We are thrilled that Mona Lou Cherkaoui, has agreed to let us use one of her recent LinkedIn posts as our featured blog to officially launch our new website ! This one is aimed at women, but I think it is giving them an unfair advantage over men!
Tell me what you think, in comments, and please let us know if you would like to contribute with your own unique posts and blogs. A great way to get even more mileage out of the time spent researching and writing !!
On August 31st, China kicked off the largest-ever summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Tianjin, hosting over 20 heads of state, including Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Narendra Modi, and others.
Xi used the platform to pitch a bold vision for a multipolar world: resisting decoupling from the West, proposing an SCO development bank, and unveiling a “Global Governance Initiative.”
👩 f you’re a woman leading across borders, here’s my straight talk:
1. Start small with your geopolitical awareness.
You don’t need to be a policy wonk. Pick one trusted news source and scan the headlines weekly. Keep a simple notes doc: “China – SCO bank talk,” “India – easing frictions.” That way, you can spot patterns without drowning in analysis.
2. Build your “two-of-everything” mindset.
Ask yourself: Do I have two suppliers? Two banks I can pay through? Two staffers who can handle that market? Start with one area—maybe suppliers—and double up. Resilience comes in pairs.
3. Learn one new negotiation cue per culture.
Don’t overcomplicate it. If you’re entering China, practice how to leave space for “face.” If it’s India, note that meetings often start with relationship-building. One cue at a time is enough to make you look sharp and respectful
.
4. Protect your basics.
Register your brand and products in the country before you scale. It’s paperwork, not perfection, but it saves you from heartache later.
5. Create your mini “heat map.”
Draw a simple red-yellow-green map of where your business touches: red = risky (tariffs, politics), yellow = watch (new rules), green = stable. Review it quarterly with your team. It’ll guide your choices faster than waiting for consultants.
6. Bring one woman with you.
Identify a rising woman in your org or network in another country. Invite her into one call, one meeting, one project. Cross-border leadership isn’t just about you; it’s about building a bench.
7. Speak your non-negotiables clearly.
Write down your top 3 “must-haves” (price, timelines, IP, whatever) and practice saying them without apology. Let your team flex on the smaller stuff.
For more tips, join us at the The Global Chamber to connect with seasoned international business experts.
See you on the other side!
First posted on LinkedIn on 4th September 2025 by Mona Lou Cherkaoui
hashtag#GlobalLeadership hashtag#CrossCulturalBusiness hashtag#GlobalExpansion hashtag#ResilientLeadership hashtag#FutureOfBusiness
