Let me catch my breath on this one because it’s a doozy of a “Groundbreakers” report #2 by Ernst & Young, “Scaling up: why women-owned businesses can recharge the global economy,“ detailing how women entrepreneurs are critical drivers of economic growth and provides resources and insights for private sector, government and NGO leaders who are seeking to close the gender gap. I love to see that women entrepreneurs and women-owned business owners are finally getting the respect and attention they so rightfully deserve.

The Center for Women’s Business Research study shows that there are about 8 million women-owned enterprises in the US. Those businesses have an annual impact of nearly US$3 trillion dollars and create or maintain more than 23 million jobs — 16% of all US employment.

Women entrepreneurs have economic clout. Greater participation of women in the labor force correlates with higher GDP growth.

Worldwide, women own or operate 25% to 33% of all private businesses, according to the World Bank. Women-owned enterprises grow faster than those owned by men and faster than businesses overall.

And that’s not all. What has made a difference for women entrepreneurs lately?

• The US government has appointed a woman as Secretary of State, and has created a new position, Ambassador at-Large for Global Women’s Issues.
• The World Bank’s Doing Business project has launched a two-year research program to identify and recommend reforms to eliminate the legal and regulatory barriers facing women.
• The Declaration on Fostering Women’s Entrepreneurship in the Middle East and North.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. The more wind and support we put behind women entrepreneurs, the faster and more powerful our global economic recovery. Read more here.

Download “Scaling up: Why women-owned businesses can recharge the global economy,” as a printable document (818KB PDF).

We’ve been on this same trend (and agree with the report findings) for some time but see for yourself by visiting our sister social enterprise, Women Entrepreneurs GROW Global (WEGG). You might also re-visit our Top 10 Global Small Business Trends in 2009 (refer to No. 8: Women entrepreneurs will rule the global marketplace).

A couple of resources that might come in handy for you as you kick your business up a notch in 2010:

DimDim.com
(http://www.dimdim.com)

Allows you to deliver live presentations, whiteboards and Web pages while sharing your voice and video. No downloads required.

HearMe.com
(http://www.hearme.com)

Small business owners can conduct an online business meeting with clients and contacts in an affordable manner. Educators can use HearMe’s web meeting services to teach students around the globe.

paltalk.com
(http://www.paltalk.com)

Lets you explore your online world of chat sites with community chat rooms, lots of people and cool webcam technology that lets you see and be seen. Use for voice and video chat. All for FREE.

Gutenberg.org
(http://www.Gutenberg.org)

Project Gutenberg is the place where you (in the U.S.A.) can download over 30,000 free ebooks to read on your PC, Kindle, Sony Reader, iPhone or other device.

Lifelong FREE e-Learning

In this tough global economy, online education — especially when it’s top caliber and free — is worth a serious consideration. It can never hurt to take a refresher course that might very well strengthen your competitive position in the world marketplace.

OpenCulture.com
(http://www.openculture.com)

The best free cultural and educational media on the web. This place is terrific. Take the time to dig and learn!

It’s time to start thinking of special gifts for special people in your life since the holidays are nearly right around the corner. Every week or so, we’ll feature a unique item made from a different part of the world and will include a link on where you can buy it.

We have no tie or affiliations to these organizations. It’s our way to shine a spotlight on businesses worldwide who are doing remarkable things and many for a very long time. If you have a remarkable product that you would like to have featured on The Global Small Business Blog, send us an email and we’ll get our team right on it. Here goes …

Country of Origin: Portugal

From Oprah’s Favorite Things 2007

Established in 1887 in Porto, Portugal, the Ach Brito Company (site in Portugues or English) is the oldest family owned soap and perfume manufacturer in Portugal. Until the 1960′s Ach Brito specialized in producing soaps and perfumes for the wealthiest of Porto’s merchant families. The products were made and packaged specifically for certain families. The bath products produced in this factory are still made today, using the same turn of the century methods and techniques.

A place to buy? Try here.

Or go direct:

Top photo: Claus Porto, Classico E Fantasia
Bottom photo: Claus Porto, Madrigal – Water Lily

From far away, a friendly light, a safe haven and place to hang your dry hat.

Hope your weekend shines bright.

Laurel Delaney, The Global Small Business Blog

Lighthouse directory

More info on the lighthouse shown above.

If you run a global small business, and I am assuming many of you do, what should you be doing to swing open that door to China? The first step is to track what others are doing and determine success rates.

For example, innovative healthcare product company Novartis announced on Tuesday that it will spend U.S. $1 billion spread over five years to make China (starting in Shanghai — pictured) a third global pillar for its research and development. Why? Couple of good reasons:

1. Rapid growth is one key reason for the expansion.
2. Projected to become one of Novartis’s three biggest markets by 2014.
3. Revenue in China has been growing at annual rate of 30% in the last few years.
4. Health-care reform alone will fuel growth.

The question Novartis asks is: “Where do you need to be down the road, and clearly it is here.” It’s a question many of us should be asking and facing but what small business can afford to make the kind of investment required to do business in China?

Do you think at the very least it might be prudent to give Novartis a call or send an email to an appropriate person to see how you might partner with them on some of their initiatives? It’s a great way to attempt to crack open the market — together.

Read more here.