Rainbow of Awesome

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"You are like a rainbow of awesome!" – Valerie Stark

Women Entrepreneurs Are a Dynamic Force in Global Growth

Entrepreneurs are among the most dynamic drivers of global economic growth, and women are laying claim to the role in greater numbers than ever.  In the U.S., for example, research shows that women-owned businesses are growing at twice the rate of all others. Yet, according to the World Bank, women continue to face enormous obstacles, including powerful social constraints, limited time and a lack of training. 

Questions addressed in the discussion hosted by The Milken Institute and moderated by Rick Smith, Co-Founder and Managing Director, CrossCut Ventures:  How have today's most successful female entrepreneurs triumphed over the most challenging circumstances, and what still threatens to derail them? How can we continue to expand opportunities for women to truly level the playing field?

To learn more about the fierce force of women entrepreneurs, visit Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global®.

From Startup to Global Expansion: 5 Tips

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Since more than 95% of global consumers live outside of the U.S., reaching new customers transnationally can help you expand your business market, profits, and revenue.

Should you go global at the outset or wait until you and your team are in the ready state?

Here are five tips on how to scale from startup to global expansion.

How Much Would You Pay for a Good Night's Sleep?

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The “sleep economy,” which includes everything from mattresses to wearable devices to supplements and more, is booming and is projected to reach a record high of $585 billion for 2024 – it's biggest year yet for the sleep industry.

How much would you pay for a good night’s sleep? For many people, the answer is “a lot.” Americans (and the rest of the world) are desperate for better sleep — and they’re spending more and more money to get it.

Find out where the trends are headed to get good rest.  The sleep economy wakes up.

Worldly: Know What You Need to Know

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Built by industry experts and relied on by market-leading brands and manufacturers, Worldly provides your business with the insights needed for impact improvement, compliance, and disclosure.

Spot trends, learn about compliance, and find more sustainable materials.

There is always room for improvement.  Know what you need to know.

Today in Global Small Business: Emerging Markets Are Exercising Greater Global Sway

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

• Emerging markets are exercising greater global sway.
• Here are some cool inventions in 2024.
• AI translation and captioning.
• Worldwide B2B ecommerce size and sales forecast. 
• Quote of the week:  "It is usually people in the money business, finance, and international trade that are really rich." – Robin Leach
• Freight forwarder guidance and best practices.

The Arc of a Perfect Circle

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"The earth together with its surrounding waters must in fact have such a shape as its shadow reveals, for it eclipses the moon with the arc of a perfect circle." – Nicolaus Copernicus

CPGs Need to Rewrite Their Growth Playbooks in 2024

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Bain & Company’s first annual Consumer Products Report, which hopes to assist the industry in formulating a new playbook for the months ahead. Bain surveyed more than 120 senior consumer products executives around the world on their experience in 2023 and their strategic priorities this year.

In this report, we [Bain] first examine how 2023 has left the industry at a crossroads, then explore the connection between profitable growth and positive stakeholder impact. We [Bain] conclude by looking ahead to the most pressing issues that will shape CPGs’ strategic agendas in 2024 and beyond.

The consumer products sector has enjoyed another year of tremendous growth, but there are telling signs that CPGs need to rewrite their growth playbooks in 2024.

Artists, Activists, Scholars and Others Call for Funding for Ukraine

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In this appeal to Congress, more than 35 artists, activists, scholars and others call for funding for Ukraine. The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the signatories. 

Key statement:

"If Russia breaks through, this will be our fault. And then we will understand what we have lost."

They go on to say, "Time is short and new dangers can arrive very quickly. Together we call upon Congress to do the right thing – right now. Support Ukraine."

AI Will Have a Huge Impact On Global Business This Year

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According to CEO of JPMorgan Chase Jamie Dimon, he believes artificial intelligence will have a huge impact on global business this year.  He knows its influence will be significant.

“We are completely convinced the consequences will be extraordinary and possibly as transformational as some of the major technological inventions of the past several hundred years: Think the printing press, the steam engine, electricity, computing and the Internet, among others,” the JPMorgan Chase (JPM) CEO wrote in the [annual shareholder] letter.

Dimon goes on to say, "Over time ... we anticipate that our use of AI has the potential to augment virtually every job, as well as impact our workforce composition. It may reduce certain job categories or roles, but it may create others as well.”

Full shareholder letter can be found here.

Top Global Executive Search Firms

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From Korn Ferry International to Russell Reynolds to DHR International, here's a list of the top global executive search firms that assist clients in acquiring leadership talent through outstanding research capabilities, through assessment technology, reference checking and access to a global talent pool.

Today in Global Small Business: Surprising Facts About the Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024

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

• Surprising facts about the solar eclipse.
• On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, United States and Canada.
• Best places to see the solar eclipse in Illinois.
• Quote of the week:  "An eclipse is one phenomenon that is actually more impressive from the ground." – Leroy Chiao
• Protect your eyes during the solar eclipse!
• Does the solar eclipse have an effect on your brain?