September 28, 2007

Local group carries on a ‘global conversation’

BOULDER – You need to become globally savvy if you want to stay alive in today’s business market, according to Katrin Windsor, president of the International Business Circle of Boulder.

The International Business Circle, which was started by Windsor in 2004, currently has 150 members from 23 different countries. About half of its members are foreign – the other half are American. The average number of years of practical international business experience by members is 12.2.

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Windsor is Swiss and has lived and worked for U.S. companies in five countries. She is fluent in five languages and is passionately interested in conversations about all things international.

“The club started when I invited a whole bunch of my clients and business acquaintances for a global conversation in an office on Pearl Street,” she said. “I didn’t know how many people were interested, and in the first meeting 45 people showed up.”

The club is a private, invitation-only circle. The members range from chief executives to company directors, and they all have practical international business experience.

“The group is very selective,” Windsor said. “We keep quite a few people out to insure a great quality and meaningful exchange.”

Since members have such assorted backgrounds, their business dealings have a diverse range. “We have a lawyer that was freeing western executives kidnapped in Latin America. We have a biotech attorney who goes around the world collecting sperm from many different animals. We have a member who was held at knifepoint in Red Square.”

Dick Schulte, chief executive of Denver-based AdventureCentral, was asked by Windsor to join the club when it originally formed. The notion of a club with international business executives appealed to Schulte, who had a small company and didn’t want to pay a consulting firm to figure out the international angle.

At each monthly meeting, a speaker addresses a range of topics and answers such questions as: Is it cheaper to manufacture in China or Vietnam? Where do you stay in Tokyo, Sydney or Zurich? How do you set up manufacturing in China? Where do you find a good lawyer in Brazil?

Stephanie Carter, owner of Boulder-based Wallaroo Hats, an importer and distributor of fabric sun hats, has business in both China and the Philippines. The group has helped her understand the customs practice in China.

“This group of people is right on the cusp of what’s happening overseas,” Carter said. “They are addressing issues such as the huge trade imbalance between the U.S. and China right now.

“If things go south in China, I need to know what other countries I can use for manufacturing – like Brazil or Mexico or Peru. When you are trying to learn something about a new market, their resources are invaluable.”

Yvon Cariou, president of Boulder-based Dynamic Materials, would agree. He is originally from France and became involved with the group when he received an e-mail inviting him to attend a meeting about the foreign market in Russia.

“It’s amazing how this part of the world is becoming global,” Cariou said. “High-tech companies, logistical companies and telecommunications companies based in Colorado have projects all over the world.”

The circle has a blog for members located at www.ibcircleblog.com. One of the contributors is Yue Xi Savage, the director for business development for Westminster-based Skyetek, which is in the RFID business.

Her blog, “Yue’s Yappings,” covers all aspects of business in China. She warns against fake receipts, gives details about life in Shanghai, compares India and China culturally and gives a glimpse of what Chinese think about Americans.

The Web site also has podcasts on many subjects, including myths about international-market entry and business etiquette. Once a month, members meet in a book club.

The circle has just launched a second chapter in Phoenix and has many new programs under way, including an international business resource directory.

The driving force behind the club’s growth is Windsor.

“Katrin is an incredible coach and leader for this organization,” Cariou said. “It’s contagious. Everyone has a bug for the IBC. It is not superficial at all. She keeps it disciplined and structured, serious and pleasant.”

BOULDER – You need to become globally savvy if you want to stay alive in today’s business market, according to Katrin Windsor, president of the International Business Circle of Boulder.

The International Business Circle, which was started by Windsor in 2004, currently has 150 members from 23 different countries. About half of its members are foreign – the other half are American. The average number of years of practical international business experience by members is 12.2.

Windsor is Swiss and has lived and worked for U.S. companies in five countries. She is fluent in five languages and is passionately interested in…

Christopher Wood
Christopher Wood is editor and publisher of BizWest, a regional business journal covering Boulder, Broomfield, Larimer and Weld counties. Wood co-founded the Northern Colorado Business Report in 1995 and served as publisher of the Boulder County Business Report until the two publications were merged to form BizWest in 2014. From 1990 to 1995, Wood served as reporter and managing editor of the Denver Business Journal. He is a Marine Corps veteran and a graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder. He has won numerous awards from the Colorado Press Association, Society of Professional Journalists and the Alliance of Area Business Publishers.
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