Removing Obstacles That Prevent Small Firms From Seizing Global Opportunities

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The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has revealed its SME Export task force – a transformative blueprint designed to remove the obstacles that prevent small firms from seizing global opportunities.

Despite their agility, only 10 percent of small firms trade internationally. Imagine economic growth if we could double that figure.

It’s time for small firms to take their place on the global stage – backed by a supportive framework designed solely for their success.

Setting Up Overseas Special Zones in Taiwan

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The Taiwanese government should play an active role in Taiwanese small-and-medium enterprises' (SME) international expansion, possibly through "overseas special zones," Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Jyh-huei has said.

Kuo said he envisions a special arrangement designed by the government to help Taiwanese SMEs that do not have the same kind of resources and bargaining power of industry giants such as TSMC and GlobalWafers Co., gain a foothold overseas.

Learn more about other ideas Kuo proposed such as setting up 'sogo shosha' style Japanese general trading companies.

Questions to Ask When Selecting a Master's Program in International Business and Trade

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The Hinrich Foundation Guide to Master’s in International Business and Trade (Hinrich Foundation Guide – requires completing a short form) is a comprehensive resource to assist students and professionals to identify the right master’s program to accelerate their careers in global trade. 

Here are key questions to ask to evaluate master's programs in international business and trade.

VP Kamala Harris: How SHE May Lead

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Vice President Kamala Harris is now the leading Democratic standard-bearer in the 2024 elections after President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid and endorsed her on Sunday, July 21, 2024.

According to Time, Harris’ long record in public office—from being San Francisco’s district attorney in 2003, to becoming California state attorney general in 2011, to a Senator from California in 2017, and then Vice President—offers more clues on how she may lead as Democratic nominee and President.

Today in Global Small Business: President Joe Biden Is Not Seeking Reelection

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

• President Joe Biden is not seeking reelection.
• Biden to step down as Democratic presidential nominee.
• Quote of the week:  "I believe today [7/21/24] what I always have: that there is nothing America can't do - when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America." – President Joe Biden on X announcing his exit from the 2024 presidential race
• Joe Biden drops out of US presidential race.
• VP Kamala Harris is ready to step in.
• President Biden no longer seeking reelection.

The Cars We Drive

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"The cars we drive say a lot about us." – Alexandra Paul

The Demand for Spanish in China is Increasing

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In China, the demand for Spanish is increasing, and it is now taught in high schools and universities. Since the opening of the headquarters of the Cervantes Institute in Beijing in 2006 and of the Biblioteca Miguel de Cervantes in Shanghai, the number of Spanish students in China has grown to around 60,000.

With Spain being a stable trading partner of China, mastery of Spanish opens multiple opportunities in business, tourism, and education, not only with Spain but with the entire American continent.

Good News For Global Entrepreneurs! Foreign Startups Can Stay in U.S. For 5 Years

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The U.S. is making it easier for startups, business owners and entrepreneurs to extend their stay.  Remember the Obama-era program called the International Entrepreneurs Rule (IER)?

Under this programme, foreign entrepreneurs were initially allowed to stay in the US for two-and-a-half years. Now, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), they can remain for up to five years if their ventures meet specific criteria such as funding milestones and job creation.

Learn the particulars here.

Top 10 Global Risks in 2024

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The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2024 says the biggest short-term risk stems from misinformation and disinformation. 

In the longer term, climate-related threats dominate the top 10 risks global populations will face.

Two-thirds of global experts anticipate a multipolar or fragmented order to take shape over the next decade.

The key findings of the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2024 reflect these most pressing challenges faced by people in every region of the world.

Is Free Trade Under Attack?

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One of the defining transformations of the 20th century was globalization. Since the end of World War II, countries and cultures have become more interconnected than ever before, through free trade agreements, technology, multi-national corporations, and the creation of structures such as the IMF and the World Trade Organization.

Trade economists liked to think that the benefits of globalization—economic growth, more consumer choice, lower prices—had made it unassailable. But cracks in the international order have started to appear. 

Today in Global Small Business: Designing Across Cultures

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

• Designing across cultures refers to the process of creating products and services that are tailored to the needs and preferences of diverse cultural groups.
• Stancé, a designer art toy company, proudly announces its global partnership with UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization. 
• Quote of the week:  "You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality." – Walt Disney
• Why human-centered transformation design is critical for universities.
• Elevating interior design globally.
• OpenAI, the AI company behind the viral AI-powered chatbot ChatGPT, has acquired Global Illumination, a New York–based startup leveraging AI to build creative tools, infrastructure and digital experiences.

Loves You More Than You Love Yourself

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself." – Josh Billings