Ready for Takeoff: The Cost of Half-Hearted Global Ambition
International expansion has always been demanding. Right now, it is unforgiving. We’re operating in a period where global trade feels less like a well-oiled machine and more like a system being recalibrated in real time. Tariff regimes shift. Supply chains are being regionalised. Political alliances are tested. Long-standing assumptions about “rules-based order” are being interpreted […]
A Business Leader’s Guide to AUKUS
For many business leaders, AUKUS still feels abstract. It appears in headlines alongside submarines, geopolitics, and long-term defence spending – important, but distant from day-to-day commercial decision-making. As a result, many executives assume AUKUS is either too big, too political, or too slow to be relevant to their business today. That assumption is wrong. AUKUS […]
Japan’s February 2026 Election Marked a Strategic Turning Point
On 9 February 2026, Japan held a snap general election that produced one of the most consequential political outcomes in its post-war history. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secured 316 seats in the 465-seat House of Representatives, giving the party a two-thirds supermajority. Including coalition partners, the government now controls more than […]
Uncomfortable Truths for European Organic Brands That Want to Scale Internationally
This week, thousands of organic food brands are gathering in Nuremberg for BIOFACH – the world’s most influential organic trade fair, in Nuremburg. For many European brands, it’s an opportunity to showcase their strengths and successes. Strong domestic sales. Credible certifications. Loyal customers. Growing inbound interest from international buyers. And yet, year after year, I […]
If You’re Not at the Table, You’re on the Menu
At Davos this year, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney said the quiet part out loud. The old international order is not coming back. We are not in a transition. We are living through a rupture. And countries that fail to act together risk finding decisions made for them — not with them.
Why “Having the Right Connections” Isn’t a Global Growth Strategy
This blog is part of a series adapted from The Global Standard, Cynthia’s forthcoming book on building internationally competitive businesses. In the lead-up to the hardcopy release, we’re unpacking some of the most persistent myths that hold companies back from global growth. International Business Myths: Success Abroad Relies Solely on Connections One of the most […]
Why International Expansion Is No Longer Just for Corporate Giants
In the opening piece of this series, we explored why protectionism doesn’t build prosperity, despite its political appeal. As my forthcoming book, The Global Standard makes clear, protectionist thinking is only one of several outdated narratives that continue to shape how leaders view international business.
Why Working With Partners Who Share Your Values Matters So Much
Over the last few years, my team and I at Dearin & Associates have had the privilege of working with clients and partners across almost every continent. The scope of our work has been wide and varied: different markets, different industries, different business models.
Balancing Global Brand Consistency & Local Adaptation
Maintaining brand consistency is the foundation for building trust and loyalty with your customers. But when expanding internationally, simply sticking to the same formula won’t cut it. Adapting your brand to align with local cultures, norms, and preferences is just as critical for success. Get it right, and you can tap into new markets and […]
A Guide for Finding The Right Contract Manufacturer
Expanding into international markets often involves partnering with contract manufacturers (CMs) to scale production. When done right, a reliable CM can reduce costs, boost efficiency, and help you meet global demand. But this decision is far from straightforward. Too many companies dive into international expansion, assuming their contract manufacturer will just “figure it out.” However, […]
