Create and Customize Quality Trips From A to Z From All Over the World

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Start creating and customizing quality trips from A to Z all over the world in the blink of an eye with the next generation connected-trip operator Worldia, a B2B2C connected-trip company.

The Paris-based startup plans to continue its mission of “transforming the travel industry” for travel professionals and consumers, said Grégoire Pasquet, the company’s co-founder and CEO. 

A key player in the French market, Worldia has also successfully expanded into the German, Belgian and Spanish markets and has done a first pilot in the US.

The Midwest (USA) Is the Gateway to the World

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With a globally connected location and robust industry supply chain, the Midwest, in particular Michigan, is the gateway to the world.  In fact, $61.1 billion in total goods was exported from Michigan in 2022 alone. 

And while Michigan is home to many global corporations, the state’s small business community is actively involved in contributing to Michigan’s presence in the global market. Case in point: nearly 89 percent of Michigan exporters are small businesses.

Yes, that's right.  Small business exporters are driving growth for Michigan.  Check out how Michigan can help you grow your exports.

Today in Global Small Business: Simple Ideas for Expanding a Business Globally

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

• Simple ideas for expanding a business globally.
• Going global is an adventure.
• Avoid these 3 mistakes when going global.
• Quote of the week: "America's support for human rights and democracy is our noblest export to the world." – William Bennett
• What's a must for successful companies?  To go global.
• A guide to going global.  And another one that is considered the bible for exporting. 

The Best Thing To Hold Onto

©2023 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"The best thing to hold onto in life is each other." – Audrey Hepburn 

How To Be Less Dependent on China

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Every manufacturing leader or CEO should be preparing for the worst should things fall apart in China by doing five critically important things. Things that need to happen now – it’s too late once conflict erupts. 

To become more self-reliant and avoid future supply chain storms, invest in these five areas to develop the right strategy.

What Is An Export Trading Company?

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An export trading company is an independent company that provides support services for firms engaged in exporting. This may include warehousing, shipping, insuring, and billing on behalf of the client.

Find out what else an Export Trading Company can help with.

Learn how Warren Buffet is investing in Japanese Trading Companies.

Prospective Hindsight (TED video)

The Biggest and Best Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum 2023 in Vegas Hosted by the Women Presidents Organization

More than 750 women business owners from around the world have arrived in Las Vegas for their annual Women Presidents Organization Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum 2023 to network, learn and grow together. This is the most amazing program of the year for WPO.   And I [Laurel Delaney] am so honored to have the opportunity to attend.  Full disclosure:  I am serve as the Chicago Chapter Chair for the Women Presidents Organization.

I am really looking forward to connecting with the best and brightest women business owners from all over the world and at the same time have an opportunity to moderate a panel discussion on "Intentional Growth Beyond Borders" with two international stars:  Caroline Tompkins, President and CEO, Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) and Laura Didyk, Vice President, Client Diversity, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).

If you are attending, ping me to meetup and if you are not yet a WPO member, learn more here about joining so you can attend next year's Forum.

Today in Global Small Business: AR Translation Glasses Will Widen Your Global Reach

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

• Google AR (augmented reality) translation glasses: why it's finally time for them to become reality.
• Expanding your e-commerce business globally.
• Top 10 10 most in-demand job skills right now, according to the World Economic Forum.
• Quote of the week: "I do think that a significant portion of the population of developed countries, and eventually all countries, will have AR experiences every day, almost like eating three meals a day. It will become that much a part of you." —Tim Cook
• Country guides by DHL.
• The rise of the fandom business, making it a key aspect of the global economy.

Beer Holder

©2023 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder." –  Kinky Friedman

Robert Herjavec Wasn't Born a Successful Global Entrepreneur

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To get what he wanted in life, Robert Herjavec discovered at an early age that he needed to step outside his comfort zone. The world, he said, would not beat a path to his door.

The charming, articulate executive [Robert Herjavec] we see today on ABC’s Emmy Award-winning show “Shark Tank” is a far cry from the shy, uncertain young man who grew up in Canada after fleeing communist Yugoslavia with his parents.

Learn more about Robert Herjavec and how he earned the 2023 Asper Award for Global Entrepreneurship.

Is Your Startup Ready to Go Global?

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While the most successful companies tend to follow the money, that shouldn’t be your sole motivation for going global. 

There are five main indicators for determining if your startup is ready to go global. If one or two of the indicators here apply to your business, you’re definitely headed in the right direction. 

But before you take the leap, you need to be aware of the challenges and risks. Start by asking yourself these questions.

Chewy Eyes International Expansion

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“International expansion has long been a part of our strategy,” said Sumit Singh, Chewy’s CEO, during the [most recent earnings] call. “It was a matter of when, not if Chewy would take our superior value proposition into new geographies.”

Details about which markets Chewy plans to expand to were scarce but Singh said the company is considering “entry markets that possess attractive characteristics for our initial international expansion plans.”  

Making the World a Better Place (wegginar® 5/3/23)

©2023 Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global

Who doesn't want to make the world a better place?  Founder of OMSutra, Jyoti Jaiswal, will be talking about how to get started and weave in positivity and consciously crafted design to make her point.

Join Jyoti and wegg® free of charge on Wednesday, May 3rd at 11 AM CT.  To learn more and to register, visit:  https://bit.ly/3UtqomN.  Or, to move even faster, capture the QR code.  See you there!

Today in Global Small Business: Inspirational Songs For Global Entrepreneurs

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

• Music can benefit your business, as it has for these 50 entrepreneurs. Check out their picks for inspirational songs (hint:  "My Way" by Frank Sinatra).
• Global retail ecommerce forecast 2023.
• ChatGPT as a thinking partner.
• Quote of the week: "One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain." – Bob Marley
• Developing positive character.
• Charting the global economy:  Inflation in US remains stubborn.

It Was Like a Playground

©2023 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"When I was little, there were so many people in my house. Everyone was enjoying themselves, rehearsing, having fun. It was like a playground." – Marion Cotillard

ChatGPT for Dummies

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ChatGPT for Dummies.  If there is not a book by that title, there soon will be.  Seriously, how smart is ChatGPT?  

In a technical report released on March 27, 2023, OpenAI provided a comprehensive brief on its most recent model, known as GPT-4.  Included in this report were a set of exam results, which have been visualized in this article.

Trade Makes the World Better Off

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When a firm or an individual buys a good or a service produced more cheaply abroad, living standards in both countries increase.  Nations are almost always better off when they buy and sell from one another

There are other reasons consumers and firms buy abroad that also make them better off—the product may better fit their needs than similar domestic offerings or it may not be available domestically. In any case, the foreign producer also benefits by making more sales than it could selling solely in its own market and by earning foreign exchange (currency) that can be used by itself or others in the country to purchase foreign-made products.

Trade makes the world better off.

The Final Carpool Karaoke: James Corden and Adele

Foreign Trade Zones 101

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What you need to know about Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs):  how to apply, the FTZ Information System, how to use it, past approvals and information to assist FTZ grantees.  It's all here.  But wait, there's more!