Since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted American small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in varying ways — some companies have seen sales slumps and employee layoffs while others benefitted greatly from increased online shopping. Now as the holiday shopping season approaches, uncertainty about the long-term economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic remains. Many Read More
There is no doubt that engaged and committed employees are essential to your company’s success. Most business leaders today understand a culture of motivation and participation leads to improved customer loyalty, increased profitability, and better overall results. According Gallup data, highly engaged business units are able to achieve a 17% increase in profits and a Read More
Your business's ability to reach new audiences and markets - and to deliver high-quality service to those it already serves - depends on the strength and resilience of your supply chain. A flexible supply chain that gives you options is clearly preferable to one that doesn't adapt and is prone to bottlenecks. But what does Read More
There are several factors currently impacting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the U.S. The biggest, of course, is the coronavirus (COVID-19), which has forced many businesses into survival mode. In addition to the current economic issues caused by the pandemic, there are other significant events in 2020, such as the U.S. presidential election Read More
The past year has been challenging for many businesses around the world impacted by the global trading system. However, a new report from DHL reveals that globalization is holding up under pressure; a trend that is anticipated to continue in 2020. The DHL Global Connectedness Index reported that shrinking international capital flows caused global Read More
The next Chinese New Year, falling on Saturday, January 25, is an auspicious occasion but also an event that promises to slow your company’s production and create supply-chain disruptions before, during, and after the holiday. Ushering in the Year of the Rat, factories in mainland China and Hong Kong typically shut down for approximately Read More
The holiday season is a critical period for most U.S. businesses, especially as more companies leverage the power of e-commerce to expand their international customer base. With e-commerce sales over the 2018 holidays totaling $126 billion, up from $108.2 billion in 2017, and 63% of shoppers around the world saying they will make most Read More
If your U.S. e-commerce business is considering a cross-border expansion, then America's neighbors—Canada and Mexico—are the obvious choice. While a contentious political climate regarding the U.S. trade relationship with Mexico may generate some nervousness around risk-taking south of the border, Mexico remains a huge and potentially rewarding market for American e-commerce retailers to target. Read More
If you have a global e-commerce business that sources low-value parts from other countries, then you should pay attention to the de minimis value threshold. This rule applies to the value of non-originating materials that can be shipped into the U.S. before duties and taxes are assessed. You’ll want to keep a watchful eye Read More
Being from Canada, I know that the country holds ample e-commerce opportunity for American businesses. Directly on our northern border, Canada is uniquely positioned to be a very profitable market for American e-commerce goods and services. Boasting an established and reliable Internet infrastructure, English-speaking population, and comparable culture to the U.S., selling in Read More
