Whatever interests you most, we hope this gives you a chance to catch up on some of the most popular articles you may have missed, or re-read some favourites as we head into 2019.

10. 3 types of green technology that will change the future of international trade

As global warming and climate change continue to serve as threats to humanity, increasing numbers of people want to see green technology used more heavily in global trade. Those involved in an industry that could soon be radically changed by developments of green technology should know about the latest developments and how they will affect your business.

Here are some of the most exciting ways that green technology could change the future of international trade.

9. Global trade outlook 2018: What are the biggest trends, technologies, opportunities and challenges?

We wanted to hear from the experts on what trends, technology, opportunities and challenges they had their eyes on. In this month’s #TradeElite Twitter chat, we gave our knowledgeable panel the chance to provide some of their best tools and tips for SMEs going into what is sure to be another big year for international business.

8. 4 ways to protect your intellectual property in foreign markets

It is critical for organizations to recognize IP as a valuable corporate asset and to mitigate potential risks associated with IP infringement in order to ensure business viability within both the domestic and international target markets.

7. Top 10 websites you can use to find your dream international trade job

International business-related jobs pay an average of 13-18% more than domestic-focused positions. And with more trade happening than ever before in history, there are new opportunities opening up all the time. So, where do you find these lucrative jobs?  Here is a look at 10 of the best online sources trade professionals can use to find their next job.

6. 7 examples of how product liability laws change from country to country

As with other aspects of both public and private international law, there is a need to govern or harmonize disparate national laws and proceedings more uniformly with respect to product liability. This includes evidentiary standards, uniform reward of damages and punitive actions.

Many governments have passed legislation to limit the occurrence of product liability. The following examples provide a brief description of some the legislative measures implemented by various governments around the world.

5. Top 5 North American conferences you don’t want to miss if you are in freight forwarding or logistics

The logistics, freight forwarding and transportation industry has some incredible conferences which help to educate, inspire, and connect people involved in the field. These conferences are a great way for industry members to network and develop key knowledge for success.

Here are some of the top conferences in North America for freight forwarders and logistics.

4. How Bitcoin could shake up international trade

After years of skepticism about their security, value, and staying power, it seems that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are ready to take on the world markets. There’s serious speculation that central banks will begin to hold cryptocurrencies in 2018. Investment firms such as Goldman Sachs have released information to clients about investing in Bitcoin, and CBOE Holdings has begun to sell Bitcoin futures.

This means the time has come for those in international business to look at how Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies will affect global finance.

3. 4 ways to identify and mitigate the political risks of global business

As human beings have developed self-defence mechanisms that help them make safe choices, businesses must also protect themselves during expected (and not so expected) times of political challenges. To ensure successful operation overseas, business managers should take time to understand potential and plan for risks.

2. 4 companies who succeed by focusing on ethical sourcing and manufacturing

In recent years there have been some major success stories of companies that have gone out of their way to make their sourcing and manufacturing both ethical and responsible. These companies not only boosted the reputation of their brands, but also ensured that workers on their supply chains were being treated well.

Here is a look four companies who earned outstanding reputations and found international success by going the extra mile to achieve ethical sourcing and manufacturing.

1. 10 global trade trends we’ll be watching in 2018

What should you look out for or expect in the international business world in 2018? Let’s take a look and see what could be dominating the headlines you read over the next twelve months.

The post Best of 2018 – the top 10 most popular TradeReady articles appeared first on Trade Ready.

NGOs, once considered voices of the fringe and hardly worth a glimpse in the landscape of international trade and global business, are now very much at the centre of fundamental issues shaping the current reality of global business.

Historically in an adversarial relationship with other major players in the global business environment, the NGOs, which form part of what is collectively referred to as “civil society”, have garnered significant political currency as the issues they champion become higher profile and priority across the globe.

NGOs have gone from “fringe” to mainstream in the international trade and global business environment.

Reducing competitiveness or saving the planet?

Corporate social responsibility, anti-corruption measures, environmental issues, and questions of sustainability and transparency (in trade, export and project finance, for example) are all very central to the activities of NGOs.

The fair-trade movement, which seeks to direct a larger proportion of export revenues to the producers of goods in developing markets—as opposed to wholesalers and other intermediaries—is also gaining increasing support and becoming a characteristic of the global business environment.

Some argue that the efforts of NGOs—active in influencing the funding of large infrastructure projects based on the monitoring of local and environmental impacts, as well as advocating and promoting standards in the extractive industries—have the net effect of reducing competitiveness.

Others contend that nothing less than the long-term health of the planet is at stake.

At any rate, those who lead in these areas become market makers in new lines of business such as “green” products.

Environmental issues, from the all-encompassing climate change situation, to specific considerations about the environmental impact of long-range road transport, are at the core of political dialogue.

Sustainability has taken centre stage

These issues are also increasingly at the centre of calculations related to business and economics. Sustainability is a factor or requirement in every major endeavor.

The development of markets for trading carbon emissions represents a creative mix of NGO green-friendly efforts driven through mechanics and disciplines that closely mirror those present in leading stock-exchanges and securities markets around the world.

Carbon markets enable countries that generate high emissions to “purchase” carbon credits from nations that are low emitters, effectively imposing an economic cost on polluters and creating a windfall benefit for those whose emissions are below agreed levels.

Sophisticated trading and financing models have been developed (and continue to evolve) around carbon credits.

And these mechanisms are shifting from macro, country-to-country models down to the level of individual farms, businesses and consumers.

Several international institutions, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), are active supporters of carbon credit programs and investment vehicles, as indicated on the EBRD website.

Increasing customer demands for “greener” supply chains

Exercising stewardship in terms of sourcing practices to ensure the “greening” of supply chains (i.e. the design and management of eco-friendly supply chains) is now a matter of good business practice, and is increasingly an effective brand differentiator in the market, as consumer concerns over issues of sustainability and environment continue to evolve.

The global sourcing of wood products, for example, with increasing activity from China, Russia and other sources, is increasingly influenced by concerns related to the source of the woods used. This includes clear-cutting practices, the use of endangered woods, and increased interest in the use of reclaimed timber.

Automotive developments in hybrid technologies, the gradual shift to ethanol-based fuels and other crop-based inputs to chemical processes provide another illustration of the increasing demand for sustainable solutions and product offerings.

In many instances, NGOs have succeeded in raising the profile of important issues to the highest levels of government, and to the senior levels within multilateral institutions.

Many corporations and multinationals now have codes of ethical conduct and statements about CSR. Additionally, banks are acknowledging and adopting guidelines, such as the Equator Principles, meant to ensure that social and environmental issues are considered in assessing project finance.

Issues that were once considered “fringe” now drive global agendas and shape policy.

The international attempts to address global warming through the Kyoto Protocol are examples of the growing profile of NGO-promoted issues.

The specifics around corporate social responsibility, such as proactive attempts to address corrupt practices and promote ethical business standards, illustrate the scope and impact of NGOs. They also demonstrate the increasing political effectiveness and leverage of these organizations and their global networks.

What “fringe” issues do you see becoming mainstream in global business?

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