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

©iStock/Yellow duck

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

©iStock/Nuthawut Somsuk

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

©iStock/Dimple Bhati

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.

3 Mega-Trends Expected to Impact Our Future

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A new globalization report discusses three mega-trends expected to impact our future.  Globalization has impacted people and communities across the globe and has significantly influenced sustainable development. 

Fueled by fast-paced changes in technology and the increased mobility of goods, services, capital and labour, over the past decades globalization has greatly changed economies, societies and the natural environment and has made our world more interconnected than ever before.

Discover the 3 mega-trends expected to impact our future relative to globalization.

Today in Global Small Business: Tesla Exports Its 1 Millionth Vehicle From China

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

• Via X, Tesla has confirmed that it recently exported its 1 millionth car from Tesla Gigafactory, Shanghai. That’s a massive number of vehicles from a factory that only opened in December 2019.
• How three ecommerce marketplace sellers accelerate growth.
• Quote of the week: “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." – Ralph Waldo Emerson
• Bridge the AI gap – wegginar® recording.
• Meta announces an AI translation tool that could change the way you watch Instagram and Facebook Reels forever.
• Visa, Mastercard and big banks bet on global payments tech.

Your Voice Is Your Power: VOTE

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Your vote is your voice, and your voice is your power. Don't let anyone take away your power. Now is the time to stand up. Now is the time to speak out. And now is the time to VOTE." – Kamala Harris

AccuRadio: Broadway Tunes

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Check out Broadway show tunes from the 1950s to the present at AccuRadio. The selections feature your favorite Broadway songs by legendary performers and today’s stars.  Chill.  For the world to enjoy. Many of the songs are curated by Bob Marovich (e.g., 2020s Broadway).

Code name: Strawberry

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OpenAI announced a new advance from GPT-4 that signals a shift in approach—a model that can “reason” logically through many difficult problems and is significantly smarter than existing AI without a major scale-up.

The new model, dubbed OpenAI o1, can solve problems that stump existing AI models, including OpenAI’s most powerful existing model, GPT-4o. Rather than summon up an answer in one step, as a large language model normally does, it reasons through the problem, effectively thinking out loud as a person might, before arriving at the right result. 

Code name:  Strawberry.

Empowering NY's Small Businesses to Compete in the Global Marketplace

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WOW, lots happening in New York for small businesses interested in competing in the global marketplace!  The Empire State Development (ESD) recently announced an expansion of Global NY's international presence, growing from 9 to 15 markets, with OCO Global hired to manage these offices.

This expansion includes new representation in Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Taiwan. Beginning October 1, 2024, companies will be able to submit Export Marketing Assistance Service (EMAS) applications to any Global NY location. Information about the EMAS can be found here. Global NY was also awarded $900,000 in federal funding for STEP Round 12 to help connect New York businesses to exporting opportunities abroad. 

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “By expanding Global NY's international offices and securing federal STEP funding, we are reinforcing our commitment to empower New York's small businesses to compete in the global marketplace into key markets. These strategic initiatives provide our businesses with resources and opportunities to export their products and services worldwide, fostering growth and job creation across the state.”

Now this is good news!  Go New Yorkers – all the small businesses who struggle to go global can now get the assistance they need!

Stay Ahead of the AI Curve with Shari Levitin at 10/2 wegginar®

©2024 Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global®.  All rights reserved.

Want to stay ahead of the AI curve?  This is your chance! On Wednesday, October 2nd, Shari Levitin, founder of the Shari Levitin Group will be leading a FREE LIVE wegginar® with Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global® on the hottest topic in sales today:  "How to Bridge the AI Gap—From Artificial to Authentic."

As Shari says, "Let’s be real—AI is shaking up the sales world. But if you’re only relying on automation, you’re leaving money on the table. Without the human touch, you’ll just blend in with the noise. In this session, I’ll show you how to master AI while keeping the human connection that truly drives results."

What will you learn?

🔥 Cut through the noise and stand out in an AI-driven world

💡 Strengthen human connections while leveraging the power of tech

🎯 Uncover your buyers' deepest needs and offer solutions that resonate

💰 Make an undeniable ROI case your buyers can't refuse

📖 Craft stories that stick, long after your pitch

When?

Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. CT (12:00 p.m. ET) – LIVE

👉 Register Now and discover how to dominate with AI and authentic connection. Don’t miss it!

Today in Global Small Business: The Backstory on Globalization

©iStock/Suphanat Khumsap

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

• The world has undergone a transformation in the structure of the global economy – known as "globalization."  This commentary examines the why and how behind it all.
• The global economy's 200-year growth spurt – and what comes next.
• Quote of the week: “Globalization for a startup is exciting; you have to learn so fast about the different cultures of the world." – Adam Neumann
• Marriott International is expanding its global footprint for future growth.
• Three key aspects to get in line when expanding globally.
• Mews secures $100 million to fuel global expansion and accelerate strategic acquisitions of hotel technology

Candy Is Childhood

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Candy is childhood, the best and bright moments you wish could have lasted forever." – Dylan Lauren

Walmart Optimizes Retail Strategies With International Scale

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Since launching Walmart Luminate, a comprehensive data analytics product suite, Walmart has successfully aided in optimizing retail strategies – from product assortment to product development – leveling the playing field for suppliers of all sizes.

Today, 90% of Walmart's largest suppliers have signed up for a Walmart Luminate Charter subscription, and some of their smaller suppliers account for approximately 50% of our total subscriptions.

What began as a small but dedicated team has evolved into a thriving commercial business with international scale and even more opportunities ahead to create lasting value for their customers.

Every Day Is Gift

"Every birthday is a gift. Every day is a gift." —Aretha Franklin 

Are You a Remarkably Good Leader?

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Are you a remarkably good leader or someone who just nitpicks and thinks that is leadership?

Leadership comes in many shapes and sizes, its qualities are subtle. While we think we know many of the leadership qualities that make great leaders, and even practice them, here are twelve simple signs that show you're a remarkably good leader.

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: European Union (EU) Small Business Export Report (eBay)

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

• eBay publishes a new report on European Union (EU) small business exporting.  Direct access to report can be found here.
• How weather and other factors are impacting fruit exports from Peru.
• Quote of the week: “When I returned to the United States after three years of World War II service, my total assets consisted of one wife, one small daughter, $276 in the bank, and an idea. The idea was for an export business to supply items badly needed everywhere in Europe." – E. Joseph Cossman
• Every G20 economy's top export market.
• Amid the global green goods boom, India is yet to jump on the bandwagon.
• Innovation linked to international exports for both rural and urban firms.

Be Silently Drawn by the Strange Pull of What You Really Love

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

“Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.” – Rumi

[Super moon photographed by Laurel Delaney (self-portrait) on 9/19/24 in Rogers Park, Chicago, Illinois.]

Embrace Your Foreignness to Yield Unforeseen Competitive Advantages

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Expanding into international markets presents numerous challenges for companies, particularly due to their “foreignness.”

Many global companies tend to overcome those challenges by minimizing their foreignness and assimilating into the local environments. However, maintaining and embracing foreignness can yield unforeseen advantages. 

Whether capitalizing on outsider status to tap into local labor markets, establishing potent associations to build credibility, or forging strategic partnerships to foster mutual international growth, your foreignness can indeed become your competitive edge. By embracing a nuanced approach that acknowledges and leverages foreignness, companies can not only navigate but thrive in unfamiliar territories.

The complete article by Lele Sang at Harvard Business Review can be found here.

Getting Global Expansion Right

©2024 Apress.  All rights reserved.

When is the right time to go global?  It's hard to determine.  

But what's easy is to expand too quickly or into the wrong markets. Nearly every company begins life in a single market, and determining when and how to expand internationally is a challenge every successful company must eventually address.

According to Forbes, the key to global success is simple in theory and complex in execution—to go global, you have to be local. 

Here are three keys to getting this right.  

Oh, one more thing.  If you haven't read this book (pictured – and a book I [Laurel Delaney] authored), do it now, because it provides international expansion strategies and tips that help individuals go from thinking about going global to creating, running and maintaining a successful global business.

Number of SMEs Worldwide

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There were estimated to be approximately 358 million  small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) worldwide in 2023. The number of SMEs dropped slightly in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, but increased since.

Other statistics on the topic:

• Biggest companies in the world by market value.
• Largest companies in the world based on revenues.
• Top companies in the world by revenue 2023.
• Number of Amazon employees 2007-2023.

Access all here.

How to Build a Successful Global Business Around Sustainable Fashion Principles (wegginar® 9/18/24)

©2024 Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global®.  All rights reserved.

Here's what you can expect to learn from the upcoming wegginar®, 9/18/24, with presenter Alina Lundin, CEO and Founder of Miharo, on "How to Build a Successful Global Business Around Sustainable Fashion Principles:"

• Understanding Sustainable Fashion Principles
• Building a Sustainable Supply Chain
• Navigating Challenges in Ethical Manufacturing
• Marketing and Selling Sustainable Products Globally
• Impact of Sustainable Practices on Brand Reputation and Growth

About Alina

Alina Lundin serves as the CEO and founder of Miharo, a sustainable premium swimwear brand established in 2022. Holding a Commercial Business Diploma, she brings a wealth of strategic business acumen to the company. Her expertise in business organization and project management, coupled with her start-up experience, has been vital to her ventures.

Nui Swim, Alina’s first adventure as an entrepreneur, was created from her ambition to encourage individuals to celebrate their unique identities, offering products that quickly found a market niche.

Now, Alina’s proven insights, passion for fashion, and dedicated leadership are instrumental to the growth and success of Miharo.

Date:           Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Time:          11 AM CT

Location:   Virtual – you must register to attend:  

                       https://bit.ly/3AdsyRB  

Cost:           Free of charge (thanks to wegg's sponsors as noted on the graphic).

Register:     https://bit.ly/3AdsyRB

Today in Global Small Business: Ad Campaigns That Are More Inclusive Have a Positive Impact

©iStock/Sakorn Sukkasemsakorn

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

• A new academic research carried out for the advertising industry suggests that “Go woke, go broke," the snappy catchphrase devised by rightwing groups as a warning to brands, has got it all wrong.  New evidence that ad campaigns that are more inclusive have a positive impact on profits, sales and brand worth.
• Bed Bath & Beyond is pursuing global sales in key international markets, starting with a licensing agreement for stores in Mexico.
• Quote of the week: “Never write an advertisement which you wouldn’t want your own family to read. You wouldn’t tell lies to your own wife. Don’t tell them to mine. Do as you would be done by. If you tell lies about a product, you will be found out…” – David Ogilvy
• The NFL is going global and that's a good thing (to some).
• Last week the Private Label Manufacturers Association met in Amsterdam, this week the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors meets in Vancouver and next week CIES, The Food Business Forum, convenes in Paris.  Global retailing is happening.
• The digital public infrastructure (DPI) of India is increasingly finding traction in other countries – truly global – and its reach is only going to increase.  

Paintings That You Struggle With

©2024 Laurel J, Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"You learn more from paintings that you really struggle with." – Dale Grimshaw 

The Field Guide to Going Global

©iStock/royyimzy

This latest edition of the Field Guide to Going Global from Baker McKenzie helps you examine foreign law issues for taking business models, products and technology international. Their guidance should be helpful whether you are working for a start-up company or a large multinational enterprise that is broaching new frontiers.

The guide addresses these questions:  Are you considering expanding into new jurisdictions? Are you aware which foreign laws and legal issues matter most? Have you prepared a detailed statement of facts, plans and questions for counsel?

What the World Thought of the U.S. Harris-Trump Debate 9/10/24

©iStock/Anamarija Mrkic

The first debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump was closely watched not only in the U.S. but around the world.

From Beijing to Budapest, here's how the debate went down, according to BBC foreign correspondents.

Is the U.S. a Good Example of Democracy?

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The most common view – held by 72% of Americans – is that democracy in the U.S. used to be a good example, but has not been in recent years. Another 8% of Americans say U.S. democracy has never been a good example for other countries to follow.

Do you agree or disagree?  Read the analysis, which indicate that Americans are much more likely than people in other countries to say U.S. democracy used to be a good example. A median of 40% of adults across 34 other countries surveyed in 2024 take this view.

Why Language Barriers Are Still Holding Back Global Business Growth

©iStock/Tashatuvango

Going global is increasingly on a CEO’s and a CMO’s to-do list. In the UK alone, 87% of those businesses who trade internationally are planning on expanding their overseas operations this year, with a further 10% aiming to step outside the UK for the first time.

That’s a lot of cross-market communication campaigns. But, despite emerging technologies helping business bridge borders more easily than ever before, they’re still being held back by language barriers – to the tune of almost £50bn per year in the UK.

In this age of instantaneous tech, a lack of language skills is still putting global business success on mute. How can marketers avoid getting lost in translation?

Find out here.

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.

Book of Hope

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Summer was about freedom and youth and no school and possibilities and adventure and exploration. Summer was a book of hope." – Benjamin Alire Sáenz 

Is India a Legitimate Option for Global Factory Production?

©iStock/natatravel

Roughly one of every four shipping containers passing through India is loaded or unloaded at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port on the west coast of India, on the docks jutting into the Arabian Sea just south of Mumbai. The flow of containers has roughly tripled over the past two decades, reaching the equivalent of 6.4 million 20-foot boxes last year.

Yet by the standards of the world’s largest ports — many of them in China — it remains a small operation.

Find out how India is now pursuing an aggressive campaign to catch up, readying plans for new ports while expanding existing docks. 

What Is the World's Most Multilingual Website?

©iStock/Wirestock

John Yunker – web globalization geek at Byte Level Research and also a prolific author of books, plays and short stories – always does his thorough research and has the answer to the question:  What is the world's most multilingual website? 

He says, "One might assume that tech leaders like Facebook and Google lead the internet in languages."

He goes on to say, "Yet according to recent analysis, the two most linguistically fluent websites on the internet are managed by not-for-profit organizations: The Jehovah’s Witnesses and Wikipedia."

Read on to discover the world's most multilingual website.

A Strong Dollar Is Good For the American Economy

©iStock/CalypsoArt

The United States has benefited from a profound shift in global capital flow, which has boosted the dollar.  But why is a strong dollar in America's best interests?

Not only does a strong dollar mean that there is a healthy demand for American-made goods and services, but, perhaps more important, it’s also a show of confidence in the U.S. government and financial institutions.

Learn how the shift in global capital flow has boosted the dollar, which should continue as the global economy adjusts to higher inflation and higher interest rates. 

Women Entrepreneurs Have the Fastest Growing Businesses in the United States

©iStock/Jacob Wackerhausen

From small shops to bold startups, women are trailblazing into entrepreneurship and making things happen on their own terms. But the playing field isn’t quite equal yet. Behind the breakthroughs, female founders still see more doors closed than opened regarding funding and fair chances. The percentage of women who started a business in the last year was 47%, compared to 44% for men.

Businesses owned and operated by black females in the United States between 2014 and 2019 increased by 50%. About 2.7 million enterprises in the United States are owned and managed by black women.

Learn more about the top major women entrepreneur statistics.  And see how many women entrepreneurs are turning to global expansion for growth.

Today in Global Small Business: What Will Sweeping Tariffs Across China Cost the United States? Plus, U.S.A. Labor Day

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

• With Donald Trump and Kamala Harris neck-and-neck in polls ahead of the United States presidential election, many are wondering how a second Trump administration would approach China, imposing sweeping tariffs, for example.
• Top geopolitical risks of 2024.
• Quote of the week:  "We must dare to be great; and we must realize that greatness is the fruit of toil and sacrifice and high courage." – Theodore Roosevelt
• Fed signals September rate cut and other economy stories to read this week (8/23/24).
• Why is cross-cultural communication important?
• Ongoing global supply chain challenges.
• History of Labor Day – may it be reflective.