Tag: Brandon Daniels

Categories
Blog

Compliance Podcast Network Podcasts Honored by the 2023 Communicator Awards

Recently multiple podcasts on the Compliance Podcast Network have been selected by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts to be recognized as a Communicator Award winner for podcast excellence. I wanted to thank our listeners and fans who voted for us and have made the Compliance Podcast Networkone of the most award-winning podcast network in the country.

Never The Same, How the Russian Invasion Changed the World Forever was a passion project co-hosted by myself and Exiger President and CEO Brandon Daniels. It  was awarded two 2023 Communicator Awards. The first was an award of Excellence for Individual Episodes, in the podcast category of Business. The second was for Excellence in a Featured Series.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine changed the geopolitical landscape forever. It has brought a fundamental challenge to international norms, sovereignty and the rule of law that underpins global business. It made doing business more challenging and complex than ever. In this podcast series, co-hosts Tom Fox and Brandon Daniels discussed five key business areas have changed forever after the Russian invasion. We explored the sea of changes in the area of supply chains, trade and economic sanctions, anti-Bribery and anti-corruption, cyber security and ESG. Check out the entire 5-part series here.

The Big Empty and Economic Issues Facing 21st Century Texas, co-hosted by Tom Fox and Loren Steffy was honored with two 2023 Communicator Awards. The first was for Excellence in the category of Limited Series. The second was for Distinction for Individual Episodes, in the Business Podcasts category.

This series was based on Steffy’s seminal fiction work The Big Empty which tells the story of a small West Texas town on the cusp of the new millennium, a lifelong cowboy wonders if a new semiconductor plant will ensure a future for his son or eliminate the only way of life he’s ever known. The Big Empty set in 1999, is a tale about the sense of place and tells the story of a fictional company AzTech which builds a semi-conductor plant in the dying west Texas city of Conquistador The story presages a series of cultural, economic, geographic and resources conflicts that are embedded in 2023 Texas. The podcast series focuses on current economic and culture issues faced by the state of Texas, its governments and its citizens, all explored through the prism of Steffy’s book, The Big Empty. Over this special podcast series we considered the following issues facing Texas today; including water, power, land investment, housing and the clash of cultures. Check out the full five-part series here.
Coming Conflict with China-Business Challenges and Responses, won 2 awards for Distinction. The first was for a Limited Series and the second was in the Business-to-Business Category.

In this podcast, which I co-host with Exiger President and CEO Brandon Daniels, we considered how in the short span of the 21st Century, the world’s two top powers, the United States and China, have moved inexplicably towards a showdown. This evolved from a commercial competition into something more akin to permanent non-kinetic warfare. What does this mean for US business doing business in and with China? In this special 5-part blog post series, we explore issues diverse as real danger, supply chain, exports, cyber-attacks and IP theft from the business perspective and give the compliance and business executive their viewpoints on what you can do to not only prepare your company but protect it as well. The challenges your company faces and more importantly the responses you make will go a long way towards determining if your organization will weather the coming storm. Check out the full 5-part series here.


Data Driven Compliance. One of the newest podcasts on the Compliance Podcast Network, having premiered in February 2023, was awarded a 2023 Communicator Awards Distinction for Individual Episodes, in the category of Business-to-Business. In this podcast series, host Tom Fox discusses and visits with experts on how to use data to improve and enhance the effectiveness of your compliance program, creating greater business efficiency, all leading to more return on the investment for your compliance regime. The podcast is sponsored by Kona AI. Check out the inaugural episode, where I visit with Kona AI CEO Vince Walden on the develop of data driven compliance.

The Night Sky-a Podcast on the Two Eclipses Coming to Kerrville. Taking a completely different route is my passion project The Night Sky which I co-host with Andrew Gay. This podcast received a Communicator’s Award of Excellence in the category of Individual Episodes-Science & Medicine.

In this podcast series, Andrew and myself celebrate that for two days over the next 18 months, Kerrville, TX will be the Eclipse Capitol of the World. The first will be an annular solar eclipse will occur on October 14, 2023, and the second a total solar eclipse taking place on April 8, 2024. The 2023 annular eclipse will be a partial eclipse that will create a ring of fire around the sun and the 2024 event will be a total eclipse where full darkness occurs. In this podcast, we discuss how the town of Kerrville will prepare for an influx of a quarter million (or more) visitors. For a flavor of the podcast, check out our inaugural episode, where we host Dr. Ben Locwin who explains the two eclipses.

I would love to host you and your podcast on the Compliance Podcast Network. It is the only podcast network dedicated to compliance but as you can see by many of these award-winning podcasts we are not limited strictly to compliance. In fact, the only thing we are limited by is our collective imaginations. So, do you have an idea for a podcast? Do you have a passion you want to discuss? Then give me a call or shoot me an email.

Categories
Coming Conflict with China

Coming Conflict with China: Part 5-Good Compliance Is Good Business

In the short span of the 21st Century, the world’s two top powers, the United States and China, have moved inexplicably towards a showdown. This evolved from a commercial competition into something more akin to permanent non-kinetic warfare. What does this mean for US business doing business in and with China? In this special 5-part series, Tom Fox and Brandon Daniels, CEO of Exiger, a global leading third-party and supply chain management software company, explore issues diverse as real danger, supply chain, exports, cyber-attacks and IP theft from the business perspective and give the compliance and business executive their viewpoints on what you can do to not only prepare your company but protect it as well. In concluding Part V, we consider the roles of governments, businesses and thought leaders in leading the US business efforts in this coming conflict.

After uncovering a “constellation of disconnected issues” that are actually interconnected, Brandon Daniels must use regulation, funding and evangelism to incentivize public markets, combat the cyber threat and prevent conflict with China in order to protect national security. We discuss the importance of good compliance to good business; explore the government’s role in regulating cyber security, funding infrastructure upgrades, and incentivizing public markets and the role of businessmen and thought leaders. He also noted how conflicts with China can put companies out of business and the essential role of compliance in weathering the storm. His ultimate conclusion was that “good compliance is good business.”

Key Highlights
1. How has the government’s role changed in responding to the constellation of interconnected business and legal issues present today?

  1. What role do the public markets play in incentivizing investments in new technology and alternative energy?
  2. How can a company ensure good compliance to ensure good business?

Notable Quote

“Good compliance is good business – we saw that so unbelievably clearly during the pandemic, and I think we could learn something from an old adage and renew that view that good compliance process is good business process.”

Resources

Exiger

Tom Fox

Connect with me on the following sites:

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

Other episodes in this Series:
Episode 1-From Potential Conflict to Real Danger

Episode 2-Supply Chain Issues

Episode 3-Exports and Rebalancing the Global Economy

Episode 4-Cyber Spying and IP Theft

Categories
Blog

Coming Conflict with China-Business Challenges and Responses: Good Compliance is Good Business

In the short span of the 21st Century, the world’s two top powers, the United States and China, have moved inexplicably toward a showdown. This evolved from a commercial competition into something more akin to permanent non-kinetic warfare. What does this mean for US business doing business in and with China? For this special 5-part blog post series, I visited with Brandon Daniels, CEO of Exiger, to explore issues diverse as a real danger, supply chain, exports, cyber-attacks, and IP theft from the business perspective and give the compliance and business executive their viewpoints on what you can do to not only prepare your company but protect it as well. In concluding Part V, we lay out the business response to the coming conflict with China-good compliance.

In the face of rising tensions with China, it’s essential for businesses to take proactive steps to protect themselves. In the fifth and final episode of our five-part series on the coming conflict with China, we outline the integral roles of government, public companies, businesses, think tanks, consultants, product providers, and service providers in addressing the challenge. The  importance of compliance as good business practice cannot be overstated. We also discuss the strategies of risk assessment and risk management necessary to weather the coming storm.

Here are the steps you need to follow to create good compliance in your organization to help you meet the China challenge.:

  1. Identify risks
  2. Assess risks
  3. Implement a risk management strategy
  1. Identify risks

 The first step in addressing the upcoming conflict with China is to identify risks. This can be done by looking at the transcript and thinking about what risks are present in the context of the conversation. For example, the transcript mentions potential conflict with China, cyber intrusions, human rights abuses, national security threats, and IP theft. All of these topics should be considered potential risks that need to be assessed.

One of the main risks is the economic and national security threat that comes from insider threats. This includes cyber intrusions, credential theft, and other malicious activities. Additionally, public companies need to be aware of the potential for IP theft, human rights abuses, and other forms of economic sabotage. It is also important to understand the need for investment in cyber hardening, diversification away from China, and incentives for public markets. Finally, businesses must be aware of the need for risk assessment and risk management strategies, as well as the need to monitor and upgrade those strategies as necessary. All of these risks must be identified in order to effectively address the coming conflict with China.

  1. Assess risks

Once the potential risks have been identified, the next step is to assess the likelihood of the risks and their potential impacts. This can be done by looking at past experiences and current trends. It is also important to consider the potential of the risks, as well as the severity of the impacts. For example, if a risk involves cyber intrusions, it is important to consider the potential for data theft, as well as the impact of a data breach on the company’s reputation.

Finally, it is important to look at the potential solutions for the identified risks. This can be done by looking at the solutions that have been suggested in the transcript, such as regulation, funding, and raising awareness. It is also important to consider the potential costs and benefits of each solution, as well as the potential for implementation. By assessing the risks, the solutions, and their potential impacts, businesses can develop an effective risk management strategy.

 3. Implement a risk management strategy

A risk management strategy is essential for preparing for a potential conflict with China. This strategy should involve identifying risks, assessing the potential impact of each risk, creating a plan to manage each risk, and monitoring the implementation of the risk management plan. Government regulators can lead this effort by raising awareness of the interconnected issues and prioritizing the expenditure of resources to mitigate risk. Additionally, incentives can be provided to public companies to invest in risk mitigation strategies. Businesses should also take the initiative to assess their own risks and create plans to reduce them. This can be done through utilizing existing technology to make processes more efficient and cost effective. Finally, raising awareness is essential to ensure that everyone is aware of the potential risks posed by the conflict with China. This can be done through education and providing resources to help people understand the risks and how to mitigate them.

The coming conflict with China presents numerous risks to businesses, governments, and the public at large. It is essential to assess the risks, create a risk management strategy, and implement it. By taking the initiative to identify, assess, and manage risks, businesses can protect themselves and stay competitive in this ever-changing landscape. The bottom line is good compliance is good business because good compliance is good business process. With the right knowledge, tools, and strategies, you too can be prepared for the coming conflict with China and protect your company from potential risks.

For a deeper dive into these issues, check out the 5-part podcast series with Tom Fox and Brandon Daniels, here.

Categories
Coming Conflict with China

Coming Conflict with China: Part 4 – Cyber Spying and IP Theft

In the short span of the 21st Century, the world’s two top powers, the United States and China, have moved inexplicably toward a showdown. This evolved from a commercial competition into something more akin to permanent non-kinetic warfare. What does this mean for US business doing business in and with China? In this special 5-part Series, Tom Fox and Brandon Daniels, CEO of Exiger, a leading global third-party and supply chain management software company, explore issues diverse as a real danger, supply chain, exports, cyber-attacks, and IP theft from the business perspective and give the compliance and business executive their viewpoints on what you can do to not only prepare your company but protect it as well. In Part IV, China’s aggressive tactics to steal intellectual property, we consider the responses to protect the US’s IP and how to take aggressive action against the Chinese government to seek remuneration for stolen assets.

What are China’s aggressive tactics in stealing intellectual property from countries all over the world? Through intelligence gathering, academic partnerships, and supply chain buyouts, China has managed to copy and counterfeit American business products and other technologies. Companies must harden their defenses and refuse to stand for IP theft by using the Rule of Law to take a stand against the theft of US intellectual property. Through a concerted effort, companies can fight back and reclaim their assets.

Key Highlights:

1. How is China aggressively stealing intellectual property and technology?

  1. How is counterfeiting built into the Chinese economic model?
  2. Why is the Rule of Law a critical recourse for companies whose intellectual property is stolen by China?

Notable Quote

“We foment innovation everywhere; anyone, anywhere, can be an innovator, can invent, and can end up getting the rewards from that.”

Resources

Exiger

Tom Fox

Connect with me on the following sites:

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

Other episodes in this Series:
Episode 1-From Potential Conflict to Real Danger

Episode 2-Supply Chain Issues

Episode 3-Exports and Rebalancing the Global Economy

Categories
Blog

Coming Conflict with China-Business Challenges and Responses: Cyber Spying and IP Theft

In the short span of the 21st Century, the world’s two top powers, the United States and China, have moved inexplicably toward a showdown. This evolved from a commercial competition into something more akin to permanent non-kinetic warfare. What does this mean for US business doing business in and with China? For this special 5-part blog post series, I visited with Brandon Daniels, President of Exiger, to explore issues diverse as a real danger, supply chain, exports, cyber-attacks, and IP theft from the business perspective and give the compliance and business executive their viewpoints on what you can do to not only prepare your company but protect it as well. In Part III, we consider export issues of US companies and rebalancing the global economy.

As tensions between the US and China continue to grow, so too does the threat of cyber espionage and intellectual property theft. According to the Pentagon, China-linked economic espionage cases have jumped 1300% over the past decade, and nearly half of all counterintelligence cases now involve China. Daniels sheds light on how China is stealing American Intellectual Property (IP) through intelligence services, nontraditional developers, academic partnerships, and hidden ownership of companies in the supply chain.

We not only consider the extent of China’s IP theft but provide some concrete steps for American companies to protect their crown jewels and seek recourse if they become the victim of cyber espionage. With trillions of dollars at stake, the US companies can no longer afford to be unprepared.

Here are some steps you can take for protection.:

  1. Protecting crown jewels by having stricter, more active and proactive containment of technologies that are subject to export control laws.
  2. Monitoring and identifying where there could be IP leakage through better due diligence of vendor and customer ecosystems.
  3. Taking aggressive action to show China that any IP theft will be discouraged and the company will be remunerated for it.
  1. More active and proactive containment of technologies

The first step to protecting your organization’s crown jewels from China’s non-kinetic warfare is to have stricter, more active, and proactive containment of technologies subject to export control laws. This means that public companies need to understand what are their “crown jewels” and how to protect them. They should be more aware of who their suppliers and customers are, and where those technologies are going. Your organization needs to be willing to call out and enforce international trade violations. This requires better due diligence when it comes to their vendor ecosystems, customer ecosystems, and where your organization is buying their technology from. Companies also need to ensure that they have contractual clauses around confidentiality and exposing information so that they can have legal recourse if their intellectual property is stolen. Finally, they should be willing to get serious and aggressive to show China that they will be remunerated for taking their IP.

  1. Monitoring and identifying IP leakage

Monitoring and identifying where there could be IP leakage through better due diligence of vendor and customer ecosystems is a critical step in protecting intellectual property (IP) from theft. To begin this process, companies must understand their supply chain and customer ecosystem(s) to identify any potential areas of vulnerability. Companies should consider conducting background checks on their vendors, as well as tracking and monitoring the movements of their customer data and products. Additionally, companies should be aware of any suspicious activity in their customer and vendor ecosystems and take steps to protect against any potential IP theft.

Companies should be aware of any trade regulations or laws that could be applicable to their products, and take the necessary steps to ensure they are compliant. Additionally, they should consider utilizing insurance or other risk mitigation methods to reduce the potential of IP leakage or theft. Finally, companies should be prepared to take legal action to enforce their IP rights if necessary. This could involve filing lawsuits or engaging in international trade court proceedings to seek remedies for any IP violations. By monitoring and identifying areas of potential IP leakage, companies can better protect their IP and ensure that it is not stolen or misused.

  1. Take aggressive action

Taking aggressive action to show China that any IP theft will be discouraged and the company will be remunerated for it. In other words, use the Rule of Law to not only protect your IP but also aggressively go after any IP theft through civil litigation. This all starts with protecting your crown jewels, which means having stricter containment of technologies that are subject to export control laws, and specifically doing this with regard to China. Companies should also monitor and identify potential areas of IP leakage, such as suppliers, customers and vendors, and perform better due diligence to ensure that the technology is not falling into the wrong hands. Finally, companies should not be afraid to take their cases to court. For example, Tang Energy Group successfully sued Aviation Industry Corp. of China, or AVIC for stealing their wind turbine technology and won a settlement in the tens of millions of dollars. By taking legal action, companies can demonstrate to China that any IP theft will not be tolerated and that they will be held accountable for their actions.

The threat of cyber espionage and intellectual property theft from China is real, and companies need to be aware of the implications and take action to protect their crown jewels. Companies should consider a three-step plan for protecting their IP and seeking recourse if it is stolen, including stricter containment of technologies that are subject to export control laws, monitoring and identifying potential areas of IP leakage, and taking aggressive action to show China that any IP theft will not be tolerated and will be remunerated. With the right steps in place, companies can protect their IP and ensure it is not stolen or misused. Take control of your IP today!

For a deeper dive into these issues, check out the 5-part podcast series with Tom Fox and Brandon Daniels, here.

Categories
Coming Conflict with China

Coming Conflict with China: Part 3 – Exports and Rebalancing the Global Economy

In the short span of the 21st Century, the world’s top powers, the United States and China, have moved inexplicably toward a showdown. This evolved from a commercial competition into something more akin to permanent non-kinetic warfare. What does this mean for US business doing business in and with China? In this special 5-part series, Tom Fox and Brandon Daniels, CEO of Exiger, a leading global third-party and supply chain management software company, explore issues diverse as a real danger, supply chain, exports, cyber-attacks, and IP theft from the business perspective and give the compliance and business executive their viewpoints on what you can do to not only prepare your company but protect it as well. In Part III, we consider issues related to US exports to China and markets for US products if the China market is closed off to US companies.

The US-China conflict is intensifying, and as a result, businesses that export to China are feeling the strain. US companies exported nearly $149 billion worth of goods to China, but China still exports over $400 billion to the US. Do these trade deficits still matter? What happens when your biggest customer is no longer available? How do you go about finding new markets and reshoring customers? Join us as we explore this and other export issues in Part 3 of this special five-part series.

Key Highlights:

1. The importance of balancing the US-China economic relationship in light of the current crisis.
2. How does a business consider customer location an existential risk?
3. The potential for global economic rebalancing through collaboration between democracies.

Notable Quote

“We have to figure out how to make this a global market and ensure that this doesn’t just become some sort of nationalistic retrenchment.”
Resources

Exiger

Tom Fox

Connect with me on the following sites:

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

Other episodes in this Series:
Episode 1-From Potential Conflict to Real Danger

Episode 2-Supply Chain Issues

Categories
Blog

Coming Conflict with China-Business Challenges and Responses: Export Issues and Rebalancing the Global Economy

In the short span of the 21st Century, the world’s two top powers, the United States and China, have moved inexplicably toward a showdown. This evolved from a commercial competition into something more akin to permanent non-kinetic warfare. What does this mean for US business doing business in and with China? For this special 5-part blog post series, I visited with Brandon Daniels, CEO and President of Exiger, to explore issues diverse as a real danger, supply chain, exports, cyber-attacks, and IP theft from the business perspective and give the compliance and business executive their viewpoints on what you can do to not only prepare your company but protect it as well. In Part III, we consider export issues of US companies and rebalancing the global economy.

The US exported $149,000,000,000 to China in 2021, but do trade deficits still matter in this new era of economic conflict? The US-China conflict is intensifying, and as a result, businesses that export to China are feeling the strain. What happens when your biggest customer isno longer available? How do you go about finding new markets and reshoring customers? In this post, we explore the delicate balance between US and Chinese relations and the tools US businesses need to protect their intellectual property and commodities from Chinese counterfeiting.

What are some of the steps you can take around export issues.:

  1. Determine what to buy and sell to China
  2. Protect intellectual property
  3. Create a rebalanced global economy through diplomatic efforts with allies and partners.

  1. Determine what to buy and sell to China

When considering the purchase and sale of goods to and from China, it is important to take into account the potential risks and rewards associated with the transaction. There are several factors to consider when assessing the potential for a successful trade relationship with China. First, companies must consider the intellectual property rights associated with the goods being purchased or sold. It is important to ensure that any goods being exported to China are not subject to an export control classification, as China does not always respect intellectual property laws. There is a large counterfeit market in China, and companies must be aware of the potential for counterfeiting of their products. Finally, companies should be aware of the imbalance in trade between the United States and China, and must be sure to protect their economic interests while also respecting the rights of their customers. By taking into account these factors and ensuring that their business practices are in line with their countries’ trade policies, companies can form successful and mutually beneficial trade relationships with China.

  1. Protect intellectual property

Protecting intellectual property is essential to maintain the success of businesses and to prevent the theft or misuse of valuable information. Companies should take steps to ensure that their intellectual property is secure, both internally and externally. Internally, companies should create policies and procedures to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive information, and that all data is kept secure. Companies should also implement safeguards such as encryption and firewalls to protect their data. Externally, companies should take steps to protect their intellectual property from being copied or stolen. This could include applying for patents or trademarking products or services. Companies should also investigate the laws and regulations in the countries they are exporting to and ensure that their intellectual property is adequately protected under those laws. In addition, companies should consider signing contracts with their partners that protect their intellectual property, and should take steps to monitor the use of their intellectual property to ensure that it is not being misused.

  1. Creating a rebalanced global economy

To create a rebalanced global economy through diplomatic efforts between the US, its allies and partners, it is important to start by forming a coalition of like-minded countries. This coalition should focus on building up and sustaining economic ties between each other, as well as banding together to develop new economic opportunities and innovations. The US should also work closely with their allies and partners to protect their intellectual property, enhance transparency, and prevent China from taking advantage of any economic imbalances.

To ensure a successful rebalancing of the global economy, the US and its allies should focus on developing diplomatic solutions to their problems with China. This means engaging in dialogue with them, negotiating trade agreements, and forming coalitions of like-minded countries who are willing to work together to create a more balanced global economy. The US should focus on strengthening their own economic ties with their allies and partners, as well as developing new economic opportunities and innovations. Finally, it is important for the US and its allies to continuously monitor and protect their intellectual property, as well as increasing transparency in the global economic system. By doing so, China will be unable to take advantage of any economic imbalances.

The US-China conflict is an ever-evolving and complex situation, but by understanding the implications of the conflict, businesses can take steps to protect their intellectual property and commodities from Chinese counterfeiting, and create a rebalanced global economy through diplomatic efforts with allies and partners. With the right strategies and precautionary measures in place, businesses can remain competitive in the global marketplace and continue to engage in global commerce. With the right guidance and action, we can all strive to create a more stable and prosperous global economy.

For a deeper dive into these issues, check out the 5-part podcast series with Tom Fox and Brandon Daniels, here.

Categories
Coming Conflict with China

Coming Conflict with China: Part 2-Supply Chain Issues

In the short span of the 21st Century, the world’s two top powers, the United States and China have moved inexplicably toward a showdown. This evolved from a commercial competition into something more akin to permanent non-kinetic warfare. What does this mean for US business doing business in and with China? In this special 5-part podcast series, Tom Fox and Brandon Daniels, CEO of Exiger, a leading global third-party and supply chain management software company, explore issues diverse as a real danger, supply chain, exports, cyber-attacks, and IP theft from the business perspective and give the compliance and business executive their viewpoints on what you can do to not only prepare your company but protect it as well. In Part II, we discuss the issues in the Supply Chain, including issues of human rights, forced labor, and supply chain management in the Asia Pacific region.

Obviously, the issues around Uyghur forced labor in China are an important consideration for all American businesses with supply chains in China. While that issue focuses on human rights, it is also a wider world economic issue that requires a business solution. The key is to diversify the supply of goods, investing in other countries’ manufacturing capabilities to ensure that human rights abuses do not go unchecked.

Key Highlights:

1. What is the inextricable connection between human rights and economic policy when it comes to current geopolitical tensions with China?
2. How is the subjugation of Uyghurs in Xinjiang impacting the global economy?
3. What risks does reliance on China’s manufacturing pose for businesses, and how can companies diversify their supply chain to mitigate them?

Notable Quote

“It just takes investment. It takes time, but it’s an investment worth having because it provides us security in the potential and the ever more serious potential of a conflict with China.”

Resources

Exiger

Tom Fox

Connect with me on the following sites:

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

Other episodes in this Series:
Episode 1-From Potential Conflict to Real Danger

Categories
Blog

Coming Conflict with China-Business Challenges and Responses: Supply Chain Issues

In the short span of the 21st Century, the world’s two top powers, the United States and China, have moved inexplicably toward a showdown. This evolved from a commercial competition into something more akin to permanent non-kinetic warfare. What does this mean for US business doing business in and with China? For this special 5-part blog post series, I visited with Brandon Daniels, CEO and President of Exiger, to explore issues diverse as a real danger, supply chain, exports, cyber-attacks, and IP theft from the business perspective and give the compliance and business executive their viewpoints on what you can do to not only prepare your company but protect it as well. In Part II, we consider Supply Chain issues.

Have you ever stopped to consider the human rights abuses at the root of the products you use every day? From our solar panels to our computer screens, the exploitation of the Uyghur minority in China is a painful reality that has been hidden from Western consumers for too long. How has the global supply chain issues that have been enabled by this exploitation and how the geopolitical tensions with China must be addressed if we are to ever move past this human rights violation? In this blog post, we explore the implications of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, the COVID-19 response, and the need to diversify our supply chains away from China if we are to bring balance to the world and ensure a fair playing field for everyone.

Here are some steps you need to follow to help you to shore up issues caused by China, impacting your Supply Chain.:

  1. Take the issue of Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act seriously.
  2. Diversify the supply chain to reduce risk of disruption.
  3. Invest in alternative sources of supply.
  4. Consider reshoring manufacturing to places like the US, UK, etc. with relative stability and free market.
  5. Invest in US manufacturing to increase innovation and provide security.

1.The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act

Taking the issue of Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act seriously requires a comprehensive understanding of the human rights abuses taking place in the Xinjiang region of China. This region is home to the minority Uyghur people, who are subjugated by a paramilitary organization that controls all commerce and government functions. The production of items like neon, steel, lithium, and silica relies heavily on these subjugated people, driving down the cost of goods and manipulating economic markets. This is a clear violation of human rights, and it is not justifiable from any perspective. To take the issue of Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act seriously, companies must recognize the implications of this human rights violation and take actionable steps to diversify their supply chains, invest in alternative sourcing, and return manufacturing to the US. Taking these steps is essential in order to create a fair playing field and combat the human rights abuses taking place in Xinjiang.

  1. Diversify your supply chain

Diversifying the supply chain is key to reducing the risk of disruption from the conflict with China. Companies should look to invest in other countries in the Asia Pacific region such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, who are open for business and have less stringent regulations than China. Companies should also consider reshoring, which means bringing manufacturing back to the United States or other countries with more stable free market economies. This will help limit exposure to potential disruptions due to geopolitical tensions in China. You should review your long-term supply chain strategy, to include investing in alternative sources of materials and suppliers can help ensure continuity of operations and reduce the risk of disruption. Finally, companies should consider investing in research and development to create alternative sources of goods to diversify the supply chain and limit their exposure to potential disruptions from the conflict with China.

  1. Invest in alternative sources of supply

When considering how to address the issues of human rights abuses and Supply Chain interruptions due to China, it is important to consider investing in alternative sources of supply. Mexico, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia are all countries that offer alternative sources of supply, and they are more likely to be subject to less geopolitical tensions than China. To ensure Supply Chain security and to mitigate the risk of human rights abuses, companies should consider investing in these countries. This could include establishing manufacturing plants in these countries, as well as working with local vendors to source the necessary raw materials. Additionally, companies should consider investing in research and development in these countries to develop alternative technologies that are not dependent on Chinese resources. By investing in alternative sources of supply, companies can ensure a secure and ethical supply chain, which is essential for the long-term success of any business.

  1. Consider reshoring manufacturing

When it comes to considering reshoring manufacturing to more stable and free market sites such as the US, UK, etc.; the first step is to make sure to diversify your Supply Chain. This could mean making investments in alternative suppliers to ensure that the company is not solely reliant on one given country or region. Businesses should look into the opportunities of reshoring to the US and UK to take advantage of the 525,000 underutilized manufacturers in the US. Doing this could make it more cost effective and provide an additional layer of security in the event of a conflict with China. Lastly, companies should also consider investing in local manufacturing in the Asia Pacific region, such as in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia, to take advantage of these countries’ open for business attitude. This could help to bring about innovation and balance to the world’s Supply Chains.

  1. Invest in US manufacturing

Investing in US manufacturing is the fifth step in addressing the geopolitical tensions between China and the US. This step is essential to increase innovation and provide security. US companies must take seriously the idea of “reshoring” or bringing back manufacturing to the US. There are currently 525,000 manufacturers in the US that have the potential to be utilized. To make this possible, investments must be made in order to ensure that goods can be manufactured cost-effectively and with the highest quality. This will provide stability and security in the potential conflict with China, as well as providing innovative goods that are manufactured within the US. It may take time and money to invest in US manufacturing, but the potential reward is worth it.

The issue of Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act is a serious one, and companies must take proactive steps to ensure that their supply chains are secure and ethical. Diversifying the supply chain is essential in order to reduce the risk of disruption due to geopolitical tensions and investing in alternative sources of supply such as Mexico, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia is a great way to do this. Companies should investigate reshoring manufacturing to places like the US and UK, as this will provide an additional layer of security and help to create a fair playing field for everyone. Finally, companies should invest in US manufacturing to increase innovation and provide security. By taking these steps, companies can help to ensure a secure and ethical supply chain and combat the human rights abuses taking place in Xinjiang. With the right mindset and actionable steps, we can all make a difference in the world and create a better future for everyone.

For a deeper dive into these issues, check out the 5-part podcast series with Tom Fox and Brandon Daniels, here.

Categories
Coming Conflict with China

Coming Conflict with China: Part 1-From Potential Conflict to Real Danger

In the short span of the 21st Century, the world’s two top powers, the United States and China, have moved inexplicably toward a showdown. This evolved from a commercial competition into something more akin to permanent non-kinetic warfare. What does this mean for US business doing business in and with China? In this special 5-part podcast post series, Tom Fox and Brandon Daniels, CEO of Exiger, a global leading third-party and supply chain management software company, explore issues diverse as a real danger, supply chain, exports, cyber-attacks, and IP theft from the business perspective and give the compliance and business executive their viewpoints on what you can do to not only prepare your company but protect it as well. In Part I, from potential conflict to real danger.

Are your relationships headed toward conflict or real danger? Find out in this first episode of this special 5-part podcast series. In this series, Tom is joined by Brandon Daniels, who is an advocate for free markets and democracy and is passionate about providing transparency to the global corporate ecosystem. As this podcast series was being recorded, Chinese authorities arrested employees of the Mintz Group in Beijing. The Mintz Group is a well-known and well-respected international investigations firm. This is one more step in the increasing opacity of the Chinese market. They consider the economic battle being lost to Chinese companies due to their coercive tactics. How do cheap bids pose national security risks? Explore these topics and more in this episode.

Key Quote- Brandon Daniels

“Don’t just go with the cheap bid. Pay attention to the national security risk that a cheap bid from one of these Chinese companies could mean to your business and think differently about how you establish security in critical products.”

 Key Takeaways

  1. What is the Chinese government doing to increase opacity in the Chinese market, and how is this impacting global free markets?
  2. How is the Chinese government manipulating the economics of the global market, and what implications does this have for businesses?
  3. What strategies and approaches can businesses take to ensure security and diversity in their supply chain?

 Resources

Exiger

Tom Fox

Connect with me on the following sites:

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn