Ian Clough, CEO, DHL Express U.S.

For most small and medium-sized business owners and chief executives, the international question looms large, in business plans, strategy sessions, and in late-night calls with anxious investors.  For some, the decision has already been made: products are now shipping overseas, and services have taken flight. New sales figures and lead volume data have either validated the decision to go global, or illustrated the need to work harder.  In some cases, the metrics may simply have confirmed fears that the time for new frontiers was not yet ripe.