Apple's Vision Pro Goes Global

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Following an exclusive launch in the US in February, Apple began the international expansion of Vision Pro in June. Now the company is ready to bring Apple Vision Pro to even more countries, as the company has just announced another expansion for next month to South Korea and UAE.

With the launch in South Korea and UAE, Apple Vision Pro will be available in 12 countries.

Drastically Rethink Your Global Business Strategy If ...

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Now (10/29/24), as former President Donald Trump campaigns on a pledge to hit all goods coming into the country with a 10%-20% tariff, or border tax, which would rise to 60% for goods from China, companies that import from China are having to drastically rethink their strategy.

America, once a global champion of free trade, is about to be taken off its game should Trump be re-elected.  His tariff claims are rejected by most traditional economists, who say the policy would do little to expand employment in the US, while raising costs for everyday Americans and slowing growth around the world.

Leveraging AI and Globalization to Build the Workforce of the Future

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In an era where demand for specialized skills, especially in tech, far exceeds supply, many businesses are seeking international talent. Traditionally, companies focused their recruitment on local markets, but today’s interconnected world enables hiring from around the globe. This shift opens access to a broader range of skills, cultures, and perspectives essential for driving innovation.

By embracing globalization and technology, businesses are addressing skills gaps and positioning themselves for sustainable growth in a complex labor market.

Discover how to leverage AI and globalization to build the workforce of the future.

Today in Global Small Business: The Art of 21st Century Global Leadership

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

• An overview – The Art of 21st Century Global Leadership – of traits and practices required to succeed as a leader today and a look at the factory model that can help aspiring managers ascend.
• Foreign direct investment in the United States (10/1/24).
• Quote of the week: “With 90 percent of consumers living outside of the United States, the biggest economic opportunity for our country is to sell those consumers products that the United States of America makes.” – Senator Maria Cantwell, U.S. Senate
• New export services by the International Trade Administration.
• Why you should export. 
• Go Michigan small businesses who wish to export – funding is available to support your work.

Your Second Life (After Cancer) Is Going to Be So Much Better

©2024 Laurel J, Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Cancer survivors are blessed with two lives. There is your life before cancer, and your life after. I am here to tell you your second life is going to be so much better than the first." – Hoda Kota

Warm Jazz for Autumn Reflection (Music Video)

Despite Cultural Differences, Music Has a Universal Appeal

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Movement and emotions are inextricably linked to music, as well as musical rhythms to people. But if music is the "universal language of mankind," does that mean we all respond to it in the same way?

A Finnish study reveals that people from different cultures have the same bodily sensations when listening to the same music. Do you know the reasons why this phenomenon occurs?

Find out here.

Make the World Your Customer Base by Laurel J. Delaney

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Successful small business owners know how to master the transition from local to global. Why are so many jumping on the global bandwagon? Because it offers tremendous growth. 

Here are 10 reasons to prove it.

Celebrating the Success of the 9th Annual Global Small Business Forum 10/18/24: A Heartfelt Thank You

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Check out details here.  A heartfelt thank you to all involved. 👏🎉🎈🎊

Today in Global Small Business: Making the Case For International Expansion

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

• Making the case for international expansion.
• How businesses can overcome barriers to international expansion.
• Quote of the week: "Development isn’t charity.  It’s one of the smartest investments we can make in our shared future – in our security and our prosperity.” – President Barack Obama
• Walmart bets on international business to drive growth in China and Mexico.
• Why the world comes to Georgia and stays.
• Six reasons to expand your business internationally.

Daily Bread of the Eyes

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

“The sky is the daily bread of the eyes.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Land of Opportunity: USA

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The United States continues to attract British businesses and entrepreneurs looking to explore the country’s vast potential.

Expanding into the US means being bold, embracing differences and using a trusted advisor that understands you and your business. 

In this article Rob Levett, Assistant Director with Evelyn Partners LLP, discusses the opportunities, risks, and considerations for increasing your chances of success. 

Mintel Says Global CPG Innovation Reaches Record Low

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Over the first five months of 2024, only 35% of global CPG launches were entirely new products, the lowest percentage since Mintel started tracking new products in 1996. The other 65% of launches, according to new insights from Mintel, were renovations — reformulations, line extensions, new packaging and so forth.

As inflation eases and consumers regain confidence, demand for innovation is likely to increase.  

FINAL CALL: 9th Annual Global Small Business Forum 10/18/24 in Chicago!

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Ready.  Set.  Let's go global!  There is still time to sign up for the biggest and best 9th Annual Global Small Business Forum, "Global Success Within Reach – The Bigger Picture," held in Chicago on Friday, October 18th from 8:00-11:30 AM CT.  Hear from a cast of experienced speakers who know the ins and outs to global expansion.

Our cast of speakers – like an Academy Award lineup but for experts and business owners who drive results through global expansion – is as follows:

• Angie Kappel, VP Foreign Exchange, Capital Markets, Associated Bank
• Tami Lange, Founder and President, Save the Girls
• Ellen Wheeler, Partner and Litigation Attorney, Foley & Lardner LLP
• Marc Schulman, President, The Eli's Cheesecake Company
• Amy Mills, Owner and President, 17th Street Barbecue
• Donald J. Lloyd, Senior VP, Manager:  Capital Markets – Foreign Exchange, Rate Swaps and Commodity Derivatives, Associated Bank (Moderator)
• Kirk Samson, Global Business Leader, Co-Founder, Samson Worldwide LLC and Global Business Consultant
• Richard Paullin, Executive Director, International Trade Association of Greater Chicago
• Yvette Laugier, Chairman Emeritus, Housewares Association Board of Directors
• Diamond Young, AVP Foreign Exchange | Capital Markets, Associated Bank
• Rajiv Khatau, Managing Director, LODAAT Pharma
• Valarie King-Bailey, CEO, OnShore Technology Group, Inc. 

Forum is sponsored by Associated Bank and hosted by Foley & Lardner.  

To learn more and to register, visit: https://globalsmallbusinessforum.com/.  I [Laurel Delaney] hope to see you there!

#successwithinreach

Empowering Women SMEs for Global Success

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Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are at the heart of the global economy, representing over 90% of businesses employing up to 70% of the workforce, and driving half of the world's GDP.

Despite their critical role, they face a staggering $5.7 trillion financing gap globally, which increases to $8 trillion when including informal businesses.

In India, for example, 63 million MSMEs contribute 30% of GDP and provide jobs to 110 million people.  It is India’s women entrepreneurs who are forging a new path.

Learn what the International Finance Corporation (IFC) is doing to amplify access to credit.

Today in Global Small Business: Christopher Columbus Arrives in the Americas October 12, 1492

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

• Happy Columbus Day, a national holiday in many countries of the Americas and elsewhere, and a federal holiday in the United States, which officially celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas.
• U.S.-Canada trade opportunities are growing, Canadian official says.
• Quote of the week:  "By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination." – Christopher Columbus
• United States exports by country.
• United States imports by country.
• Which country exported the most stuff to the United States in 2023?

Owning Our Story

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

©2024 Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.

“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.” — Brené Brown, “The Gifts of Imperfection”

Time to Think Big (and Global) American Small Businesses!

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US micro-, small, and medium-size enterprises, like their global counterparts, struggle with productivity. But a win–win economic fabric connecting all businesses can maximize their potential.

At a glance: 

• Micro-, small, and medium-size enterprises (MSMEs) are the bedrock of the US economy. 
• MSMEs in the United States are only half as productive as large companies, compared with 60 percent in other advanced economies. 
• MSME performance varies across US states and metro areas. 
• Interactions between small and large businesses are key to boosting collective productivity. 

Read the entire report by McKinsey Global Institute, October, 2024.

Obstacles to SME Participation in Global Trade

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A key finding in this section of a very robust report is that all types of trade costs, whether they are fixed or variable, adversely affect the ability of SMEs to participate in trade, to a greater extent than large enterprises.

Since SMEs are more sensitive to trade barriers than large firms, removing obstacles to trade benefits SMEs disproportionately. It is therefore important to understand what these major obstacles are.  You can find out here.

Get Your STEP Grants Businesses!

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Small businesses looking to start or expand their global customer reach can use resources offered by state entities that have received STEP funding.  Check out yours here. 

The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grants are specifically for established U.S. small businesses seeking to complete one of the following eligible activities:

• Participate in trade missions
• Subscribe to services provided by US Department of Commerce
• Translation fees
• Design of market media
• Tradeshow exhibitions
• Participate in export training workshops
• Reverse trade missions
• Procurement of consultancy services
• Other export initiatives as approved by Associate Administrator at SBA

If you are an established company, please contact your appropriate state/territory representative to learn more about how to apply for STEP funds.