Saturday, November 02, 2024

Poprosze Piwo

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.
Poprosze Piwo.  A beer, please.

Friday, November 01, 2024

A Reddit Question: If Women Ruled the World, Would the World be Better?

©iStock/ina9
Here's how it started on Reddit:  "There's an idea that the world would be a better place if women ruled it. What do you think? Although some joke that "countries wouldn't be talking to each other." Men have always been much more risk-taking and impulsive, and I feel that women would negotiate and debate issues a lot more."

Here's where it went.  What's your thought?

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Apple's Vision Pro Goes Global

©iStock/Valen Tino
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.

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

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.

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Leveraging AI and Globalization to Build the Workforce of the Future

©iStock/metamorworks
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.

Monday, October 28, 2024

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

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

Saturday, October 26, 2024

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

Thursday, October 24, 2024

Despite Cultural Differences, Music Has a Universal Appeal

©iStock/AlexLMX
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.

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

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.

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Monday, October 21, 2024

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:

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Daily Bread of the Eyes

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.
“The sky is the daily bread of the eyes.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Friday, October 18, 2024

The Land of Opportunity: USA

©iStock/FeelPic
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. 

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Mintel Says Global CPG Innovation Reaches Record Low

©iStock/JackF
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.  

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

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

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

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.

Monday, October 14, 2024

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

©iStock/md ashek miah
What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

Saturday, October 12, 2024

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”

Friday, October 11, 2024

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

©iStock/mohd izzuan
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.