Do you remember Pearl S. Buck, the Pulitzer Prize-winning American author?  She wrote the book, “The Good Earth”.  In my high school this book was mandatory reading.  I think this was because the book became a classic, and it uncovered the culture of a distant land and people, and gave an epic description of rural life in China. Having been raised in China, Pearl Buck was greatly affected by the events and the culture of the Chinese people.  Having experienced first hand their culture, events, and people, she understood and became apart of China’s social environment.

Thomas L. Friedman, another American author of the book “The World Is Flat”, wrote this international bestselling book about the movement of globalization in this century.  He believes that the world is flat or level in terms of commerce and competition.  Even though he wrote in figurative terms, his assumptions are that if companies are to remain competitive in global markets, they had better start to understand the historical, regional and geographical nature of the emerging economies of the world.

Mr. Friedman wrote of “Ten Flatteners” of this century: (1) collapse of Berlin Wall, (2) Netscape, and the broadened Web, (3) Workflow software, (4) Open sourcing, (5) Outsourcing, (6) Off shoring, (7) Supply chaining, (8) Insourcing, (9) In-forming, (10) and the “The Steroids” -- personal digital devices.

What we are learning from these authors as well as others; that we are apart of an evolving global environment a “new earth” that is much small and becoming more connected than we have perceived in the past. And as such, companies large and small, if they are going to stay competitive, are now required to understand the historical, regional and geographical nature of the growing economies of countries like Russia, China, India, South Africa, Turkey, Nigeria, Vietnam, Indonesia, Mexico, and Brazil.

What an amazing opportunity to understand and work seamlessly with one another; what better way than to start Internet social networking and acquire contacts on a global scale to develop relationship that will foster greater commerce and unique business kinships throughout the world.  I think as a people, we have a remarkable opportunity to build a better world for all concerned.