2016 Forecast: ZG Worldwide is Well Positioned for Continued Growth

ZG Worldwide (Zukunft Group Worldwide LLC), headquartered in Springfield, IL, added several new
associates in 2015 to become a media powerhouse. It provides one of the most comprehensive
networks of media services in Illinois.  

Among the many services its associates provide include (but are not limited to) the following: 

• digital marketing
• market research
• image building
• branding
• customer service optimization
• traditional advertising
• photography
• graphic design
• crisis communications
• integrated marketing strategy 
• television production
• experiential marketing
• healthcare writing
• aviation writing
• video production
• website development
• public relations

Half of ZG Worldwide’s 40 associates are located in Illinois, with the remainder in several states and on
five continents.  Besides media, ZG Worldwide has a broad spectrum of business, management
consulting, and healthcare specialties.  Other specialties added recently include self-funded employee health insurance and Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach, a nonprofit organization based in Springfield that works with global health entities to raise awareness and expand support for those struggling with
extreme poverty. Mission Outreach (www.mission-outreach.org) collects, repairs, packages, and
distributes medical supplies and equipment around the world. Our self-funded health insurance expert
can save your company 20 percent or more compared to traditional policies.

One of ZG’s most interesting projects that began this year is helping the Southern Illinois University
School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois, USA and Healthbest International make Springfield into an
international medical tourism destination. SIU’s School of Medicine has some of the nation’s best
plastic surgeons.  Springfield, particularly its Abraham Lincoln tourist sites, has an excellent tourism
infrastructure and a pedestrian-friendly downtown.

ZG Worldwide welcomes large or small contracts from small to mid-size companies and public sector
organizations. For more information about ZG services and brief biographies of all of its associates, visit www.zgworldwide.com

ZG Worldwide is on the Move! Global Business Forum in Chicago, IL.

On October 23, 2015,  ZG Worldwide associate and strategic human capital management consultant, Katherine Starks Lawrence, attended the Global Small Business Forum at Navy Pier in downtown Chicago. The focus was to promote the successful leveraging of Internet tools.  Online digital media gives small businesses once confined to local or regional markets a new power.   It requires the knowledge to make good use of these tools to expand local or regional business into the global sphere.

Given the huge amounts of money derived from international business and the world’s economy becoming highly intertwined, it is surprising that only 1 percent of U.S. businesses export their goods and services overseas.  In fact, total U.S. exports in 2013 were $2.3 trillion.  The all day event featured two interactive panels with many speakers and two keynotes.  Major sponsors were Chicago Expert Importers, TradeUp Fund, and Endicia.  With the information provided, startups, entrepreneurs, and small business owners obtained ideas and information on how they could enter global commerce or increase their global business.  Small businesses collectively are an economic engine that is the backbone for U.S. economic growth. 

Laurel Delaney, who writes the Global Small Business Blog (GSBB), was instrumental in organizing the event.  GSBB is ranked No. 1 in the world for entrepreneurs and small businesses interested in going global. To learn more about Laurel and her company go to GlobeTrade.com.

To learn more about Laurel and her company go to GlobeTrade.com. Contact ZG Worldwide associates at Zukunftgroup@gmail.com for more information on how ZG Worldwide could help take your business to the next level. 

Think Asia, Think Hong Kong Conference

On June 10, 2015,  ZG Worldwide associates Lothar Soliwon and Quinn Place attended the Think Asia, Think Hong Kong conference at McCormick Place in Chicago to discuss business opportunities with Chinese investors and promote ZG Worldwide’s services.  An estimated 1,000 attendees were at the event.   Besides presentations explaining the direction of Chinese economic development and its increased engagement with the global economy, there were many vendors of business services.   Quinn and Lothar attended several individual matching sessions with Chinese business entities.  Quinn Place is member of a group developing telemedicine technology in the U.S. and China.

The one-day conference was focused on Hong Kong’s special relationship with both mainland
China and North America, as well as its status as Asia’s international trade and financial center.   Hong Kong is an ideal platform for U.S. companies seeking new markets and business opportunities in China and other parts of Asia. 

The One Belt, One Road initiative - the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21^st Century Maritime Silk Road – is a key part of China’s development strategy.  China is conducting feasibility studies on four outbound high-speed railways, including the Europe-Asia high-speed rail, Central Asia high-speed rail, Pan-Asia high-speed rail, and the China-Russia-America-Canada line. To provide financial support for the development of the Belt and Road Initiative, China is promoting the establishment of the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, the BRICS New Development Bank, and the Silk Road Fund.

China continues to gear up its role as a major player in the global economy.  It has established 118 economic and trade cooperation zones in 50 countries around the world.  Chinese enterprises are being encouraged to increase overseas investment in the exploitation of mineral resources to improve China’s supply of energy resources. 

There were many networking opportunities at the event for Lothar and Quinn to talk with both Chinese and American entrepreneurs.  These included representatives in the auto industry, to environmental businesses, restaurant chains, energy suppliers, consultants, and financial service providers.  ZG Worldwide looks forward to new partnerships and continued relationships with existing clients.

China MD Opportunities – Growing International Clinic in Beijing

Are you an MD who has wanted to work in an international setting?   

Our client, a very busy high-end clinic in the central business district of Beijing with many international patients, needs three MDs:

• Pediatrician (knowledge of Mandarin not necessary)
• Family Practice/General Practice or Internal Medicine (knowledge of Mandarin not necessary)
• Family Practice/General Practice or Internal Medicine (must be fluent in Mandarin)

Qualifications are as follows: 

• U.S. board certification and n good standing to practice medicine in the U.S.  
• 8 or more years of experience 

Job Description includes (but is not limited) to the following: 

• Assist the Chinese doctors with their diagnoses, further their knowledge of U.S. medicine, and at the same time learn about their technology.   

The clinic is located in the central business district of Beijing, near hotels, major office buildings, restaurants, entertainment, subway, and within walking distance of many apartments.   Beijing has a large international community. The compensation starts at $120,000 to $160,000 the first year and increases annually.  You usually work 40 hours/week and receive two weeks of paid vacation annually.    The clinic wants a 3-year commitment, with a 6-month trial phase.

If you are interested, please contact ZG Worldwide at zukunftgroup@gmail.com

Business Hotspot: Springfield, IL

Chicago may get all the attention, but Springfield is coming in as a close second as a key international business center.  Springfield, with its Abraham Lincoln historic sites, Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library, Dana-Thomas Frank Lloyd Wright House, Route 66, State Capitol Complex, and many other attractions, is the preeminent international tourism business center in Illinois, outside of Chicago.  It has a cohesive, pedestrian-friendly downtown where a visitor can easily walk to many points of interest.

If that hasn’t sold you, then allow me to continue. Many Springfield-area businesses conduct global commerce,  including Bunn-O-Matic,  Solomon Colors, Brandt, GSI Group, ADM, LRS software, ZG Worldwide business consulting, Hanson engineering, Novanis software, and Tate and Lyle.  JP Morgan (Chase) Bank and US Bank provide international banking services. Springfield, being the state’s seat of government, has government offices involved in international business affairs and many associations having members with global interests.   Further, much of the region’s agricultural production is exported.  The Midwest Inland Port in nearby Decatur provides direct freight train service to the east and west coasts.  The University of Illinois Springfield, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, and hospitals in the medical district are becoming increasingly global in personnel, student population, and involvement. Airline service provides connections to international flights in Chicago and Dallas.  High-speed passenger rail service will start the end of 2015, and with its increased frequencies will likely attract many foreign riders who are used to rail travel.   

Springfield has many excellent hotels downtown and near the interstate highways as well as fine restaurants, including ethnic cuisine varying from Chinese and Indian to Italian, Mediterranean and Mexican.  The local population is also becoming more ethnically diverse.

The cost of doing business in Springfield is low compared to the overhead paid in major metropolitan areas. Because of modern telecommunications much international commerce can be conducted anywhere in the world.   Springfield’s real estate market is known for having many reasonably priced properties, including in the central business district.

Keep an eye out for Springfield as it continues to rise as a leading hub for global business.  And with ZG Associates headquartered in major business hubs throughout the globe, you can trust that ZG Worldwide will keep you up to date on local & global business news! Contact ZG Worldwide today for more information.

Wanderlust Update: Buenos Aires is the MECAs of all MECAs for Travel Lovers!

And I have other great news! One of our uber talented ZG Associates manages multiple great rentals in the heart of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Want to hear more about these great rentals? I thought you might!

The available rentals have views of the lively streets (great for people watching!) and are in the center of all the action. The rentals also offer queen size beds and upscale furnishings. And of course fully loaded kitchens and bathrooms with classic yet modern style! And of course it isn’t an ideal rental without the high speed Internet, flat screen TVs, free local calling and weekly maid service. Consider yourself covered!

And now a little about the neighborhood: imagine yourself in the center of ALL the action in Buenos Aires: Retiro/Plaza San Martín & one block away to the Sheraton and Plaza Hotels. Walking distance to Calle Florida, Av. Santa Fe, Recoleta neighborhood and Barrio Norte. 
Lively and busy during the day, the surrounding blocks are full of restaurants, boutiques, shops and cafés. 
So picture this: grabbing your favorite latte while browsing through the best galleries (and art auctions) in town…. And did I mention great people watching?  If you seem to thrive when the sun goes down, you’ll be steps away from hip neighborhoods & lively bars and clubs. 


Getting around

One block to Calle Florida, famous for it’s shopping. Half a block to the beautiful Plaza San Martin. Walking distance to the Puerto Madero Neighborhood and the Costanera Sur.

It has access to lots of bus lines as well as the subway (one block away), the Retiro train station, Buquebus ferry seaport, and lots of passing cabs.

Other Things to Note

Think you’re in the mood for a longer stay? Well then you’re in luck! For longer terms (22 and 27 nights), special rates may be offered! If you mention “ZG” … Consider this a virtual coupon for great deals on rentals!

For more info email Marcelo mft596@yahoo.com & buckle up for a great deal!

Attention! Attention! Wanted: Board Certified US Physician

Do you get tired of the cold winter? Want to be somewhere warm and have travel expenses paid (for you and a spouse!)? Does this scenery look appealing to you? 

My China client is located in Guangzhou, China. If you haven't had the luxury of visiting China, It's beautiful and warm this time of the year! My client has a medical tourism business, so the working environment is better than most hospitals a US physician is typically working in.

We are seeking a board certified US physician who seeks an exciting opportunity and wants to work at a warm place for a change. The assignment is 6-12 weeks depending on the physician's availability. We will pay round trip airline ticket, food and hotel stay. The amount of expenses covered will be depending on the length of time that is committed.

If you are interested, please contact Quinn Place at qplace@overseasbridges.com or ZG Worldwide at zukunftgroup@gmail.com. Only US licensed physicians will be considered.