2024-01-11
by Michael
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After lying dormant for most of 2023, Gursewak Bhullar’s The International Entrepreneur blog published a flurry of posts in December on cash advance and early payment apps and convenient ways to transfer money internationally. Gursewak is a native of India based in Hamburg, Germany. This is useful information, and I hope Gursewak will find the time to resume blogging more often.
2023-12-28
by Michael
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Resilience has been a hot topic since the supply chain disruptions that emerged during the Covid pandemic. A recent Global Trade article examines the roles of technology and both internal and external communications as companies adapt to the inevitable logistical and regulatory problems that crop up in international trade. I’d add that the adaptability, resilience, and agility that a company develops in learning to overcome these exporting challenges also make it a far stronger competitor back in the home market.
2023-12-22
by Michael
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I am horrified by yesterday’s mass shooting in my beloved once-and-future “third home” of Prague (report in English, in Czech). I took Czech classes in my first summer language program in the very building where it happened. My heart goes out to the victims, their families, and the people of this beautiful city.
2023-12-21
by Michael
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The Cato Institute has launched a new series of essays on “Defending Globalization: Society and Culture”. The first, “Food Globalization Puts the World on Your Plate”, explores the ways globalization has revolutionized the ways the world eats and drinks, both at home and dining out. Who would have guessed the most popular takeout food in Thailand — burritos?
Thanks to Laurel at the Global Small Business Blog for the link!
2023-12-06
by Michael
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Global Trade Magazine has published a list of the world’s top markets for dog and cat food. Germany takes first place with imports worth $2.1 billion in 2022. The leading anglosphere countries — the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada — take the next three spots, with Poland rounding out the top five.
2023-10-08
by Michael
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As I reboot my business (more on that in a later post), I’m committed to making a positive difference in the communities we serve that goes beyond our day-to-day work with clients. Since the diversity of human languages is a key element in what we do, there’s no better avenue for realizing that commitment than to support organizations working to sustain and promote endangered languages — and no better time than Indigenous People’s Day to make an initial donation.
Language preservation is of paramount importance for indigenous communities, serving as a fundamental pillar of their cultural identity and heritage. These languages are not mere tools of communication; they encapsulate centuries of wisdom, traditional knowledge, and a unique worldview intricately tied to the land and environment. As globalization and modernization continue to exert their influence, indigenous languages face the risk of extinction, with many already on the verge of disappearing. The loss of a language equates to the erasure of a distinct way of understanding the world, impacting social structures, spiritual practices, and the transmission of ancestral wisdom. Language preservation is a crucial step towards maintaining the rich tapestry of diversity in our global cultural landscape, fostering a sense of pride and self-worth within indigenous communities, and facilitating intergenerational continuity. Efforts to safeguard and revitalize these languages are not just linguistic endeavors; they are acts of cultural resilience and resistance against the forces that threaten to homogenize the world’s cultural mosaic.
This year we begin with a donation to The Language Conservancy, the foremost organization working with endangered languages in North America, working in partnership with dozens of communities to revitalize their languages.
Since "Swift Passage 2.0" is still in its infancy, this year’s contribution is more of a symbolic gesture, but I intend to increase the percentage of profits donated to The Language Conservancy and allied organizations each year as long as we’re around.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
2023-07-18
by Michael
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A new report from a group of alternative protein research firms outlines opportunities for producers from Australia and New Zealand. But US manufacturers should be paying attention as well. Top potential markets include China, Singapore, and South Korea.
2023-02-02
by Michael
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The Austin chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier is offering grants and scholarships for women in the food, beverage and hospitality industries. The deadline to apply is February 10. More info here.
2020-01-27
by Michael
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Update: the deadline for the second round of applications is June 15, 2020 — but hurry, funding is limited!
Applications are now being accepted for the first round of State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grants in 2020. The STEP program is designed to support small businesses seeking to start or expand exports to foreign markets. The program is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and administered in Texas by the Texas Department of Agriculture. (Non-agricultural businesses are also eligible.)
The program provides stipends to reimburse up to $10,000 in export-related expenses for eligible small businesses. Applications for this round must be received by February 14, 2020 — but apply quickly as applications are considered in the order received and funds do run out!
For a limited time, Swift Passage will provide free, no-obligation assistance in completing the STEP grant application to eligible Texas businesses. Please complete the form at the link to request free grant application assistance.
A world of opportunity awaits!
2019-10-08
by Michael
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The 21st century has seen a renaissance of craft distilleries throughout the United States as well as other countries, producing distinctive vodkas, whiskeys and bourbons as well as a wide range of specialty spirits. In the US, many have found distribution across large regional markets and a number have launched successful export programs.
But distillers have been hard-hit by the fallout from the Trump administration’s aggressive trade policies. Until 2018 many of the fastest-growing markets for American spirits were in the European Union. In a tit-for-tat response to US tariffs on aluminum and steel, however, the EU last year imposed a 25% import duty on a basket of American products including whiskey, causing sales to plummet. Until these disputes are resolved, US distillers are well advised to focus on other regions.
Nevertheless many high-potential export markets remain. Economic recovery in developed markets and an expanding middle class in emerging markets offer promising export opportunities in parts of Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region.
I recently published a report identifying non-EU markets with high growth potential for American whiskey based on an analysis of current trade and economic figures. The report also highlights next steps in building an export program with respect to primary and secondary target markets as well as indirect marketing opportunities. This will be the first of a series of global market analysis reports focusing on specific product categories.
If you’re an independent distiller pursuing stronger sales and strategic growth, the report offers current data and actionable insights for entering leading international markets. Purchase the Global Market Analysis: American Whiskey for 2019 here for immediate download.
