Blog

From Buzzword to Business-Builder: 5 Ways to Put Fintech to Work in 2021

Fintech has long been a buzzword in the business press, with the latest digital wallet or bitcoin startups dominating headlines. In 2020, the remote world of COVID-19 accelerated the adoption of these technologies. Consider, for example, how contactless payment moved from a “nice to have” to “business as usual.” In Europe alone, the COVID-19 pandemic

Latin America: Opportunities for Global Companies in 2021

Latin America entered the COVID-19 pandemic with a number of economic vulnerabilities. Almost 45 percent of the region’s jobs are in contact-intensive sectors such as restaurants, store-based retail, and public transportation, for example. This compares to just over 30 percent for emerging markets. Furthermore, many Latin American nations had already been grappling with longstanding social inequalities

Stay in the Supply Chain Driver’s Seat: Lessons from the Global Automotive Industry

Over the past year, COVID-19 has disrupted all aspects of global supply chains—perhaps no more so than in the global automotive industry. Companies  diverted capital from R&D to shore up operations and accelerated decisions to exit unprofitable markets and vehicle segments. They also prioritized supply chain transformation —accelerating a trend that had already taken root. In

Evaluating Market Risk in the Evolving COVID-19 Environment

Now over six months in, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed “business as usual” in nearly every aspect of commerce and life worldwide—and is particularly complicated for firms with global operations. What should companies look at when evaluating markets in this prolonged and ever-evolving “new normal”? A few considerations follow. Cross-border travel and transport: From two-week

Understanding Gen Z: Tactics for Brazil and Beyond

As internationally focused businesses navigate the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and its repercussions, other factors that play into a global business strategy remain constant. Understanding customer preferences is one of these factors. Here we explore the nuances of the rising Gen Z market, with a focus on Brazil. Worldwide, the profile of the younger customer is