Going global in 2026 has a new set of challenges for SMEs

The dream of global expansion has fundamentally shifted. That "low-cost, high-speed" playbook of the past decade has been replaced by one with a focus on the "high-resilience, high-compliance" reality. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the barriers to entry are no longer limited to finding a distributor of a local salesperson; those barriers include navigating a fragmented geopolitical landscape and meeting rigorous new digital and ethical standards.

AI, business operations, corporate governance, global expansion, risk, sagaciousthinkLouAnn ConnerJanuary 24, 2026global expansion, global business, small and medium company strategy, #corporategovernanceComment

Governance Overview for both Board and Management, vol. 7

This week reinforces that boards are being evaluated less on intent and more on demonstrable governance discipline - independence, documented process, and evidence that the board is actively engaged.

BoD, AI, business operations, corporate governance, global expansion, risk, sagaciousthinkLouAnn ConnerJanuary 8, 2026governace, global business, #corporategovernance, international business, board of directors, Dr. LouAnn Conner, #sagaciousthinkComment

The AI Governance Gap: When Oversight Falls Between Committees

A board member recently confided: "We discuss AI in every committee meeting, but I couldn't tell you who actually owns it." This isn't just confusion—it's a governance gap creating real compliance exposure and regulatory risk.

Sagacious Thinking