Best Therapy

©2022 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Kittens are the best therapy." – Beth Ostrosky Stern

Entertaining Diversions

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Although evolution has hard-wired us to be negative, we have the ability to change by adopting new thought patterns and "entertaining diversions" that can help us to accentuate the positive.

How do we define happiness and can we actively make ourselves happy?

The happiest people benefit from close social connections and resilience against life's complications, according to scientists and researchers on the subject, and there are clear steps we can take to improve our chances of happiness.

Read on to feel happier according to science.

Where Forecasts Went Wrong On Trade Globalization

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According to the International Monetary Fund, the prediction that expanding production networks and trade globalization would make the world economy less resilient turned out to be wrong. Why?

The question has two components: (1) Why did demand for traded goods boom? (2) How could supply increase to satisfy this unprecedented expansion of demand?

Read on about globalization and resilience.

Factors to Consider When Scaling to a Global Workforce

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As Davis Nordell, technology senior analyst with RSM US LLP, writes, "The globalized economy and the possibilities of remote work mean companies are considering building international workforces. But you need to plan carefully for any international expansion.

Despite the current problems plaguing supply chains, tech companies — especially those outside of the hardware sector — have limited exposure to or concern for supply chain risk. This insulation can make a rapid global expansion all the more attractive to early and mid-stage technology companies that may not yet have a significant international presence. 

Without a thorough understanding of the risks, logistical and compliance needs, and cultural considerations required to maintain a cohesive business structure in a variety of international markets, however, organizations will set themselves up for failure.  Again, plan early and carefully, to avoid hiccups.

Elevate Equity Inside and Out

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Consumers want to support brands that represent them and their values. And organizations that have made DEI efforts a core priority also recognize that it’s just as important to feature representation in front of the camera as it is behind the scenes.

How can global marketers do this? There are multiple ways across an organization’s ecosystem, of which Deloitte has highlighted three within their Authentically inclusive marketing article.  While you are at it, check out their Global Marketing Trends 2022.

Today in Global Small Business: Freightos Agrees to SPAC Merger

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What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

• Freightos, a fast-growing ocean and air freight marketplace similar to Expedia in air travel, announced recently it is going public through a merger with Gersher Acquisition Company.  Some interesting investors to date - surprise, surprise.
• Maersk boss say global trade is not going in reverse (might require registration).
• Roku and Walmart partner in exclusive streaming ecommerce offering.
• Retail sales slump?  Not if you operate in clothing.
• Quote of the week:  “If you do build a great experience, customers tell each other about that. Word of mouth is very powerful.” – Jeff Bezos, Founder of Amazon.com
• Who knew we needed to read Trade Therapy.

A Bicycle Ride Around the World

©2022 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

“A bicycle ride around the world begins with a single pedal stroke." – Scott Stoll, a Community Professor who travelled around the world on his bicycle

Go Beyond: Ensure LGBTQ Employees Feel Included

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According to two LGBTQ leaders at Bain & Company, pride means many different things in the queer community.  It means celebrating the individual ways in which we all contribute in the workplace with our distinct backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and abilities.

That means recognizing that we all do our best work when everyone can show up as, and be celebrated for, their full, authentic selves. This is what constitutes true inclusion. 

Read on to learn about their study and findings.  For example, "That what makes employees feel fully included in an organization is distinct for different groups, and that an intersectional lens that captures a multiplicity of identities enables companies to tailor their inclusion efforts most effectively."

You Tell 'em Tom

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If I [Laurel J. Delaney] could write a better opinion piece on the Middle East, golf and M.B.S., I would.  But no need to.  Tom Friedman did.  Thanks!

Saudi Arabia Should Take a Mulligan on Golf. Here’s What It Can Do Instead.

Turn Up Your Imagination

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By force of habit, most executives tune down their imagination when strategizing. This is counterproductive, the authors of the article below argue.  Instead, they offer an alternative: Design fiction. 

A design technique that immerses executives and employees deeply in various possible futures, it uses artifacts such as short movies, fictitious newspaper articles and imaginary commercials to generate transformation roadmaps. Rooted in the future but helping to act in the present, design fiction results in concrete actions taken to adjust companies’ visions, strategies, and activities to create a better future.

Read this so you don't miss out on important opportunities to envision, and design, possible futures the world over.

Being a Good Global DE&I Leader

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How do you define Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as it relates to your career?  How comfortable are you with differences and variety with the people you work with within your company?  What is something you can do to step into the role of an ally or advocate to serve and support others in your workplace?

All good questions.  Read on to get some answers and learn how to raise awareness for others on how they can get involved and take action to make a difference in the lives of those around them.

Today in Global Small Business: 7 Language and Learning Apps for Travelers

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What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

• The 7 best language learning and translation apps for travelers according to R.T. Watson for the WSJ.
• Here comes Pico by ByteDance.
• Find, hire and pay remote employees in 160+ countries just got easier.
• Chipotle creates a $50 million fund to invest in early-stage tech companies.
• Quote of the week:  “Translation is not a matter of words only: it is a matter of making intelligible a whole culture." — Anthony Burgess
• Christine Lagarde, President of the ECB says, "High inflation is a major challenge for all of us. The Governing Council will make sure that inflation returns to our two per cent target over the medium term."