Relocate biz from SA to US

Beyond Strategy

Posted by on Mar 24, 2011 in Business, Carel's Conversations, Relocate biz from SA to US, Sales | 0 comments

Beyond438 exists to translate the passion we have for solving business problems into profits for our clients. We do this in a thoughtful, “been-there-done-that,” and “as-if-it-is-my-company” kind of way with our company principles guiding all our interactions.

We have a passion for business – for solving difficult business problems.

We have a passion for building world class companies – to grow beyond their current potential.

We have a passion for business leaders – to help them do the right thing in the jungle called the business world.

Our ultimate goal is to Wow! our clients and to take them to places where they’ve not been before. Places, such as, new revenue streams, South Africa and America.

Why You Should Start a Company in Atlanta|FastCompany

Posted by beyond438 on Dec 15, 2010 in Entrepreneurship, Relocate biz from SA to US, South Africa | 0 comments

Not too long ago, about fifty years, Atlanta was the size of Little Rock, Ark. About a hundred years before that, it was burned to the ground. Atlanta has proven it can grow (adding 1.1 million residents in the last decade alone). Now, it’s building toward a sort of tech hub in the southeast, against a backdrop that includes the busiest international airport in the world; a healthy cluster of corporate giants in Coca-Cola, UPS, Delta and The Home Depot, among others; and a spur of entrepreneurial activity that put Atlanta in the top ten on this year’s Kauffman Entrepreneurial Index, which tracks new business creation.But in a place where half the population isn’t from there, identity is a work-in-progress—theNew York Times called Atlanta “corporate stronghold, a Southern belle and a hip-hop capital”—all at once. Add to that: home to Internet security expertise and a key drug in HIV treatment. Alan Taetle, general partner at venture capital firm Noro-Moseley Partners, spoke with Fast Company about what makes Atlanta’s startup scene unique.Read more here.

It’s dangerous to walk on the pavement in America!

Posted by beyond438 on Sep 23, 2010 in Business, Relocate biz from SA to US, South Africa | 0 comments

In a recent post I gave you some business words that have a different meaning in America. Below is a table with some common everyday words with different meanings. You can find many more in this blog: US2UK.

South African term	American equivalent	Explanation
Petrol	Gas	You fill up at a gas station.
Robot	Traffic light	Turn left at the second traffic light.
Road	Pavement	In the US it is dangerous to walk on the pavement (in the road).
Pavement	Side walk	US equivalent is side walk
Crash	Car wreck	The wreck on the 75 caused a traffic jam.
Manual	Stick shift	Stick shift car.
License plate	Tag	You have to renew your car's tag every year.
Boot	Trunk	I need to get something out of my car's trunk.
Chips	Fries	Hamburger and fries. Chips are called crisps.
Cooldrink	Soda	My also be called pop in some US states.

Do you know of any other words or funny stories?

Why you shouldn’t brag about your turnover!

Posted by beyond438 on Aug 23, 2010 in Business, Relocate biz from SA to US, South Africa | 0 comments

Many South African businesspeople make the following common mistakes regarding US business English. I always enjoy seeing the reaction of Americans when a South African brags about their company’s turnover!

South African term	American equivalent	Explanation
Turnover	Revenue or Sales	Turnover in the US refers to employee attrition (not a good thing :-)).
Surname	Last name	Family name
Name	First name	In the US most people have a middle name. So first name to distinguish from middle name.
Loan	Note	A note is a loan agreement.
CA or Accountant	CPA	Certified Public Accountant.
Managing Director (MD)	CEO or President	Better to refer to yourself as CEO if you are an MD in SA.
Director	Board Member	A director is usually a mid-level manager in the US.
Share Scheme	Share Plan	In the US a scheme usually refers to something unsavory (even illegal).
Retrench	RIF (reduction in force) or Lay off	Lay offs are very common in the US as most states are work-at-wil states.
Diary (Schedule)	Calendar	In the US a diary is a ladies' journal. You would typically say: "can we put something on the calendar".
Post	Mail	In the US: "I'll put the check in the mail".

Can you add to this list?

Why Atlanta is a great place for the US HQ of a South African IT company

Posted by beyond438 on Mar 22, 2010 in Relocate biz from SA to US, South Africa | 0 comments

Yes, I know, most IT companies want to be in the Valley, that is, Silicon Valley. I would however suggest you seriously consider Atlanta as an alternative. If you are definitely the next Google, then yes, you have to be in the Valley. Ask Vinny and Yola :-). Most IT companies, however, don’t have to be in the Valley.Here are a few reasons to set up your US HQ in Atlanta:

Atlanta has one of the best airports in the world with direct flights (on Delta) to Jo’burg.
Very low cost of living compared to most large US city, especially San Francisco.
Great time zone overlap with South Africa.
Great IT community: Techlinks, TAG, GATech, and atdc.
HQ for many Fortune 500 companies including: Coca-Cola, Home Depot, UPS, and Aflac.

This presentation by the Metro Atlanta Chamber gives many more reasons to consider Atlanta as your US HQ.Lance Weatherby had this to say about Atlanta replacing Silicon Valley.I’ve lived in Atlanta (actually in Kennesaw, a town North of Atlanta) for almost 12 years since moving to Atlanta in 1998.