For eBusiness & Channel Strategy Professionals

Case Study: Hunter Douglas Europe Grows Via Distributed Content Management Platform

ChannelNet Solution Improves Network Of Web Sites For Local Dealers

by Chad Mitchell, November 16, 2009

Hunter Douglas, a leading manufacturer of window coverings and architectural products, distributes its products through thousands of local dealers. Hunter Douglas saw an expanding online consumer retail market in Europe and wanted to use eBusiness to . . .

For eBusiness & Channel Strategy Professionals

What Europeans Expect From Financial Services Web Sites

And What eBusiness Executives Need To Do To Meet Customer Needs

by Vanessa Niemeyer, Ph.D., October 6, 2009

Consumers go to financial services Web sites with different motives — some want to access their own accounts and some intend to research or buy a specific financial product, while others are looking for a solution that fits their needs. Visitors to financial . . .

For eBusiness & Channel Strategy Professionals

How To Win Over European Online Shoppers

Email And Site Tips For Success In Seven Different European Markets

by Zia Daniell Wigder, September 21, 2009

Many businesses, especially those expanding into Europe for the first time, take a blanket approach to the European market: Web sites are merely replicated throughout Europe with nearly identical features offered on each site. While few eBusinesses should . . .

For eBusiness & Channel Strategy Professionals

Targeting The European Cross-Border Buyer

Online Cross-Border Buyers Are Affluent, High-Spending Online Buyers And Are Looking For The Perfect Product

by Patti Freeman Evans, Lauriane Camus, September 15, 2009

Nearly one-third of European online buyers have made Web purchases outside of their home country. Online cross-border buyers are desirable consumers because they show high online buying tenure, have high levels of disposable income, and outspend other . . .

For eBusiness & Channel Strategy Professionals

Tactics To Attract Recession-Weary Online Buyers Around The Globe

by Zia Daniell Wigder, September 4, 2009

Despite early signs of a global recovery, online shoppers in all regions of the world continue to be cautious in making purchase decisions. Consumers today are visiting a variety of sites before making a decision and consulting multiple sources for information. . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

Case Study: Heavy Lifting Upfront Gives FICO Strong Score In Translation

DITA, Content Management Cuts Localization Costs, Eases Globalization

by Sheri McLeish, August 27, 2009

Globalization and the desire to serve new markets require the translation of a businesses' content. From marketing materials to product information, translation traditionally takes place downstream in the authoring process. For technical publications, . . .

For Technology Product Management & Marketing Professionals

Start Your Global Social Media Strategy Locally

Insights From Forrester's Social Media Analyst Day

by Jennifer Belissent, Ph.D., June 25, 2009

A group of tech marketers and Forrester analysts recently engaged in an all-day Forrester event in London on the use of social media in a B2B marketing context. Our discussions focused on trends in social media adoption by B2B technology buyers and nascent . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

Machine Translation Transforms Global Business

by Tim Walters, Ph.D., June 23, 2009

Information and knowledge management (I&KM) professionals have long struggled with the sheer volume of content on enterprise Web sites. Globalization adds the need to address the linguistic diversity of Web content and audiences. Due to the expense . . .

For Customer Experience Professionals

3M's Global Home Page Redesign: Collaboration That Delivered Business Results

by Ron Rogowski, June 1, 2009

3M recently deployed 84 regional home pages based on a single, customizable design. To create a design that would suit diverse markets, 3M established a global committee focused on supporting business and user requirements, created flexible design guidelines, . . .

For eBusiness & Channel Strategy Professionals

Translation And Localization Of Retail Web Sites

Maximizing The International Experience Through Tailored Offerings

by Zia Daniell Wigder, May 29, 2009

Most US-based online retailers do not have extensive experience with translation or localization. Retailers shipping internationally tend to rely on the English-language acumen of their international users to navigate the site, and even those retailers . . .

For eBusiness & Channel Strategy Professionals

Global Expansion Through International Shipping

Serving Customers In International Markets From A Domestic Base

by Zia Daniell Wigder, March 25, 2009

With budgets squeezed in today's economic environment, many US companies are looking for low-cost options to tap into international consumer demand. International shipping provides a way for merchants to test international waters and diversify revenues . . .

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

Media Trends: Time Spent On The Internet Continues To Grow

by Bobby Tulsiani, March 18, 2009

Driven by the increasing availability of broadband, shift toward digital media, and prevalence of multitasking, time spent on the Internet continues to grow. However, all hours on the Internet are not equal as users primarily split time between communication . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

The Frugal Guide To Web Content Management

How To Maximize Your WCM Investment During An Economic Slowdown

by Tim Walters, Ph.D., Stephen Powers, February 23, 2009

In the first recession of the customer-centric Web era, enterprises would be wise to avoid across-the-board IT budget cuts that cripple their ability to compete for and service fickle online consumers. Nevertheless, information and knowledge management . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

People And Process Still Trump Product For Multilingual Web Content Management

by Tim Walters, Ph.D., February 17, 2009

Out of necessity, many enterprises must launch and maintain Web sites in multiple languages for various locales. Companies experienced in multilingual content management adapt processes that reflect practical considerations about their organization's . . .

For eBusiness & Channel Strategy Professionals

Global Web Site Spending: Benchmarking Spending On International Offerings

by Zia Daniell Wigder, February 12, 2009

Despite the belt-tightening taking place at many businesses, the majority of companies do not plan to curtail spending on global Web initiatives in 2009. A survey of 250 Web site decision-makers revealed that almost two-thirds operate international versions . . .

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

Defending Local Entertainment Coverage

Local Franchises Have Strategic Advantages Over National Competitors

by Barry Parr, February 5, 2009

Events and entertainment are a strategic business for local media properties online. Local entertainment is under threat from national providers that can spread the necessary software development costs across a national audience and that have strong relationships . . .

For Customer Experience Professionals

How To Measure ROI For Spanish-Language US Sites

by Tamara Barber, January 7, 2009

Customer experience professionals know they need hard metrics to prove the value of their Spanish-language sites, but most fail to plan for what they need to measure or how to measure it. Return on investment (ROI) measurements for Spanish-language sites . . .

For Technology Product Management & Marketing Professionals

Sow Web 2.0 To Target Emerging Tech Markets

Community-Driven "Market Self-Selection" Identifies Gems Beyond The BRIC Markets

by Jennifer Belissent, Ph.D., December 19, 2008

With the economic downturn sapping the US and other established tech markets, technology industry marketers are fast at work identifying new targets among higher-growth, emerging markets. With so much attention placed on the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, . . .

For eBusiness & Channel Strategy Professionals

Global Electronic Commerce Web Sites

Preparing Vendors for Expanding Marketing Needs

by Zia Daniell Wigder, December 10, 2008

International site operators are struggling with an increasingly complex set of marketing needs, while vendors are aiming to differentiate themselves through their global offerings.

For Interactive Marketing Professionals

Global Online Advertising

Lessons from Multicountry Advertisers

by Zia Daniell Wigder, November 11, 2008

Despite a downturn in the economy, many advertisers continue to boost spending on the online channel in international markets.

For Interactive Marketing Professionals

International Search Marketing

Tapping into Missed SEO Opportunity

by Zia Daniell Wigder, November 11, 2008

Online advertisers are increasingly turning to search marketing outside the US to drive traffic to their domestic and international sites.

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

International Online Video

Developing Effective Multicountry Content

by Zia Daniell Wigder, October 15, 2008

As online video consumption increases around the world, companies are aiming to create videos that will attract a global audience.

For eBusiness & Channel Strategy Professionals

Evaluating International Online Markets

Essential Factors to Consider

by Zia Daniell Wigder, September 8, 2008

Companies are trying to determine the best way to evaluate different global markets as they look to launch new online initiatives.

For Customer Experience Professionals

Top Five Business Challenges For European Usability Vendors

by Marta Baigorri, September 3, 2008

European usability vendors are benefiting from high demand for their services around the globe. But with prosperity come challenges. To keep up with growing market demand while delivering quality results, vendors need to overcome five main business challenges: . . .

For Customer Experience Professionals

Drive Multilingual Web Sites With User Research

by Marta Baigorri, June 12, 2008

Companies with operations in multiple countries want to drive their businesses with localized Web site experiences. But creating the most relevant local design means more than mere translation and localization of centrally created content and design. . . .