Hard-Working Women Business Owners

Guidant annually reaches out to the hardworking small business owners across the country to gain insights into their experiences, challenges, and future plans.

They also acknowledge the critical role businesses owned by women-owned businesses play in the economy.  The Women President Organization knows this to be true as well. 

In this segment of Guidant's Small Business Trends report, they provide trends, insights, and experiences reported by entrepreneurs of color this year.

Supporting the growth and success of underserved communities is a priority for Guidant, including businesses owned by women and entrepreneurs of color. In this segment, our data will highlight growing trends and challenges among women-owned businesses.

Learn more about who are the women business owners in 2023, what are they like, their recruitment and retention challenges and how they embrace economic uncertainty.

The results of the report indicate women-owned businesses are embracing risk and paving the way for success — no matter the economic landscape.

Today in Global Small Business: Courage

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

• What Sinéad O'Connor's courage meant.
• Moral courage, what it is, and how to do more of it.
• It doesn’t take much to acquire the moniker of courageous in our day.  Take a look.
• Quote of the week:  "Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." – T. S. Eliot
• Choose courage over confidence.
• Do you have the courage of your convictions?

Keep Cool

©2023 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"I promise you to 'keep cool' under all circumstances." – Abraham Lincoln

Digital Economy Is Transforming the Global Economy

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The digital technology is transforming the global economy and is bumping up against Europe's heavy-handed approach to regulation—posing a threat to innovation, competition, and economic growth. 

A new chart out by European think tank Bruegel shows the dizzying array of regulatory edicts springing forth from Brussels.   

Europe’s quest to be the first to regulate may not result in smart regulation. Learn more how the Biden administration needs to offer sound counsel through constructive dialogue.   

The Irish Singer Sinéad O'Connor Has Died

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Sinéad O'Connor's recording of "Nothing Compares 2 U" was one of the biggest hits of the early 1990s. Her death was announced by her family. The cause and date of her death were not made public. The statement said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time."

Never forget:  Throughout her early life, Sinéad O'Connor was resilient.

News was made on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. 

Outlook on China From a Handful of Global Firms

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There's a largely cautious stance from major global firms – ranging from banks to chipmakers – on China business amid a frail recovery at the world's second-largest economy from a pandemic slowdown.  

Here are comments from firms on their China business during the latest reporting season (as of July 25, 2023).

Twitter's Blue Bird Has Flown Away

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On July 23, 2023, Elon Musk revealed the new 'X' logo to replace Twitter's blue bird.  It's a major rebranding.  

Musk tweeted or should I say, X'd on Sunday (7/23/23) that the idea of changing the logo to “X” was to “embody the imperfections in us all that make us unique.”

Say bye-bye Twitter birdie and hello to X.

Today in Global Small Business: Empower Global

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

• Sean "Diddy" Combs launches e-commerce platform "Empower Global" to showcase and sell products by black entrepreneurs.
• Reese Witherspoon's Draper James.
• Jessica Alba's The Honest Company.
• Quote of the week:  "EBay gave me the framework to discover I was an e-commerce entrepreneur. I touched everything, from shipping to logistics." – Sophia Amoruso
• Kim Kardashian's SKKN by Kim.
• Lady Gaga's Haus Labs.

That's Here. That's Home. That's Us.

©2023 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Look again at that dot That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives..." – Carl Sagan

Considerations For Your Cross-Border Payment Strategy

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As small and medium sized global businesses (SMBs) became more comfortable trading online and expanding into new markets, B2B cross-border payments are growing.

Start by deciding how ‘local’ you want to go with payments. Markets around the world are very different regarding payment preferences, technological and commercial maturity, and regulations. A ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is inadvisable.

Partnering with experts to understand and manage local needs as well as the technical aspects of moving currencies across borders, or between traditional banking and blockchain rails, is a major factor in staying competitive. 

Bad partners can do more harm than good: so have a clear set of criteria and priorities when selecting them, and get them involved early on, so they can help shape your overall payment strategy, when all options are still in play.

Explore these considerations for your cross-border payment strategy.

A Little Soft Rock From Global Legend Phil Collins

The Global Creator Economy Is Growing And Making Money

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The creators are the new global entrepreneurs.  And they are forming a new economy or ecosystem, if you will, that generates revenue. 

For example, your favorite influencer is available at the tap of a screen. That influencer can steer you to the products and services — and the merchants — you’d otherwise not encounter, were it not for Snapchat or Instagram. 

Read more about this fascinating journey from the old creators – to the new creators who are able to monetize their content and build a global business.

Buckle Up For Exporting at 7/19/23 wegginar®

©2023 Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global®.  All rights reserved.

Bigger.

BOLDER.

Buckle up for exporting.

Are you ready?  Learn how to strategize for export growth via a variety of financing methods at wegg's next wegginar® – Wednesday, July 19th at 11:00 AM CT with presenters Ursula Wegrzynowicz, Business Development Specialist, EXIM Bank and Tammy Phillips, Strategic Business Consultant (former CEO and President), Howe Corporation when they cover:  "Bigger.  Bolder.  Buckle Up For Exporting!"

Are there options for financing your exports? You bet.  Discover what those are during this wegginar.  Oh, and catch Ursula's LinkedIn post for inside info on what else they plan to cover.

To learn more and to register free of charge (thanks to wegg's sponsors as noted in the above graphic), visit: https://bit.ly/3PUZl3J.

Today in Global Small Business: Kosovo Women Entrepreneurs Are Empowered By Access to Funding

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

• Women entrepreneurs in Kosovo are empowered by access to funding.
• How Amex Global Business Travel (GBT) is capitalizing on the global small business travel boom.
• How to make global small businesses in developing countries more competitive.
• Quote of the week:  "I have always advocated for funding and programs that increase our productivity and competitiveness." – George Allen
• Global small businesses are the key to a more sustainable world.
• How to take your company into different countries.

Add Color to My Sunset Sky

©2023 Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky." – Rabindranath Tagore

The Environmental Impact of Small Businesses, Especially New York's Pizzerias

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On June 25, 2023, the New York Post uploaded a controversial article on the potential impacts of Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP’s) new rules on New York City’s pizzerias, suggesting that the newly drafted regulation is designated to solely tackle climate change.

The article goes on to say that the DEP regulation targets coal-fired and wood-fired ovens, categorizing them as the main culprits of the city’s air pollution. It also mentions the expensive installation and maintenance of the air filter system required to comply with the new mandate. 

Oh, but there's more.  A lot more.  Read on.  And remember #supportsmallbusinesses 

Four Pillars of Trade Compliance Management

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Trade compliance management includes staying up to date on any import and export regulations that could impact your supply lines. This is a full-time responsibility and should be taken seriously, which is now evidenced in recent efforts to thwart “forced labor” in China.

The four pillars of trade compliance are:

1. Due diligence
2. Reasonable care
3. Supervision and control
4. Proactive engagement

The bottom line:  Trade compliance management is growing and is growing in importance.

Common Global Procurement Mistakes Made By SMEs

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Sourcing, business communications, supplier selection, contract management and supplier relationship management are among the most important activities in the procurement process. 

Procurement specialists at SMEs usually learn the main skills of the job by trial and error, which often leads to unnecessary costs to organizations. It is obvious that knowing and avoiding these types of mistakes will help small enterprises save money and increase profit. 

Here are eight of the most common global procurement mistakes made by SMEs.

High-Ticket E-Commerce Items Continue to Grow

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E-commerce growth continues, with diamonds, and even homes among its offerings, which has reached 6.3 trillion by the first quarter of 2023.

Technology has made it easy to shop for anything, anywhere – recall the days when selling 20-lb. bags of pet food online seemed far-fetched, not to mention diamonds and other expensive items including big brands like Gucci and Prada that are easy to ship but expensive to buy.  Same goes with art.

High-ticket e-commerce items continue to grow. 

Today in Global Small Business: What American Women Should Wear in the Middle East

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

• What American women should wear in the Middle East.
• Spill is a new black-owned Twitter alternative.
• Threads is a new Meta-owned Twitter alternative.
• Quote of the week:  "When you learn something from people, or from a culture, you accept it as a gift, and it is your lifelong commitment to preserve it and build on it." – Yo-Yo Ma
• Balancing HR global culture with local cultural differences.
• Best global culture 2023.

Rise Above the Clouds

©2023 Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"I think I will be able to, in the end, rise above the clouds and climb the stairs to Heaven, and I will look down on my beautiful life." – Yayoi Kusama 

Small Businesses Run the World

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Xero CEO Sukhinder Singh Cassidy says, “We believe small businesses run the world and as champions of small business, Xero is providing an opportunity for customers to apply for funding to take their next step. Whether that be to support a passion to become a more sustainable business, up skill employees, philanthropic work in the community, or integrating the latest AI into their business, the fund is here to help small businesses meet their dreams.”

Coinciding with Xero Day 2023 – the day of Xero’s founding 17 years ago – Xero, the global small business platform, recently announced a new global small business fund with more than NZ $750,000 (approximately US $460,000) in funding, to support the future aspirations of small businesses globally.

Learn more about Xero launching a beautiful business fund for small businesses.  Starts in Sydney, Australia August 23, 2023.  Win a better future for your global small business.

Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions Are On the Rise

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The landscape of global business has witnessed an active market for cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A), which can strengthen a business but it presents a unique set of challenges. 

Hybrid activity in cross-border M&A has increased significantly relative to 2017/2018 levels: Hybrid acquirers now comprise approximately 40% of total cross-border deal volume in 2022 and the last 12 months as of March 2023.

Read more about how cross-border activity is on the rise.

Day After the 4th in America: Things You Didn't Know About George M. Cohan

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During his lifetime, George M. Cohan wore many hats—songwriter, director, producer, actor, composer. Today he lives on through his multitude of artistic achievements. Tunes like “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” “Give My Regards to Broadway,” and “Over There” communicate the resilience of the American spirit, inspiring civilians and service members alike. 

But the prolific artist was more than his patriotic anthems. Here are 10 things you might not have known about the music maker.

Today in Global Small Business: Proud To Be An American

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

• History of 4th of July.
• Celebrate 4th of July with history, traditions and recipes.
• More to learn about 4th of July.
• Quote of the week:  “I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives.  I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.”  – Abraham Lincoln
• Why do we celebrate the 4th of July?
• Discover surprising facts about the 4th of July.  Meanwhile, have a Happy 4th!

Tips to Prepare for a Safe and Fun Fourth of July

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To help maximize your time with those you love, follow this checklist of 7 tips to get your home ready to celebrate Independence Day in a safe, fun way.

America: Land of the Free and Home of the Brave

©2022 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"In America, nobody says you have to keep the circumstances somebody else gives you." – Amy Tan