Iran's Nuclear Ambitions

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Geo-strategist and President of Eurasia Group Ian Bremmer suggests that a “nuclear-armed Iran” is inevitable because ...

in an emerging “G-Zero World” where no single bloc of countries can dominate international affairs, the emerging powers can frustrate the West’s efforts to thwart Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. 

Find out two underlying assumptions to his argument:

Has the Developing World Abandoned Iran?

Related to Ian Bremmer, who appears to have coined the expression "G-Zero World:"  Countries With Promising Advantages

Chicago 'L' System Map Sign Broken Into

©2012 Laurel Delaney, "Chicago 'L' Rail System Map Sign Broken Into"

Chicago 'L' - the rapid transit system serving the city of Chicago. 

Photo courtesy: ©2012 Laurel Delaney

Hotbed for U.S.A. Manufacturing? Tennessee!

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According to Adrienne Selko for Industry Week, Tennessee is a hotbed for manufacturing due to aggressive incentives and a focus on workforce training, leadership and innovation that help position the state for continued manufacturing growth.

They are cashing in on the trend of non-U.S.-based companies to produce locally for the huge U.S. consumer market.

The auto sector remains dominant. In fact, Tennessee sits at the No. 8 spot in auto production, and the industry accounts for 34% of manufacturing jobs with 105,000 employees. Adding up OEMs, suppliers and ancillary manufacturers, there are 864 auto-related companies in Tennessee. 

Sounds ripe for exports as well.  Read the entire article here.

Producing Something New and Useful In Our Diverse World

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Find out why it is important to work with people from other cultures in order to collaborate creatively.

Cultural misunderstandings and different ways of operating (government control over filmmaking, for instance) can lead to unforeseen setbacks and delays, threatening the success of creative business ventures. 

 Read Michael Blanding's entire article:  Collaborating Across Cultures - HBS Working Knowledge

My Fellow Americans: Happy Independence Day 2012!

Photo courtesy:  ©Laurel Delaney, 2012 "Wrigley Building, Chicago"

Tap Into New Markets and Find New Customers

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The only way to accomplish two great expansion efforts at once -- tapping into new markets and finding new customers -- is to naturally take your business global.  And we are thrilled to be quoted in this important article below, especially noting the plug about the #1 blog in the world for entrepreneurs and small businesses interested in going global:  The Global Small Business Blog.

Read: Take Your Business International

Making Informed Decisions About the Food We Eat From Around the World

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The World Trade Organization (WTO) rules that country-of-origin labels will remain the same while the U.S. government continues to review the ruling.

The ruling, public advocates fear, could lead to trade sanctions against the United States or a watering down of the labels designed to tell consumers where their meat comes from.

U.S. statement:

The United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk put a happy face on the WTO ruling, “which affirmed the United States’ right to adopt labeling requirements that provide information to American consumers about the meat they buy.”

Read the entire article here.