Digital channels that easily link people and businesses around the globe create a feeling of connectedness. Even issues are more global from cause to effect — energy, climate change and “green,” for example — thereby unifying people from different countries. While the corporate world is growing smaller in terms of connect-ability (person-to-person, BtoB or BtoC reach), it’s growing larger in terms of virtual and global expansion opportunities for businesses.

I’ve read a slew of articles recently about global business growth. Of them, these stand out as interesting trend indicators:

• A recent CNNMoney article by Beth Kowitt confirms that emerging markets have become a choice investment option due to developed countries’ stagnant economic situation relative to the growth opportunities in developing parts of the world.
• The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) unveiled initial research findings about the growth in global business travel through 2013: Global Business Travel Spend Projected to Exceed $986 Billion by 2013. “The study predicts that growth of business travel in China and Japan will exceed U.S. growth over the next five years. In addition, developing nations, like India, Vietnam, Iran and Indonesia will experience significant compound annual growth rates over the same timeframe.”

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