Blog
The Bulls Can Stand Strong at Home and Overseas
Stocks enjoyed another plus week, closing one of the better Marches of the past 80 years. It seems like ages since volatility has been this low, and there have been many complaints about complacency and listlessness. Yet those concerns may be misplaced if indeed we are enjoying the second leg of a normal bull cycle. [...]
Read MoreChina: Crunch Time
The global system is undergoing profound change. Three powers — Germany, China and Iran — face challenges forcing them to refashion the way they interact with their regions and the world. U.S.-Chinese relations have become tenser in recent months, with the United States threatening to impose tariffs unless China agrees to revalue its currency and, [...]
Read MoreRussia's Influence
After years of work, Moscow has made significant progress in regaining control over the former Soviet states that are crucial to Russia’s security. Russia’s window of opportunity to exert control in its near abroad is a narrow one, however, and so Moscow has prioritized its list of countries where it is trying to consolidate influence. [...]
Read MoreIn Response to Outcry, University of San Diego Offers New Certificate in Cross-Cultural Competence & Multinational Business Practices
The New York Times reports that training to communicate across cultures has long been part of the preparation for executives moving overseas to work. But now, the training is increasingly for employees who may never leave the country, yet will work closely with companies and people around the world. “Whether a multinational or a start-up [...]
Read MoreHummer Deal Failed Due to Non-Recognition Of Offshore Holdings
In a case that has tax planning and legal structuring implications for businesses investing in China, it is apparent that the failed deal with Hummer has its roots not just in the ability for the Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co to persuade the Central Government that it was a good idea, but also that an [...]
Read MoreToyota's Cross-Cultural Blunder and How it Lead to Their Fall from Grace in the Eyes of the American Public
This link related to the issue of Toyota’s falling from grace is really worth a look. Interesting issue regarding the recall, but the more interesting issue to me (given my work in the cross-cultural training and consulting arena) is why there seems to be a lack of insight relative to the communication issues between a [...]
Read MoreUnwha's Visit
How blessed we were to have a visit from our Global Alliance partner, Unwha Choi from Korea who gave us incredible insight about the inner-mechanisms associated with doing business in Korea. Her website is a must-see.
Read MoreOn the European Front: A Worsening Economic Picture
European 2009 provisional, fourth quarter gross domestic product (GDP) data, released by EU statistical agency Eurostat on Feb. 12, showed a somber picture of a Continent-wide slowdown in growth compared to third quarter data. As STRATFOR cautioned in its analysis of third quarter GDP, growth in the European Union has proven tenuous. Growth in the [...]
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