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 That "low-cost, high-speed" playbook of the past decade has been replaced by one with a focus on the "high-resilience, high-compliance" reality.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

Case Study: Hilton's Response to Their Franchise

There are lessons to be considered in Hilton’s response to one of their franchisees' refusals to serve federal agents earlier this month in Minnesota.

Background: A franchise property (under the Hilton/Hampton brand) gained media attention when it was reported that it canceled reservations for federal government employees tied to the recent anti-immigration efforts. Hilton quickly stripped the hotel of its branding for refusing service to federal agents.

For leaders of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), this is not just a "big brand" problem. It is a cautionary tale about how decentralized operations can create reputational issues that need to be swiftly addressed.

business operations, corporate governance, BoD, culture, risk, sagaciousthinkLouAnn ConnerJanuary 16, 2026#corporategovernance, #risk, reputation risk, operatopms, operationsComment

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

Productivity and Process Discipline: Where SMEs Are Struggling - and What Works

Stop the 'hero culture' bottleneck. Learn why SME productivity fails during growth and how process discipline transforms startups and family businesses into scalable, high-value assets. Expert insights from LouAnn Conner.