As Bloomberg recently reported in its 2025 analysis “Re-wiring Global Trade: From Tariffs to Regional Opportunity,” companies around the world are redesigning their supply chains in real time, “shifting from global dependency to regional resilience.” It’s a transformation felt not just in boardrooms and ports, but also in the hiring patterns that determine which trade skills and which professionals are in highest demand. 

For job seekers, this shift comes with opportunity.

Many international trade jobs are evolving far faster than traditional corporate positions, and recruiters are rethinking the mix of skills and qualifications that matter most in a system that’s increasingly dominated by fluctuation.

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 makes this clear: “The most prominent skills differentiating growing from declining jobs are resilience, flexibility, and technological literacy.” 

So which trade jobs will grow fastest in 2026? Why are they booming? And what can professionals do to land them? The answers lie at the intersection of geopolitics, economics, and technology—especially AI. 

Trade compliance is booming—and changing rapidly

Trade compliance roles have exploded over the past three years, a trend that shows no signs of slowing. In 2026, the field is expected to grow even faster. Not because companies suddenly value paperwork, but because the rules that govern global commerce have become both harder and costlier to ignore. 

The surge comes from a convergence of forces: 

• New sanctions and export-control rules, often rewritten with little notice 
• A fractured geopolitical landscape, where alliances shift and trade blocs tighten 
• Tariff swings and counter-tariff policies, which affect everything from steel to semiconductors 
• Digital customs modernization, forcing companies to comply with faster, more automated systems
• Steeper penalties for missteps, including reputational damage and shipment seizures 

In its paper Trade Compliance for Leadership, the World Economic Forum warns that “non-compliance with new trade requirements could affect hundreds of billions of dollars of trade flows,” noting that the field has become “a competitive advantage rather than a bureaucratic function.” In other words, companies no longer want compliance experts – they need them. 

Companies no longer want trade compliance experts – they need them.

This shift is reshaping entire hiring pipelines. Roles like the following are becoming mainstream: 

• Trade Compliance Specialist 
• Sanctions Analyst 
• Export Controls Manager 
• Customs Operations Lead  

Even traditional logistics roles increasingly require compliance fluency; a Logistics Coordinator today needs to understand HS classification, sanctions screening, and free-trade agreements with a level of mastery once reserved for specialists. 

What’s driving this hunger? Every major geopolitical event creates new vulnerabilities. U.S.–China tensions reshape sourcing strategies. EU carbon-border rules reprice the cost of entire supply chains. Disruptions in the Red Sea, Black Sea, and Panama Canal force companies to re-route vessels through unfamiliar jurisdictions. Each shift adds a new layer of documentation, interpretation, and risk. 

This means companies are no longer looking for people who simply “know compliance.” They want professionals who can navigate it, interpret it, and anticipate it. Recruiters increasingly expect candidates to have: 

• Deep, current-day knowledge of HS classification, sanctions, and export controls 
• Accredited training in importing, exporting, and global trade operations (FITTskills, compliance certifications) 
• Proven accuracy in cross-border documentation and risk mitigation 
• A professional designation, such as the CITP, that validates applied competence rather than theoretical familiarity 

Additionally, the rise of AI in compliance has only intensified this trend. AI tools can classify goods or flag potential violations, but companies need human oversight—professionals who can question an algorithm’s decision, audit its logic, and intervene when the result could trigger a fine or shipment delay.

Compliance, in its modern form, is becoming a hybrid of legal understanding, operational savvy, and technological judgment.

Customs expertise is moving from the back office to the C-suite

Across industries, customs management has quietly shifted from an administrative afterthought to a strategic lever. This evolution has been so dramatic that Maersk recently predicted customs will become “a business strategy,” and an increasingly important C-suite conversation.

In other words,

Companies are investing in customs leadership and strategy because clearance delays, misclassified goods, or misinterpreted rules now carry enormous financial and operational consequences.

This elevation is partly driven by complexity. Tariffs change faster than production cycles. Digital customs systems—once piloted by a handful of countries—are becoming global norms, demanding real-time accuracy instead of end-of-month reconciliation. And with the proliferation of regional trade agreements, origin determination has become both a cost-saving tool and a compliance trap. 

As a result, international trade jobs that handle regulatory shifts analytically, yet solve operational bottlenecks with practical, hands-on logistical processes are rising in prominence: 

• Global Customs Manager 
• Customs Strategy Lead 
• Import/Export Risk Manager 

Additionally, these roles may also require cross-department collaboration, fluency with digital platforms, and the ability to explain regulatory nuance to executives. Candidates who pair customs knowledge with strategic thinking, especially those with credentials like the CITP, are increasingly in demand. 

AI has also entered this domain, especially in predictive clearance tools that estimate potential delays or compliance risks. But here too, human oversight is essential. Someone must interpret the model, judge its assumptions, and adjust the company’s routing or documentation strategy accordingly. 

Risk mitigation and resilience roles are surging worldwide

If the pandemic exposed the fragility of supply chains and business resilience, the years that followed turned that fragility into a central business strategy. In 2025 alone surging freight prices, tariff wars, and resource volatility dominated headlines across the world. 

This volatility has fueled a rise in positions focused on anticipation and resilience rather than pure logistics. Companies are hiring: 

• Supply-Chain Risk Managers 
• Scenario Planning Analysts 
• Resilience Strategists 
• Nearshoring Advisors 

The rationale for this is simple: global operations no longer hinge on efficiency alone. They hinge on flexibility and adaptability. 

A Risk Manager might be asked to answer questions like: If this port shuts down for 10 days, what’s our plan? If this tariff increases by 14%, how does it change our sourcing? If conflict spreads into this region, how do we maintain continuity? 

The skills required to answer these time-sensitive matters mirror those of modern geopolitical analysts and data specialists.

Employers want people who can parse global news, interpret economic trends, and translate both into quantifiable risk metrics.

Analytical tools matter, but sound judgment and practical application matter more. 

Once again, AI for risk assessment is a collaborator, not a replacement. Predictive models can scan thousands of data points and suggest potential disruptions or outliers, but they cannot decide whether a company should nearshore production, diversify suppliers, or reshape its freight network. 

Human reasoning and experience remain fundamental. 

Technology and data roles are becoming the new backbone of trade

As global trade moves with the pace of innovation, technology-driven roles are emerging as some of the most futureproof. Customs authorities are deploying digital portals, freight companies are investing in predictive modeling, and multinational corporations are automating the most complex and repetitive parts of their supply chains. 

This has created a surge in demand for professionals who can bridge two worlds: global trade and data, such as 

• Trade-Technology Architects 
• Digital Logistics Analysts 
• Trade Data Scientists 

These roles demand comfort with trade systems (like SAP GTS or Oracle GTM) and fluency with analytics tools. They also require curiosity, an ability to understand how data flows across borders, and how disruptions in one node ripple across the system. 

While AI has catalyzed this shift, it has also created a new kind of professional: one who understands both the logic of machine learning and the nuance of global regulation.

In these roles, AI becomes more of a system to manage, refine, and parse information from, while the basic elements of trade (checking the forms, assessing the costs, managing the different teams) remain very much human-operated and supervised. 

International sales and market-expansion roles remain resilient

For all the talk of automation, the human side of global commerce is still thriving. Companies expanding into new regions, especially across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, need people who can navigate cultures, regulations, and emerging-market dynamics. Roles related to these skills include; 

• International Business Development Experts 
• Global Partnerships Leads 
• Cross-Border E-Commerce Strategists 

These careers remain in demand because relationships are still at the heart of global trade. AI can crunch customer analytics, but it cannot negotiate trust, adapt to cultural nuances, or build long-term partnerships.  

AI can’t shake your hand, and most business professionals will tell you a handshake can tell you a lot.

Professionals who can blend strategic analysis with interpersonal skills, especially those who understand both regulatory risk and global customer behaviour, have a distinct advantage. 

How to get these international trade jobs in 2026

Across all these roles, recruiters are converging around a common set of expectations: 

1. Proven and measurable impact
   Hiring managers want real numbers: reduced clearance times, cost savings from trade agreements, documented risk mitigation. Generic statements no longer stand out. 
2. Recognized credentials
   The CITP designation is becoming increasingly sought after because it signals rounded competence, not theoretical exposure. CITPs come pre-vetted, reassuring employers that a candidate understands the entire world of trade, from feasibility studies and financial strategy to marketing, customs, risk, compliance and beyond. For instance, the FITT CITP Competency Profile encompasses 15 major competency categories, 26 skill areas, 78 subskills, and over 1,100 performance and knowledge statements. The standards are so robust because the skills needed to work in today’s global trade waters are robust too. 
3. Digital and AI fluency (or at a minimum, awareness)
   Candidates don’t need to be engineers, but they must understand how AI tools work, where they fail, and how to validate their outputs. 
4. Current-state global trade awareness
   Professionals who can read a geopolitical shift and understand its downstream impact on trade flows are the ones who will rise fastest. Companies don’t want specialists who simply execute instructions—they want thinkers who can anticipate. 

The future of trade careers belongs to the adaptable

The international trade landscape of 2026 will reward professionals who blend regulatory literacy, operational insight, digital sophistication, and geopolitical awareness. AI may automate the repetitive tasks, but the fastest-growing jobs are those requiring the highest levels of judgment. 

As the WEF notes, “technology will replace tasks, not talent.”

The value will come from people who can navigate complexity, see around corners, and translate global volatility into practical strategies that guide companies and their people toward success. 

The post The fastest-growing international trade jobs for 2026 and how to get them appeared first on Trade Ready.

Already, international businesses are finding ways that they might leverage artificial intelligence, and questions are being raised about how international trade policy will be transformed to address AI.

1. Incorporating AI into the supply chain

One of the biggest challenges for operating businesses across a border is managing the supply chain. Adding elements of AI in the supply chain can help international businesses reduce risk while cutting costs. AI can aggregate and analyze data from a variety of sources – business records, online news sources, government data sources and more – to help generate the safest, fastest and most cost-effective shipping routes.

And once shipments are en route, AI-enabled tracking can provide increased visibility into the supply chain to make sure shipments are secure and on time. AI also can spot unexpected disruptions in the supply chain faster, and provide alternatives, so routes can be adjusted earlier to help avoid delays.

And AI can go deeper than just the supply chain. When AI technology is weaved into a business’s logistical system, AI can help to better manage inventory and production.

Artificial intelligence tools have the potential to predict upticks and slowdowns in demand so inventory can be adjusted accordingly to avoid supply shortages or an overstock of goods that have to be warehoused for an extended period of time.

An AI inventory management system can also automate logistics processes to remove the need for some manual processes, like ordering supplies or increasing production.

2. Using AI to ease cross-border regulation

Businesses that deal in international trade know that there are a lot of factors involved in moving goods safely, quickly and legally across borders, as well as in offering cross-border services.

Artificial intelligence can be used to analyze and manage applicable trade regulations. AI has the potential to automate form filings for border crossing, and it can be used to spot errors in trade documents, like misclassification, to help prevent delays or fines.

Eventually, governments could implement artificial intelligence to help with compliance checks.

AI could be used to automatically process customs paperwork. Scanners that integrate AI technology could quickly identify anomalies or illegal materials as they cross borders.

All of this stands to speed the customs process, as paperwork and shipping containers crossing the border can be processed more rapidly without the need for manual intervention.

3. Financing for international businesses with AI

For both businesses looking to finance their operations and businesses who offer financing, artificial intelligence can be used to minimize risk and borrow or lend more wisely.

Artificial intelligence can be used to make predictions about market trends and risk that will allow businesses to plan for growth and more accurately assess financing needs to achieve that growth. It also can help businesses identify areas of risk that are opened by borrowing or outside investment.

For lenders and investors, too, artificial intelligence can be used to assess the financial risk involved with taking on a new business. Artificial intelligence also can lower the risk for fraudulent loans, lenders or investment because AI can better assess the data and documents put forth to identify a fraudulent business offer, paperwork or partner.

4. Leveraging AI in international trade for small businesses

All businesses stand to benefit from the use of artificial intelligence in making more informed business decisions and improving the efficiency of operations.

Small international businesses particularly stand to benefit because AI can automate processes that are typically expensive, time consuming and require additional staffing or consulting.

In addition to automating logistical and compliance processes as discussed AI can help businesses with real-time language translation, automated contract generation, customer service and more.

AI writing tools can be used to generate trade documents or other business correspondence and translate those documents into a variety of languages. The full benefits and pitfalls of AI-text generators like ChatGPT are still being discovered, but AI text generators have shown promise in creating complete documents.

AI tools also have shown that they have the capability to understand the intricacies of laws and regulations; ChatGPT managed to pass the American Uniform Bar Examination with a score that was within the 90^th percentile.

While businesses may proceed cautiously with more complex and important documents, they may be able to leverage AI text tools for some regular business documentation. Moving forward, more complex and reliable AI tools are likely to become available.

Language is a barrier for any business operating across borders. AI translating tools have proven helpful. Now, translation tools can work in real-time to ease conversations among business partners who speak a variety of languages.

AI translators also move beyond traditional translation tools because they are able to understand the nuances of languages and generate translations that are more accurate even when text includes idioms or more complex terminology. That means AI can reduce the need for additional staffing or translators, saving expenses and time for small businesses.

5. Considering AI and international trade policy

As artificial intelligence becomes more a part of international trade, it remains to be seen how it will affect trade policy and trade agreements.

At present, there has been some debate about how artificial intelligence will be regulated and tariffed.

Artificial intelligence raises questions regarding taxation – when do AI services cross over to be considered goods or services?

AI also raises questions about intellectual property. There are ownership considerations in terms of proprietary AI tools, as well as in terms of any documents or analysis that AI might provide.

Governments also may become increasingly concerned about how AI tools will impact national security. Restrictions may be set on the AI tools that can be sold across borders over concerns that those AI tools could be used by other nations or groups to cause harm.

Data security is also a consideration, as AI has to process data in order to generate useful analysis or text. That means that AI technology could make a business or nation more vulnerable to a data breach.

Discovering the benefits of AI in international trade

The benefits of AI technology are still being realized, but its clear that there are advantages to using AI in international trade for businesses of all sizes. AI can be used to help businesses operate more efficiently, automate processes to work faster and realize growth without needing to add a significant volume of staff.

AI technology also can help businesses to understand all of their data, as well as market trends and market climate, to better plan for the future. And AI can help with the everyday challenges of running an international business, such as managing complex supply chains across borders and dealing with business partners across languages.

Of course, as AI technology is still being developed and understood, there are questions about its reliability and usage. Trade businesses who wish to stay competitive and on the forefront of technology should be on the lookout for AI tools that benefit them and should train and acquire staff that will help them to take advantage of those tools, while remaining aware of new policies or regulations that may impact AI technologies.

The post 5 ways AI is transforming international trade appeared first on Trade Ready.

With a background as an electrical engineer, it’s not surprising that W. Edwards Deming repurposed the ideas of connections and electric circuits as he became a business consultant.

One of his well-known theories is the “System of Profound Knowledge”, a concept that defines an organization as nothing more than a holistic system, connecting not only internal resources, but also interlinking with external stakeholders. For managing the system, four pillars are relevant: Appreciation of a system, knowledge of variation, theory of knowledge, and psychology.[1]

Deming published this concept back in 1993. But despite being almost three decades old, the philosophy sounds more modern than ever. Thanks to digital twins – virtual replicas of physical devices – his philosophy can now be practically implemented, not only in production facilities but also the office environment.

The new workforce is ready to take on AI systems

Believe it or not, Generation Z (born 1997 and later)[2] is now in the process of entering the  workforce. These employees not only grew up with the internet, but also have extensive experience with voice assistants and other forms of artificial intelligence. Accordingly, they appreciate the technology and are comfortable interacting with AI to achieve the required results. With Generation Z, the future workforce is skilled in system-thinking.

The concept of smart contracts was first defined one year after the “System of Profound Knowledge”, not by a lawyer, but the computer scientist Nick Szabo:

“A smart contract is a computerized transaction protocol that executes the terms of a contract. The general objectives of smart contract design are to satisfy common contractual conditions (such as payment terms, liens, confidentiality, and even enforcement), minimize exceptions both malicious and accidental, and minimize the need for trusted intermediaries. Related economic goals include lowering fraud loss, arbitration and enforcement costs, and other transaction costs.”[3]

As a mathematician, his definition of a legally biding document is nothing more than a rules-based algorithm.

Smart contracts can keep your company sustainable and secure

With extraterritorial laws such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015, companies can be held responsible for their vendors, sales agents and other partners. As a consequence, they must elaborate a code of conduct for vendors, and in parallel conduct background checks and request evidence.

The electronic signature on a contract is based on conditions. If a vendor stops complying with one or more of them, much like the effect of an electric circuit getting interrupted, the validity of the contract is disrupted.

For example, a company may require its vendors to upload an annual statement that their products are free of conflict minerals. Based on this condition, the agreement was signed. If the vendor does not comply with the deadline of the rule, the smart contract gets automatically abrogated until the issue gets resolved or the company decides to terminate the agreement.

Smart contracts can be combined with continuous monitoring, where an algorithm connects  automatically with various databases to check if a used vendor gets listed or delisted from a governmental sanction-list, is involved in a lawsuit, or negatively mentioned in the news which could lead to reputational risk.

Human interaction is still needed to execute smart contracts properly

The ideal collaboration of AI with humans is that the machine is responsible for the level 1-tasks, freeing up the human expert to focus on the level 2-priorities. Regarding smart contracts, this means that the algorithm can continuously monitor that all defined rules are still valid. The moment the AI perceives that this is no longer the case, it interrupts the smart contract and alerts the employee to analyze the situation.

The human stays in charge, and accordingly must make final decisions to confirm or dismiss the computer alert.

This requires not only that the human understands the system, but also that they are capable of critical thinking to avoid falling prey to automation bias or a general over-trust of the AI. This has become increasingly important in the current environment, where a host of disruptions have been deemed “force majeure” due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deming’s focus on human psychology inside the system is imperative. He says a contract is “a voluntary, deliberate, and legally binding agreement between two or more competent parties. Contracts are usually written but may be spoken or implied, and generally have to do with employment, sale or lease, or tenancy.”[4]

This broad definition should also apply to smart contracts. The province of Alberta published the “Electronic Transactions Act” in 2001. The law defines the validity of electronic contracts, including the option of “the interaction of an electronic agent and a person or by the interaction of electronic agents.” Today the wording “electronic agent” has become outdated, replaced by as the terms “automated” or “autonomous software”.

As the demands of all included parties must be ensured, it’s crucial that smart contracts need to be auditable at any time.

Blockchain technology adds an extra layer of security and transparency

Modern definitions align smart contracts with blockchain:

“A smart contract is a self-executing contract with the terms of the agreement between buyer and seller being directly written into lines of code. The code and the agreements contained therein exist across a distributed, decentralized blockchain network. The code controls the execution, and transactions are trackable and irreversible.”[5]

The blockchain technology promises enhanced cyber-protection for smart contracts, as the information does not get stored on just one server, but is encrypted and decentralized on numerous servers. The different machines validate each other, and any deviating information (such as a manipulated contract),  would be automatically overwritten with the correct authorized information stored on the other servers.

As expressed by “chain”, no information gets deleted, but all changes are registered with the date and time. If the smart contract is enabled to connect automatically with other databases where certifications are stored in blockchain, the contract would add those. If not, it could connect to an internal server, where vendors manually upload such documents.

In times of global anti-corruption enforcement and rising stakeholder activism, companies want to ensure that their partners continuously comply with the law and defined human rights-initiatives. As a result, more documentation and statements are required. Smart contracts are a possible solution to achieve transparency, and automatically control the needed certifications. In the spirit of W. Edwards Deming, they can act as a bridge to connect two crucial organizational systems.

[1] Deming, W. Edwards (1993): “The New Economics for Industry, Government, Education”

[2] Dimock, Michael (2019): “Defining generations: Where Millennials end and Generation Z begins”

[3] Szabo, Nick (1994): “Smart Contracts”

[4] BusinessDictionary (fetched 04.04.2020): “contract”

[5] Frankenfield, Jake (2019): “What is a Smart Contract?”

The post How smart contracts partner with blockchain to keep your agreements secure appeared first on Trade Ready.

We are said to be experiencing the Fourth Industrial Revolution, building on the seismic shifts that came before it at an unprecedented speed of technological breakthroughs. This revolution is evolving exponentially, combining aspects of the physical, digital, and biological spheres, and disrupting every industry on a worldwide scale.

Needless to say, global value chains are not immune to this continual disruption. 2018 will see a need for every player to become agile enough to adapt to rapid technological developments as they come – or flounder in the wake of those that do.

Here are the top 8 ways supply chain management will be different in 2018, and how you can keep up.

1. Machine learning will teach supply chain managers how to optimize

Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly prevalent part of international business each year, and shows no signs of slowing.

In the past 12 months, over $4 billion has been invested into AI by U.S. venture capitalists alone, and that’s not counting established AI companies or efforts undertaken by other businesses.

With the ability to process data in real time and adjust your demand forecasts, inventory levels and shipping strategies for optimal performance, machine learning has the potential to save companies millions of dollars, making AI technology and training a worthwhile investment.

One of the most popular uses of machine learning is Multi-Echelon Inventory Optimization (MEIO). For companies with inventory in several locations, this tool informs you of the optimal inventory levels for each location, and has reduced total inventories by as much as 30% while maintaining or improving customer fill rates.

Machine learning is also being used to make forecasts and plans for the launches of new products, and to predict demand and adjust inventory and shipping accordingly during promotions. However you use it, the potential to act faster and more efficiently at lower costs is impossible to ignore.

2. Cybersecurity will be a top priority to keep your technology and data safe

What do Equifax, Deloitte, Yahoo, InterContinental Hotels Group, Chipotle, Brooks Brothers, Kmart and Verizon have in common? They all made the news in 2017 for customer data breaches, with millions of people affected.

There are few things more valuable to a business than its data, and few things that will drive customers away faster than concerns about their emails, credit card numbers, passwords or other information falling into the hands of hackers.

Businesses must be proactive to keep their servers secure, and ensure employees are trained to watch out for phishing and other online scams. If any sensitive data is entrusted to third parties, whether partners, clients or service providers, companies must be vigilant about their security measures as well, since breaches through a third party are an equally damaging blow.

As more devices are connected through the Internet of Things (IoT), companies must include proper security measures in the design of their products to ensure interconnected devices are not left vulnerable to cyberattack.

3. Having a Plan B will be essential to stay profitable in case tariffs increase

In 2017, the U.S. made headlines by announcing significant new tariffs on softwood lumber and Bombardier jets, as well as solar panels and other technology. With the future of NAFTA still uncertain and President Trump delivering an “America First” national security strategy – promising to act on what they see as unfair trading practices – 2018 could see further tariff increases.

Whether your supply chain involves the U.S. or not, new tariffs could add to your 2018 costs, and leave you in the red if you’re not prepared for them.

If tariffs increase, are you prepared to cut back costs in other areas to remain profitable? Or to re-route your supply chain to avoid those tariffs?

Maybe your business would need to consider exiting the U.S. or another market altogether.

Ensure you have a in place and do your research about the latest tariffs, trade agreement negotiations and other related developments so you’re not caught by surprise when changes come.

4. There will be more robots and automation in warehouses than ever before

The rise of robotics in manufacturing has been a leading story for decades, and continues to evolve with the latest technology. The trend is now expanding to warehouses around the world.

The main question seems to be how these robots will interact with humans, if at all. Some, like Amazon’s 80,000 Kiva robots, are designed to work independently, taking the place of floor workers. Others, like those designed by 6 River Systems, work with employees on the floor to increase their speed and efficiency, or are controlled by humans through VR like Kindred’s Orb robots, to help the robots learn the skills they need to operate independently.

Focused on finding products, sorting them and moving them for transportation, robotics are improving efficiency and have the ability to learn and improve over time. Where does this leave human employees? Some tasks requiring fine motor skills are still beyond warehouse robots, requiring human intervention on the floor. Other employees have improved their technological skills to work more closely with their robotic counterparts, improving their results and easing the physical toll of their work.

A loss of jobs is inevitable, but those with the skills to adapt to higher-skilled labour will be able to thrive for years to come.

Stay tuned for part 2 with 4 more of the top 8 ways supply chain management will change in 2018.

The post 8 ways supply chain management will change in 2018 (Part 1/2) appeared first on Trade Ready.

At FITT’s upcoming conference, Your Future in Global Markets, we’ll be exploring the key issues international businesses will face in tomorrow’s global marketplace. It goes without saying that innovations in technology will be driving that future.

So, ahead of the deep dives we’ll be taking into all aspects of preparing a global business to be a top performer into the future, we wanted to get a sneak peek into how today’s tech innovations are already changing the way multinational businesses are operating, planning and even staffing. Here’s what the experts had to say in this month’s #TradeElite Twitter chat.

Moderator:

Kelly Freeman from ICECORP Logistics Inc. (@Icecorplog), based out of Toronto, Ontario.

Panelists:

Nicole Verkindt (@Offsetmarket) – Founder, OMX, “Dragon”, Next Gen Den, Panellist, CBC News, The Exchange based out of Toronto, Ontario.

Amy Karam (@AmyKaram) – Author, speaker, instructor and global expansion and competitive strategy consultant based out of Ottawa, Ontario.

Gustavo Zentner, CITP|FIBP (@GZInterpoc) – President of InterPOC – International Point of Commerce and Trade Champion for Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Paula Greene, CITP|FIBP (@PaulaIntlMkt) – President & CEO at BEYOND Ventures Group Inc. DBA BEYOND, based out of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Omar Allam (@Omar_Allam_) – Founder and CEO of Allam Advisory Group based out of Ottawa, Ontario.

1. What are the biggest tech innovations driving global business today?

A1: Procure-to-pay and supplier engagement solutions for sellers & SMBs worldwide #TradeElite @FITTNews #globalbiz #innovation

— Omar Allam (@Omar_Allam_) September 14, 2017

A1. 1/2 – There are many; it is fundamental for companies to know what they look for before they start using tools.

— Gustavo Zentner (@GZinterpoc) September 14, 2017

A1. 2/2 – Automated online filing systems for custom & border crossing; live platforms with border patrols and customs reports are usefull

— Gustavo Zentner (@GZinterpoc) September 14, 2017

Automation, every industry is starting to be disrupted with this innovation #TradeElite @FITTNews #globalbiz #innovation

— Sarah Barnes (@sarahcaroline88) September 14, 2017

Q1: in mobile handset space where innovation has built on past successes like #android and #appleiphone platforms by Chinese company #Xiaomi https://t.co/kUlRIKkZuK

— Amy Karam (@AmyKaram) September 14, 2017

A1. Transportation – New Silk Road aka #OBOR utilizing rail, HYPERLOOP and Drones change the game #TradeElite

— audrey ross (@tresAudrey) September 14, 2017

Big tech innovations driving global business: big data, B2B procurement platforms, #IOT #TradeElite

— Nicole Verkindt (@nicoleverkindt) September 14, 2017

2. Where do you see the biggest impact to your business?

A2. For us creating experiences helps drive sales, even in B2B. 3D printing has been HUGE for us with sampling. #TradeElite

— audrey ross (@tresAudrey) September 14, 2017

A2: Biggest impact remote workforces, decentralized company structure, meaning less commercial real estate…#tradeelite @tresaudrey

— Paula (Lunn) Greene (@PaulaIntlMkt) September 14, 2017

A2 With transition to remote workforce, adv communication tools means competing globally, have to stay competitive #tradeelite

— Paula (Lunn) Greene (@PaulaIntlMkt) September 14, 2017

A2. Video, improved photo quality, anything 3D or 360 helps our customers see the final product b4 we’ve produced #TradeElite

— audrey ross (@tresAudrey) September 14, 2017

A2 Potential to reach more entrepreneurs around world with less travel. Less worrying abt how to be in many places at same time #tradeelite

— Sara Haq (@HaqCast) September 14, 2017

#TradeElite A2) Biggest trends I saw on @cbcdragon #NextGenDen was online marketplaces, “Ubers of ___”, #IOT and other consumer products.

— Nicole Verkindt (@nicoleverkindt) September 14, 2017

3. Is technological change creating a new global economy?

A3 – Yes – absolutely. Crypto currencies are a perfect example. New platforms and basic forms of trade are making us more connected.

— Gustavo Zentner (@GZinterpoc) September 14, 2017

A3: Tech change is just evolving w. the global economy, and evolving with the progression of needs, behavior and capabilities #tradeelite https://t.co/7wlJ7PAW9s

— Amy Karam (@AmyKaram) September 14, 2017

A3 Yes, in virtually every sector, with remote work and transactions digitally, business knows no borders…& tax issues #TradeElite

— Paula (Lunn) Greene (@PaulaIntlMkt) September 14, 2017

#TradeElite A3)Yes, #tech has created an entire new digital,
networked #economy -will require new #leadership styles,collaboration, openness

— Nicole Verkindt (@nicoleverkindt) September 14, 2017

A3. Absolutely. You can pay with your watch! Your WATCH. It’s a totally different economy. #TradeElite

— audrey ross (@tresAudrey) September 14, 2017

4. AI is a hot topic – how do you see that affecting business in the future?

A4: on a commerce platform #AI can learn from user interactions, improve business processes & offer contextual info instantly. #tradeelite

— Omar Allam (@Omar_Allam_) September 14, 2017

A4. What AI will have trouble doing is any type of creative thinking. That’s the future of our workforce. #TradeElite

— Paula (Lunn) Greene (@PaulaIntlMkt) September 14, 2017

A4) #AI will impact @offsetmarket allowing us to learn #procurement behaviour, make predictions + serve our users better #support #chatbots

— Nicole Verkindt (@nicoleverkindt) September 14, 2017

Look out for role of AI in corporate boards. Some firms already deploying this resource for better decision making #TradeElite

— Marcos Vaena (@MarcosVaena) September 14, 2017

A4: AI will mean business people will need to become smarter in different ways in order to stay relevant and add value #training #tradeelite https://t.co/B6XD3fyWra

— Amy Karam (@AmyKaram) September 14, 2017

A4. I think it brings up new governance challenges but also opens the door to new service delivery & sales pitch channels #TradeElite

— Clarecia Christe?? (@ClareciaChriste) September 14, 2017

5. What are 3 ways tech will disrupt business in the future?

A5 automation, robotics and operational efficiency, decisions made with more data and less manual labor #TradeElite

— Sarah Barnes (@sarahcaroline88) September 14, 2017

A5) #Tech will change how we consume, so companies have to change how they sell #TradeElite

— Nicole Verkindt (@nicoleverkindt) September 14, 2017

@FITTNews the change of technology to trade “everyone will sell something to anyone.” Trade moves from big companies to small personalities.

— Peter Kucherepa (@Kucherepa) September 14, 2017

The world is changing at an unheard of pace… watch, do research, be prepared and open. i.e. don’t put your head in the sand!!! #TradeElite

— Paula (Lunn) Greene (@PaulaIntlMkt) September 14, 2017

A5) #Tech will change us on personal +social level, providing more open access, less barriers, more diversity, more merit based #TradeElite

— Nicole Verkindt (@nicoleverkindt) September 14, 2017

A5: tech leveling the playing field for small businesses and empowering both producers and consumers, making global trade more inclusive.

— Marcos Vaena (@MarcosVaena) September 14, 2017

6. What is key to staying ahead of disruption?

A6. Learning new stuff. Being open to different ways to accomplish goals & get stuff done. #TradeElite

— audrey ross (@tresAudrey) September 14, 2017

A6: BE the disruptor in order to stay ahead of disruption #tradeelite think and act 3 steps ahead of where the market is #tradeelite https://t.co/6xq6INb7OH

— Amy Karam (@AmyKaram) September 14, 2017

A6) Be optimistic, be open, collaborate, iterate, small steps every day. And it’s all in the people around you #TradeElite

— Nicole Verkindt (@nicoleverkindt) September 14, 2017

A6-challenge your thinking and reporting structures; hire professionals; don’t be afraid of making mistakes when trying new processes.

— Gustavo Zentner (@GZinterpoc) September 14, 2017

7. How can global business use tech in their strategy to stay competitive and maintain growth?

A7. Every experience is custom tailored,individual like in the old days of business, with tech we can do this at scale. #TradeElite

— Paula (Lunn) Greene (@PaulaIntlMkt) September 14, 2017

A7. integrate tech in the corporate norms, operations and human capital. Be innovative and use design thinking for strat plans #TradeElite

— Clarecia Christe?? (@ClareciaChriste) September 14, 2017

A7 – FAIL FORWARD
(encourage anyone in the org to point out mistakes and suggest corrective steps)

— Gustavo Zentner (@GZinterpoc) September 14, 2017

A7 figure out a way to get on top of the data you need, assess risk and be open to new tech #TradeElite

— Sarah Barnes (@sarahcaroline88) September 14, 2017

A7: use #tech to increase sales and reduce costs #TradeElite – at the end of the day, being competitive is that formula

— Nicole Verkindt (@nicoleverkindt) September 14, 2017

A7. Where possible, use automation & digital tools so your team can do creative / service work, not admin. #TradeElite

— audrey ross (@tresAudrey) September 14, 2017

A7: leverage it 2 keep closer connection 2 yr clients. Tech enables firms 2 have a pulse on the market and foresee trends to guide decisions

— Marcos Vaena (@MarcosVaena) September 14, 2017

8. Are there any emerging innovations that you’ve seen that you think will make an impact in the future?

A8. Yes, in not only how we are doing business, but what we are doing in business #cleantech #TradeElite

— Paula (Lunn) Greene (@PaulaIntlMkt) September 14, 2017

A8. Anything that incorporates tech to correct & protect the environment. Waste is an issue in a lot of industries. #TradeElite

— audrey ross (@tresAudrey) September 14, 2017

A8) just seeing start of #AI, #digitalmesh,big data etc, BUT I am most excited about is leverage into B2B, traditional sectors #TradeElite

— Nicole Verkindt (@nicoleverkindt) September 14, 2017

A8: more important than specific innovation is the shift in market behavior. Tech enables greater consumer empowerment and transparency

— Marcos Vaena (@MarcosVaena) September 14, 2017

Read the rest of the chat and follow future discussions by following the #TradeElite hashtag.

It’s not too late to register for Your Future in Global Markets 2017, so act now to sign up see all of our panelists live, along with our other great speakers, events and more!

And stay tuned for the next #TradeElite chat, coming up Thursday, October 12 at 2:30-3:30PM ET.

The post How will today’s tech innovations affect the future of your global business? appeared first on Trade Ready.

Artificial intelligence, or AI, has transformed from a futuristic tech novelty to a modern-day business tool.

With artificial intelligence, computers are able to take data and “learn” from it, analyzing the data in a way that allows the computer to make accurate predictions and educated decisions.

As the technology has matured, businesses in all industries are working hard to develop applications for AI that will boost their productivity and improve their operations.

And it’s no wonder why: a study by business research group Accenture found that artificial intelligence has the potential to double economic growth rates within the next 20 years, while increasing productivity by 40%.

The international trade sector has quickly caught on to the artificial intelligence trend. With so much data generated by companies, there is ample opportunity to improve trade processes with artificial intelligence.

Here are four ways international trade is beginning to benefit from the technology.

1.     Enabling more proactive supply chains

Supply chains already thrive on data from start to finish. Online orders, warehouse packing slip data, and shipping station freight scans can all feed data to a logistics program driven by artificial intelligence.

These programs can provide a variety of benefits to supply chains. They can anticipate supply chain disruptions and formulate plans to compensate. They can predict customer behavior to regulate stock, preventing order shortages or overages. They can also calculate the fastest and cheapest shipping routes and foresee customer cancelations.

Ultimately, an artificially intelligent supply chain is a proactive supply chain, one that is incredibly agile and able to alleviate the impact of inevitable disruptions.

2.     Enhancing time-saving compliance software

One of the biggest challenges of international trade is compliance. Companies have to know who they are doing business with and watch for clients, suppliers, or business partners who violate trade restrictions. With those restrictions constantly evolving, compliance can pose a time-consuming challenge to international businesses.

Of course, software already exists to aid with compliance, but that software isn’t always foolproof. It’s prone to false positives and false negatives, which means that human review is often required.

Because of its learning capabilities, artificial intelligence can improve compliance software by reducing the amount of false positives and negatives, thus reducing the amount of additional human review and input necessary to maintain compliance.

3.     Creating smarter contracts

Trading generates a lot of contracts. While these contracts take time and money to formulate, review, and comply with, they are often neglected unless a problem arrives. Enter artificial intelligence.

AI  can transform trade documents, often entangled in legalese, into useful documents that can help businesses operate more easily within the parameters of the contract, and even reduce the risk of legal issues. Legal-based AI programs can catalog contracts, making sure they are being implemented properly throughout the business.

This helps protect companies from legal risks and ensures that they are also benefiting from the contract with on-time payments and deliveries from clients and suppliers. AI allows businesses to properly execute contracts and avoid risks without devoting a lot of manpower to contract compliance.

4.     Increasing access to trade financing

One way AI stands to benefit international trade has to do with how banks approach financing trade-based businesses. An estimated 80% of businesses who deal in international trade take advantage of financing, but it can be hard to come by. Many banks are hesitant to lend to traders due to concerns about trade regulation compliance.

While banks have traditionally required a legion of compliance officers to review loans for international businesses — the expense of which can add onto financing fees — AI can now shoulder the burden of compliance analysis.

Some financial institutions are taking advantage of artificial intelligence platforms to analyze compliance and, with the time and expense of compliance review lessened, can offer more financing options to international businesses.

Artificial intelligence is being hailed as the future of business, from the way companies manage their supply chains and deal with legal issues, to how companies anticipate and meet consumer demand.

Supply chain management, regulations compliance, contract management, and access to financing are just some ways international trade businesses stand to benefit from AI now.

A continued influx of artificial intelligence tools are sure to emerge as businesses embrace and explore the technology.

The post 4 ways artificial intelligence is transforming trade appeared first on Trade Ready.

Starting to think the robot uprising is imminent? Relax. With all the published reports and articles on the increasing use of robots and automation, one may think there will be no place for humans in the workforce within the next few years.

On the contrary, humans will be needed more than ever before, just in a different role.

It’s true that robots and automation are changing the way business is conducted, and it certainly is disrupting the workforce. A 2013 report by Carl Benedikt Frey and Michael Osborne studied the probability of computerization for 702 occupations, and found that 47% of workers in the U.S. had jobs that were at high risk for potential automation. In particular, workers in transport and logistics and office support “are likely to be substituted by computer capital”, according to the report. Workers in sales and services also face a high risk of computerization.

A World Economic Forum report forecasts that 7.1 million jobs could be lost by 2020, the majority of which are expected to be white-collar office and administrative jobs.

Since the beginning of human existence we’ve had to evolve or die

Innovation is nothing new. It has often led to sector disruptions, as well as the introduction of new types of jobs. A classic example occurred in the 1800s, when 80% of the U.S. labor force worked on farms. Thanks to the introduction of improved farm equipment and machinery, today that number is only about 2% and food has become less expensive relative to income. As a result, people have money to spend on other things and have also transitioned to jobs in other areas.

According to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) economist David Autor:

Automating a particular function so that it can be done more efficiently increases the demand for human workers to take on other tasks that have not yet been automated.

An illustrative example of this is none other than Amazon.

Amazon now has 45,000 robots in about 20 fulfillment centers. That’s a 50% increase from 2015.  As the company expands its use of automation, it is also growing its human workforce. From the fourth quarter of 2015 through the third quarter of 2016, Amazon reported a 46% increase in employees, not counting seasonal workers. According to the company, most of the stowing and picking of items, which require fine motor skills and discernment, is done by its employees. However, the company continues to experiment with automation, including artificial intelligence and drone delivery.

Where are human skills still needed?

And this brings us to another point regarding the importance of humans in the workforce. New jobs are being created in fields such as the development of artificial intelligence (AI). For example, self-driving vehicles may need remote operators to cope with emergencies, or ride-along concierges for delivery. In addition, corporate chatbot and customer-service AIs will need to be built, maintained and updated.

It’s not a surprise that most new jobs will be technology-based.

According to the previously cited World Economic Forum study, the types of jobs that will be in demand in 2020 include:

1. Data analysts to sort through and interpret the data generated from all the technology.
2. Computer and mathematical skills for such positions as computer programmers, software developers and information security analysts.
3. Engineers focused on biochemicals, nanotechnology, robotics, and materials.
4. Specialized sales people who can explain the company’s offerings to a wide range of clients.
5. Product managers that can design and develop products such as cars, appliances, gadgets, and other manufactured goods.

Are you ready? To stay relevant in today’s business world, you need to amass a skillset that will continue to provide work opportunities such as the roles listed above. The global logistics market is changing dramatically, and for the folks that embrace these changes and continue to update their skills, the opportunities are endless. One sure step to ensure you don’t get left behind? Make learning a daily habit.

What are you doing to keep your skills current? How have you seen your job field changing due to technology?

The post At risk of automation? Transition into these growing jobs appeared first on Trade Ready.