This episode offers a firsthand account of an extensive Asia trip, covering critical sourcing events like the Global Sources Summit and Canton Fair, alongside team visits in the Philippines. It's a valuable narrative for ecommerce operators interested in the practicalities and challenges of international sourcing and team management, providing insights into navigating these events and the broader experience of growing an importing business.
Key takeaways
Attending global summits and fairs like Global Sources and Canton Fair is crucial for serious importing businesses to connect with suppliers and stay updated on manufacturing trends.
Expect international business trips to be rigorous and potentially exhausting, requiring careful planning to maximize productivity and manage energy levels.
Networking at industry events can lead to valuable connections and collaboration opportunities within the ecommerce community.
Leverage opportunities to present at industry events to establish expertise and build reputation, as evidenced by being rated the number one speaker.
Direct engagement with international teams, like the Philippines team visit, is vital for fostering strong relationships and operational alignment.
"Sometimes you have to do something that makes you uncomfortable to further your career and your life and I really believe that." - Mike Jackness on speaking at the Global Sources Summit This episode is a play-by-play report of my entire trip to Asia, covering the Global Sources Summit, the Canton Fair, meeting with our Philippines team -- basically everything my team and I did while we were in Asia from early October through early November. If you're like me who doesn't like following someone's life abroad on an hour-by-hour basis, then this episode probably isn't for you. But if you are in ecommerce and have never been to these events in Asia before (or you're just curious about what we do there), this will give you a pretty good overview of what it's like to be on the road, traveling back and forth between cities to attend fairs and meet people, things you might need to do if you are serious in growing your importing business. These are the highlights of my nearly month-long trip: getting on a ridiculously luxurious first class flight to Hong Kong for about $50 hiking and exploring Hong Kong during my first few days there the ill-timed typhoon my presentation at the Global Sources Summit where I was rated as the number 1 speaker (this just goes to show that you can accomplish anything once you set your mind to it) EcommerceFuel meetups, masterminds, and new plans to take EcomCrew to the next level visiting my Philippines team going to the Canton Fair the amazing people I met from the ecommerce community My wife Michelle, our Director of Ecommerce Jacqueline, and I crammed so many activities during our time in Asia that when we arrived back in San Diego we were all absolutely drained. These trips are very productive and rewarding, but be warned -- it can also be terribly exhausting. Nevertheless, trips like this are ve
What does this episode say about supply chain & operations?
Attending global summits and fairs like Global Sources and Canton Fair is crucial for serious importing businesses to connect with suppliers and stay updated on manufacturing trends.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Expect international business trips to be rigorous and potentially exhausting, requiring careful planning to maximize productivity and manage energy levels.
What does this episode say about supply chain & operations?
Networking at industry events can lead to valuable connections and collaboration opportunities within the ecommerce community.
What does this episode say about supply chain & operations?
Leverage opportunities to present at industry events to establish expertise and build reputation, as evidenced by being rated the number one speaker.
What does this episode say about supply chain & operations?
Direct engagement with international teams, like the Philippines team visit, is vital for fostering strong relationships and operational alignment.
