If you work across time zones, borders and cultures, this is the show for you. In the Weekly Concept series, Leonardo aims at defining a topic in international business. These are shorter episodes to illustrate key concepts in this discipline.

Today, we talk about economic sanctions.

Economic sanctions act as tools of diplomacy that can greatly affect global trade. These measures, which can include everything from trade embargoes to asset freezes, aim to persuade countries or entities to change their behavior in line with international expectations.

Connect with the host ⁠⁠⁠Leonardo Marra on LinkedIn.⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).

Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.

Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters.

Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.

Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.

You could also support the podcast by purchasing one of the following books on Amazon using the links provided:

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Personal MBA⁠⁠⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠HBR's 10 Must Reads 2025⁠⁠⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠The 48 Laws of Power⁠⁠⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Ocean Strategy

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo, welcome to the international business podcast.

Today, we dive into Latin America from different angles: nearshoring, market access to LATAM, and LATAM expansion to Europe. We have three guests joining us—one based in Colombia, one in Brazil, and one in Spain.

Use the promo code 8D1E2 to get 50% off your first month on Patreon. This offer is valid until February 28th.

⁠⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).

Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.

Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters.

Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.

Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.

Joseph Novitzki is the Principal and CEO of Timberwolf International Consulting, where he helps U.S. businesses navigate the complexities of international expansion and build high-performing teams in Latin America.

With over a decade of experience living and working in the region, Joseph brings a unique perspective to unlocking Latin America's potential as the next economic frontier. From saving clients hundreds of thousands of dollars in labor costs through nearshoring to leading market entry strategies across 12 countries, his results-driven approach focuses on efficiency and adaptability to local norms.

Henrique Malina brings over 20 years of experience and a proven track record in facilitating multi-million dollar agreements for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and med-tech companies in the dynamic Latin American market. Expertise focused on:

- Market Entry Strategy: Assisting companies in navigating the complexities of the LATAM healthcare landscape.

- Strategic Alliances: Building strong relationships with key players such as distributors and major pharma/med-tech companies in the region.

- Global Opportunities: Connecting with leading biotechs, pharma, and nutraceutical firms to create new business prospects.

Marc Flo-Martin is a Sales and Business Development executive with a 20+ years international career that has taken him to live in Spain, The Netherlands, France, and particularly Brazil, where he lived and worked for a decade. Fluent in six languages, he leverages his linguistic skills to build connections and foster collaboration across borders. Currently based in his hometown of Barcelona, Marc combines his corporate expertise with a passion for developing global business connections.

He is involved in international consulting, assisting foreign companies in navigating the Brazilian market and supporting Brazilian businesses in expanding internationally.

Marc also serves as an Advisory Board Member for the Barcelona chapter of The Global Chamber®, a premier global networking organization dedicated to facilitating the capture of cross-border business opportunities.

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. Connect with the host Leonardo Marra

If you work across time zones, borders and cultures, this is the show for you. In the Weekly Concept series, Leonardo aims at defining a topic in international business. These are shorter episodes to illustrate key concepts in this discipline.

Today, we talk about NAFTA. It stands for North American Free Trade Agreement.

NAFTA was a trade deal between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, signed in 1992 and enacted in 1994, aimed at eliminating trade barriers and boosting economic cooperation. It removed tariffs and allowed for easier movement of goods, services, and investments across the three countries.

Connect with the host ⁠⁠Leonardo Marra on LinkedIn.⁠⁠

⁠⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠

Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).

Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.

Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters.

Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.

Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.

You could also support the podcast by purchasing one of the following books on Amazon using the links provided:

- ⁠⁠⁠The Personal MBA⁠⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠⁠HBR's 10 Must Reads 2025⁠⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠⁠The 48 Laws of Power⁠⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠⁠Blue Ocean Strategy

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo, welcome to the international business podcast.

Muraly Srinarayanathas, author of Between Borders, Beyond Boundaries: Strategies for Authentic Business Engagement in an Interconnected World, is a global strategist and serial entrepreneur. He is co-founder and executive chairman of 369 Global, a conglomerate involved in skills training and workforce development, media and communications, and global market facilitation.

He also founded 3 Magazine, a luxury lifestyle and business publication that focuses on celebrating Canada’s growing and diverse population. Srinarayanathas has more than 25 years of experience working in international markets across North America, Europe, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

You can purchase Muraly’s book on Amazon here. This will contribute to The International Business Podcast.

Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).

Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.

Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters.

Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.

Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. Connect with the host Leonardo Marra

If you work across time zones, borders and cultures, this is the show for you. In the Weekly Concept series, Leonardo aims at defining a topic in international business. These are shorter episodes to illustrate key concepts in this discipline.

Today, we talk about the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development).

It was established in 1961 to boost the economic growth of Western industrialized countries and to promote global trade. Initially made by 20 founding members, it currently has 38 member countries. Originally the membership was exclusively North American and European, but it then expanded further. Its headquarters is in Paris and employs over 2,300 staff. The organization is founded by its members, and the national contributions are based on each member’s economy.

So, what does the OECD really do? At its heart, the organization is all about encouraging policies that drive prosperity, fairness, and well-being for everyone.

Connect with the host ⁠Leonardo Marra on LinkedIn.⁠

⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠

Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).

Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.

Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters.

Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.

Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.

You could also support the podcast by purchasing one of the following books on Amazon using the links provided:

- ⁠⁠The Personal MBA⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠HBR's 10 Must Reads 2025⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠The 48 Laws of Power⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠Blue Ocean Strategy

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo, welcome to the international business podcast.

What are the major differences between U.S. and Chinese business dealings and practices?

What questions do today’s business leaders need to ask to work successfully and carefully with China?

How does the CCP operate, including their use of flattery to manipulate and replicate business models?

Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠

Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).

Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.

Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters.

Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.

Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.

Joining Leonardo we have Ken Wilcox. He was the CEO of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) from 2001 to 2011, then the CEO of SVB's joint venture with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (SPDB-SVB) in Shanghai until 2015, followed by four years as its Vice Chairman.

He currently serves on the boards of the Asia Society of Northern California, the Asian Art Museum, and UC San Diego's 21st Century China Center, as well as Columbia Lake Partners, a European venture-debt fund. He is on the Board of Advisors of the Fudan University School of Management in Shanghai and an Adjunct Professor at U.C. Berkeley.

Ken holds a PhD in German from Ohio State University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. His account of establishing an innovation bank in China, “The China Business Conundrum: Ensure that Win-Win Doesn’t Mean Western Companies Lose Twice”, was published in November 2024 from Wiley.

For an extra 20 minutes episode with Ken, check out the PLUS episode that is coming out tomorrow. It is available for Patreon subscribers.

You can purchase Ken's book on Amazon here. This will contribute to The International Business Podcast.

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. Connect with the host Leonardo Marra

If you work across time zones, borders and cultures, this is the show for you. In the Weekly Concept series, Leonardo aims at defining a topic in international business. These are shorter episodes to illustrate key concepts in this discipline.

Today, we talk about the multi-domestic strategy.

This strategy emphasizes local responsiveness over global efficiency. Companies adopting this approach tailor their products and marketing strategies to meet the unique needs of each market they enter. This decentralized model allows local managers significant autonomy to make decisions that resonate with regional consumers.

- Connect with the host Leonardo Marra on LinkedIn.

Join Leonardo on Patreon for:

Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).

Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.

Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters.

Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.

Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.

For further reading: How Netflix Is Extending Its Tentacles Across Asia in Search of the Next Squid Game

You could also support the podcast by purchasing one of the following books on Amazon using the links provided:

- ⁠The Personal MBA⁠

- ⁠HBR's 10 Must Reads 2025⁠

- ⁠The 48 Laws of Power⁠

- ⁠Blue Ocean Strategy

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo, welcome to the international business podcast. Today we talk about Temu.

Temu is an online marketplace that belongs to the Chinese Pinduoduo Group, which was founded by Colin Huang, one of China’s wealthiest entrepreneurs. It kicked off in May 2022 and made its way to Europe in May 2023.The site promotes itself with the catchy tagline “Temu: shop like a billionaire” and is famous for its super low prices and big discounts, selling just about everything you can think of.

- What is their business model?

- Is Temu a threat for Amazon?

- What are the concerns you should have as a consumer? And more.

Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠

Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).

Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.

Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters.

Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.

Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.

You could also support the podcast by purchasing one of the following books on Amazon using the links provided:

- The Personal MBA

- HBR's 10 Must Reads 2025

- The 48 Laws of Power

- Blue Ocean Strategy

Joining Leonardo we have Kathryn Read, Partner at Uniconsult-Wick & Partner. She spent more than 25 years at the nitty gritty end of export doing business in more than 150 countries.

- If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. Connect with the host Leonardo Marra.