Marc Ambrock

Recently we experience a trend or better said a wave of populism hidden behind the flag of protectionism, nationalism and separatism. These movements  presume and promise to have easy solutions against the dangers of globalisation in the form of immigration, infinite competition and unfair repartition of wealth.

Surprisingly these movements rather come from a middle class, which acts from ist secure position as the really bad off classes have neither the time nor the money to protest. But they will suffer worst the consequences of these waves. Additionally its leaders pretend to represent an overwhelming majority despite being a minority. Media coverage helps them. Donald Trump will greet you.

But because money and wealth have always been – and will as well in the future – be moving more quickly, the consequences will be striking, but felt especially mid and longterm. This is due to the fact that investors seek legal and political stability and hate insecurity . As they are shy like rare animals, it will rather take decades then years until they return.

In the meantime Glocalisation strikes back in form of competitors that will be pleased to fill with its products and services the vacuum left. And with success as all these movements have no other plan than complaining and deploring its victim status. The interesting question will be how long it will take until ist own „supporters“ will realize they got massively tricked.

Therefore I recommend to keep frustratingly calm, watch out for new opportunities and develop a glocal plan.

Nothing is impossible – just let us imagine internationalization takes a turning point. And it just looks like that at the moment!

The election of Donald Trumps or Marie Le Pen seems rather unlikely, but even Brexit seemed improbable. But exactly Brexit gives us an idea of what we will be confronted with. At the same time TTIP and CETA advance only very slowly if ever and regions strive for independency. Simultaneously new barriers are created be it in form of border fences or in form of new legal restrictions. Whether these steps prove successful is not sure, but as entrepreneurs we should face the challenges.

Nevertheless I am firmly convinced that the internationalization cannot be hold up. It is rather the question how to meet these new challenges. Already now it gets obvious that governments are trying to oblige international companies to create part of its added value locally as condition for activity in its country.

I consider glocalisation is the answer to this trend. To the same extent that governments want to seal off its country for populist reasons, Glocalisation is to say a global idea with local implementation will be unavoidable.

Exactly for that we are preparing ourselves already for some time, as greater customer proximity will be finally decisive.

In that sense I wish you solid business success.