Will Automation Impact Jobs?

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PWC UK analyzed over 200,000 jobs in 29 countries to explore the economic benefits and potential challenges posed by automation.  They've identified three waves of automation that might unfold over the next 20 years.

Discover what those three waves are and whether automation will impact jobs in the future.

Revolut: Building a Global Ecosystem From the Start

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While other fintechs seek to establish a beachhead in a specific region or category, UK-based Revolut is looking to build a global ecosystem from the start.

Looking ahead, the company needs to continue launching new products and more efficiently acquire new customers while also evolving how it operates as a global firm. If it does that, it has a shot to finally realize its vision of becoming a successful global financial super app.

Read the interview with Revolut's CFO Mikko Salovaara.

A little bit about Mikko, considered one of the youngest CFOs of a global company:

I’m from New Jersey originally. I grew up on the East Coast of the United States. I joined a firm called 3G Capital when I graduated from school. I worked there in investments in the private- and public-equity sides of 3G’s business. Then went to work at Kraft Heinz, one of the portfolio companies for 3G. I did that in Asia—out of China and then out of Singapore. Then I moved to Chicago, returned to 3G, and then my wife and I moved to London. I worked briefly with Elliott Management, the hedge fund, and then joined Revolut.

Improving People’s Health While Supporting the Environment and Animal Welfare

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The Meatless Farm Co., a British start-up food company, is expanding nationally across the UK with the launch of a vegan mince product and a vegan patty product into 95% of Morrison’s stores, and has further plans to expand internationally.

The Meatless Farm Co. – with a tagline 'lovingly made from plants' – was founded in 2016 by Morten Toft-Bech, with the aims of improving people’s health through better eating, whilst supporting the environment and animal welfare.

The British company has also received global acclaim, launching into Spinneys stores in UAE and with further territories on the horizon.

Learn more about how Meatless Farm plans to expand internationally.

Helping SMEs Across the UK Unleash Their International Potential

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FedEx Express has launched a Small Business £20,000 Grant that aims to help SMEs across the UK unleash their international potential by providing a platform to go global and expand their horizons.

“Small and medium businesses are the backbone of the economy and in order to help fast-track their growth, more often than not a ‘boost’ is required in terms of funding," says Martin Davidian Managing Director, Sales, UK North and Ireland, FedEx Express and TNT.

To enter the Small Business Grant, SME owners must register online and showcase their international ambitions and future business success for the judges’ consideration -- up until November 28.

Read more about the grant that helps boost British SMEs.

Things Are Looking Good for British SMEs

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The health of the British economy can have a significant impact for many U.S. businesses, both big and small. Good news: in 2018, things look like they’re going to be healthy for the British.

A year-end study conducted by AIG found that 40 percent of those questioned were planning for growth this coming year while only 19 percent were expecting a downturn.

Regardless, this is still good news for American businesses looking to do business in the U.K. But tread carefully: the risks for British companies surrounding Brexit – such as higher material costs, potential labor shortages and exchange rate volatility, remains high. Unfortunately, only a third of those firms surveyed had contingency plans in case there’s a “no deal” outcome.

Read more on why British businesses are bullish about 2018.

Small Digital Businesses Tap Into Global Trade Routes

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When it comes to the UK marketplace, eBay says that its Small Business Exports Index shows that of the 200,000 small digital UK firms trading:

• "93% fulfilled overseas sales in 2015, with each exporting to an average of 20 different territories
• This compares to just 28% of businesses without an online presence
• These British online businesses have an annual growth rate of 12%."

Small digital businesses are keen to tap into global trade routes for growth.

The top five most popular destinations for British exports via eBay are:

1. United States
2. Australia
3. Germany
4. France
5. Italy

In the article below, Kit Glover, Director of Professional Selling & Cross Border Trade at eBay, offers top tips for UK small online retailers exporting overseas.  Check them

out.

Digital businesses vital in quest to it trade targets, says eBay

Is There a Lack of Confidence in the Global Market?

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In the UK, nearly a third of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) delayed their investment plans in the third quarter as a result of uncertainty in the EU.

“Ongoing macro-economic issues, such as a potential 'Grexit' [referred to as Greek exit] and a lack of confidence in the global economy, as well as national challenges, such as less friendly dividend tax rules introduced in George Osborne’s Summer Budget, appear to have contributed to a drop in the Smith & Williamson Enterprise Index to 114.4, five points lower than its record high of 119.4 three months ago,” said Guy Rigby, head of entrepreneurial services at Smith & Williamson.

One other finding:

“87% of SME owners [in the UK] thought the government should provide more support to help businesses export,” said Stephen Drew, head of international services at Smith & Williamson.

Read more:  Third of small businesses delay investment plans over EU uncertainty

Is It Time for Your SME to Conquer the World?

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Is it time for your SME to conquer the world?  The HP Go Global Awards doesn't want you to be a wallflower when it comes to taking your business global.  In fact, they are tooting their horn loud and clear that small business owners should not shy away from international trade opportunities because of perceived language, currency, cultural and business barriers.

That said, HP is looking to recognize SMEs that have successfully cracked the export market and support those trying to do so with their HP Go Global Award.  Entries are open until the end of July, also aim to encourage those who are looking to break into new territories.

Two overall winners will go on to receive an HP Go Global Award for Best Breakthrough Exporter of the Year and Next Breakthrough Exporter of the Year.

The deadline for submissions is 3:00 p.m. (GMT time) on Friday, July 31 2015.  For more information, visit:  www.hpgoglobalawards.com  Terms and conditions, visit here.

Good luck!

How to Achieve 70 percent of Your Sales from Overseas Markets

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Do you wish you were doing more business overseas?  Could markets exist for you in other countries? According to the Department of Commerce, more than 300,000 U.S. companies exported goods in 2013, and nearly 98 percent of those had fewer than 500 employees.

But is going global really worth all the trouble?

Inventor, Co-Founder and CEO Adam Xavier believed his UK-based RoadLoK motorcycle anti-theft immobilizer was exactly what the American riding public wanted. And he was right, to a point.

"It wasn't until 2008 that RoadLoK realized we could do much more business working with foreign regions in addition to our customers in the USA, but are we ever glad we finally did. Today, more than 70 percent of our sales come from overseas markets," says Xavier

Read the entire article:  Ready to Take Your Business Global?

The Accidental Exporter

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Are you an accidental exporter?  You react to opportunities that come your way as opposed to preparing well in advance for them?  That's the difference between an accidental exporter and an intentional exporter. An intentional exporter does his or her homework, makes exporting a strategic priority and identifies overseas growth opportunities for the business.

"Despite the instantaneous exposure to global markets through the web, many small businesses are not prepared for dealing with customers overseas and are becoming ‘accidental exporters’, having not planned for or considered the practicalities or potential of selling abroad until an international order drops into their inbox."

Read the entire article:  Are you an accidental exporter?  For UK visitors, read the schedule on upcoming exporting events here.  The next one is July 5th.

Leading the World in Education

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The UK government has established a strategy to work closely with the entire education sector to take advantage of new opportunities around the globe.

Some of the things it aims to accomplish:

•  Build on their strengths in higher and further education.

•  Welcome more international students.

•  Support transnational education.

•  Lead the world in education technology.

Learn more and access all the available reports:

International Education Strategy:  Global Growth and Prosperity

Be sure to visit some of the sites that are referenced.  In particular,  the HEGlobal (link was not working at the site when I tested it - but it works here).

What Are You Doing To Ensure This Is Your Best Year Ever?

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Round the world, we're looking for inspiration and tips on what you are going to do now -- and in addition to taking your business global -- to make this your best year ever.

For ideas, read, "44 Ways to Kick-Start Your New Year" published in SUCCESS Magazine.

Tell us what you have planned or what you are already doing to soar through 2010.

Note: Tuesday, (1/12), we hope to release our annual "Predictions, Forecasts and Trends That Will Shape Our Global Small Business World In 2010." Watch for it. As a refresher, here's 2009.

Global Recognition for Award Winning Designs

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Meet Joseph Joseph.

Twin brothers Richard and Antony Joseph founded Joseph Joseph in 2003, combining their respective experience in product design and business – Antony studied design at Central St Martins whilst Richard studied business at Cambridge University.

Specializing in contemporary kitchenware, Joseph Joseph is now internationally recognized for producing some of the most stylish and technically innovative products available, and has become one of the fastest growing companies in the worldwide homewares market.
Their unique ability to match form and function has earned them global recognition for their multi-award-winning designs.

For more information, go here. Makes for a nifty, unique holiday gift.

Go Global

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Last week while in Boston attending the Women Presidents' Organization annual conference, I had the great pleasure to sit-in on a talk given by Ms. Sung-Joo Kim (pictured), Chairperson & CEO, Sungjoo Group/MCM Group, on the topic of "Women's Strengths: 21st Century Competitiveness."

Her global business success is largely attributed to her ability to innovate as a designer, as a businesswoman, and as the re-inventor of world-renowned brands including Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Sonia Rykiel and Marks & Spencer.

She shared tips for success -- one of them naturally is going global so I could not help but take a picture of the slide -- on how to think and innovate in the midst of our ever-changing and highly competitive global marketplace.

She is an inspiration to us all. Visit her companies here:

MCM Worldwide
Global Sung Joo Group
Kim Sung Joo