila is considering going on full lockdown. I wasn’t sure if I could make my flight before the lockdown was announced or what would even happen. Flight went like normal …
On “My Worst Investment Ever” Podcast Sharing Biggest Business Failure!
Still on a roll getting the word out online and was invited on the “My Worst Investment Ever” podcast with the amazing host Andrew Stotz to share my biggest business failure. Was a pleasure to be on – and it was a bit painful to share and dig up those memories (and the money lost) – but we need to …
Watch a Budding E-commerce Community Grow – Trip To Baguio, Philippines
Catching my breath after two 7 hour bus trips to Baguio and back in a few days- but it was quite the experience! Note – if you go to Baguio – bring a light jacket – it is cold. 5,000 meters above sea level, you will take a coach bus for 7 hours and towards the last hour you will …