Sun Shines In the Hearts of the People

©2022 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"We may have bad weather in Ireland, but the sun shines in the hearts of the people and that keeps us all warm." – Marianne Williamson

Photo taken in Ireland  – November, 2022.

Embrace the New Way to Work Globally

©iStock/gorodenkoff

Technology has enabled collaboration across borders and time zones, and workers and companies alike are embracing remote work like never before. 

In fact, according to Gartner, by the end of 2022, 31% of all workers worldwide will be fully remote or hybrid. The U.S. is leading the way, with remote employees accounting for 53% of the U.S. workforce.

Read on to learn more about the new set of challenges for leaders.

Rolling Stone's List of the 100 Greatest TV Theme Songs of All Time

©iStock/jakkapan21

The Rolling Stone (RS) says theme songs are a crucial part of the TV-watching experience. The best ones put you in the right mindset to watch each episode of your favorite, and can be just as entertaining in their own right as any great joke, monologue, or action sequence. 

That said, RS decided to pick the 100 best theme songs of all time — technically 101, since there are two as inextricably linked as peanut butter and jelly — and attempted to rank them in order of greatness.

Discover some all-time greats – from Seventies sitcoms with expository jams to modern prestige classics with experimental scores, from 'Sanford and Son' to 'Succession,' from 'Match Game' to 'Game of Thrones.' 

Letting the world know what moves and grooves Americans when it comes to TV-watching.

Global Trade Surprisingly Strong Despite Recent Shocks

©iStock/oatawa

The recent DHL Trade Growth Atlas, which maps the most important trends and prospects of global trade in goods, is published by DHL and NYU Stern School of Business.  The report covers 173 countries, providing valuable business intelligence for policymakers and industry leaders. It shines a positive light on the resilience of global trade – despite recent shocks and market pessimism.

Read more to better understand global trade and its opportunities. 

Japan Airlines (JAL): Ready for Takeoff Post Pandemic

©iStock/Teka77

When the pandemic hit, the global marketing team at Japan Airlines (JAL) saw its budget disappear overnight.  They saw the whole thing disappear.  Poof.  There wasn't a whole lot to promote during the pandemic – back then JAL was operating between the US and Southeast Asia, routes without any stops in Japan itself.

Back in 2019, the airline’s plan was to streamline its global marketing efforts across regions, develop a more integrated approach to marketing, introduce new marketing-related skill sets and break down internal department silos.

Discover what they did, and how they are now ready for takeoff.

Today in Global Small Business: Carbon Neutral Shipping For Ecommerce Merchants

©iStock/Sakorn Sukkasemsakorn

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

• Carbon-neutral shipping for ecommerce merchants during the holiday season.
• Ecommerce report holds warning signals for holiday retail.
• Quote of the week:  "I look forward to the holiday season every year." – Cate Blanchett
• U.S. ecommerce sales will grow just 2.5%.
• What lies ahead for the 2022 holiday season.
• What are people shopping for during the 2022 holiday season?

Eat Chocolate

©2022 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Stress out and eat chocolate." – Anonymous

Retailer's Huge Holiday Wish?

©iStock/pialhovik

Retailers’ biggest holiday wish is to get rid of all that excess inventory.  As some of the nation’s largest retailers report quarterly earnings and revenue, Wall Street is paying close attention to another number, too — inventory levels.

Who isn't carrying a great deal of inventory lately?  And who isn't experiencing issues with goods ordered pre-pandemic that are finally arriving now?  Yes, you read that right.  It's been one helluva ride for many companies.  

Whether it be Walmart, Target, Gap or Kohl's, they are all trying to sell through a glut of extra merchandise piling up in store backrooms and warehouses.

All retailers want for Christmas is diminished inventory levels.

Happy Thanksgiving 2022 From the Global Small Business Blog

©iStock/irisimages

We thank you for your readership since 2004.  Have a day filled with gratitude and beautiful blessings.

Respect For the Individual

©iStock/sanfel

One of the basic beliefs upon which Sam Walton founded Walmart is “respect for the individual.”  His strategy was built on an unshakeable foundation: the lowest prices anytime, anywhere. 

Walmart conducts retail and/or e-commerce operations in 24 countries around the world and sources product from more than 100 countries, each with its own unique cultural, economic, social, and political institutions and practices.

Learn more about Sam's basic beliefs (and history of Walmart) here.

What Drives Globalization?

©iStock/nadia_bormotova

The author of "De-globalization – Myth or reality?" sees three forces that drive globalization. 

The first is the ability to shorten distances in both transport and communication. The second is the commitment of nation states to establish and adhere to rules, standards and safeguards that ensure that goods, services, capital and labor can move relatively freely across borders. The third is the incentive of firms and consumers to push the boundaries of what is possible in the ever-present quest for profits and pleasure.

Drill down on all three points to learn more, especially about what drives globalization.

Today in Global Small Business: Gratefulness Edition

©iStock/Olga Beliaeva

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

• Gratefulness:  a necessary ingredient for relationships (and in business).
• Why gratitude matters in our world.
• Quote of the week:  "Always remember people who have helped you along the way, and don't forget to lift someone up." – words from Roy T. Bennett's book The Light in the Heart
• Five ways to accept gratitude.
• Nine ways to feel truly grateful for Thanksgiving.
• Why be grateful?