BLOG prospecting

David Shaw raises some good questions and some good ideas in his posting today regarding the challenges for large and small media companies as they take aim at China. Licensing seems like a quick and profitable entry option for many B2B companies but there are more than a few practical challenges including:

1. Finding copy that really fits an over-seas market's needs;
2. Making sure that it is translated well and accurately;
3. Getting paid;
4. Providing solid support to the licensee and thereby ensuring that they feel it is worthwhile continuing to pay you.

Add to this the challenges of copyright theft in many developing markets and particularly China and you suddenly have a very demanding environment in which to collect those license fees. For small companies the nuisance factor can outweigh the commercial benefits.

David smells commercial opportunity in this challenge....and so do I.