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The Importance of Supply Chain Resilience

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Archives, Global Trade Daily, Stories

The Importance of Supply Chain Resilience

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Acknowledging potential weaknesses in your supply chain before they are exposed by elements beyond your control is of critical value. With current events in mind, managing future supply chain disruptions will be an integral component of corporate strategy. Calling it Supply Chain Resilience, Supply Chain Disruption, or Business Continuity Management (from the ISO 22301 standard) does not affect the necessity of having strategies in place that may make the difference between following or leading in a disrupted economy, and even between surviving or folding.

To identify potential soft spots, a review should not be limited to a single product flow or single supply chain element. For any company, the next big disruption does not have to be a pandemic; it can be something minuscule on a global scale, yet have the same devastating effect on the ill-prepared in particular trade lanes or in a particular industry. Unpredictable is not a reason to be unprepared. Creating supply chain resilience is a holistic exercise that involves more than just a few savvy logistics people. HR, finance, compliance/legal (to name a few) are all stakeholders in a healthy case of business continuity management.

How then to build a strategy? Like any other strategy, the process seems logical: review, assess, and mitigate. In this particular case: 1) review your tradelanes, products, and materials flow by matching them against risk categories (i.e., labor, business risk, global trade, nature, and materials), 2) assess risks for each combination, and 3) mitigate risks by either changing behavior now or planning for alternate (sourcing) options should the anticipated risks become reality.

Trade Lanes and Risk Categories

The relevant components to review within the supply chain include the importing and exporting country or countries, the manufacturing locations, the finished goods, and the (raw) materials. Ideally, for finished goods and materials, the associated Harmonized System (HS) codes are made available. Scratch what does not apply and move to the following step where each of the ‘inputs’ is categorically reviewed.

As mentioned, this should not be an exercise limited to supply chain professionals. For example, labor risks can be associated with the likelihood of strikes, wage volatility, and the availability of appropriate labor resources—not necessarily areas that keep the supply chain brain occupied every day.

In a similar fashion, other resilience elements expand across different areas of expertise. Business risks relate to cybersecurity, corruption, counterfeit products, and the chance of entering into business with bad actors that are on (any of the) denied party lists.

Global trade accounts for the compliance requirements related to the shipment of goods (i.e., licenses, documentation, permits, etc.), associates the products with the various duties and taxes, and identifies if Free Trade Agreements(FTA) apply and how to qualify for preferential treatment.

Arguably the most unpredictable, but not the least expected risk to account for, is nature. It’s important to identify the various kinds of disasters that may hit: natural hazards, pandemics or epidemics, flooding, earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, or drought can all play parts.

Lastly, consider materials. Understanding the market comes with insights into scarcity, sourcing locations, and price fluctuations.

Risk Assessment

Risk assessments match the input with the risk categories. For example, how vulnerable is the manufacturing location when it comes to labor regulations, corruption, or flooding? Is there an FTA in place that could potentially lower the import duty burden? Where in the supply chain can a cyberattack be most expected? In short, some homework is in order to create a thorough risk profile.

For many components, the sources are readily available, such as the Corruption Index at transparency.org, labor statistics on Statista or NationMaster, or duty rate information from the various global trade content providers (or the WTO).

Building Resilience

As with cyber-security risks (PEN tests) or a regular laptop virus scan, supply chain risk assessments will point out the components that need immediate attention or, in this case, are a high priority for alternate sourcing or routing options. It’s then time to build that resilience.

Look for options by analyzing the market and tradelanes. Mine import and export data to identify alternative sources for goods and materials, even manufacturing locations. Map out alternative routes for products to get where they need to go. Document the reasonable options and share with as many people as possible—preparedness is, of course, an all-inclusive strategy.

Next and where possible: test run! Re-route shipments temporarily or source occasionally from a new supplier; in other words, make sure the alternative options are viable. In addition, communicate with external sources that would be part of continuity plans. Make them aware they are part of these plans; put people or suppliers on a retainer and try to agree on terms before disaster strikes so the projected costs can be anticipated better.

Lastly, keep those alternate plans up to date; otherwise, it may be too late to create and execute on alternate alternative plans.

ginger
Archives, Global Trade Daily, Imports/Exports

The Netherlands and China Are the Main Suppliers of Ginger into Russia

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Demand and prices for ginger have skyrocketed in recent weeks, driven by the faith of Russian citizens in its miraculous properties to fight coronavirus.

According to the IndexBox’s report ‘Russian Federation – Ginger – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’, the revenue of the ginger market in Russia was estimated at $26M in 2018. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Since ginger is not grown in Russia, demand in the local market was fully covered by import supplies.

Imports into the Russian Federation

In 2018, the ginger imports into Russia amounted to 11K tonnes, going up by 2.5% against the previous year. Overall, ginger imports continue to indicate skyrocketing growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2009 when imports increased by 91% against the previous year. Over the period under review, ginger imports reached their peak figure in 2018 and are likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, ginger imports amounted to $26M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands (3.9K tonnes), China (2.5K tonnes) and Brazil (1.1K tonnes) were the main suppliers of ginger imports to Russia, together comprising 70% of total imports. Belgium, Belarus, Nigeria and Thailand lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 22%.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Belarus (+127.0% per year), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest ginger suppliers to Russia were China ($9.4M), the Netherlands ($8.5M) and Brazil ($2.9M), together comprising 80% of total imports. Belgium, Thailand, Nigeria and Belarus lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 13%.

Belarus (+105.5% per year) recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2018, the average ginger import price amounted to $2,444 per tonne, falling by -7% against the previous year. In general, the import price indicated a remarkable increase from 2007 to 2018: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.8% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 an increase of 79% year-to-year. The import price peaked at $3,359 per tonne in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2018, import prices failed to regain their momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2018, the country with the highest price was China ($3,842 per tonne), while the price for Belarus ($449 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

vodka
Archives, EU Trade, Global Trade Daily

France is the Major Market for Premium Vodka from Poland, Purchasing $99M or 62% of Its Total Exports

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IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘Poland – Vodka – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The revenue of the vodka market in Poland amounted to $403M in 2018, lowering by -2.2% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price).

Production in Poland

In 2018, approx. 98M litres of vodka were produced in Poland; therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. In general, vodka production, however, continues to indicate a moderate decrease. Vodka production peaked at 109M litres in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2018, production remained at a lower figure.

Exports from Poland

Vodka exports from Poland amounted to 47M litres in 2018, an increase of 4.9% against the previous year. In value terms, exports amounted to $160M (IndexBox estimates).

Exports by Country

France (15M litres), the U.S. (13M litres) and Canada (2M litres) were the main destinations of vodka exports from Poland, with a combined 62% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Hungary, Germany, Bulgaria, Ukraine, the UK, Italy, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Slovakia, which together accounted for a further 24%.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Bulgaria, while exports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($99M) remains the key foreign market for vodka exports from Poland, comprising 62% of total vodka exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by the U.S. ($21M), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Canada, with a 2.8% share.

From 2013 to 2018, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to France amounted to +3.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the U.S. (-9.2% per year) and Canada (-2.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average vodka export price stood at $3.4 per litre in 2018, approximately mirroring the previous year. Over the last five-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average export price increased by 23% against the previous year. In that year, the average export prices for vodka reached their peak level of $3.8 per litre. From 2015 to 2018, the growth in terms of the average export prices for vodka remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2018, the country with the highest price was France ($6.8 per litre), while the average price for exports to Ukraine ($0.8 per litre) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to France, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports into Poland

Vodka imports into Poland amounted to 17M litres in 2018, surging by 2.7% against the previous year. In value terms,  imports stood at $46M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Imports by Country

Finland (7.2M litres), Lithuania (3.6M litres) and Sweden (2.6M litres) were the main suppliers of vodka imports to Poland, with a combined 78% share of total imports. Ukraine, the UK, Russia and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 16%.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Austria, while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Finland ($22M) constituted the largest supplier of vodka to Poland, comprising 47% of total vodka imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Lithuania ($8.1M), with a 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Sweden, with a 16% share.

Import Prices by Country

The average vodka import price stood at $2.7 per litre in 2018, surging by 4.1% against the previous year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2018, the country with the highest price was Austria ($4.4 per litre), while the price for Russia ($1.7 per litre) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ukraine, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

fear
Archives, Commentary, Global Trade Daily

How to Take Fear Out of the Workplace During COVID-19

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Fear. Uncertainty. A growing sense of panic every time the president delivers a national address about the far-reaching effects of the coronavirus.

Chatter around the workplace these days is filled with questions like: Will I get sick? Will I have a job tomorrow? Can I afford to pay my rent?

What can you do when you’re facing fear in the workplace? The good news is that you can turn to four key principles: transparency, financial discipline, trust and respect for people, and a forward-focused approach. If you want to take fear out of the workplace, consider the following steps:

Embrace transparency. “Open-book management” is the idea that everyone inside your organization will be taught to understand the numbers that drive its success. Many growing business owners can be reluctant to share the truth about the financials inside their business. But they don’t realize the kind of risks they take on by doing so. They take on the burden of keeping the business alive — solo. In many cases, CEOs and owners are forced to shut the doors of the business to the shock of their associates, who are then left to wonder if they could have done something to contribute to a different outcome.

That’s why it’s amazing what happens when you have the courage to share the news — good and bad — with your people. Treat them like adults. Get their attention directed toward what they can do to help — versus panicking. Plus, the more eyes you have on a problem, the more ideas you’ll have to solve it. It’s an automatic check-and-balance on the security of your business.

Discuss your cash position. It’s been frustrating over the past few years as we’ve watched startup companies under the guidance of universities, incubators, and even investors embrace the idea that the only way they could grow was to take on debt. Some of you may find yourselves in an over-leveraged position, but that can also be an opportunity to engage your workforce and tell them the truth about the situation. If you do find yourself in trouble, ask your associates for ideas about how they can contribute to cutting costs — and increasing cash flow to the point where you can actually cover your debt obligations. You’ll be amazed at what can happen when you teach your people the rules of the game.

Protect jobs. Attracting talent and retaining it can be tough. We don’t have a future without people. In the not-too-distant past, executives sometimes became idols when downsizing jobs became the new mantra, laying off people at a time they needed those jobs the most. Something similar could happen today. Difficult times can convince companies to resort to layoffs to survive. But it is wise to think differently. Whoever has the most talented workforce will dominate their markets as soon as 2021. The time to get your organization ready for the next upturn is today — not when it’s already arrived. By then, it may be too late.

Get ready for the upturn. As bad and as uncertain as things look today, here’s a secret: it’s actually harder to get a company ready to take advantage of an upturn than it is to prepare for a downturn. Downturns can actually be opportunities to fix things inside your business that you can’t afford to invest the time and resources in when the economy is booming. While it might seem counter-intuitive, the current down market comes as a kind of short-term relief.

It’s giving us a chance to catch up — to make investments in our people and facilities — and to prepare ourselves to capitalize on the economic uptick that we expect to hit in late-2020, early-2021. By then, our workforce should be more stable and productive — and ready to take full advantage of the available opportunities. They have every incentive to do so, because, as owners of the business, they have a true stake in the outcome.

We know how painful things are today. But there’s no reason you can’t also dare to be successful. And learning how to build a culture based on transparency, financial discipline, trust and respect for people, and a forward-focused outlook, is a great place to start removing the fear that’s pervading your workplace.

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Rich Armstrong (www.greatgame.com) is the president of The Great Game of Business Inc., and co-author, with Steve Baker, of GET IN THE GAME: How To Create Rapid Financial Results And Lasting Cultural Change. This book is the how-to application of Jack Stack’s 1992 bestseller, The Great Game of Business. Armstrong and Baker co-authored the update of Stack’s book in The Great Game of Business – 20th Anniversary Edition. Armstrong has nearly 30 years of experience in improving business performance and employee engagement through the practice of open-book management and employee ownership.

Steve Baker (www.greatgame.com) is the vice president of The Great Game of Business Inc., and is a top-rated, sought-after speaker and coach on the subjects of open-book management, strategy, and execution, leadership, and employee engagement. Baker is a career marketing and branding professional and an award-winning artist.

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Archives, Global Trade Daily, News

How Businesses Can Pivot While Slowed Or Closed During Difficult Times

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With businesses across the U.S. having closed temporarily or reduced services due to the coronavirus pandemic, company leaders are trying to find ways to stay afloat until the crisis passes – and figure out how to move forward into an uncertain future.   

Dr. Kyle Bogan,  a business consultant and speaker on workplace culture, says this unprecedented event has caused companies to learn how to pivot on the fly and consider changes that will not only allow them to survive the crisis, but thrive later on.

“Business owners are attempting to balance decreased demand with caring for and providing for their team, and protecting the future of the business they built,” Bogan says. “While there is a negative impact on revenue, many businesses will come out on the other side of this pandemic stronger as a business and stronger as a team.”

Bogan suggests ways businesses can pivot during the pandemic that could help them short- and long-term:

Offer online services. “The critical element is to be creative and innovative to find new ways to deliver special services and products to your customers, and discounts where possible,” Bogan says. “They won’t forget that. Going as far as you can for them during an unprecedented time will make it likely they stay with you long after this is over.”

Expand how you inform and update customers. “Let your customers and audience know how and what the company is doing, how it’s adapting,” Bogan says. “Moreover, show you care how they’re doing. Offer links of advice on your website to help them deal with the many aspects of this crisis. If you’re authentic and honest, social media is a way to connect in a kind and helpful way, and that will add more substance to your brand’s image.”

Tighten connections with employees. Many companies are set up to work from home, and they aren’t as hobbled as others that are not. Bogan says consistent communication, enhanced by video conferencing, is vital to stay on top of business processes and to boost morale. “The entire team needs to be better informed and felt cared for and valued, and email alone isn’t sufficient,” Bogan says. “Owners and CEOs need to be transparent with teams about company situations. That builds trust. Send your team resources for anything that could help them during this difficult time. Encourage professional learning during downtime and get creative input from the team, giving them a stake in the future.”


Consider ways to make your culture stronger. Building stronger relationships can help build a better work culture, but that’s only one piece. Bogan says this is a good time for leaders to objectively look at their business culture and find ways to improve it. “The question is, do you want to be intentional about creating a team-first culture that represents you and your business, or do you want it to create itself without a clear vision?” Bogan says. “If you want to experience accelerated growth when this is over, creating a team-first culture is the path you must take. Financial success will follow. People are more willing to spend time and money with your brand if they can feel your team is happy.”

“Truly, we are all in this together – customers, business leaders, employees,” Bogan says. “That’s how a business should think and communicate now during the crisis and going forward.”

_______________________________________________________________

Dr. Kyle Bogan (www.drkylebogan.com) is a general dentist and a speaker/consultant on workplace culture. He is the owner of North Orange Family Dentistry. Bogan earned a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry and a Fellowship in the International College of Dentists. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the Ohio Dental Association, the International Dental Implant Association and the American Academy of General Dentistry. Bogan earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from The Ohio State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and played sousaphone in the marching band.

vermouth
Archives, Global Trade Daily, Imports/Exports

Global Vermouth Market 2020 – U.S. is the World’s Largest Importer of Vermouth

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IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Vermouth – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

Exports 2013-2018

In 2018, approx. 259M litres of vermouth were exported worldwide; shrinking by -4.1% against the previous year. In general, vermouth exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 8.1% y-o-y. In that year, global vermouth exports attained their peak of 270M litres, and then declined slightly in the following year.

In value terms, vermouth exports amounted to $494M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Exports by Country

Italy represented the major exporter of vermouth exported in the world, with the volume of exports recording 112M litres, which was near 43% of total exports in 2018. It was distantly followed by Spain (64M litres), Germany (29M litres) and France (20M litres), together constituting a 44% share of total exports. The U.S. (6.4M litres) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by the U.S., while exports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Italy ($205M) remains the largest vermouth supplier worldwide, comprising 41% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Spain ($97M), with a 20% share of global exports. It was followed by France, with a 11% share.

Export Prices by Country

The average vermouth export price stood at $1.9 per litre in 2018, growing by 12% against the previous year. Overall, the vermouth export price, however, continues to indicate a moderate curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average export price increased by 12% year-to-year. The global export price peaked at $2.1 per litre in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2018, export prices failed to regain their momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was France ($2.7 per litre), while Spain ($1.5 per litre) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the U.S., while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports 2013-2018

In 2018, the amount of vermouth imported worldwide amounted to 262M litres, approximately mirroring the previous year.

In value terms, vermouth imports amounted to $502M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of vermouth imports in 2018 were France (32M litres), the U.S. (25M litres), Germany (23M litres), Russia (18M litres), the UK (17M litres), Belgium (17M litres), Spain (17M litres), Poland (12M litres), the Netherlands (9.1M litres), Portugal (7.5M litres) and the Czech Republic (7.3M litres), together accounting for 71% of total import. Switzerland (4.1M litres) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Spain, while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the U.S. ($59M), France ($49M) and Germany ($45M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2018, together accounting for 30% of global imports. These countries were followed by Belgium, Russia, Poland, the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Switzerland, which together accounted for a further 38%.

Import Prices by Country

The average vermouth import price stood at $1.9 per litre in 2018, coming down by -3.6% against the previous year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2018, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($2.5 per litre), while the Czech Republic ($1.4 per litre) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany, while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

food supply chain
Archives, Global Trade Daily, Trade Cycle

Reusable Plastics: The Unsung Heroes Of The Food Supply Chain

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When you think of plastic, you probably think of piles of landfill products that don’t decompose organically, and as a result, end up languishing in the ground leaching toxic chemicals into the soil.

Modern technology has meant that plastics are more than just the straws you put in your milkshake or the wrapper on your lunchtime snack. Today’s plastics come in all shapes and sizes, including reusable, durable products used across the food supply chain market.

These products make food supply chain management more cost and time-efficient, allowing consumers to enjoy fresh, delicious produce and products quickly, and at a price they can afford.

Growing And Harvesting

In the early stages of food production, agricultural reusable plastic containers are used to grow fruits and vegetables in a safe and sanitary environment. Plastic trays are used to grow seedlings, and these are often watered using reusable plastic irrigation systems. Greenhouse covers, also made from reusable plastic, make growing plants that need climate-controlled housing, such as tomatoes or citrus fruits, safe and hygienic.

When it comes to harvesting product, plastic containers make it easier for farmers to store and transport their crops safely. Cardboard or wooden pallets can be hard to sanitize and are prone to absorbing moisture, while plastic is non-porous and can easily be cleaned after each use.

Processing and Distributing

Processing fresh produce, including fruits, vegetables and other crops, involves sorting them ready to be shipped off for use in various products such as ready meals, sauces and canned goods. Some will be sold whole, but the majority will meet customers in various different forms, so they are sorted and stored in a selection of reusable plastic food handling containers, such as IBCs, prior to being distributed to factories and stores.

Distribution is the part of the supply chain where single-use plastics get involved. The products can be transported on plastic pallets and crates, which are reusable, but they are delivered to customers in single-use packaging. As DeMaso of Lipman Family Farms explains:

“Single-use plastic is hard to get rid of when sending to consumers in the produce industry. We need to make sure food safety and sanitation are on-point, so we’re not trading contaminants. Disposable plastic is a problem, [so] it’s a matter of making sure we are using as little as possible.”

Making the Food Supply Chain More Sustainable

As this article highlights, the main issue the food supply chain faces when it comes to sustainability is its reliance at the end of the process on single-use plastic packaging. Justin Bean, the Business Development and Sales Manager at Reusable Transport Packaging, believes that reusable food packaging is the future, and that food producers should embrace it throughout their supply chain. This approach will help to reduce the food supply chain’s reliance on single-use plastics.

“Farmers still spend a lot of money on single-use corrugated and or single-use plastics for distribution to retailers. Our pay per use or milkman model allows users to cut out single-use packaging waste, save money, and use a better RTP (Reusable Transport Package).”

A move towards reusable plastic packaging throughout the food supply chain will allow the market to reduce its impact on the environment and still keep food fresh and affordable. It’s safe to say that these revolutionary products are the future of the food supply chain.

___________________________________________________________________

Reusable Transport Packaging is a re-seller, master distributor, and custom manufacturer of the broadest range of returnable and reusable plastic packaging available today. We carry thousands of products and boast an inventory that is readily available, with national and international coverage.

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Archives, Global Trade Daily, Imports/Exports

THE GREAT DISTANCES TRAVELED SO YOU CAN STAY AT HOME

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Baking queries are popping up all over Google, which reported that a top trending search was “how to make banana bread.”

As millions of people across the United States are ordered to stay at home and shelter in place, many have found they have a surplus of free time on their hands that was once filled with commuting, socializing and generally being somewhere other than their house or apartment. So what to do? Of course there is enough content on online streaming and gaming services to keep us enthralled for many lifetimes, but a lot of people are trying to make the best of the hand they’ve been dealt by using the time to learn a new skill, create something, or better themselves.

The activities we are filling our time with while confined to our homes show just how monumentally global our influences, choices and opportunities really are. While restricted to our small slices of the world we have the opportunity to cook food using ingredients and make things with materials that have traveled huge distances. And we can learn the skills and practices that are part of cultures thousands of miles removed from our own, all thanks to trade – both historical and present.

Globally-Inspired Baking

Whipping up delicious baked goods is comforting and rewarding. Little is more satisfying than making your own bread from scratch – it’s the nearest most of us will come to alchemy, and it’s utterly delicious. In fact, so many Americans are turning to this source of comfort that flour and yeast are running low and producers are fighting to keep up with demand.

Bread isn’t the only option available for home chefs. Trade provides a gateway to international culinary influences, allowing us to import the knowledge of grandmothers the world over. A few simple ingredients such as flour, yeast, fat and sugar (but beware the tariffs!) are all you need to make authentic Italian pasta, fluffy Chinese steamed buns or mouthwatering Colombian arepas. A quick Internet search will help you find family recipes to master yourself.

If you fancy something a little sweeter, how about a plate of fresh-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies – what could be more American? With cocoa beans imported from West Africa and vanilla pods from Mexico and Madagascar, you can again credit international trade with bringing you the ingredients to craft culinary magic. And for classic banana bread, your bananas are probably from Ecuador, the Philippines, Costa Rica, Colombia or Guatemala, and their complex trade story goes much further.

Knitting Together Cultures

Time at home has also reignited interest in creative outlets like painting, writing and crafting. Knitting, crochet and embroidery are some of the most popular activities we’ve been picking up to keep our hands busy, serving both as something to do and a great way to help calm anxious minds. Although only to be used when there is no other option, generous crafters in some communities are helping out by sewing homemade masks, reminiscent of the wartime “knit your bit” movement to get socks and warm clothing to front-line troops.

knitting and sewing

If you’re looking to knit up something cozy during isolation, wool from the animals of the world has you covered. The alpacas and vicunas of the Andean Highlands of Peru are a valued source of soft and squishy wool, and in South Africa Angora goats (originally from Turkey) are farmed and shorn for Mohair. And of course, humble sheep the world over offer up their coats. The many different breeds from places such as the Falklands, Spain, Australia, or the UK produce a huge variety of wool for our handmade sweaters, hats and scarfs.

Thanks to trade and innovation, numerous plant-based yarns are also available, beyond the obvious cotton. Great for crafting light and airy creations, they include materials such as raffia made from the fibers of raffia palms native to tropical Africa and Madagascar. You could also pick up yarn made from wonder-plant hemp, whose top producers include China and Canada, or yarn made from Australian eucalyptus, sustainably and ethically sourced.

Staying Healthy Inside

The closures of gyms and fitness studios and the stresses of staying cooped up mean people are trying to find ways to stay fit and healthy while they isolate, including exercising at home and experimenting with healthy foods.

Though you can no longer take a spin class or use the elliptical at your local gym, workouts that can be done at home have seen a surge in popularity, and many group fitness classes are trying to transition to providing virtual content. Many of these fitness classes and practices originally came to the United States from abroad.

Yoga mats have seen a spike in popularity on Amazon as people turn to the ancient Indian discipline to find their inner peace amidst the turmoil. One in three Americans have tried yoga at some point, and that statistic seems likely to increase even further. Perennial favorite Pilates is another way people are trying to stay healthy. It is now practiced worldwide but was originally brought to North America by German immigrant Joseph Pilates.

Young mother doing yoga with 3-years girl in front of window. Downward facing dog asana

Another way to combat the negative effects of social distancing and lack of variety is to seek out healthy foods to consume, like superfood products that claim to boost immunity or calm anxiety.

Thanks to international trade we now have access to all kinds of foods that can help us fuel and feel better. One of these is Japanese Matcha, a green tea powder made from tea primarily grown in two regions in Japan that has been a prominent part of culture there for centuries. Purported benefits include boosting brain function and helping to protect the liver and heart health. Once almost solely enjoyed in Japan, it is now available across the United States, and even at Starbucks and Dunkin’. Another popular superfood is turmeric, U.S. imports of which have surged in recent years from $2.5 million to $35 million between 2001 and 2017. It has been enjoyed in India for over 4,500 years for its ability to fend off illness but now it’s available in any grocery store to add to a home-cooked curry or to use in a turmeric latte.

International Trade Helping Our Domestic Lives

Having to distance yourself from friends and loved ones and stop doing activities you enjoy is undoubtedly tough. However, we can be thankful for – and find pleasure in – what we can still do, thanks to international trade and a globalized world.

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Alice Calder received her MA in Applied Economics at GMU. Originally from the UK, where she received her BA in Philosophy and Political Economy from the University of Exeter, living and working internationally sparked her interest in trade issues as well as the intersection of economics and culture.

This article originally appeared on TradeVistas.org. Republished with permission.

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Top 4 Teleworking Vulnerabilities (and How to Mitigate Them)

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Between social distancing guidelines and stay-at-home orders, it’s clear that we’ll all be spending a lot of time at home.

While many of us might normally work from home a day or two out of each week, few firms are used to having all their staff work from home for weeks at a time. 

This means that many companies have not implemented security measures that are most appropriate for a fully remote team.

To help you make the adjustment, here are some big-ticket vulnerabilities along with recommendations on how to best mitigate them.

1 – Using personal devices

The laptops and desktops your firm owns are secure. They have up-to-date patching and anti-malware. They have simple but important polices like an automatic screen lock. They’re backed up and might even have hard drive encryption and remote wipe capabilities.

Do the personal devices accessing your data even have anti-virus beyond Windows Defender? Are any running Windows 7, which has been out of support for months?

If a vulnerable machine is accessing your firm data, that data becomes vulnerable.

Best practice is to only allow your people to work from firm-owned equipment. If you try purchasing new equipment today, though, you will probably run into significant delays with manufacturing. Your second-best option is to roll out workstation management software to these personal devices. Your IT team can help with this.

2 – Heightened scam activity

Scammers are having a field day with this pandemic. We’re anxious, we’re distracted, we’re working with new and unfamiliar technologies, and we’re accessing confidential data outside of our secure office network.

In a span of just seven hours, cybersecurity company ESET detected 2,500 infections from malicious emails that played on COVID-19 themes. Phishing emails that appear to come from legitimate sources like the World Health Organization offer links or attachments with information about the spread, face masks, a vaccine—anything that will tempt recipients into clicking and infecting their machines with spyware, ransomware, or otherwise.

And the massive success of these scams means that hackers will double-down.

Fortunately, we can avoid these scams by practicing the same awareness tactics you’ve heard before:

-Don’t click links or download attachments you weren’t expecting.

-Watch for poor grammar and generic greetings (sir/ma’am)

-Don’t offer up personal information unless you can verify the request (by calling the sender, logging directly into your Facebook account, etc.)

Regarding coronavirus specifically, be sure to stick to official websites (WHO, CDC) for the latest news on the outbreak.

3 – Not using multi-factor authentication

Multi-factor authentication keeps you protected even if you make a mistake—which, as I mentioned above, is a lot more likely in today’s landscape.

Say you fall for a phishing scam and enter your Office 365 credentials onto a fake web page. But, your Office 365 account is set to send a verification code to your cell phone. Even with your email address and password in-hand, the hacker still can’t access your account unless they’ve also managed to steal your cell phone.

In January 1.2 million Microsoft accounts were compromised. Microsoft has said “multi-factor authentication would have prevented the vast majority of those one-million compromised accounts.”

Work with your IT team to (forcibly) enable multi-factor authentication on as many applications as you can. This is often not labor-intensive, and it can do wonders to keep your accounts locked down.

4 – Sharing devices with others

If you live with roommates or family members, you may find them asking to borrow your machine for anything from their distance learning assignments to streaming movies.

Whether this machine is personal device or owned by the firm, letting others onto the same equipment being used to store and access client data puts that data at risk. It only takes one wrong click to put your threat detection and response software—assuming any is installed—to the test.

And in some cases, someone just seeing an open document on your machine is a compliance violation.

Your firm policy may already have guidelines against sharing devices, but keep in mind that this is new territory for all of us, and that some may need help finding an alternative.

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Heinan Landa, CEO and Founder of Optimal Networks, a globally-ranked IT services firm, and author of The Modern Law Firm: How to Thrive in an Era of Rapid Technological Change.