Today in Global Small Business: International Growth Is Being Driven By a New Breed of Business

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

• International growth is being driven by a new breed of business: the emerging multinational.
• How the Shiga Bank is driving regional growth through global strategy, sustainability and SME support.
• How businesses can leverage Hong Kong’s advantages to expand overseas.
• Quote of the week:  “These guys have shut down the Straits of Hormuz.  This is what Iran is saying:  We will shut down the straits, no one can go through, no country in the world can go through unless we allow you to go through, and you have to pay us, but our ships can go through – meaning the Iranian ships – as much as they want.  That’s crazy.  Who would agree to that?" – Secretary of State Marco Rubio (5/5/26)
• Updates from the NY Times on the war in the Middle East.
• Iran asserts sole control of Hormuz, warns challenges will bring more violence.

Note:  The Global Small Business Blog has been in operation since 2004 and is ranked number one in the world for entrepreneurs and small businesses interested in going global.  As of May, 2026, we average between 700,000-900,000 readers a month.  Thank you for your engagement! 

McDonald's Accelerates Its Global Expansion

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International growth has become a strategic priority for McDonald’s, especially in regions where the brand’s penetration still has room for expansion.

That said, McDonald’s intensified its global growth strategy in 2025 with the opening of nearly 2,300 new restaurants, strengthening its international presence and moving closer to its ambitious goal of reaching 50,000 locations worldwide by 2027.  

Find out what this global growth does for McDonald's.

Quest for International Expansion by Asian-Pacific Consumer Product Companies

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For Asia-Pacific CPGs, international growth is more critical than ever due to maturing domestic markets. Fortunately, the growing popularity of Asian culture enhances their chances of success.

As growth in domestic markets slows, Asian companies must expand internationally to keep thriving.  They are also wrestling with numerous strategic questions, including:

1. Which markets should we enter first?
2. Which consumer segments should we target?
3. Should we act as a category disruptor, or should we “play by the rules” of the foreign market?
4. Should we drive growth organically, or inorganically through M&A?

Bain & Company offers several approaches to success drawing from extensive experience working with leading Asia-Pacific-headquartered FMCGs on international expansion.

Today in Global Small Business: Eight Essential International Business Skills

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

• Eight essential international business skills.
• Master international growth with these winning strategies.
• Quote of the week:  “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
• US tightens export controls on quantum kit and chips for China, Iran and Russia.
• Embargoed and sanctioned countries.
• Why exporting should be a part of your business strategy.

How to Successfully Navigate International Growth

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Businesses are increasingly considering international expansion as a key avenue for growth. However, navigating unfamiliar territories can be a daunting task for those venturing into new markets for the first time. 

Eighteen Newsweek expert forum members share tips for how businesses can successfully navigate international growth. By prioritizing research and building strong local connections, business leaders can engage with new audiences with confidence.

Today in Global Small Business: Lessons in Going Global

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

• China's new import regulations.
• Seven (7) ways to turn your cross-cultural understanding into a global competitive advantage (webinar 5/4; no charge).
• What is the Clover Online Store and how can it benefit you with an online presence?
• Manage your corporate relocation process with global relocation software, tax compliance and expense management services.
• Tip of the week:  a tool to manage your international growth.
• Youths get hands-on lessons in going global.

Betting on a Bright Spot For Growth: The United States of America

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That's according to Clorox CEO Don Knauss.  In the WSJ article, "To Clorox CEO, U.S. Is Bright Spot for Growth," Knauss indicates he is staying out of China and developing markets in Latin America and the Middle East.  He's also betting on a bright spot for growth:  United States.

WSJ: Why is Clorox targeting growth in Latin America and the Middle East, instead of countries like China or Brazil?

Mr. Knauss: We think it is much less risky. The competitive intensity [in the BRIC countries] has ratcheted up many times what it was five to 10 years ago. When competitive intensity goes up, margins go down.We looked at our current countries in Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Peru, where sales of bleach and other cleaners are growing 5% to 7% ...

Learn more here.

There's Something About Domino's Pizza in India

Humor aside, learn more here about Domino's opening its 300th outlet in India and its 65th new location there this year, making India the fastest-growing market for the Ann Arbor, Michigan-based pizza-delivery chain.