The boundaries of business have now expanded beyond borders and Australian companies are embracing the opportunities to grow their businesses internationally. After all, expanding to new markets presents immense potential for revenue growth, increased brand exposure and access to a broader customer base. However, entering foreign markets comes with its own set of challenges. In such cases, a well-crafted in-market marketing strategy is crucial to navigate the complexities and ensure success in the new market.

Today, outsourcing plays a key role in many businesses. There are several reasons why a business might outsource sections of their operations. While manufacturing and IT processes are the most outsourced operations, an important service like marketing is often overlooked. Most businesses might have in house marketing teams, however with growing business demands, a lot of companies are hiring marketing agencies and firms from within their town, state, or country. On shoring can be great, but off shoring can be a better option.

The story of Israel's economic miracle has seen the once controversial country placed front and centre in the war for the "start-up" limelight.

Whether it's the second quarter or last quarter of your financial year, you would note that something is going on in the economy and it's creating a lot of uncertainty. 

The past few weeks I have been tested. I feel as though I am working for someone else again and it's scary. I have had to speak to strangers who are not calling me to talk to me, but I am instead calling them, asking for their help. 

I won't beat around the bush on this topic because it's something that we all experience at some point in time - and if you say that you don't, I am calling #bullshit.

I am always asked to help friends out with marketing. It's been something that I am asked every week by at least one person. I tend to shy away from it. I know you are thinking "why?". The truth is that I think deep down that I won't be good enough to help them. They deserve the best to get their business idea off the ground or take their business to the next level. And that may not be me. It may be one of my team members. It may even be a competitor.

Here's why:

"Same bed, but it feels a bit bigger now" is the lyrics in the famous Bruno Mars song "When I was your man". An apt description of Marketing Eye's business expansion into the US market. It's the same company, but it's a bit bigger now. 

What started out as a step to expand the international footprint of our brand, has taken on a whole new dimension. Australia and America have long been tied and now more so than ever. The ebbs of the economy has led to an opportunity for Australian companies that are geared for expansion to leverage the strength of the Australian dollar, and affordable set up costs in the US market without breaking the bank. The downside, is US dollars are not worth as much, as the dollar loses its grip on parity.

 When I started Marketing Eye more than 9 years ago, I had a vision to be the world's best small business marketing firm. I dreamt that I would open offices all over the world that would sell marketing services backed by sophisticated technology platforms, media and education, to businesses that had revenues of $1 million to $200 million.

Primarily, the companies that would be ideal clients were one's that were entrepreneur-led, like me, and who had a dream to significantly grow their businesses and mostly be industry game-changers - although the latter wasn't exactly necessary.

In the early days, we had hurdles. The first was our own mind-set of being use to working with funded startups or medium to large corporations and shifting the way we interacted, engaged and nurtured our clients to success to cater for burgeoning SMB market.

It took time. More time than I ever imagined. 

First day back in Atlanta and I am excited! I cannot express to you how much I love my US team and how inspirational each and every one of them are.

It's been a phenomenal journey, one full of great surprises, obstacles that were easier than expected to overcome and an incredible amount of love and support that has led Marketing Eye's success.

Like all bosses that are a nuisance, I asked for a photograph of a couple of my team members who were sitting in a meeting with me this morning. They are quite use to it - as they know that nothing makes me more happy than to take their pictures and share it with the world.

This year is going to be great. Actually, better than great - it is going to be awesome!

I started the morning with a "pep talk". There are a few changes that need to be implemented and sadly, I have to divide my time more evenly with Australia, so I won't be here so much.