Holland

By Lisa A. Yorgey Companies using the Web to connect with customers beyond U.S. borders risk alienating them by offering a credit card payment option only. Credit card penetration, generally speaking, is much lower outside the United States, and those customers who have a credit card may be reluctant to use it for Internet transactions. For example, few German consumers pay with a credit card and prefer to pay by invoice. And checks are a popular method of payment in France. Offering international consumers the ability to make payments using their preferred method doesn't require you to set up accounts with local

Business-to-business Mega-Cataloger Viking Office Products Thinks Locally Across a Vast Global Workflow Founded in 1960, Viking Office Products is legendary for its customer service. But as the Torrance, CA-company expands into more and more countries around the world, another remarkable story is taking shape: International business done with the local culture in mind. For the challenge of keeping the Viking brand intact across national boundaries, and in spite of cultural differences, streamlined asset management and workflow are a major aid. Prior to Viking's merger with Office Depot, sales in fiscal 1998 were approximately $1.5 billion, all through mail order. Viking's annual sales are