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B2B Today


As small businesses look towards the next phase of recovery, we're committed to providing them with the resources and tools they need to thrive.
B2B trends
8 best outdoor products for 2023
Being outdoors can be fun, calming, exhilarating, challenging, and so many other things. One thing is for certain though, we have remembered that above all else, it is important.
December 30, 2022
B2B Trends
10 small business ideas for women in 2023
Historically, women have been disproportionately represented in the professional world. The business world has been largely seen as a male-dominated arena in the past, but since the turn of the century, women have fought for more and more seats at the table.
December 27, 2022
B2B Trends
10 low-risk industries in the US
Low-risk industries offer exciting opportunities for investors, lenders, consultants and sales teams that are looking for new target markets with favorable conditions.
December 6, 2022
#B2BTuesday
Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month
May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, an annual celebration recognizing the historical and cultural contributions of Americans from across Asia and the Pacific Islands.
May 17, 2022
#B2BTuesday
Meet 3 businesses making the world more sustainable
Every year on April 22nd, millions of people around the world celebrate Earth Day. It's become a day of action since the first Earth Day was established in 1970, a day to partake in activities like picking up litter, planting trees, raising money for a local environmental group, and more.
April 19, 2022
B2B trends
Consumer electronics sourcing trends in 2022
Consumer electronics (CE) have always been a major driving force for ecommerce growth. With cutting-edge technologies, CE products have reshaped our everyday lives by providing better access and convenience to communications, health monitoring, entertainment, and lifestyle.
March 22, 2022
Transformer Talks
Featuring Loren Gray
We recently sat down with content creator and new digital entrepreneur Loren Gray to learn more about her journey and how she built her huge social media brand and following.
February 25, 2022
#B2BTuesday
The age and (gender) of entrepreneurship
The pandemic has resulted in a big boom of entrepreneurship. The number of Americans filing paperwork to start businesses hit a record 5.4 million in 2021, up from the previous record of 4.4 million new business applications in 2020.
February 22, 2022
#B2BTuesday   #B2BPulse
Alibaba.com B2B Pulse: 2021 in Review and 2022 Outlook
To better serve US small and medium-sized businesses, we created the Alibaba.com B2B Pulse, a monthly update, that serves two primary purposes: First, we aggregate the biggest macro developments relevant to US SMBs. Second, we share proprietary insights into US B2B demand that we observe on the Alibaba.com global marketplace.
February 1, 2022
#B2BTuesday
Meet The Alibaba.com Grants Program Judges
Our latest search for the next crop of New Digital Entrepreneurs closed on October 21 when more than 12,000 applicants submitted innovative product ideas and/or creative go-to-market strategies to The Alibaba.com Grants Program.
November 23, 2021
#B2BTuesday
What is green manufacturing and why small businesses should care
Manufacturing is vital to the US economy. In 2019, for every US $1.00 spent in manufacturing, US $2.79 was added to the economy whether through the 12.5 million jobs manufacturing supports, the wages those jobs pay, or manufacturing's large contribution to GDP (accounting for more than one-third of US GDP), according to National Association of Manufacturing (NAM) calculations using 2019 IMPLAN data.
October 26, 2021
Transformer Talks
Featuring Ryan Gnesin
In 2020 hundreds of thousands more businesses were created than in 2019, and a significant portion of these were retailers not tied to a physical location.
October 8, 2021, 2021
#B2BTuesday
Understanding the basics of Customs
Navigating the ins and outs of cross-border trade can be a complex undertaking. One of the key elements in understanding this process means being familiar with country specific import/export rules and regulations enforced by the Customs agency.
#B2BTuesday
America's hourly workers
Across the country, employees who are paid an hourly wage for their services account for 82.3 million workers 16 years and older, representing well over half (58.1 percent) of all wage and salary workers in 2019, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Transformer Talks
Featuring Tracey Pickett
Ecommerce sales hit a record high in 2020 and show no signs of slowing down. But what does it really take to succeed as an internet retailer? For this Transformer Talk, we are joined by Tracey Pickett, Founder, and CEO of Hairbrella.
February 25, 2021
Transformer Talks
Featuring Bradley Sutton
In 2020, COVID-19 upended the retail space and 2021 is sure to bring a whole new series of trends. Join our Transformer Talk as we welcome Bradley Sutton, Chief Evangelist at Helium 10.
February 4, 2021
Platform
How it works: Alibaba.com Select end-to-end sourcing
The global pandemic affected every organization in some way. For organizations employing essential workers, such as hospitals, governments, and airlines, this meant suddenly needing to secure huge amounts of PPE to keep their employees safe.
January 21, 2021
#B2BTuesday
21 tips for 2021
2020 was a tough year. Since the start of the pandemic, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) faced major challenges like managing cash flow, building a strong supply chain, getting their business online, and keeping employees safe.
#21tipsfor21
What to sell report
Wondering what fashion products to sell online? Find out what buyers want in our What to Sell mobile guide, featuring the top 10 trending products.
#21tipsfor21
How to start exporting: the ultimate guide
In this post, we're going to talk about everything that small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to know about starting a business that sells goods around the world, or adding export capabilities to your current business.
December 4, 2020
Transformer Talks
Featuring Maneet Ahuja
Join us as we welcome journalist and author Maneet Ahuja. Maneet discusses her perspective on the current state of US SMBs, and how we can reimagine a brighter future for these essential businesses with increased diversity in ownership, better data sharing, and innovative capital solutions.
December 4, 2020
Transformer Talks
Featuring Eric Parkin
Join our discussion with Eric Parkin, Digital Business Leader at Cargill as we talk about these changes and how businesses of all sizes can create new opportunities in response.
November 24, 2020
Transformer Talks
Featuring Risa Cretella
Join our discussion with Risa Cretella, EVP & Group General Manager, Sovos Brands, as we talk about these issues and how we can all create a happier more productive workplace.
November 19, 2020
Webinar
Ask a freight expert anything
Between a global pandemic and ever-shifting international relations, the conditions for global trade are tough to follow and tricky to navigate.
November 16, 2020
#B2BTuesday
Seven months into the shutdown, how are SMBs doing?
In December of 2019, Alibaba.com conducted a deep dive into the US B2B community, by commissioning the first Alibaba.com US Small and Medium Business (SMB) Confidence Survey of 5,000 US-based small businesses within B2B on their sentiments around digitization and globalization.
Transformer Talks
Featuring Nathan Jones
Small businesses everywhere pivoted to digital to succeed in 2020. But how are they doing now? In this week's Transformer Talks, Nathan Jones, President and CEO of ShipStation, discusses with John Caplan the current state of small businesses and what we can learn from their resilience.
October 15, 2020
Expert Tips
3 tips for entrepreneurs
Kim Roxie, Founder of LAMIK Beauty, is disrupting the beauty industry with clean makeup for women of color. Find out her three tips for entrepreneurs and why she'll be attending the Alibaba.com US Beauty & Personal Care Online Trade Show in today's Expert Tips.
October 14, 2020
#B2BTuesday   #21tipsfor21
The advantages of getting payment terms
The majority of trade between small businesses has traditionally required full payment upfront. That burden on small businesses could be significant, especially when a company is required to pay the entire order amount upfront, then wait up to 45 days for the goods to arrive.
Transformer Talks
Featuring Jamil Zaki
Join our discussion with Jamil Zaki, author of The War For Kindness, as we talk about the benefits of empathy, how to cultivate it, and how it can help your business deliver better customer satisfaction.
October 1, 2020
Transformer Talks
Featuring Linda Yates
Terms like "meaningful growth" and "disruption" are not just the vocabulary of tech startups. Now more than ever, these can and should be the goals of all businesses.
September 24, 2020
Fireside Chat
Preparing for the holiday shopping season
Join us to hear from our friends at Easyship, the global shipping software for eCommerce, as they walk through the best way for merchants to get ready for this unprecedented holiday season and take the steps necessary to make it a success.
Expert Tips
Working capital solutions
In today's Expert Tips, the fintech experts at MSTS outline various financing solutions, including Alibaba.com Payment Terms, to help maintain your business' growth through the pandemic and beyond.
September 23, 2020
#B2BTuesday
Digitization through COVID-19 and beyond
What do B2B businesses do when the traditional physical doors are locked, sellers and buyers can't and won't accept in-person appointments, business travel is effectively shut down, and industry trade shows — the transactional lifeblood of many supply chains — are shuttered? Well, one channel remains open.
Expert Tips
Developing an omnichannel retail strategy
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted consumer behaviors, likely for the long term. In response, retailers need to rethink their strategy. In today's expert tips from ThoughtWorks, find out why developing an omnichannel strategy should be retailers' number one priority.
September 16, 2020
Expert Tips
How to differentiate yourself from the novice buyer
The questions you ask your supplier are what set you apart as an experienced, B2B buyer. Qian Huang, Supply Chain Strategy & Operations Lead at Alibaba.com North America, shares the number one question to ask your supplier in today's Expert Tips. Stay tuned for more ways to differentiate yourself later this week!
September 9, 2020
#B2BTuesday
Getting back to business
As many years as I've been out of school, September still feels like a time of renewal. An opportunity to start anew, to reinvent some aspect of your life, to refocus on tasks that got forgotten in the heat and lazy days of summer.
#B2BTuesday
How women entrepreneurs can increase cash flow
The number of small businesses owned by women continues to grow in 2020, but according to SCORE's The Megaphone of Main Street: Women's Entrepreneurship data report, just 5% of women entrepreneurs say their companies are experiencing aggressive expansion in size or revenue.
Expert Tips
Opportunities in functional beverages
Functional beverages have seen steady sales over the years, but there's been a recent surge of interest. Find out why they are trending, what health benefits consumers seek, and how to target the right audience in today's Expert Tips from The Hartman Group:
August 26, 2020
Transformer Talks
Featuring Tim Dyson
On this week's Transformer Talks, John Caplan is joined by Tim Dyson, CEO of Next 15. Tim discusses digital transformation, and why it is more important than ever for businesses of all sizes to stay inspired and open to change.
August 6, 2020
Transformer Talks
Featuring Ryan Aytay
Our guest on this week's Transformer Talks is Ryan Aytay, Chief Business Officer at Salesforce. He and John Caplan dig in and discuss leadership, customer relationships, and decision-making in our world where we are experiencing rapid changes.
July 30, 2020
#B2BTuesday
What's trending in the food industry
COVID-19 shifted various consumer behaviors and trends. The way we shop has changed — ecommerce, for instance, saw an enormous surge in June, generating US $73.2 billion, up 76.2% year over year. Consumers now prefer buying online rather than visiting brick and mortar shops.
Expert Tips
What does a customs broker do?
What does a customs broker do? Why do I need their help? Should I work with one? All of your questions about customs brokers are answered in today's Expert Tips with Ben Bidwell, director of North America customs and compliance for C.H. Robinson.
July 1, 2020
Expert Tips
Getting started with B2B ecommerce
Are you looking to take advantage of ecommerce but don't know where to start? Brian Beck, B2B ecommerce expert and author of Billion Dollar B2B Ecommerce, shares three pieces of advice for businesses beginning their digital transformation in this week's Expert Tips.
June 24, 2020
Transformer Talks
Featuring Soraya Darabi
This week on Transformer Talks, our guest is Soraya Darabi, Founder of Trail Mix Ventures. She joins John Caplan, of Alibaba.com, to discuss what living well means now, female leadership, and what she has learned from working with entrepreneurs.
June 11, 2020
#B2BTuesday
New services for the new world of B2B
US small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) refuse to give up in the face of adversity. Despite the various challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic — forced business closures, supply chain disruptions, lack of cash flow, and cancelled networking events — US SMBs continue to fight and adapt by digitizing their operations and pivoting online.
Transformer Talks
Featuring Ben Kaufman
This week on Transformer Talks, our guest is serial entrepreneur Ben Kaufman of CAMP, discussing entrepreneurship, collaboration, and how he is using technology to engage with his customers during the time of COVID-19.
June 4, 2020
Expert Tips
Common mistakes in SMB importing
International freight shipping can seem complicated and intimidating. Learn how to avoid common freight shipping mistakes in today's Expert Tips with executives at Freightos and Alibaba.com's Qian Huang, supply chain strategy and product.
June 3, 2020
Transformer Talks
Featuring Tom Colicchio
This week on Transformer Talks, our guest is renowned chef and food activist Tom Colicchio, discussing how the restaurant industry can rise up to meet the challenge of COVID-19.
May 28, 2020
Transformer Talks
Featuring Hunter Walk
This week on Transformer Talks, our guest is investor Hunter Walk, discussing how SMBs can manage uncertainty and transform themselves for our new normal.
May 21, 2020
Expert Tips
How to finance business growth
In this week's Expert Tips, Alibaba.com's Senior Expert on Lending & Payments Kivanc Onan and CEO of Demica Matt Wreford discuss how offering flexible financing options can help buyers mitigate the economic effects of COVID-19.
May 20, 2020
#B2BTuesday
Minimizing cash flow gaps during a pandemic
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York found in their 2019 Small Business Credit Survey that only one in five healthy small businesses had enough cash to continue normal operations with a two-month revenue loss. Social distancing and quarantine orders went into effect in mid-March.
#B2BTuesday
The benefits of certifying your business
The market for small businesses is more competitive than ever, which can make things especially difficult for business owners who face added struggles because of their gender, economic status, disability, or location.
Expert Tips
How to take your main street community online
When a brewery that relies on its tasting room for revenue has to close its doors, what do you think happens? Manny Coelho, Co-owner and operator of Lithology Brewing, faced this challenge when the COVID-19 pandemic began to develop.
April 22, 2020
Pivot Stories
From furniture to medical devices with Frog Furnishings
This week we spoke with Nick Paradise, General Manager of Frog Furnishings, to learn about his company's response to the pandemic and how being prepared, having unflappably positive attitudes, and innovating through the open source economy is keeping them on top — and helping to curb the spread of disease.
April 17, 2020
Fireside Chat
Financial Resources for SMBs
Listen in as Denisha Kuhlor of Grasshopper Bank and Jae Zhou of Lowenstein Sandler LLP discuss the CARES Act, how to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program and other financial resources that small businesses can leverage during the COVID-19 crisis.
Expert Tips
Finance tip: benefits of payment terms
Remaining cash flow positive is a top concern for small business owners. Even during blue-sky times, access to the cash small businesses need to make purchases and pay expenses like payroll and rent can be a major struggle.
April 15, 2020
#B2BTuesday
Resources available for US SMBs affected by COVID-19
COVID-19 is causing a dramatic impact on our lives, businesses, and healthcare systems. Businesses are being forced to shutter and seeing dramatic decreases in sales, affecting cash flow and the jobs of their employees, while healthcare systems are running critically low on medical supplies.
#B2BTuesday
Shipping goods internationally
Cross-border trade is a growth market. According to the latest numbers from the World Trade Organization, the United States was the world's leading commercial services trader in 2018.
#B2BTuesday
Power of female mentorship
Back in the 1990s, when women first joined the entrepreneurial revolution and were starting businesses faster than the general startup rate, a common complaint was they had few, if any, role models.
#B2BTuesday
B2B SMBs primed for new opportunities in 2020
B2B business has evolved, particularly in the past decade, as millennials join the B2B workforce. This generation has brought a different, more global perspective and an understanding of how technology can make their companies more efficient, productive, and enable them to more easily increase their global reach.
Platform
Alibaba.com launches US seller program
Alibaba.com, one of the largest global online business-to-business marketplaces, is opening its platform to manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors in the U.S. to help them access the $23.9 trillion global B2B e-commerce market.
December 27, 2019
Platform
6 key success on Alibaba.com
B2B customers aren't looking for just a transactional buying experience. They are investing time and resources in finding a seller that will help them grow their business and become a trusted partner on that journey.
December 27, 2019
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