You Can Start a Location Independent Ecommerce Biz

Thanks to the development of eCommerce, it’s never been easier for those seeking the nomadic lifestyle to structure their business in a way that allow them to travel and to sell goods across the globe.

Sales have progressed from trekking the Silk road to get goods from Thailand to Italy. These days, logistics solutions can deliver a bouquet of fresh flowers, from a manufacturer in Connecticut to a customer in a Paradise Island!

But this ease of delivery also has its share of hoops to jump through.

Sellers find they have to make more decisions for their business than they envisaged. Among other things, they have to decide on the best locations for their warehouses, or whether to even fulfill orders straight from the manufacturer.

Having to choose from many options leads to decision paralysis among sellers, causing some to decline any cross-border selling. But with the cross-border opportunity estimated at $60 – 100 billion, that doesn’t seem to be a smart business decision.

Moreover, when you structure your business to fit your lifestyle–in this case a lifestyle of travel–you can gain advantages by understanding the locations you are traveling in and their market needs; the eyes of the traveling soul allow for increased marketplace opportunities and connections around the world.

Understanding Global Logistics and Travel go Hand in Hand

Taking advantage of the opportunity presented by globalization, requires understanding how international logistics works.

As a location independent entrepreneur, you are at an advantage to having clarity on this compared to your homebound competitors.

The problem is many sellers are stuck in their local understanding of logistics as being “the movement of goods from one place to another”.

For a business with plans to sell overseas, it can be significantly more than that:

Global logistics encompasses the sourcing of suppliers, finding most efficient ways to get the SKUs to a storage facility, how it is packaged to survive international travel, how it will get to the paying customer etc. On a global scale, you also have to contend with the different rules regarding transportation, customs and tariffs in every country.

It’s fair to say global logistics can be quite a complicated process.

The Global Supply Chain

Instead of sellers trying to focus on the 1,001 different elements they have to get right, they can do better by channeling their efforts towards creating an effective global supply chain.

In recent years, more manufacturers are setting up foreign factories to benefit from tariff and trade concessions, low cost labor, reduced logistics costs etc.

For smaller companies, this is a gateway to creating global collaborations that will be mutually beneficial. In a bid to get to market faster, more companies are splitting their supply chain across continents.

Take storage for example, if you have enough contacts and suppliers internationally, you can reduce the amount of stock you have to hold. This translates into cost savings for storage and transport.

A global supply chain also makes securing of almost any item easier, after all it is being produced somewhere in the world. And, as you travel with an eye for business opportunities, you’ll be sure to encounter products and manufacturers in countries you pass through.

Developing a global supply chain has huge benefits for any sized business.

Apart from time and cost savings, here are some more advantages:

• Due to the time differences across countries, the global supply chain operates on a 24/7 basis. The chain is constantly on the move, working to meet all your supply chain requirements.
• Operating a global supply chain brings new opportunities for the markets. For example, if you source goods from China and store them in Hong Kong, it is feasible that you may find other customers in other parts of Asia. Since you already have established sources in the region, selling to customers here will be done at a lower cost.
• The global supply chain allows you ‘borrow’ expertise from a varied number of other businesses. Not everyone runs their business exactly like you; by studying their models, you can learn new production, distribution or marketing methods, from others.
• Having a global supply chain increases your chances of maintaining sales, even if there is an economic downturn in some other markets.

By integrating a global supply chain into your remotely structured eCommerce business, you’ll find that the elements of global logistics that you need to get right, seem to fall into place.

Remember the supply chain is working around the clock, meaning your goods are moved from stage to stage efficiently.

Developing a global supply chain that works in your industry involves an in-depth analysis of all the moving parts of your supply chain.

• Are your products manufactured in Asia or in Northern America?
• Will you require special packaging for particular SKUs?

Answer these and other critical questions and you’ll be close to developing a supply chain that can handle all your logistics needs and allow you peace of mind to be able to build the foundations of an income stream that allows you the freedom and flexibility to operate it from anywhere.

• Are you ready to increase sales and profits by reducing your dependence on the local economy?
• Are you ready to expand your businesses and enter into new markets?
• Are you running a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter or Indiegogo and need to easily track deliveries to your backers using Fulfillment Bridge and a campaign management tool like Backerkit?

If you are running a product based business, doing crowdfunding or otherwise need an eCommerce fulfillment partner that simplifies your operations by shipping globally from one fulfillment hub at near domestic rates, check out Fulfillment Bridge and see how they can help you navigate the global supply chain.

Outdoor Adventures: 3 Ways to Get in Hiking Shape

For experienced outdoorsmen, there’s nothing quite like taking a relaxing hike on your favorite nature trail.

Depending on the time of year, hiking has many advantages. From beautiful natural scenery to physical exercise to socializing with other hikers, outdoor hiking offers a perfect escape from the stresses of the weekly work grind.

However, hiking is not necessarily the easiest of fitness hobbies.

To get into hiking shape, there are some particular steps you should take in addition to your weekly fitness workout.

First, it is very important to include cardio conditioning in your training regime.

Specifically, make sure to fit in three to four sessions of 30-80 minutes of cardio into your weekly routine.

These sessions should be relatively low-impact cardio, such as taking a light jog or, even better, setting the treadmill at a sharp incline and walking at approximately four miles per hour. You can also begin taking shorter hikes in your area.

The purpose of low-impact cardio conditioning is to build endurance, rather than speed.

Most hiking sessions can take anywhere from two to eight hours; more advanced hikers will even enjoy day-long hikes. To ensure that you make it to the top of your chosen trail, begin conditioning your body for cardio endurance in advance.

Second, be sure to focus on building lower-body strength.

One mistake that beginning hikers make is to assume that because they can run for long-distances, or are cardio-fit, they are sufficiently prepared for a hike.

However, there is a significant difference between a flat running surface and a steeply inclined hiking trail, which may also include periods of walking up steps or rock climbing.

For this reason, it is necessary to include lower-body training sessions, focusing on the muscles that will propel you towards your hiking goal.

You may also like: Best Trekking & Hiking Poles: Ultimate Guide with Detailed Reviews

Include 30-40 minute weight-training sessions at least two times per week that emphasize your leg muscles, with a focus on quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles.

If you prefer to avoid using machines, there are a number of functional body weight movements you can use, including weighted squats and weighted lunges.

Your calves are both typically underdeveloped and extremely important to your hiking success.

To improve them, you can try standing on the edge of a stair or other raised surface so that your heels are hanging off the edge and you are supporting yourself only with the ball of your foot and toes. Raise and lower your body 15 times for three sets to complete the exercise and feel those calves burn.

Third and finally, hikers sometimes have problems with mild injuries, such as rolled ankles or pulled muscles.

These can be due to the unstable terrain of a hiking trail, or even just due to over-working the muscles.

One way to avoid these injuries is to add flexibility training to your workout. It is important to stretch in general after working out to reduce soreness and prevent injuries from stiff muscles.

To improve your hiking flexibility, focus on leg muscle and core stretches, such as a wide leg, sitting stretch or a toe-touch stretch. For ankle flexibility, lie flat on your back, extend one leg, and use your foot to “write” the letters of the alphabet in the air. Repeat the stretch with your other leg.

Wrapping Up

By working on your cardio endurance, lower body strength, and flexibility, you can ensure that your hiking experience is both fun and relaxing.

In addition to improving your hiking abilities, these training methods have the added benefit of improving general health, not to mention the mental benefits of hiking.

By getting started on these steps at the gym or at home, you will be able to reach the top of your favorite nature trail in no time at all.

Five Major Benefits of Being a Digital Nomad

Remote working was virtually unheard of only a few decades ago. Having a full-time job usually meant working in the same place every day, with a fixed schedule and the same group of colleagues.

With the internet having become more widespread, it is now much easier for people to work remotely.

Over the past few years, a whole movement based on working remotely while traveling the globe has emerged. “Digital nomads,” as they are commonly known, typically have jobs which allow them to be fully remote, such as translation, computer programming or writing.

Here are five major benefits of the digital nomad lifestyle:

1. You can live almost anywhere you like

You can base yourself anywhere that’s equipped with electricity and a reliable internet connection. There are even websites that rate top digital nomad destinations, for example Nomadlist, you can see it here.

Looking for something more fantastic, if you’ve always wanted to live by the ocean, or in the shadow of a mountain, now you can.

There’s no need to live in an overcrowded, polluted city just because that’s where all the jobs are.

Also read: Top 5 Cities to Live as a Digital Nomad

2. You can make time differences work for you

Some digital nomads are lucky enough to be able to set their own schedules and work whenever it suits them.

Others need to work fixed hours, especially if they need to be available to take calls or participate in video conferences.

However, even if you fall into the second group, you can make the time difference work for you.

When you’re a night owl, try living somewhere which is 10-plus hours ahead or behind your home country, so that you can work until the early hours while still being able to take calls and contact your team.

When we asked Richard McGirr the founder of Visichain.io, a Hong Kong based Digital Transformation consultancy that specializes in supply chain and procurement digitization, his views on employing digital nomads, he said:

“Our company utilizes a few digital nomads some based in Eastern Europe, and a few in the Philippines, while we also tend to hire the best contractors for specific projects no matter where they are….the top reasons we hire both task based and full time digital nomads are to 1) leverage time shifts, so we can service our clients 24/7; 2) leverage lower cost countries with equivalent or better cost for value; and, 3) loyalty, our remote workers that have flexibility in their location tend to stay with us longer”

Also read: Travel + Work: Synching Across Multiple Time Zones (When on the Road)

3. You don’t have to put up with colleagues

One of the biggest problems you might have at work is dealing with annoying colleagues, whether they won’t stop talking when you’re trying to concentrate, or they have a taste for stinky egg sandwiches which they eat at their desk.

Working remotely usually means working alone, from the comfort and privacy of your own home.

If you do get lonely, you can always use a co-working space to meet other digital nomads; unlike traditional working environments, it’s totally up to you.

Also read: Outsourced Ecommerce Fulfillment Allows for Location Independence, Run a Biz While YOU Travel

4. You can move around regularly

As the name implies, digital nomads are free to move around as much as they want to.

Many stay put in one place for several months, or even years, but others choose to relocate more often.

As soon as you feel the need for a change of scenery, you can book your next flight and go.

Lots of nomads even travel with carry-on luggage only, to make it even cheaper and easier to work while on the move.

Also read: Getting Ready For the Backpacking Season

5. You have much more free time

People with regular 9-to-5 jobs usually have to commute. That means a lot of wasted time, whether they’re waiting for delayed trains or crawling along the freeway in rush-hour traffic.

When you’re a digital nomad, going to work can be as easy as walking downstairs and setting up your laptop on the kitchen table, which can save many of you up to two or three hours per day.

You can use that extra time to catch up with friends, pick up some new skills–like hiking or Mandarin–or just wake up later in the morning.

Also read: Essentials for a Safe, Enjoyable Hiking Trip

Remote Work Isn’t for Everyone

The digital nomad lifestyle is definitely not for everyone; it wouldn’t suit those who have time-management issues or need to be close to family and friends.

However, it can be an eye-opening experience for those who struggle to fit into traditional workplaces or who want to see more of the world without being limited to a few weeks of vacation time per year.

Why not give it a try?

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