The Road to Christmas

©2016 Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"At Christmas, all roads lead home."  -- Marjorie Holmes

We Are Grateful For Your Readership

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"A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues." -- Cicero

Best Business Blogs in 2016: The Global Small Business Blog Makes the List

©iStock/AlexBrylov

Out of 52 featured blogs, we are No. 6 in the Business Blogs Professionals Should Read, right before Google Small Business.  The authors of the blog say, "We’ve taken a look around the web and pulled together this comprehensive list of 52 of the best business blogs which you should be following in 2016, split by categories."

6. The Global Small Business Blog
For those businesses who are still small, but are dealing on a global scale, look no further than the Global Small Business Blog.  Even if your business isn’t quite global yet, it’s always good to keep an eye on how things are being done all around the world. 

Tree House's Black Cat Ball

©2016 Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.

I'll be attending the Black Cat Ball, will you?  It is put on by Tree House and honors volunteers, supporters, staff and 45 years of companion animal rescue and adoptions, life-saving services and programs.

The event takes place today, October 22nd.  It's not too late to grab your ticket.  To learn more and to register, visit:  Black Cat Ball

What's Changing the Outlook for Global High-Growth Emerging Markets?

Artists of the Wall Festival 2016 in Rogers Park, Illinois

The Artists of the Wall Festival is a celebration of community, creativity, and music. Each year over Father’s Day weekend, neighbors of all ages come together to collaborate on a 600-foot mural at Loyola Park Beach at 6850 North, between Farwell and Morse Avenues.  The festival has become an annual celebration that the Rogers Park community has come to love.

These are the few of the murals I photographed.  Be sure to visit in person to see all the art and to appreciate the creativity.  The theme this year is "Drawing on the Lake."

Learn more:  Artists of the Wall Festival 2016

Photos courtesy:  ©2016 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Take Globalization to the Little Guy to the Market

©iStock/Marcoscisetti

Demand for small businesses in the e-commerce sector has been growing.

“We believe we have to develop a product or suite of products that allows us to take globalization for the little guy to the market,” said Kushniruk [executive vice president of business development at Avalara]. “When these customers are selling across borders or across countries, they really have to worry about shipping it, with landed cost, duties, excise, and tax. They need to collect the right VAT or sales tax and most importantly pay the tax.”

Expanding internationally can be challenging.  Get your ducks in a row and be sure to consult with experts in the field who can guide you on taxation issues country by country.

Read more:  Removing the pain of sales tax compliance

©2016 Laurel J. Delaney

Separately, have a Happy St. Patricks's Day -- one of my favorite days of the year!

If you are lucky to be Irish ...
You're lucky enough!

Joy Every Day

©2016 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"My cat is the Christmas in my life; he brings that kind of joy every day."  -- Anonymous