Believe

©Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Christmas magic is silent. You don't hear it — you feel it, you know it, you believe it.” – A Charlie Brown Christmas

Serious Joy

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney photo.  All rights reserved.

A Knuckleball of Uncertainty in 2025

©iStock/justinkendra

Right now, the stock market is full of contradictions as investors navigate the final inning of what’s been a stellar year.  But things are getting weird.  Stocks are struggling.  Big tech's impressive gains explains the mixed messages.  The bond market joined the crazy party later.

Taken altogether, as Barron's says, the contradictions create a knuckleball of uncertainty in 2025.

Celebrating Successes and Happy Holidays at Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global®

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

To learn more about Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global® and the team behind wegg®, visit: https://womenentrepreneursgrowglobal.org/about/board-of-directors-and-team/.  

The De Minimis Rule is a Cornerstone of Small Business Success Globally

©iStock/MTStock Studio

The de minimis rule is a cornerstone of small-business success globally. It allows goods valued under $800 to enter the U.S. with minimal customs paperwork, no need for a broker and streamlined processing.

For small businesses, this simplified process is a lifeline. It makes global trade possible and helps businesses manage their supply chains without excessive regulation and cost. The potential removal de minimis will hurt small businesses and ultimately hurt customers.

The questions also becomes how does the de minimus rule help the SHEIN's and TEMU's of the world?

Read on because there are pros and cons.

Today in Global Small Business: Global Supply Chain Trends to Watch in 2025

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

• Global supply chain trends to watch in 2025.
• Tariff discussions in health care and life sciences industries stoke global supply chain concerns.
• Quote of the week: "What gets measured gets improved.” – Peter Drucker
• Suppliers adopt ‘power of two’ to combat global supply chain disruptions.
• Trump’s tariffs could spark price hikes, supply chain disruptions, experts say.
• Will AI reboot supply chains?

Turn Your Life Around

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily.” Gerald Good

Global Trends in Government Innovation 2024 (Released 12/16/24)

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The report, Global Trends in Government Innovation 2024, analyzes nearly 800 case studies from 83 countries and identifies five critical trends in government innovation that are reshaping public services.

The report will be released December 16, 2024.  Check back here. Abstract available now here.

Boost Your Spirits: Oldies But Goodies Holiday Songs (Music Video)

Discover U.S. Trade By Product

©iStock/AmyLaughinghouse

Discover interactive dashboards and infographics providing data on U.S. goods trade at the national, state and metropolitan area levels.  In addition, see product-specific import and export trends and insights on U.S. by partner countries. 

Global Supply Chain Leader's Biggest Concerns in 2025

©iStock/aprott

Descartes Systems Group released findings from its 2024 Supply Chain Intelligence Report: Escalating Challenges for Global Supply Chain Leaders survey, which examined the most significant global trade challenges facing logistics and supply chain leaders today. The study showed that 48% of respondents identified rising tariffs and trade barriers as their top concern, closely followed by supply chain disruptions at 45% and geopolitical instability at 41%. 

Tariffs and trade barriers ranked as the priority issue regardless of company size.

Today in Global Small Business: What Do Most Extraordinary Global Business Leaders Have in Common?

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

• What do most extraordinary global business leaders have in common?
• Economic threats top global business leaders' risk concerns.
• Quote of the week: “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower." – Steve Jobs
• Mastering cross-border regulatory compliance in global business.
• Will Trump's dollar diplomacy roil global trade?
• Global trade update (December 2024) – UNCTAD.

The Christmas Tree Goes Up

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"The Christmas tree goes up on December 1.  I love it." – Richard E. Grant

[Photo by Laurel J. Delaney, taken on 12/6/24, downtown Chicago.]

Is Canada Throwing Mexico Under the Bus?

©iStock/AlexLMX

Trump recently threatened he would impose a blanket 25% tariff on both Canada and Mexico when he takes office in January unless they secured their shared borders with the US. 

That said, Canada is being accused of throwing Mexico under the bus amid a tariff threat ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's second term in the White House.

Canadian officials were quick to distance their country's border issues from those of Mexico, arguing that drug smuggling and unlawful crossings at the southern border were much higher, and that Mexico was serving as a "back door" in North America for Chinese investment.

Those remarks have not gone unnoticed in Mexico.

Are You Business Ready Globally?

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The World Bank Group's Business Ready (B-READY) 2024 report introduces a rich dataset that benchmarks the business environment in 50 economies.

B-READY provides a comprehensive data set and description of the factors that strengthen the private sector, not only by advancing the interests of individual firms but also by elevating the interests of workers, consumers, potential new enterprises, and the natural environment.

This 2024 report introduces a new analytical framework that benchmarks economies based on three pillars: Regulatory Framework, Public Services, and Operational Efficiency.

To learn more, visit here and to download the report, visit here.

Threats Galore by Trump

©iStock/PUGUN SJ

The new US Administration (Trump) has thrown out every imaginable threat to the world – from huge tariff increases, to enacting new trade barriers, to the latest BRICS (block of nine countries) tariffs.

I’ve [Laurel Delaney] curated 7 important updates for you.  Some are better than others.  Check them all out to stay ahead of the game.

AI For Impact with Anna Schiller, Director of Trilligent (wegginar® 12/4/24)

 

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

Want to make a serious impact leveraging AI?  Then this wegginar® is for you. wegg's expert presenter Anna Schiller, Director of Trilligent specializes in client relationships, new business and strategic development across Europe. She will be presenting a wegginar on, "AI For Impact: Elevate Your Brand and Drive Growth," on Wednesday, December 4th at 11 AM CT (https://bit.ly/3Cge5VX).

Here's what she will cover + more:

🌏  Leverage AI to increase brand awareness

🌎  Get yourself talked about

🌍  Stay on top of trends in your industry

🌏  Don’t be afraid to experiment Prompt engineering tips

About Anna:

Anna Schiller is Director for Trilligent Germany, based in Berlin. She specializes in client relationships, new business and strategic development across Europe.

She previously worked for S&P Global in London doing political risk analysis for DACH and the UK as well as advising on tech regulation. At Meta, she worked on trust and safety including elections integrity and the implementation of anti-hate speech regulation, as well as working with public policy and comms.

Before this, she ran press and PR at the Goethe-Institut in London.

Anna holds a master’s in International Relations from King’s College London and a BA in Psychology and International Relations.

Bring your questions (wegg will conduct a LIVE Q&A at the end of the presentation) and prepare to learn what it takes to elevate your brand and drive growth.

To learn more and to register (free of charge) thanks to wegg sponsors noted below, visit: https://bit.ly/3Cge5VX.

Brought to you by Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global® and powered by APCO, Associated Bank, FedEx, FLOMO/Nygala Corp., LuxLined™, RBC Wealth Management and VISA.

Today in Global Small Business: The Global Impact of Tariffs

©iStock/thitivong

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

• The global impact of Trump tariffs.
• Global supply chain connectivity remains high, according to a Chinese report.
• Quote of the week: “Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.” – Mark Twain.
• Top concern of global supply chain leaders:  tariffs and trade barriers.
• Reshaping global supply chains, strategies for resilience.
• Graphic analysis of global supply chains.

You Are Magical

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"You are magical, just like a unicorn." – Author unknown

Why Is It Called Black Friday in the United States?

©iStock/Mervana

The holiday shopping season is about to be in full swing upon the arrival of Black Friday today, with big sales ahead of Christmas marking the busiest shopping time of the year.  The day's nickname has stuck, marking a shift from one holiday to the next.

Hoping to entice equivocating consumers, retailers already have spent weeks bombarding customers with ads and early offers. Still, whether visiting stores or clicking on countless emails promising huge savings, tens of millions of U.S. shoppers are expected to spend money on Black Friday itself this year.

Industry forecasts estimate that 183.4 million people will shop in U.S. stores and online between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, according to the National Retail Federation and consumer research firm Prosper Insights & Analytics. Of that number, 131.7 million are expected to shop on Black Friday.

What's your plan?

Grateful For Everything

©iStock/teddyandmia

"What if, today [Thanksgiving], we were grateful for everything?" – Charlie Brown

Here Come the Tariffs!

©iStock/Olivier Le Moal

From Wiley on November 26, 2024:

On November 25, 2024, President-Elect Trump made two posts to his Truth Social account in which he stated that on day one of his second Administration, he would impose additional tariffs of 10% on all products from China, and additional tariffs of 25% on all products from Canada and Mexico. The two posts can be found here (China) and here (Canada and Mexico).

More on Section 301 China Tariffs from ST&R.  And USTR announces the long-awaited Section 301 exclusion process for domestic manufacturing machinery with info provided by Amundsen Davis.

Lots to digest.  The uncertainty is insane.

Benefits of Internationalization for SMEs

©iStock/xu bing

One of the primary benefits of internationalization for SMEs is the access it provides to new markets. By expanding beyond domestic borders, you can tap into larger customer bases and diversify your revenue streams. You also challenge your own business to improve and excel in order to compete in this broader market", says Michiel Greeven, EVP Global Commercial at DHL Express. 

With DHL's latest white paper, they offer SMEs a practical, easy-to-use toolset to prepare for global expansion.  Check it out here.

Today in Global Small Business: Reflect on the Blessings in Life and Express Gratitude

©iStock/Regina Tölgyesi

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

• Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the blessings in life and express gratitude.  Take a pause right now to think about what you are grateful for.  I am grateful to all of you for your readership.  Thank you.
• Thanksgiving quotes on gratitude.
• Quote of the week: "Be present in all things and thankful for all things." – Maya Angelou
• Gratitude can change your brain.
• Ways to serve others this Thanksgiving.
• Gratitude is powerful and expressing it can impact people physically and mentally.

When Angels Visit Us

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"When angels visit us, we do not hear the rustle of wings, nor feel the feathery touch of the breast of a dove; but we know their presence by the love they create in our hearts." – Mary Baker Eddy

Orange Scarcity Forces Producers and Brands to Rethink Global Strategies

©iStock/MeXaHuk

The orange supply chain faces an unprecedented crisis – a scarcity which has forced major producers and brands to rethink their global strategies to meet demand.

With the soaring cost of orange juice, up 130% year-on-year according to Mintec's Benchmark Prices, brands are turning to innovation to offset challenges.

The orange juice market faces significant challenges, from environmental disasters to persistent plant diseases.  While brands and producers are finding ways to adapt, uncertainty remains.

Is Your Global Strategy Focused on the Wrong Things?

©iStock/metamorworks

In today’s ultra-competitive business climate, companies expanding their global footprint need to manage resources efficiently and base their plans on validated options so goals are achieved and expectations are met.

Some questions to ask yourself:

1. Is your leadership aligned from the onset?
2. Are you seeing the big picture and thinking holistically?
3. Are you focusing on the right drivers and challenges?

You want to make sure you are navigating the right path to global growth. To get the details on assessing and improving your global enterprise strategy, download this e-book.

Under Pressure: Japan's Startups Want to Raise More Money and Go Global

©iStock/Gwengoat

Total investment in Japanese startups increased 25% between 2013 and 2023, reaching $5.4bn in 2023, according to Initial, a Japanese VC data provider.   

But Japan’s venture capital sector is still small. VC investment is about half that of South Korea’s, for example, and only 3% of the US market.

Historically Japan’s startups have focused on serving the domestic market, a barrier to attracting foreign VC investment. The government is pushing its startups to plan for global expansion through accelerators and mentorship programs.

Japanese corporate VCs are thinking more globally, some from day one.  Find out why.

Would US Tariffs End or Even Reverse the Era of Trade Liberalization?

©iStock/MikeVanSchoonderwait

Would US tariffs end or even reverse the era of trade liberalization begun in the 1980s? Perhaps not, according to Walter Frick for Bloomberg.

Bloomberg Economics’ model of Trump’s proposed tariffs expects that other countries will offset most of their lost trade with the US simply by trading more with each other. That points to the possibility that globalization could keep on humming — just without the US at its center.

To explore this and more, visit here.

Today in Global Small Business: Will New Tariffs Help or Hurt Global Small Businesses?

©iStock/Iskandar Zulkarnaen

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

• Will tariffs help or hurt global small businesses?
• Global small business owners are worried about Trump tariffs.
• Quote of the week: “Smoot and Hawley ginned up The Tariff Act of 1930 to get America back to work after the Stock Market Crash of '29. Instead, it destroyed trade so effectively that by 1932, American exports to Europe were just a third of what they had been in 1929. World trade fell two-thirds as other nations retaliated. Jobs evaporated." – Elaine Chao
• What proposed tariffs could mean for American manufacturing.
• Tariffs didn't make American manufacturing great again.
• Is it a good idea for US manufacturing on Trump's proposed tariffs?

Let Things Go

©Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go." – Unknown author

Unlocking Opportunities for Small Businesses in Cambodia

©iStock/catshiles

Despite their importance, small businesses often struggle to access international markets due to the high costs of infrastructure, marketing, distribution, compounded by complex compliance and regulatory barriers.

However, technological advances, especially in online shopping, are alleviating some of these barriers by providing affordable digital storefronts and access to global customers without needing a physical presence.

Over the past decade, the Cambodian government has made significant strides to enhance the export potential of its small enterprises.  

Learn what those strides are here and a lot of it is digital support.

It's Complicated: How to Mitigate the Coming Tariff Increases

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The following was authored by Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg pre-election.

"The Biden administration has not only determined to maintain all existing Section 301 tariffs on imports from China but is expected to increase some of them in the near future. Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg goes on to say – and this was written pre-election:

Further, former president Donald Trump is threatening to more than double those tariffs and impose duties of 10-20 percent on all U.S. imports if he is elected [as of 11/5/24 Trump was re-elected] this November. 

However, there are a number of proven and legitimate ways for importers, exporters, and manufacturers to effectively escape or limit the impact of these tariffs."

Let's figure this out.

What DTC Brands and Retailers Need to Know to Stay Ahead

©iStock/Nadezhda Kozhedub

With discussions heating up around new tariffs on imports—particularly from China—U.S. brands face a critical question:  how to adapt supply chains without squeezing margins or raising prices in ways that disrupt customer loyalty.  We covered part of the solution, for example, with "Is Manufacturing in Cambodia a Good Alternative to China?" 

Tariffs may seem like a blunt policy tool, but their impact on everything from sourcing to pricing strategy can be complex, significant, and lasting.

Who decides on tariffs?  What will be the potential impact on supply chains and costs?  How do you mitigate the impact?  Find out more on how to adapt for long-term resilience.

Is Manufacturing in Cambodia a Good Alternative to China?

©iStock/efired

The U.S.-China trade war has put billions of dollars worth of tariffs on imports from the country and the prospect of higher tariffs under President-elect Trump has spurred many companies to accelerate their plans to shift where their products are made. These events, along with a trend of rising wages, have made many importers realize that a more diverse supply chain can provide real benefits.

An increasing number of importers have been looking for alternatives to China, with a desire to either replace or supplement their Chinese manufacturers.

Cambodia has come up because of its close proximity to China as well as its low labor costs, which are among the lowest in Southeast Asia. Making the move to Cambodia, however, is not always easy.

Read on to learn what Cambodia manufactures, how Cambodia compares to China, and the biggest challenge when switching to Cambodia.

Today in Global Small Business: Honoring Our Nation's Veterans

©iStock/Cunaplus_M.Faba

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

• In respect and recognition of the contributions our veterans and their families, caregivers, and survivors have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor our Nation's veterans.
• Veteran-owned businesses – SBA.
• Quote of the week: “How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!" – Maya Angelou
• U.S. Department of of Veterans Affairs, support for your Veteran-owned small business.
• Veterans and Military Business Owners Association.
• Veteran-owned businesses generated about 5.3% of employer firm revenue, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The New Look of Starbucks in Rogers Park, Illinois

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Our stores will be inviting places to linger, with comfortable seating, thoughtful design and a clear distinction between 'to-go' and 'for-here' service." – Brian Niccol, new Starbucks CEO 2024

Be Thoughtful and Respectful to One Another

©iStock/Moor Studio

How should you talk to your team members about the results of the US election?

With a clear winner, as in Trump, say something like I want to emphasize that one of our core values as an organization is to be thoughtful and respectful toward one another. Let’s all be mindful of how we express our feelings, recognizing the diversity within our team.

And there's more.  Even though the outcome is clear, we still face a prolonged period of uncertainty. Acknowledge the tension and confusion, then pivot to your business needs.

Read more about what to say to your team after the election.

Music to Remain Calm (Music Video)

Building the Road to Global Small Business Utopia with AI and Fintech

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Could artificial intelligence help global small business owners gain the insights they need to operate more efficiently and grow?

In the updated edition of Fintech, Small Business & the American Dream, Karen Mills looks at evolving technology and how it might power this critical engine of the US economy.

Observations From Accidental Entrepreneur Charmaine James (wegginar® 11/6/24)

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

What fuels your soul?  How do you unleash greatness within you?  How can you surround yourself with smart and positive people?

Charmaine James will talk about this and a whole lot more at her upcoming wegginar®, Wednesday, November 6th at 11 AM CT, "The Accidental Entrepreneur." 

Charmaine is the founder and managing partner of Locsanity. She is the creative visionary behind the brand and is actively involved in the formulation of all of Locsanity’s loc, hair and personal care products. She is a former corporate executive as well as a wife and mom to three amazing children.

Don't miss this inspiring and educational talk – free of charge (can't beat that) thanks to wegg's generous sponsors as noted on the above graphic.

I [Laurel Delaney] will be moderating the call and look forward to your participation.  See you there!

To learn more and to register, visit here. 

Today in Global Small Business: RIP Lily Ebert

©iStock/MichaelHeimlich

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

• Holocaust survivor Lily Ebert dies at 100.  May she finally rest in peace, deservedly so.
• Have you ever heard of planetary health?
• Quote of the week: “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." – Martin Luther King Jr.
• The world’s most powerful countries are the ones that consistently dominate news headlines, preoccupy policymakers and shape global economic patterns.
• Best global brands 2024.
• World economies competitiveness ranking.

Poprosze Piwo

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Poprosze Piwo.  A beer, please.

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?

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.

Drastically Rethink Your Global Business Strategy If ...

©iStock/istocksdaily

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

©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.

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