Today in Global Small Business: It's a Trump Rodeo Ride So Far

©iStock/Ultima_Gaina

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

• Most investors knew things could turn turbulent this year given U.S. President Donald Trump's return to power in the world's biggest economy and financial market, but few predicted the kind of a rodeo ride it has been so far.
• Bitcoin demand declines amid global trade wars.
• Quote of the week:  “American bull riding has been called 'the most dangerous eight seconds in sports.'" – general statement
• JP Morgan research:  U.S. tariffs and what the impact will be on global trade and the economy.
• Japan is upset.  An editorial on Trump's auto tariffs.
• Mexico is upset.  They will respond to Trump's tariffs with immediate measures.

Bitcoin or Gold? What's Your Preference?

©iStock/bodnarchuk

Interest in “gold isn’t based off the supply and demand of jewelry,” billionaire investor Mark Cuban said last week during an interview with Wired. “People see it as an option in the event of the economy going down or something bad happening.”

Though bitcoin is among the newest forms of currency, he goes on to say that many investors treat it like one of the oldest: gold.

What's your preference?  Bitcoin or gold?  Read on to learn how bitcoin and gold can work as stores of value.

Crypto Currencies Have Gone Mainstream

©iStock/Tevarak

I [Laurel Delaney] talked about how bitcoin and cryptocurrencies were going to become mainstream in 2022 during my Global Trade Trends Report 2022.  By the ads featured during Super Bowl 2022, it's happening.

Four ads touting cryptocurrencies aired during the three-and-a-half hour broadcast. While that's not a large number, it's still a sign that cryptocurrencies have gone mainstream.

My favorite ad was the one that featured a QR code floating across the screen with background music for 60 seconds. It confused many people, including me, but many others scanned the codes on their screens with their phones.

Cryptocurrencies are a form of digital currencies built on blockchain technology, using a public distributed ledger that keeps track of every transaction. They are decentralized and not connected to any third party like a bank.

Read on to learn more.

Today in Global Small Business: Will Artificial Intelligence (AI) Dominate 2021?

©iStock/Andy

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

• Globally Local, one of the world’s first vegan fast-food chains, announced it will begin publicly trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol GBLY on April 16, 2021.  Interesting name‎!
• Pandemic shipping delays and product scarcity could last through summer 2021.
• Cryptocurrency (bitcoin) is increasingly being used for transactions and is beginning to go mainstream – and global – as an investment.
• Quote of the week:  "Success in creating AI would be the biggest event in human history.  Unfortunately, it might also be the last, unless we learn how to avoid the risks." – Stephen Hawking
• Will artificial intelligence dominate 2021?
• The future of the workforce – robotics and manufacturing.

Today in Global Small Business: Character, Compassion and Concern for Others

©iStock/kieferpix

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

• Bangkok is promoting SMEs to expand overseas through e-commerce.
• How to enter new markets around the world.
• Quote of the week:  "Awareness is all about restoring your freedom to choose what you want instead of what your past imposes on you." -- Deepak Chopra
• Important lessons (philosophies) worth a look:  character, compassion and concern for others ...
• Will Jeff Bezos fuel the next Bitcoin bull run?
• Next wegg® wegginar® is 1/9/19 with Laurel Delaney.  It's her annual Global Trade Trends Report 2019.  FREE. Register here.

Today in Global Small Business: Best Small Business in America

©iStock/Kirkikis

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

• Joselyn DiPetta at Google, and Managing Partner, Present Possibility, will address how to create a workplace that works (diverse+inclusive) in the next WEGGinar™ held on Wednesday, December 6 at 11:00 a.m. Central time. WEGGinar™ is no charge but you must sign up to attend: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1837790091765976835.
• Best small business in America?  Find out here.  This is according to Rubicon Global.
• To stay relevant in a crowded global marketplace, Small Business Trends suggests reading Top of Mind.
• Tempted to invest in Bitcoin?  Here are a few factors to consider.
• Will Macy's survive the holiday bustle?
• How the NAFTA trade negotiations are coming along.

Today in Global Small Business: Small Businesses Are Stealing Away Business from Publicly Traded Retailers

©iStock/RomoloTavani

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

• The Canadian government wants to include a gender chapter in the new NAFTA.
• Shopping Small can have a huge impact locally, but with organizations like TO THE MARKET, the impact can be global as well.
• Deloitte found that $200 billion in market share is being traded to smaller businesses, away from the top 25 publicly traded retailers, which includes both Amazon and Walmart.
• Joselyn DiPetta at Google, and Managing Partner, Present Possibility, will address how to create a workplace that works (diverse+inclusive) in the next WEGGinar™ held on Wednesday, December 6 at 11:00 a.m. Central time. WEGGinar™ is no charge but you must sign up to attend: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1837790091765976835.
• ignoring Bitcoin is to your detriment.
• Chicago-based Tempesta Market is opening Dec. 1 with locally made artisan Italian cured meats.

Using Bitcoin to Facilitate Global Trade

©iStock/thamerpic

Many people roll their eyes when you bring up bitcoin.  Yet IBM is using the technology behind bitcoin to help farmers and other small businesses in underdeveloped countries participate in global trade.

The companies [Stellar.org and KlickEx.com] will use IBM's blockchain technology to process financial transactions across borders and currencies — a process which is often prohibitively slow and costly for small business owners, especially when they are in developing regions with smaller banking infrastructures.

It's a path forward through underdeveloped payment corridors.

Read more here:  IBM, bitcoin and countries in weak banking systems.

Today in Global Small Business: The Great Borderbuster Newsletter

©iStock/Thinglass

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

• See how first daughter Ivanka Trump moved up to the front row of global diplomacy recently.
• How to be knowledgeable and creative when financing export sales (WEGGinar™on 7/12 - no charge).
• How do you ensure that your business doesn’t fall victim to WannaCry?
• How Bitcoin can help expand your business globally.
• How to sell a product you import at a profit.
• Join the Borderbuster monthly newsletter and receive stimulating and original ideas on how to go global (free of charge).

SMEs Can Borrow and Invest Without Borders

©iStock/the-lightwriter

Launched in 2013, Bitbond, the world's first online SME global peer-to-peer lender eschewed dollars and euros to focus on digital currencies, specifically Bitcoin.  To date, they claim more than 1,400 loans have originated with users from over 120 countries.

The global peer to peer lender provides access to capital for small business around the world. As many parts of the globe are under-banked, Bitbond can provide a valuable credit option matching lower rates to SMEs in need of growth capital.

Learn more about how Bitbond specializes in global small business lending, where most borrowers run their own online business and need financing to cover a short-term liquidity gap, make a bulk purchase, or hire new staff.

Global Peer-to-Peer Bitcoin Lending Platform

©iStock/FabianCode

Bitbond is a global peer-to-peer bitcoin lending platform. Small businesses similar to eBay sellers who need to finance working capital and inventory list their loan request on Bitbond after going through a credit check. The loans get funded by individual and institutional lenders who thereby earn interest with their bit coins.

Bitcoin lending platform Bitbond today [9/30] announced the launch of its new global affiliate program. The affiliate program is designed to open up the services Bitbond provides, and allow the vibrant Bitbond community to share in the revenue of the company. By providing a financial incentive, affiliates promoting Bitbond will now be able to profit financially for every active user they refer.

Learn more:  Bitbond Launches Global Bitcoin Affiliate Program

Today in Global Small Business: Are Grads Ready for Their Jobs Globally?

©iStock/Lanolan

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

• What California's new 'Made in USA' legislation means.
• Whitebox launches a fully automated ecommerce solution which helps manufacturers and brands scale globally.
• Does the Bitcoin community need another wallet?  Find out.
• Are grads ready for their jobs globally?
• Globalization in a small Southern city.
• Up your global game by attending Forum held in Chicago on 10/23.

Today in Global Small Business: How Bitcoin Is Considered a Global Currency

iStock/Tim Arbaev

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

• How to compete more effectively in foreign markets.
• Some dos and don'ts to expanding internationally.
• How Ideel is leveraging Groupon's global reach.
• Mastercard becomes first international payments network in Somalia.
• How Bitcoin is considered a truly global currency.
• Pitney Bowes forms global e-commerce unit after acquiring Borderfree.

Today in Global Small Business: The Year Ahead According to Mary Meeker

©iStock/Iznogood

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

• The number of vehicles recalled globally, for all automakers, since 2008 for Takata airbag problems tops 24 million and what it means for the auto industry.
• Leading bitcoin entrepreneur sentenced to two years in prison for helping a Florida man sell more than $1 million in bitcoins to customers on Silk Road, an online black market where users could anonymously buy and sell drugs and other illegal items.
• What the renewed relationship between Cuba and the United States means for businesses and global citizens.
• What's the reality of going global?  Here's a bunch of articles that deal with that very same subject.
• The top ten strategic technology trends for 2015.
• The year ahead according to Mary Meeker, American venture capitalist, prolific author and former Wall Street securities analyst.

Today in Global Small Business: What Bitcoin Technology May Offer to the Future of Finance

©iStock/Merznatalia

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

• Why larger number of small and medium-sized enterprises are joining the global marketplace.
• The reality of going global and why a positive attitude helps.
• How Middle East cloud computing is set to grow at a fast global pace.
• What Bitcoin technology may offer to the future of finance according to American Express CEO.
• How Monsanto is using big data to take over the world.
• Why everything Small Business Labs publishes is worth reading.