Times Are Changing: TikTok Drives American Expats to Southeast Asia

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Chad Dunn used to spend his days on the floor of a Hyundai plant in Savannah, Ga., watching the clock, feeling the pressure, and wondering how long he could keep going.

"Life in America was pretty unfulfilling and pretty stressed out," he said. "Like most folks, just in a rat race."

Now, he lives in Da Nang, a coastal city in Vietnam, and makes a living helping other Americans leave.

Find out why.

The Clock Is Ticking on TikTok

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As I [Laurel Delaney] wrote here, the clock is ticking on TikTok.  Will it stay or will it be banned in USA?

The Supreme Court could issue a ruling any day now (deadline 1/19/25), though it appears unlikely to deem the sale-or-ban law unconstitutional, even after President-elect Trump asked for time to resolve the matter.   

TikTok's fate is up in the air.

Big Global Ambitions: TikTok, Temu and Shein

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China has been “the world’s factory” for decades, with made-in-China goods reaching global consumers through foreign brands, shops, or sites like Amazon. And the country has had a vibrant domestic e-commerce sector, with companies like Alibaba and JD.com growing into juggernauts.

Now see how Chinese e-commerce platforms like Shein, Temu, and TikTok Shop are causing a stir and going global with big ambitions. 

Scrollable Short-Video Formats Are on the Rise

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It was only a matter of time before e-commerce companies got on board with the scrollable short-video format like TikTok's.

Now, Amazon launched its own version of this feature, unveiling the new Inspire feed on its mobile Amazon Shopping App. While the company shies away from comparing the new feature to TikTok, the format is familiar.

Oh no one wants to claim that they are riding off someone else's idea and basically trying to improve on it.  No one.

Read on – From Amazon to tech startups, e-commerce takes on the TikTok-style feed.

Watch What Is Next for TikTok

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TikTok has been intensifying competition with Meta and other rivals, luring younger users as well as popular influencers.  Now it appears to be deepening its foray into e-commerce with plans to operate its own warehouses in the United States — the kind of packing and shipping facilities more associated with Amazon or Walmart than the social media platform best known for addictive short videos.

Check out how job listings offer a clue on what moves TikTok will be making next on US e-commerce.

Today in Global Small Business: The Origin of a Great Global Gospel Classic

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

• The origin of a [great global] gospel classic by Robert Marovich and published in the 9/10/22 print edition of the Wall Street Journal.  Mr. Marovich writes that ninety years ago, the song ‘Take My Hand, Precious Lord’ emerged from personal tragedy to become a beloved anthem.
• TikTok is upending the music industry.
• Bad Bunny and the political history of reggaeton.  The genre is the product of migration, rebirth, and the struggle to be heard.
• Quote of the week: "Every nation, every human being that came across earth had a song and sang in some way to their God." – Thomas A. Dorsey
• Temilade Openiyi, professionally known as TEMS, isn’t about fitting in — she’s in her own lane moving at her own pace and inspiring girls in Africa and around the world. The Nigerian artist’s rise to fame is proof anything's possible if you keep your eyes on the prize.
• Going international is no small thing.  SB19 Is eyeing the global-pop market and bringing the Philippines along.

TikTok 101

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The social media or video-sharing social network TikTok app currently has more than 800 million monthly active users. And it has been downloaded more than 1.5 billion times. 

Do you know what TikTok is, what it does, and how it is used? Find out more with a little TikTok 101.

Today in Global Small Business: Bridging the Gap on Economic Inequality

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

• How Amazon Prime claims to help small businesses get to the million-dollar level.
• Hey global small business owners, it's okay to not to be okay in front of your employees.
• Quote of the week:  "Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country.  This is your democracy.  Make it.  Protect it.  Pass it on. – Thurgood Marshall
• Economic inequality is pervasive inside and outside of companies. Some CEOs, like Bank of America’s Brian Moynihan , have made efforts to bridge that gap. 
• Check out the top ten fastest growing searches – by global small business owners who feel these services will help them succeed in a more online first world – on a global scale over the previous six months according to Fiverr.
• All it takes is one good TikTok video to be discovered worldwide and achieve viral fame. 
• Happy Columbus Day 2020.