Power of Reason to Believe

©2024 Laurel J, Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe." – Voltaire 

Navigating the Complexities of Different Markets, Particularly When Expanding Overseas

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Businesses that are growing internationally face a constant struggle: They have to establish global consistency in their marketing message, but they must also localize it for various regions. Although many businesses opt to manage their marketing and creative internally, it can be a challenging and resource-intensive task. 

Navigating the complexities of different markets, particularly when expanding overseas requires many considerations.  Here's one of them.

Crafting Compelling Content That Resonates With an International Audience

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A strong global social media content strategy requires thorough research to understand local trends, cultural nuances, customs, values, behaviors, and preferences across diverse target markets. With the insights gained from research, brands can create relatable content that aligns with the cultural sensibilities and interests of each target audience. 

Read more to learn how to transform your brand with international social media marketing.

A Profile of U.S. Importing and Exporting Companies (2020-2021)

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The U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Commerce, releases the report, A Profile of U.S. Importing and Exporting Companies, 2020-2021 (latest available report). This report provides information on identified U.S. companies and their known export or import value. Identified companies are enterprise-level companies that were successfully linked from import or export transaction records to the 2021 Business Register.

Underwater Relaxation Music (Video)

Today in Global Small Business: What Are Tariffs and Why Are They Rising?

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

• What are tariffs and why are they rising?
• What every multinational company should know about…implementing an international compliance program (Part II).
• Quote of the week:  "Many economists and industry experts agree that the United States faces unfair competition and artificially low prices that have damaged the domestic steel industry. But they don't agree that a tariff is the right approach for addressing the problem." – Annie Lowrey
• BIS sets higher KYC standards for companies and universities over Russia diversion concerns.
• Why the increase focus on ESG?
• 3 ways to make DEI training stick, according to a global DEI exec.

Greatest Game in the World

©2024 Laurel J, Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Baseball is the greatest game in the world, no doubt about it." – Harry Caray

SMEs Face Unique Cross-Border Compliance Hurdles

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Unlike their larger counterparts, SMEs often lack dedicated tax departments or adequate resources to devote to compliance efforts. Many rely on a single financial professional or a small team to handle all aspects of their finances, including increasingly complex international tax obligations. 

The bottom line is that cross-border compliance complexity impacts SME's decision to enter new markets due to customs duty and import calculations, HS and tariff code classification, trade restrictions and shipping complexities, to name just a few of the challenges.

Learn more about how SMEs face unique cross-border compliance hurdles.

Grab Your Place at the 9th Annual Global Small Business Forum Held in Chicago 10/18/24

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Get ready 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.

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!

Hello Export Impact

©iStock/CROCOTHERY

Hello "Export Impact,” a new platform where experts dive into the impactful work of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service. This platform aims to keep you informed and engaged while you navigate the world of agricultural exports.

Check it out!  

Chicago: The Greatest City in the World Welcomes the DNC 2024

©iStock/Kelly Liu

Chicago is proud to welcome the 2024 Democratic National Convention to one of the greatest cities in the world. 

Named the Best Big City in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler readers for a record-breaking seven consecutive years, Chicago is home to award-winning restaurants, iconic attractions, stunning outdoor spaces, a rich cultural scene, vibrant neighborhoods, and a welcoming and inclusive spirit. I [Laurel Delaney] know, because I am a native of Chicago.

Learn more about the 2024 DNC in Chicago, including the latest updates, resources for delegates and media, tips for planning your visit, and more.

Today in Global Small Business: Can Saudi Arabia Buy the World?

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

• In the months before Mohammed bin Salman celebrated his 30th birthday nearly a decade ago, the yet-to-be anointed Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia was gifted a vital key to unlocking the kingdom's future: full purview of its Public Investment Fund.  Is he on a mission to buy the world?
• International SEO best practices in 2024.
• Quote of the week:  "We are a G20 country. One of the biggest world economies. We're in the middle of three continents. Changing Saudi Arabia for the better means helping the region and changing the world. So this is what we are trying to do here. And we hope we get support from everyone." – Mohammad bin Salman
• International students hone their language entrepreneurial skills.
• U.S. SBA administrator announces agreement with India to promote American small businesses globally.
• Check out the Pharr Global Business Hub, which officially opened its doors in a grand event attended by prominent local, state, and federal figures in TX.

Winter Is On My Head

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart." – Victor Hugo.

Here's Why Japan Could Be a Market For You

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Japan offers a solid population of middle-class consumers with high disposable incomes and a keen interest in new technologies, which makes it ideal for international businesses that offer premium goods, services or innovative digital solutions.

As the he fourth-largest economy in the world after the United States, China and Germany, Japan offers companies eyeing expansion an exciting opportunity to grow their business in a truly unique market.

Interested?  To get started, here are a few things to know before you start moving your business to Japan.

How to Break Into Global Business

©iStock/Francesco Scatena

There are three initial phases to launch into international business. The article below breaks out the steps of each phase, including a rough timeline of how long you can expect each phase to take.  From research and planning, to making initial trips to your target countries, expect to spend six months to several years preparing for this exciting new facet of your company.

Ask yourself:  Why sell your product or service to international markets?  Take an honest appraisal of your business and yourself.  Are you ready?

Global Temperatures

©iStock/plyaset

The year 2023 was the warmest year since global records began in 1850 at 1.18°C (2.12°F) above the 20th century average of 13.9°C (57.0°F). This value is 0.15°C (0.27°F) more than the previous record set in 2016.

The 10 warmest years in the 174-year record have all occurred during the last decade (2014–2023). 

Track the U.S.national annual report for information on the 2023 climate conditions across the U.S. 

RIP the Almighty Susan Wojcicki

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

An early Googler and former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki dies from lung cancer on August 9, 2024 at the age of 56.  She had sent a note to employees and the world about stepping down as YouTube CEO on February 16, 2023.

Read the note sent by Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai to employees mourning the passing of Susan.

She was a force and will be missed in our world.  Condolences to her family during such a sad time.  

(Butterflies symbolize freedom, lightness, and joy, reminding us to let go of burdens and embrace a sense of liberation. They can also serve as messengers of spiritual evolution and connection with the divine, representing the soul's journey towards enlightenment and higher consciousness.)

Today in Global Small Business: What Attacks On Shipping Mean For the Global Maritime Order

©iStock/Suphanat Khumsap

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

• What attacks on shipping mean for the global maritime order (full report).
• The New York Shipping Exchange has modified its operating strategy, responding to a significant shift in how customers contract for container shipments.
• Quote of the week:  "As we look at a future where we’re going to have to double our freight capacity, how do you create a freight system that’s integrated across the country when you have 50 different freight systems that are built one state at a time?” – Anthony Foxx
• GXO Logistics sees upward trend in global freight market.
• How disruption is dismantling global shipping.
• Why the world doesn't need another shipping lane.

Normal is Good Enough

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Our normal is good enough." – Team USA

The Yen Carry Trade

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There's panic on Wall Street and around the world recently, and it's not bad economic news or a terrible earnings report that's at fault. Instead, it's a highly leveraged yen "carry trade" that has led to billions of dollars in selling and liquidations starting in the crypto market on Sunday night.

Here's how the yen carry trade works.

1. Borrow yen at a low interest rate.
2. Convert yen to another currency, often U.S. dollars.
3. Buy assets that yield an interest rate higher than the Yen rate in (1). Ex. U.S. treasuries. 

According to the Motley Fool, if yields and exchange rates don't change, this is a brilliant trade because it is a simple arbitrage that prints money month after month.

They go on to say:  But something has changed. The interest rate on Yen debt is rising; the prior range was 0% to 0.1%, and the Bank of Japan announced a rate increase to 0.25% on Friday, bucking a decade-plus trend of essential zero rates.

The Essential List for Taking a Business Global According to Jonathan Bench

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Entering a foreign market can be fraught with risks, and chair of Harris Sliwoski's corporate practice group Jonathan Bench has seen too many instances where a company did not lay the proper groundwork for their foreign business.

That cavalier attitude can work for a while, but it will cause you serious repercussions down the road. Do yourself a favor and do it right the first time.

Read the essential list for taking a business global and your future self will thank you. 

Just Like His Dance in the Sky: Philippe Petit

©iStock/mbolina

Philippe Petit looks back on his phenomenal 1974 Twin Towers walk. On Wednesday and Thursday of this week, he will walk a highwire across the nave of St. John the Divine in New York City, the world's largest cathedral. 

"My love for magnificent places and my love for walking on the tightrope and sharing with an audience my passion has not changed," he said.

People reference his highwire act as "just like his dance in the sky."

Pearls of Wisdom: Navigating the Boba Beverage Marketplace with Allison Sodha (wegginar® 8/7/24)

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

Boba tea, especially among younger consumers like Millennials and Gen Z, is growing. The global bubble tea market is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of nearly 9% through 2030.  That's what makes this upcoming wegginar® so special.

Co-founder Allison Sodha of better boba will be sharing her insights Wednesday, August 7th at 11 AM CT on, "Pearls of Wisdom: Navigating the Boba Beverage Marketplace."

Allison is an accomplished entrepreneur, author, and storyteller. With over two decades of experience in global business development, her work reflects a deep commitment to creating inclusive spaces where diverse perspectives can thrive and collaborate.

She is the owner of Cup & Cone, a globally-inspired ice cream and boba shop in Portland, Oregon, and co-founder of Better Boba. She is excited to be leading the way in the food + beverage space with an all-natural boba manufactured in the United States.

Driven by a passion for making a positive impact, Allison’s diversified ventures reflect her dedication to sustainability and cross-cultural connections. Beyond business, she enjoys dancing, food carts, and exploring the world with her husband and three children.

What to expect from this wegginar?  You will be able to:

• Embrace your authentic path
• Navigate cultural roadblocks
• Plant locally, grow globally
• Appreciate the power of relationships: People first and more ...

To learn more and to register free of charge, visit here.  Special thanks to wegg's sponsors as noted in the graphic:  Associated Bank, FedEx, Union Pacific, LuxLined™, Global Care Clinical Trials, RBC Wealth Management and APCO.

Today in Global Small Business: Less Than Container Load (LCL) Shipping Has Its Benefits

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

• Less than container load (LCL) shipping has it benefits.
• Top central banks differ on rates.
• Quote of the week:  "I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship." – Louisa May Alcott
• CrowdStrike reveals global outage.
• Why India feels it is important to empower small businesses.
• Instead of focusing on the differences between local citizens and expats, the iBuilt – an acronym for International Business & Innovation Leaders in Tech – initiative aims to highlight the common ground.

Free At Last

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Today [8/1/24], three American citizens and one American green card holder who were unjustly imprisoned in Russia are finally coming home: Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Vladimir Kara-Murza,” [USA President] Biden said. “Some of these women and men have been unjustly held for years. All have endured unimaginable suffering and uncertainty. Today, their agony is over.”

Free at last.

Should US Flags Only Be Made in America?

©iStock/LeMusique

According to US media reports, the All-American Flag Act has been passed by Congress, requiring the federal government to purchase only American flags that have been completely manufactured in the US. 

Advocates of the measure argue that in 2017, the US imported some 10 million American flags, and 99.5 percent of them came from China.

It's time for US flags to originate in the country they represent, said the sponsors of the proposal.  What are your thoughts?

Extraordinary: wegg® showcase featuring Dr. Chris Wachira of the Wachira Group

©2024 Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global.  All rights reserved.

Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global® conducts a great interview with Dr. Chris Wachira of the Wachira Group, "Uncorking Secrets to Global Success."  Dr. Chris gives a good perspective on global leadership while sharing her journey.  This is the 3rd edition of the wegg showcase, August, 2024.  Powered by: LuxLined™.