Focus and Relax (Music Video)

Happy, Sad or Worried About the New BRIC Bloc?

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Depending on where you stand, you might celebrate a more powerful BRICS bloc or worry about it—but neither reaction is warranted. An expanded BRICS will not turn the world upside down by having more clout from the South, nor does it herald the rise of a post-Western global order. 

Equally outlandish is the claim that BRICS expansion marks a major victory for China, Russia, and their attempts to build an anti-Western bloc among the countries of the global south—or that BRICS is the core of a new Non-Aligned Movement.

Expanding the list of members does not turn BRICS into a potent bloc. If anything, the expansion only undermines what little cohesion the group had before the expansion.

Read the entire article by C. Raja Mohan, a columnist at Foreign Policy, a senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, and a former member of India’s National Security Advisory Board. Twitter: @MohanCRaja.

Are You Concerned With AI Development and Adoption?

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Xero’s Future Focus AI research “surveyed over 3,000 small business owners from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States on what they are thinking, feeling and doing about AI.”

The research has revealed that 80% of global small business owners are concerned AI development and adoption is “outpacing regulation, as generative AI tools permeate various industries and the workforce.”

Read the entire article here. 

Today in Global Small Business: Empowering Entrepreneurs That Light Up the World

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

• Empowering entrepreneurs that light up the world.
• It's not just about kissing, there's a pattern here of emotional abuse by Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales.
• A Kremlin-orchestrated hit:  Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was on the plane that recently crashed and killed all ten on board.
• Quote of the week:  "Do not focus on numbers. Focus on doing what you do best. It’s about building a community who want to visit your site every day because you create value and offer expertise." – Cassey Ho, Founder of Blogilates.com
• Bob Barker, the "Price Is Right" game show host dies at 99.
• China's economy is worsening, especially in comparison to the 70s.

Art Is the Stored Honey

©2023 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

“Art is the stored honey of the human soul.” – Theodore Dreiser.

The Best of America's Small Towns in 2023

Travel+Leisure launched America’s Best Small Towns to shine a spotlight on the lesser-visited destinations you should know about in 2023, be it for natural beauty and outdoor adventure (think beaches, mountains, lakes, and deserts), or specific topics of interest, such as great restaurants or vineyards, interesting culture, and soothing wellness experiences.

Discover the winners and runners up across seven small town categories – hoping they inspire you to go out and get to know the places that are quietly making our country such a wonderful place to explore.

And yes, Lahaina, Hawaii is featured!  Celebrate all here. 

What Dreadful Hot Weather We Have

©2023 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

“What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps one in a continual state of inelegance.” — Jane Austen 

SBA Turns 70

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For seven decades, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has been a driving force behind the success of countless enterprises, from America’s Main Streets to manufacturing centers and innovation hubs, helping entrepreneurs turn good ideas into thriving global small businesses.

Delivering the American dream of business ownership to more Americans – SBA has punched above its weight in advancing American innovation, competition and economic growth.

Let's raise our hands to applaud the SBA and celebrate all of its successes and successes afforded to American entrepreneurs.  When entrepreneurs succeed, our economy and our nation succeeds.

Trade Among Nations Makes the World Better Off

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Trade among nations makes the world better off. Yet international trade can be one of the most contentious of political issues, both domestically and between governments.

Read more about why countries trade, comparative advantage, why trade reform is difficult, and trade policies.

Today in Global Small Business: Small Businesses Can Go Big and Global With Contemporary Marketing

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

• Ideas to go big and go global with contemporary marketing.
• China's economic troubles could spread globally.
• The Small Drones Market is the largest in the Global Industry – forecasts to 2030 in new report.
• Quote of the week:  "You have to think big to be big." – Claude M. Bristol
• India's digital transformation offers global solutions.
• G20 ministers agree on treating cyber security as a global problem.

Greatest Quality of the Mind Next To Honor

©2023 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor." – Aristotle

Grow and Diversify Revenue Through Exports

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According to SBA, here are approximately 1.3 million U.S.-based small businesses that export products, a nearly five-fold increase over previous estimates.  

The main export products are in manufacturing, medical equipment, wholesale, plastics and chemicals and computer systems design industries.

The full report, "SBA Research Sheds New Light On Small Business Exporters," can be found here.

Prayers for the Lahaina, Hawaii Residents

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The recent Lahaina (Hawaii) fire caused about $3.2 billion in insured property losses, according to Karen Clark & Company, a prominent disaster and risk modeling company. 

It said more than 2,200 buildings were damaged or destroyed by flames, with about 3,000 damaged by fire, smoke or both.

We send hope and prayers to all the people in Hawaii who have been impacted by the tragic wildfires.

The One and Only How She Went Global® Podcast: Hosted by Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global®

Never heard of the How She Went Global® podcast?  Well now is your chance to learn more.  

Every month Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global® (wegg®) features a successful woman entrepreneur and business owner who shares her stories about going global, and offers new ways to take on the world, stay inspired and have fun!  This month is no different.  But let's talk first about empowerment before we get to the podcast.

Sisterhood.  Celebrating each other.  Pushing boundaries.  Owning your power.  Being confident.  Inclusive.  Kind.  Positive.  These are all the qualities that makeup the wegg presenters, interviewees and fan base.

Lisa Sun (left), CEO and founder, GRAVITAS, fits right in on the latest How She Went Global podcast, episode #30, "Catalyzing Confidence for Women Through Fashion," dropped yesterday, 8/15/23:

https://bit.ly/3YAhyWi.

In the interview, Lisa talks about:  

• What it means to be on a mission to catalyze confidence.
• How her clothes are made and sold.
• What percentage of her business is international, and ...
• Why she wrote the book "GRAVITAS: The 8 Strengths That Redefine Confidence."

Strong women like Lisa Sun have the power to shape the world (and she will!).  Tap into her confidence and experience taking a business global by listening to the podcast:  https://bit.ly/3YAhyWi.

Speaking of people and companies making a difference; wegg is grateful to its sponsors for generously supporting the How She Went Global podcast::  Bluedog Design and Associated Bank.

One other detail.  You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify or Podomatic.  That way, you won't ever miss one.

Finding Trusted Talent In New Countries

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One of the most difficult parts of international expansion, is finding trusted talent in the new countries. 

Initially, Mexico City-based Grupo Shogua, which operates food and beverage, retail, and convenience stores in airports, considered hiring and training remotely to start expanding beyond Mexico City, but Nasser quickly realized it would be impossible to get new employees to understand their culture, mission, and vision without being there in person.

After setting up shop in major airports in Panama, Colombia, and Brazil, and expecting to be operating in Panama by the end of 2023, Nasser has garnered advice for other businesses looking to expand internationally.

Find out what he did to overcome challenges and grow.

Today in Global Small Business: Global Economic Challenges Persist

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

• Global economic challenges persist.
• How electronic cartography is transforming global business operations.
• Global business travel needs modernization to grow.
• Quote of the week:  “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” – Henry Ford
• There's fears of a fractured global economy.
• Should we be worried about deflation?

Tackle Life

©2023 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"There's only one way to tackle life, enjoy a day at the beach, and jump into a Great Lake:  Headfirst." – Viola Shipman 

Smooth Jazz To Put You in a Global Good Mood

Global Rice Prices Are Surging

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Global rice prices surged close to 12-year highs, and could rise even more, according to the United Nations’ food agency.

The Food and Agriculture Organization All Rice Price Index for July rose by 2.8% to 129.7 points.

The figure is up 19.7% compared to a year ago, and the highest nominal value since September 2011, data from FAO showed. The sharpest increases in price came from Thailand.

Learn more about what's happening in the world of rice.

Inflation Still Concerns Global Small Business Owners

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Inflation is the single most important problem for many global small-business owners, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) said, despite price rises slowing to their lowest level in two years in June. Many owners are also reporting a struggle to fill job openings, the federation said.

The percentage of owners expecting an improvement in business conditions in the next six months rose by 10 points to a net negative 30, the highest reading in nearly two years but still very low compared with the historical average, NFIB said.

Read more about how confidence for global small business owners ticked up in July but inflation concerns still weigh on businesses.

Make a Big Impression on Walmart and End Up Going Global

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Grace Owa, creator of Miss Nile Beauty Products, has a dream to take her homemade deodorant worldwide. "It is scary, but I'm not scared. If other people can go global, I can go global," Owa said. 

So she didn't hesitate to jump at the opportunity to try and sell her products at Walmart. After all, Walmart is global.

If you think like Grace, Walmart is accepting open call applications through August 18, 2023 and encourages businesses of all types to apply.  Go here to apply.

Today in Global Small Business: TSMC Is Keeping Its Roots in Taiwan As It Goes Global

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

• Why Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) will keep its roots in Taiwan, even as it goes global.
• Helping underserved entrepreneurs to fuel an American small business boom.
• The climate is changing, and so are we.
• Quote of the week:  "Taiwan is a major economy." – William C. Kirby
• How small companies can reach global audiences.
• Strategies for reducing environmental impact.

Grow Through Life

©2023 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Don't go through life, grow through life." – Eric Butterworth

Steering Your Business Toward Sustainable Global Growth and Prosperity

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As a global small business owner, you have the power to steer your venture towards a future marked by sustainable global growth and prosperity. 

Take the lessons from this guide (which includes the power of going global), apply them to your business, and embark on your journey towards sustainable growth. 

It’s time to unlock the secrets of sustainability and set your business on the path to enduring global success.

Heat Waves Cause American Global Small Businesses to Close Early

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Hundreds of millions Americans dealt with extreme heat waves in the past two weeks, as temperatures across the South and Southwest hit historic highs. These hazardous conditions have kept consumers inside and forced small businesses to close early – cutting into paid hours for employees – according to a report by the small business payroll company Homebase. 

Main Street is feeling the heat.  Learn more.

Sad Day for Yellow Corp.

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Trucking company Yellow Corp. has shut down operations and is headed for a bankruptcy filing, according to the Teamsters Union and multiple media reports.

Here's what to know.

Expanding Globally: Building Resilient Supply Chains and Hiring Employees (wegginar® 8/2/23)

©2023 Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global®.  All rights reserved.

Here's what you need to know about the top experts (as shown above) who will be presenting a wegginar®, "Expanding Globally: Building Resilient Supply Chains and Hiring Employees," Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 11:00 AM Central Time. 

Meet Jessica Wargo

Jessica Wargo is a leader within Plante Moran’s international tax services group. Many of her clients are globally active middle-market and family-owned business in the manufacturing, distribution, and services industries. She assists them with FDII and GILTI planning, transaction- and structure-related planning, foreign tax credits, treaty analysis, and other compliance matters. Her expertise includes U.S. international compliance, planning, and consulting.

Meet Kasia Borowicz

Kasia Borowicz assists clients at Plante Moran during the entire lifecycle of the foreign assignment – from assignment planning, payroll and compensation consulting, to the preparation of tax returns and tax equalizations, and through repatriation planning. Her clients range from high-level executives to large groups of expatriates based around the world. With more than 10 years of experience, Kasia’s professional expertise includes expatriate taxation, international payroll reporting, global mobility policy and managing diverse teams within and outside the United States.

They will address:

• How supply chain management has shifted in recent years
• How to be nimble with supply chains without compromising tax or accounting objectives
• Understanding the implications of hiring internationally
• + More

A LIVE Q&A immediately follows the presentation.   Get your questions ready! 

To learn more and to register free of charge (thanks to wegg's generous sponsors), visit here.