essay about local business

Supporting Local Businesses in Communities: The Importance of Shopping Locally

Did you know that local businesses reinvest nearly 70% of their profits back into the local economy, as opposed to chain businesses that only reinvest about 43%? That’s just one of the many reasons why it’s so important to support local businesses in your community. When local businesses succeed, communities thrive. Therefore, it’s important to support local businesses as much as possible.

What Are Local Businesses?

Local businesses are defined as any independently-owned and operated businesses that are based in the local community. This can include everything from mom-and-pop shops to family-owned restaurants to small, local retailers. Anything that is not a chain business or national corporation is considered a local business.

Local businesses are a vital part of every community. They provide jobs, generate tax revenue, and help to boost the local economy. When you shop at a local business, you’re not only supporting that specific business – you’re also helping to improve the overall health of your community.

Why Support Local Businesses?

There are many reasons why you should support local businesses in your community . Here are just a few:

Local businesses reinvest nearly 70% of their profits back into the local economy, compared to less than 30% for national chains.

Since local businesses reinvest their profits locally, they help to create more jobs in the community. This is good news for communities because it means that there are more opportunities for employment.

Local businesses also tend to use local suppliers, which further boosts the local economy.

When you shop at a local business, you’re helping to keep your community unique. Local businesses add character and charm to a community that can be lost when national chains move in. So next time you need to make a purchase, think about patronizing a local business instead of a national chain. Your community will thank you!

Local businesses are usually owned by people who live in the community, so they’re more invested in its success.

People who own local businesses are invested in the local community. They are more likely to give back to the community, whether through donations or sponsorships.

For instance, dental clinics local to the area may sponsor a local sports team or donate to a local charity. These are things that national chains typically don’t do.

When you support local businesses, you’re also supporting the local economy. Local businesses tend to buy from other local businesses, which creates a positive ripple effect.

Local businesses create jobs.

When you shop at a local business, you’re supporting your neighbors and friends who might be employed there. You’re also helping to keep your hard-earned money in the local economy instead of sending it off to corporate headquarters in another state or country.

Local businesses often use local suppliers, which also helps to boost the local economy.

Local suppliers are usually more convenient and can offer better customer service than national suppliers. Plus, local businesses are typically more invested in their communities and are more likely to give back.

How Do You Support A Local Business?

There are plenty of ways to support local businesses. Here are a few ideas:

Shop locally

One of the best ways to support local businesses is simply to shop at them. Make a conscious effort to patronize local businesses whenever possible.

Tell your friends and family

Be sure to tell your friends and family about the great local businesses in your community. Word-of-mouth is still one of the best forms of marketing.

Write positive reviews

If you have a good experience with a local business, be sure to write a positive review on sites like Yelp or Google. This can help attract new customers and grow the business.

Volunteer or donate

Local businesses often give back to their communities in various ways. You can support them by volunteering your time or donating money or goods.

Bring more customers in

You should also strive to bring more customers into local businesses. This can be done by shopping there yourself or recommending them to others.

Promoting Prosperity For Communities

Communities are more likely to prosper when local businesses are doing well. This is because they provide jobs, generate tax revenue, and support other local businesses.

When local businesses succeed, everyone in the community benefits. That’s why it’s important to support them. When communities thrive, local businesses are a big part of the reason why. Therefore, local businesses should never be neglected.

What Happens If Local Businesses Do Not Get Support?

If local businesses do not receive the support they need, they will eventually have to close their doors. This is bad for the local economy and can lead to a decline in the quality of life for residents.

It’s up to everyone in the community to make sure that local businesses are supported. By doing so, you’re helping to ensure that your community remains prosperous and vibrant.

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Why Small Businesses Are Good for Local Economies

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When we check business news each day, it’s usually big companies that dominate the headlines. We see layoffs by Tesla, a contract won by Lockheed Martin, a company acquired by General Motors, or a new innovation from General Electric. It’s true that large businesses are seeing their market share increase in a wide range of industries in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, despite the relative absence of small businesses from the headlines, they drive a considerable portion of the American economy. 

Small businesses’ economic impact

Small businesses are an important economic engine for both local communities and the national economy. 

A widely cited 2019 report from the U.S. Small Business Administration found that small businesses generated 44% of all economic activity in the country. That same year, small businesses created two-thirds of all jobs in the U.S. In a post-pandemic world, small businesses have been the backbone of economic recovery and job growth.

“Small, locally owned businesses and startups tend to generate higher incomes for people in a community than big, nonlocal firms, which can actually depress local economies,” said Stephan Goetz, professor of agricultural and regional economics at Penn State and director of the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development, in a statement published alongside the research.

Goetz said his research shows that small businesses directly benefit local economies – much more so than large businesses. This is because big box and large corporations have internal systems for services such as accounting, legal, supply and maintenance that are not necessarily based within the county or state. Small businesses, on the other hand, have to outsource these functions and usually do so to professionals within their local or regional communities – professionals who are likely to spend that money in the same community.

How small businesses benefit local economies

Small business has long been seen as a boon to local economies, but why is that? Small businesses help boost a community’s broader economy in several concrete ways that bigger businesses cannot.

Here are three ways small businesses contribute to the economy.

Job creation

The first way small businesses impact the economy is through job creation. While this might seem obvious, it is incredibly important. According to the SBA , small businesses created a net 12.9 million new jobs in the last 25 years, which accounts for roughly 66% of all jobs created in that span. In the same period, large businesses only added a net 6.7 million jobs, the SBA reports .

Small business job creation was pivotal in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic as well. According to the SBA, during the first two quarters of 2020, at the start of the pandemic, 9.1 million jobs were lost. In the following four quarters, through Q2 of 2021, small businesses created 5.5 million jobs, a 60% recovery from the pandemic-era decline. 

Small businesses and startups provide more than just jobs for community members. More local small businesses means new ways of thinking and fresh perspectives, almost like an entrepreneur mindset . For large businesses, trying fundamentally new approaches can be akin to turning a battleship, while it is relatively simple for small businesses to reinvent themselves.

Small businesses are generally more nimble than large businesses, with tighter-knit teams and simple communication channels. This enables them to quickly pivot and change their operations in major ways with minimal investment. As a result, early-stage entrepreneurs can act as laboratories of innovation , testing new ways of doing things and seeing if any of them pay off. And when they do, it can put the local community on the map.

Opportunities for individuals

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many workers who hoped to develop their careers with their current employer were subject to layoffs. They might have been in good standing with their employer, possibly even in line for a promotion, but economic headwinds saw their jobs disappear nearly overnight. Many chose to start their own businesses and become their own boss to weather the storm. In 2021 alone, Americans created 5.4 million new businesses, the most in a single year by more than 20%, according to a report released by the White House .

When a local community has a robust network of small businesses, it creates opportunities for other individuals in town as well. As opposed to larger companies which have systematic hiring processes including resumes, cover letters, and internal reviews, small businesses are more likely to hire as much on personal merit as professional experience. This grants opportunities to hard workers who may become top employees even if they don’t have the most comprehensive experience in the field.

In addition, when small businesses flourish, so does demand for local professional services like accountants , real-estate agents, lawyers and marketers. Small business owners are more likely to do business with professionals they know and trust, rather than farm out their work to a large national or multinational firm. That creates opportunities for professional service startups in a local community. As small businesses themselves, the emergence of these professional services compounds the local economic growth spurred on by small businesses.

What is the definition of a small business?

The SBA’s definition of a small business is a company that employs fewer than 500 people. This may vary depending on the industry a business operates within. Nearly 80% of small businesses have no employees at all. Of the roughly 31.7 million small businesses in the U.S. , only about 6 million have paid employees. The remaining 25.7 million are non-employer firms.

Why small businesses are critical for economic growth

Though small businesses represent a considerable portion of the total U.S. economy, they are often forgotten by American leaders and consumers. Small businesses rarely make headlines in a way that highlights their economic impact, whereas news about large firms that highlights their size and impact abounds. Still, American small businesses create nearly two-thirds of American jobs and generate nearly half of the country’s economic output.

Given the impact that small businesses have on the broader American economy, it’s critical to create a healthy environment for small businesses to operate. While larger firms’ economic impacts are more widely recognized, leaders shouldn’t give unfair advantages to a small number of businesses when small companies (even solopreneurs) account for a considerable portion of total economic output.

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Keep it local: Why it’s important to support local business

By Ashleigh Buchanan, Staff Writer

As college students, we don’t really have a lot of money to spend on food. So it’s easy to go to Taco Bell for a cheap meal or run to Panera Bread for a cozy lunch. But what better way to spend our money than by supporting local shops and restaurants?  There are a lot of reasons that shopping locally is better than shopping at franchises, and hopefully I will convince you to trade your love for McDonalds in for a more socially/locally responsible choice!

By shopping locally, you are supporting the local economy. By supporting local business, you are keeping money and jobs here in Oklahoma. According to keepitlocalok.com, of every $100 that is spent at a locally owned business, $73 remains in the local economy and $27 leaves. But for every $100 spent at a non-locally owned business, $43 remains in the local economy and $57 leaves.

I’ve seen how business can link people together and build community, as well as giving Oklahoma City more uniqueness. Have you ever been down to the Plaza District on 16th Street between Classen and Penn? How about the restaurants and businesses along 9th Street and Broadway? These are excellent examples of how a group of local businesses have redefined an area and made it a fun place to go instead of just a random street. Local businesses make it more fun to go exploring and find a place that defines local community.

Okay, so I know you’re thinking “There’s no way I could like a local business I like more than (insert generic chain restaurant/business here)!  And I get it; I like Chili’s chips and salsa as much as the next person. But I guarantee there is a better, local alternative to your favorite place! And I’m going to give you some suggestions to help you get started.

Instead of Qdoba, try Iguana Mexican Grill at 9 NW 9th street. Tip: On Tuesdays they have mini tacos for $1 each! Plus they have great chips and salsa.

Instead of ordering out Pizza Hut, go to Hideaway! With a location near SNU at 5501 NW Expressway, it’s a great spot for a big group of friends to go to.

Chili’s has great burgers, but you know who has even better burgers? Nic’s Grill at 11th and Penn. Nic’s is a great place to go for lunch (they are open from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.) when you need a break from Sodexo!

Tired of buying clothing at Target, and then awkwardly wearing that outfit the same day as someone else? Try shopping at Blue Seven at 7518 N May Ave! They have a lot of unique clothing, so you will be looking good and supporting local designers.

Want go to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the game? Try Republic in the Classen Curve for their HUGE TV’s and loud atmosphere.

I don’t know about you, but I would much rather have my money go into the pockets of my “neighbors” rather than a big-shot CEO living in California, which is why I’m trying to choose local businesses over franchises more often. Will you join me in this mission to be great citizens of Oklahoma City and keep it local?

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What’s Your Favorite Local Business?

What’s great about it? How does it compare with chain stores that have locations in many places?

By Shannon Doyne

Look at the photo above. What elements draw your attention? Have you been in stores that remind you of this one?

What are your favorite local stores, restaurants or other kinds of services? To answer, consider businesses that are unique to your neighborhood or city — not stores like Target that can be found everywhere.

In “ Casa Magazines Has Seen It All, ” Kate Dwyer writes about the store pictured above, which sells newspapers and magazines. It opened in 1994 in the West Village of Manhattan, and remains “a pillar of the neighborhood.” The article describes some of the relationships that have developed there between the staff and customers:

On Saturday and Sunday mornings, nearby residents gather at the store for their morning paper and a coffee from La Bonbonniere, the cash-only diner down the block. “If I didn’t show up, they would call me and be like, ‘Where are you?’” said Alison Benson, a television producer who keeps a spare set of keys at Casa. Twenty years ago, when she was starting her career, she said, “I would go into the shop, and they would be like, ‘Oh, this is Alison, she’s working in TV and film. Alison, you should meet Sheila, she’s a big producer.’ They were like the ultimate connectors on all things.” (Now, Mr. Ahmed and his assistant manager, Syed Khalid Wasim, known as Ali, refer 20-somethings to Ms. Benson.) Ms. David attested to the familiarity between the shop’s managers and its patrons. “It’s like a confessional box,” she said. “I’ve seen people tell Mohammed all these secrets. The secrets of the Village!” Luis Lopez, a driver on the M12 bus route, which starts outside the store, often pals around with Mr. Wasim between loops. “We do skits all the time,” Mr. Lopez said. “It feels like a grown-up Sesame Street,” said Nicolas Heller , a documentarian who shares stories about the city on his Instagram account @newyorknico . William Grand, a D.J. who manufactures Casa’s merchandise through his company Neighborhood Spot, described Mr. Ahmed using a laser pointer to help shoppers navigate the inventory from his perch behind the counter. “They have over 2,000 titles, but he knows exactly where stuff is,” he said. Julianne Moore would bring her children to browse every week while they were growing up. “Ali in particular was always giving my kids candy,” the Oscar-winning actress said, adding that the managers “always remember you.” “Also,” Ms. Moore noted, “as an actor, if you end up on the cover of something and you’re a local, they’ll put 15 of those magazines in the window. It’s really sweet.”

Students, read the entire article, then tell us:

Would you want to visit Casa Magazines? Does it remind you of any store or other kind of business you have been in? Why?

Are you a “regular” at any businesses in your area? How often do you go? Do you recognize some of the people who work there? Do they remember you, too?

What would you say is your favorite local store, restaurant, coffee shop, or other kind of business? For example, maybe you regularly get your nails done at the same salon, or maybe there’s a bookstore or outdoor gear store you like. What is great about this place?

Do you know any stories of customers who supported local shops, restaurants or other businesses during the pandemic, the way customers at Casa Magazines and La Bonbonniere did? Have those businesses survived the pandemic so far?

Would you ever want to work at a local store or business? If so, which, and why? Have you ever had a job in retail? What was it like? Did you get to know regular customers?

What are the advantages to shopping in small, locally owned businesses instead of in big chains? The disadvantages? Which do you prefer? Why?

Want more writing prompts? You can find all of our questions in our Student Opinion column . Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate them into your classroom.

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

Essay: Small Business Week shines spotlight on contributions of local business

This week, Sept. 12-18, is National Small Business Week in the United States . It is a time to recognize the contributions made by small businesses. They provide enriching employment opportunities and enhance our region’s dynamism and innovation. They are the generational family businesses on Main Street that are the heart of our communities and the backbone of our local economies, creating 1.5 million new jobs annually across the nation.

In New York’s 22nd Congressional District, small businesses make up 94 percent of all employers. Most of these small businesses and their workforces have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. And most, if not all, have struggled to survive, thrive, and grow in New York’s challenging business environment. But there is hope on the horizon.

 As a member of the House Small Business Committee, I am bringing the fight for our small businesses directly to the halls of Congress. Since returning to Congress earlier this year, I’ve met with more than 100 local businesses as part of my Small Business Outreach Tour. These small employers tell me about their struggles to find workers, comply with burdensome government mandates, and compete with big box retailers and nationwide chains.

To make matters worse, the Biden Administration’s tax and spend policies have led to the highest inflation in 13 years and disincentivized work for many millions. President Biden’s  proposed $3.5 trillion expansion of the welfare state, the largest in generations, has created an uncertain business climate that threatens to derail our economic recovery and drive our nation into a recession. The looming vaccine mandates on businesses employing more than 100 individuals also is not helping, making it even harder to hire.

But there is reason for optimism. I am fighting back against these overreaches and will not back down until draconian rules targeting hardworking New Yorkers are defeated for good. According to the US Small Business Administration , New York experienced a net decrease of 13,658 businesses and 70,429 jobs between March 2019 and March 2020. If we want our children to enjoy as much freedom and opportunity as we had, we must fight to reverse this devastating trend. The answer is not to expand the welfare state or make Big Government bigger, but rather to shrink it. We need to enact pro-growth policies that will empower small businesses, the backbone of our economy.

In Congress, my priority is to advance policies that help local businesses succeed, grow, and create new opportunities for those they employ and I’m leading the charge. During my Small Business Outreach Tour, I heard from numerous small business owners who cannot obtain financing to invest, hire, and grow their businesses. As a third-generation small business owner myself, I know this reality all too well. This is why I introduced the bipartisan American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, which would expand on a proven public-private partnership model to invest in growth-oriented small businesses. It is a commonsense policy proposal that has bipartisan support from Congress to the Executive Branch.

As I continue my work this Congress, I am committed to ensuring small businesses in every corner of New York’s 22nd Congressional District have the resources they need to thrive and invest in their employees and our communities.

Please join me in celebrating our local job creators by shopping local this week. Switching up your routine and buying local products goes a long way. During this National Small Business Week, take a moment to recognize the tough work and incredible contributions our local businesses make each day.

U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-New Hartford, is a member of the House Small Business Committee. You can stay up to date with her work in Congress on Twitter and Facebook .

How to Write a Business Essay: an Ultimate Guide

Table of Contents

Writing an essay can be boring. A lot of essays are basically the same thing over and over again. You write an introduction, then you write your supporting paragraphs, and then you create a conclusion. Overall, the process is not a lot of fun, and you can often feel as though you are simply going through the motions for the sake of churning out extra work. But since you have to write an essay, it’s worth considering the many ways that you can make the process faster and easier. In this ultimate guide, we’ll discuss the best way to write a business essay so you can get through the process faster and with relatively little trouble.

It might seem obvious, but the first thing you need to do when you write an essay is to read the essay question. You need to be sure you understand each part of the essay question and how the parts of the question work together. You would be surprised how many students only glance at the question and then write a paper that only partially addresses the assignment. You don’t want to lose points because part of your paper isn’t on topic. If you find any parts of the paper that you don’t understand or that require explanation, be sure to contact your instructor for clarification before you start writing.

Read the essay rubric

These days, most essays have a grading rubric included with the question. A grading rubric is like a cheat sheet for writing your essay. When you review the essay rubric, you’ll see exactly how your instructor will grade your paper and what your instructor will be looking for. When you write your paper, you will therefore know exactly what to include and how to write about it in order to maximize your points—and you’ll also see what you can spend less time on because it won’t contribute to your overall grade.

Make friends with your library

Many students automatically turn to search engines like Google in order to research their papers, but this is not the most effective way to find high-quality business sources for your paper. Instead, take advantage of your library’s databases. Your college or university library will likely have dedicated business databases that collect high-quality academic articles on business topics. Using these resources in your paper will make your essay stronger and more effective, and it will put your paper on a solid academic footing.

Compile your sources before you write

Many students use the start-and-stop method to write their papers, composing a sentence or two and then stopping to look up more information in order to keep going. This, however, is an inefficient way to work. A better way is to read through your research sources before you start and copy into a separate file a series of quotations and facts that you might use in your paper, creating in-text citations and reference list entries for each before you start. Doing so will make sure that you don’t have to stop for research and have a ready bank of pre-cited material to work with as you write.

Outline before you write

Outlining is an important skill that will both save you time and improve the quality of your essay. Take time before you write to lay out your paper from beginning to end. Start with your thesis statement and carefully lay out the body paragraphs with a topic sentence, supporting details (including research, quotes, and citations ), and a closing paragraph . Plan your transitions to link paragraphs together. Any amount of outlining can be helpful, but the more effort that you put into outlining at this stage, the easier it will be to write your paper, and the less likely it will be that you get stuck in a tangent that goes nowhere or meander into a point that requires you to change your thesis and revise you whole essay.

Remember to revise and proofread

When you finish the draft of your paper, you aren’t done yet. The first draft is rarely the finished product. You should always set aside time to read your work back and to make revisions to make it clearer. You also need to carefully proofread for mechanical grammar, punctuation, and syntax issues to ensure that your paper is as close to perfect as possible. You don’t want to leave points on the table because your paper had easy to fix minor spelling or grammar errors.

Consider professional writing help

Another great way to get your paper done quickly is to seek out custom professional help from an essay writing service with academic experts. An online writing company such as this can create business papers for college students and deliver them fast. When you utilize professional writing assistance, you can receive a custom-written essay that can serve as a great model to help you understand how a professional would approach your business topic and organize and develop an essay to address your assignment. Using a model such as this can save you time and effort as you work on your own paper, allowing you to focus on the learning process more than the mechanics of academic essay writing.

Join the thousands who have sharpened their business writing skills with our award winning courses.

Copyright © 2024 Businesswritingblog.com.

How to Write a Business Essay for Impactful Communication and Analysis

So, you've got a business essay coming up, and you're feeling a mix of excitement and a tad bit overwhelmed, right? Totally get it. Writing a business essay might sound boring, but trust me, it's a skill that's gonna come in handy when you're out there in the real world.

In this article, we're dishing out some awesome tips just for you if you have question on how to start a business essay. Think of it as your secret weapon to tackle those business essays like a pro. We'll keep it real, easy, and super practical – no fancy jargon or complicated theories. Let's dive into the world of business essay writing, where your words can make a big impact. In case you lack time or motivation to finish your assignment, use our business essay writing service to streamline the process.

What Is a Business Essay

Business essays are written pieces that explore and analyze various aspects of business-related topics, often focusing on management, marketing, finance, or entrepreneurship. They provide a platform for students and professionals to articulate their understanding of business concepts, theories, and real-world applications. Typically written in a formal and structured manner, a business essay requires critical thinking, research skills, and the ability to communicate ideas effectively. Whether delving into case studies, discussing industry trends, or evaluating business strategies, the essay aims to provide insights, draw conclusions, and contribute to a deeper understanding of the dynamic world of business.

How to Write an Introduction for a Business Essay

A business essay introduction sets the tone for the entire paper and captures the reader's attention. Here are some steps and tips to help you write an effective introduction for a business essay:

• Understand the Purpose of the Introduction

Clearly understand the purpose of your essay. Are you providing an overview of a business concept, analyzing a case study, or arguing a specific point? Tailor your introduction accordingly.

• Start with a Hook

Grab the reader's attention with a compelling hook. This could be a relevant quote, a surprising fact, a rhetorical question, or a thought-provoking statement. The goal is to make the reader want to continue reading.

• Provide Context

After the hook, provide some background or context related to the topic of your essay. Help the reader understand the significance and relevance of the subject matter in the business world.

• Thesis Statement

Clearly state your thesis or the main argument of your essay. This should be a concise and focused statement that outlines what the reader can expect from the rest of the essay. Make sure it is specific and reflects the purpose of your writing.

• Outline the Scope

Briefly outline the main points or areas that your essay will cover. This gives the reader a roadmap of what to expect and helps them understand the structure of your essay.

• Use Clear and Concise Language

Keep your introduction clear and concise. Avoid unnecessary jargon or complex language that might confuse the reader. Aim for clarity and precision.

• Be Relevant

Ensure that every sentence in your introduction is directly related to the topic of your essay. Avoid going off on tangents or providing excessive information that doesn't contribute to the main points.

• Consider the Tone

Choose a tone that is appropriate for your audience and the nature of your essay. Business essays can vary in tone, from formal and academic to more conversational, depending on the context.

Are You a Business Student with a Hectic Schedule?

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Business Essay Introduction Example

Here’s an example of an introduction for an essay titled “The Rise of E-commerce: Shaping the Future of Retail”:

The retail landscape is undergoing a seismic shift as e-commerce continues to redefine the way consumers shop. In this essay, we explore the profound implications of this digital transformation on traditional retail models and analyze the key strategies businesses are employing to thrive in this dynamic environment. From changing consumer behaviors to the strategic use of technology, the impact of e-commerce on the retail sector is undeniable, prompting businesses to adapt or face the risk of obsolescence.

How to Write a Business Essay

Working on a business essay might seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. In this guide, we'll break down the process into simple steps to help you navigate through it smoothly. In this next section. We’ll be breaking down the essentials of drawing up a business essay from start to finish. From defining your main argument to structuring your points effectively, let's explore the key strategies that will set you on the path to success. 

Analyze the Prompt

Start by carefully reading and understanding the essay prompt. This involves breaking down the question to grasp what it's asking for, identifying the main topics, and recognizing any specific tasks or points to cover. This step helps you set the stage for a focused and relevant essay by ensuring you address all aspects mentioned in the prompt. You can hire a business essay writer to expedite the process if you want.

Think of a Thesis Statement

When writing a business essay, think of the thesis statement as the essay's compass. It should be a concise, strong sentence that lays out your main argument or viewpoint on the topic. Your thesis guides the entire essay, so make sure it's specific, debatable, and gives readers a clear idea of what to expect in your writing.

Create an Outline

We’ve already shared tips on how to write an introduction for a business essay, so let’s move on to the next stages. Organize your thoughts by outlining the main points and structure of your essay. This doesn't have to be too detailed; just a roadmap that helps you see how different ideas connect. An outline ensures a logical flow in your writing and prevents you from going off track. By the way, have you already picked business essay topics ? If not, here’s a list of great ideas you can use!

Provide Topic Background

Before diving into your main points, the business essay writing format implies giving your reader some context about the topic. Briefly introduce the key concepts, relevant facts, or historical background that will help readers understand the importance and relevance of your essay.

Write the Main Body

Start developing your essay by expanding on the main points outlined in your thesis. Each paragraph should focus on a specific idea or argument supported by evidence or examples. Be clear and concise, ensuring a smooth transition between paragraphs. It’s the most difficult part of the assignment, meaning you can use our college essay service to simplify it.

Write a Conclusion

Summarize your key points and conclusively restate your thesis. The conclusion should tie up the loose ends and leave a lasting impression on the reader. Avoid introducing new information but rather reinforce your main argument. For more details about how to write a conclusion for an essay , please refer to our guide.

Add a Bibliography

List all the sources you used in your research. Be meticulous about citing your references properly, following the chosen format (APA, MLA, etc.). This adds credibility to your essay and avoids plagiarism issues.

Edit and Proofread

As you’ve learned how to write a business essay, it’s time to master the art of self-revising. Review your essay for clarity, coherence, and grammatical errors. Editing ensures that your ideas flow smoothly, and proofreading catches any overlooked mistakes. It's a crucial step to polish your essay and present a professional piece of writing. Do you have another assignment on business management ? This guide will help you!

Choose the Writing Format

Reiterate the importance of selecting and adhering to the chosen writing format throughout the essay. Consistency in formatting, citations, and other style elements contributes to the overall professionalism of your work.

Business Essay Example

Business essay examples offer practical assistance to students tackling assignments by showcasing the application of essential writing principles in a real-world context. As a tangible reference, it demonstrates an effective essay structure and how to formulate a clear thesis statement and provide coherent arguments. By examining examples, students can glean insights into research techniques, proper citation practices, and overall essay organization, empowering them to approach their business assignments with increased confidence and proficiency.

Example 1: “The Impact of Technological Advancements on Modern Business Operations”

This essay explores the multifaceted impact of technology on operational efficiency, innovation, customer relations, and global connectivity. From integrating automation and artificial intelligence for streamlined processes to facilitating global expansion through digital platforms, technology emerges as a driving force shaping the success and sustainability of contemporary enterprises. While acknowledging the numerous benefits, the essay also highlights the challenges and ethical considerations inherent in adopting these technologies, emphasizing the need for businesses to navigate these complexities responsibly for long-term growth and competitiveness.

Example 2: “Sustainable Business Practices: A Strategic Imperative for Corporate Success”

This essay explores the pivotal role of sustainable business practices as a strategic imperative for corporate success in the contemporary entrepreneurship scene. Addressing environmental concerns, social consciousness, and economic viability, the essay delves into the multifaceted benefits of adopting sustainable approaches. It discusses how businesses can align profitability with responsible practices, emphasizing environmental stewardship, social impact, and community engagement. The essay underscores the importance of regulatory compliance and risk mitigation in business by examining the economic advantages and innovation opportunities arising from sustainable initiatives.

Final Considerations

Students engage in writing business essays to develop essential skills and knowledge crucial for success in the professional world. These essays serve as a platform for honing critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills, allowing students to articulate and analyze complex business concepts. Through the process of researching, organizing thoughts, and constructing coherent arguments, students gain a deeper understanding of business principles and practices. Business essays also cultivate the ability to synthesize information, evaluate various perspectives, and present well-reasoned conclusions. If you find with task troublesome, you can always tell us, ‘ write my research paper ,’ and one of our wordsmiths will fulfill the assignment quickly.

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Local Business Vs International Business: A Trending IELTS Essay with Sample Topics for 2021

IELTS Writing Exam 2 allows you to write a minimum of 250 sentences. You will be faced with a topic and will be evaluated on your abilities to respond by providing and defending an opinion, explaining the issue, summarising information, describing issues, defining potential solutions and justifying what you write with explanations, claims and specific examples from your own expertise or experience.

The evaluation of task 2 bears more value in marking than that of task 1. Writing copies are marked by qualified and accredited IELTS examiners, all of whom hold specific teaching credentials and are hired as test centres examiners and authorised by the British Council or IDP.

Writing Task 2 Topic: Local Business Vs International Business

International businesses often aim to draw buyers by marketing and generate a huge challenge for small or local businesses. This article addresses the main issues created by this, such as the gradual disappearance of small industries and the monopoly of foreign firms. In addition, the article further proposes appropriate ways to counter this problem.

Break the Paragraph: IELTS Writing Task 2 Samples

One of the main challenges posed by the extensive promotion and advertisement of international companies is a challenge to the very life of small businesses. For context, Walmart newly opened a new pharmaceutical store in Roseville, MN, and promoted the opening of the store through many media outlets. And according to a study, this influenced the sales of local retailers by about 50 percent. Another issue is the abundance of surplus capital, which helps foreign firms to purchase many local stores and monopolise the commodity. For example, Amazon recently purchased Whole Foods because they felt that Whole Foods might have an effect on their market. For now, Whole Foods is just selling Amazon goods.

Also Read: IELTS Essay in Writing Task 2: Here’s How to Organize it Well

There are a variety of ways in which consumers can be persuaded to purchase local brands. Next, the government can distribute ample funds to promote local labels in the form of discounted loans, free leasing locations and day-to-day surveillance. Second, people should play a part in ensuring that local brands are encouraged. For example, instead of purchasing a foreign company product, they can try local products and check them on the Internet. Rate and evaluation play a vital role in increasing the sales of a commodity.

Undoubtedly, multinational companies are still a big competition for small industries and can pose a significant obstacle to their existence. However, these issues can be overcome by appropriate intervention by the government and the people.

IELTS Essay Topics 2021 Part One: Writing Task 2 Topic

• Nowadays, not enough students choose science subjects at university in many countries. What are the reasons for this problem? What are the effects on society?
• University students always focus on one specialist subject, but some people think universities should encourage their students to study a range of subjects in addition to their own subject. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people think young people should go to university to further their education while others think they should be encouraged to work as car mechanics or builders etc. to serve society. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female study in every subject. Do you agree or disagree?
• Nuclear energy is a better choice for meeting increasing demand, agree or disagree?

IELTS Essay Topics 2021 Part Two: Writing Task 2 Topic

• Economic progress is one way to measure the success of one country, while some people think there are other factors. What other factors should be considered? Within these factors, do you think anyone is more important than the others?
• Most countries want to improve the standard of living through economic development, however, others think social value is lost as a result. Do you think the advantages of economic development outweigh the disadvantages?
• Some people think that zoos are cruel and all the zoos should be closed. However, other people think that zoos are useful to protect rare animals. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Environmental problems are too big for individual countries and individual people to address. We have reached the stage where the only way to protect the environment is to address it at an international level. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

IELTS Essay Topics 2021 Part Three: Writing Task 2 Topic

• Some people think they have the right to use as much fresh water as they want. Others believe governments should tightly control the use of freshwater as it is a limited resource. Discuss both views and give your option.
• With the development of technology and science, some people believe that there is no great value for artists such as musicians and painters. What are the things artists can do but the scientist cannot? Why should we encourage the art area?
• Some people think that job satisfaction is more important than job security. Others think that people cannot expect to enjoy a job and having a permanent job is more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Also Read: Is there a Fact Check in Essay Writing in IELTS? Here’s a List of Do’s and Don’ts

IELTS Essay Topics 2021 Part Four: Writing Task 2 Topic

• Countries with a long average working time are more economically successful than those countries which do not have a long working time. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Many people believe that countries should produce food for all populations and import food as little as possible. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• It is suggested that all young adults should undertake a period of unpaid work helping people in the community. Does it bring more benefits or drawbacks to the community and the young people?

Hopefully, you have gone through the whole article and gotten an idea of the task. Boosting your preparation in the IELTS writing test demands complete effort. The easiest way to do this is to get a personal trainer who can monitor your success and get daily input. Practice a lot of samples to enhance your writing skills.

Liked this informative article? Do follow IELTS Ninja for more articles like this. All the best!

Also Read: IELTS Writing Task 2 Samples: Exam Questions & Answers to Target Minimum Band 8

These sample essays are pretty good, will try to incorporate these points in the writing task.

These sample essays are pretty good, will try to incorporate these points in the writing task while giving the IELTS test.

These sample essays are pretty good, will try to incorporate these points in the writing task while giving the IELTS mock tests.

This was a very helpful article. Can you even share some the sample questions for the different writing exams of IELTS?

Great article, with equally great sentence formation!!

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7 tips for writing business essays

by Laura Jones

Published on October 10, 2022 / Updated on January 5, 2024

If you’re looking for business essay writing tips, we’ve got you covered. Creating an interesting, well-structured, and readable business essay isn’t easy, but there are a few simple steps to follow to take the stress out of it and make sure you get it right every time. Read on to learn what to write in a business essay introduction and conclusion and how to structure a body paragraph perfectly. Here are our tips on how to write an English business essay. 

• Analyze the topic and make a plan
• Use formal language
• Write the introduction
• Write the body paragraphs
• Put in some research
• Write the conclusion
• Proofread and edit to create your final draft

Learn languages at your pace

1. analyze the topic and make a plan.

The first thing to do when you’re writing a business essay is to analyze the topic and the essay question closely. If there’s a word in the question like ‘explain’ or ‘compare’ this will affect how you write your answer. Decide what your position is; do you need to agree or disagree with something, or come up with a solution? When you’re clear about what the question is asking and how you want to answer it, do some reading on the topic,find some sources that you want to use in your essay, and make an outline with the headings and paragraphs that you want to cover

2. Use formal language

Writing any type of essay requires you to use formal language , but this is even more true of a business essay. Get into the business essay mindset and avoid using contractions, slang, and other colloquial language in your writing. 

Bad: It’s going to be bomb.

Good: It is going to be excellent.

3. Write the introduction 

Wondering how to start a business essay? Like any other essay, you start with an introduction. A business essay format isn’t very different from any other type of essay. In your introduction, you should explain why the question (and therefore your essay) is important. This will hook your reader and make them interested in what you’re going to say next. Set out the order in which you’ll address the points in your body paragraphs – this is usually called a signpost introduction. And, very importantly, keep it short. 

4. Write the body paragraphs

Your body paragraphs should take up between 60 and 80% of your business essay. Most essays should have at least three paragraphs, and you should focus on one point per paragraph. Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence that tells the reader what the paragraph is about, and then have a supporting sentence to develop your point. After this, you can provide some evidence to support your argument. 

You should also use transition words , like ‘however’ and ‘although’ in your paragraphs to help link ideas together. Using transition words at the start of paragraphs is also a good idea and helps the reader follow your argument. For example, you might start one paragraph with ‘On the one hand,…’ and the next with ‘On the other hand,…’. 

5. Put in some research

We just mentioned that you should put some supporting evidence into your paragraphs in a business essay. This is the time to use the sources that you found before you started writing. You might have a quotation to add, some statistics, a graph, or a summary of an expert’s point of view. Whatever you do, make sure you cite the source correctly. 

When you’ve put your research in, interpret the evidence so it supports your idea. Throwing a graph into an essay is meaningless if you don’t have a sentence saying, ‘As the graph shows, public parks are increasingly…’

6. Write the conclusion

Finally, you reach the conclusion. Use your conclusion to briefly summarize your answer, and make sure you don’t introduce any new points or arguments. You might want to mirror the introduction in your conclusion. This doesn’t mean rewriting the introduction or using the same words. 

Introduction: This essay will discuss the benefits to public health of having green spaces in towns. 

Conclusion: In summary, outdoor spaces in cities can contribute positively to public well-being. 

You might also want to include ideas for further research or a call to action in your conclusion, like in the following example: 

Local councils should allocate a greater part of their budget to improving and expanding public parks.

7. Proofread and edit to create your final draft

The first draft of your essay is for your eyes only. Once you’ve finished writing, step away for at least a few hours and then go back and read it through again. Check that your argument is clear in the essay and that you’ve answered the question. Ensure that it makes sense not only to you but to anyone who might read it. An online tool like Grammarly can help pick up spelling and punctuation errors, but it’s not a replacement for careful proofreading. 

Are you ready to write your business essay?

Starting with a thorough understanding of the question, formulating your answer, and finding unbiased research to back up your argument are your first steps. Follow the format of a business essay – introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion – and then edit ruthlessly to create your perfect business essay. 

Laura Jones

Laura is a freelance writer and was an ESL teacher for eight years. She was born in the UK and has lived in Australia and Poland, where she writes blogs for Lingoda about everything from grammar to dating English speakers. She’s definitely better at the first one. She loves travelling and that’s the other major topic that she writes on. Laura likes pilates and cycling, but when she’s feeling lazy she can be found curled up watching Netflix. She’s currently learning Polish, and her battle with that mystifying language has given her huge empathy for anyone struggling to learn English. Find out more about her work in her portfolio .

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Home — Essay Samples — Business — Small Business

Essays on Small Business

Starting a small business essay topics and outline examples, essay title 1: the entrepreneur's journey: navigating the path to starting a small business.

Thesis Statement: Starting a small business is a multifaceted process that involves careful planning, market research, financial management, and adaptability, and this essay explores the essential steps and considerations for aspiring entrepreneurs.

• Introduction
• Identifying the Business Idea and Market Research
• Business Plan Development and Funding Options
• Legal and Regulatory Requirements
• Marketing and Customer Acquisition Strategies
• Financial Management and Sustainability

Essay Title 2: Overcoming Challenges: Lessons from Successful Small Business Owners

Thesis Statement: Small business success stories provide valuable insights into the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and the strategies they employ to overcome obstacles, demonstrating the resilience and determination required for entrepreneurial ventures.

• Common Challenges Encountered by Small Business Owners
• Case Studies of Successful Small Businesses
• Adaptation, Innovation, and Problem-Solving Strategies
• Building a Supportive Network and Learning from Failures

Essay Title 3: The Role of Small Businesses in Local Economies and Communities

Thesis Statement: Small businesses play a vital role in driving economic growth, creating job opportunities, and fostering community development, and this essay explores the broader impact of small businesses on local economies.

• The Economic Contributions of Small Businesses
• Small Business Growth and Employment Generation
• Community Engagement and Support
• Challenges and Opportunities for Small Business Sustainability

Umuc Haircuts Case Summary

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Ice house entrepreneurship program: invaluable lessons we can take, the field of small and medium enterprises, solution for office space needs, 3 reasons why office stationery still matters, success of startup companies in india, a small firm is likely to be less efficient than a large firm, why the obamacare is not an entirely beneficial reform, the small business and entrepreneurship council as the interest group, small and medium enterprise development, research on discourse community of a small start-up business, sources of funding for msmes, a research on financial inclusion among smes, relevant topics.

• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Starting a Business
• Time Management
• Comparative Analysis
• John D. Rockefeller

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Coca-Cola Essay

Background of the coca-cola company and its operations in china, the entry mode of the coca coca-cola company in the international market- china, the problem of cultural differences in coca-cola company management in china, effect of culture and local language on coca-cola operation in china, reference list.

Coca-Cola is the largest beverage producer in the world. By the end of the year 2011, the company was reported to have bottling plants in approximately 200 countries across the globe. The company has operated in China for about eighty years. The company first opened a plant in China in the year 1927, but the firms were not remarkably successful.

The lack of success of the earlier plants was attributed to problems of managing in a foreign culture. The company’s mother plant is located in Atlanta, United States where business is based on capitalistic modes of management. During this time, China was still operating on communistic modalities of operation and hence the company could not confer to that mode of management.

As an aspect of globalization continued to gain roots in the economic world, China was forced to reopen its policies paving the way for compatibility and entry of more new firms in China. Coca-Cola has taken advantage of these developments to re-enter the country. Serious operations of Coca-Cola in China began in the year 1979 with the opening of a bottling plant in the capital of China, Beijing (Zweifel, 2002).

As it is today, the company has managed to sustain its operation in China with 35 bottling plants having been opened across the country so far. This does not mean that the company is operating smoothly in the country. There are many hatches of management, which keep interfering with the operation of Coca-Cola in China.

Most of the problems facing the company are related to differences in human resource practices, as well as differences in business management culture between the United States and China. The problem of management of the Coca-Cola Company in China is just one of the examples of the problems that are faced with in the management of subsidiary firms of multinational corporations.

Cultural barriers have been found to impede on different aspect of management for multinational firms. In this regard,systems of management in foreign countries combine with cultural barriers to impede operations of subsidiaries (Coca-Cola Website 2012).

Fisher, Hughes, Griffin, & Pustay (2006) observed that the opening and running business at the international levels entail a lot of operations which further complicate the efficiency and effectiveness of managing subsidiaries. Firms often find it challengeable to set up business at the international level because they need to address the issue of cultural differences at the initial stages of management (Zekiri and Angelova, 2011).

This is what Coca-Cola encountered during its first attempt of establishing and running a business in China. It is worth to note that, as long as the internationalization of business is one of the ways of establishing competitive advantage, managing business at that level is quite daunting. This is due to high costs of transactions that accompany other factors of management (European Conference on Knowledge Management, Harorimana, and Watkins, 2008).

The success of multinational firms in foreign countries depends on the modes of entry that are used to establish themselves in the international market. As firms enter new markets, they have to learn the corporate culture that is prevailing in the international market and work on possibilities of adjusting their culture relative to the foreign culture.

The international theory has for a long time been used to explain the paths that are taken by firms as they maneuver in international business (Fisher, Hughes, Griffin &Pustay, 2006). It is ascertained in theory that companies make several changes in order to gain full access into new markets (Mead and Andrews, 2009). These changes are meant to ease the adaptability and workability of the country with the foreign corporate culture in the international business arena.

The Coca-Cola Company is argued to have used different tactics to gain access into the foreign market. This has not prevented the company from facing challenges that are faced in international business management (European Conference on Knowledge Management, Harorimana, and Watkins, 2008).

The Coca-Cola Company ventured fully in China market during the year 1979. This year was phenomenal to international business in China because the country was adopting economic changes to help in improving the economic environment for foreign companies. Amidst entry into the Chinese market, the company faced stiff competition from companies like Pepsi-Cola, which has familiarized with the local business environment in the country.

The situation for Coca-Cola was further aggravated by the versatility of the local market environment in China (Chung and Smith, 2007). Coca-Cola is termed as a benchmark in the international market entry and management. This follows the assessments that have been done on the joint venture approach that was taken by the company to enter the Chinese market (Weisert, 2001).

Other people argue that the success the successful of Coca-Cola entry in China was highly backed by the economic reforms that had been implemented China. Therefore, it can be said with certainty that many factors play out to determine the success of management strategies that are applied in entering the international market. Among these factors are the prevailing business policies in international business destination that shape the general business culture (Mok, Dai and Yeung, 2002).

Chung and Smith (2007) observed that China is a large country that has been attaining accelerated economic growth since the mod of the 20th century. This growth has presented both challenges, as well as opportunities to subsidiary firms in the country. Foreign companies often find themselves in a compromising situation because of the cultural gaps in management as well as a problem in conducting business ethics in a foreign environment (Wu, 2008).

Culture is normally ignored, but it is a critical factor in business management. Culture is complex because it involves many things including language, the general patterns of interaction that are embraced in the country, and modes of establishing business and other relations. Culture is an important factor in international management and cannot be ignored by firms that are managing business ventures at the international level.

In international management, culture has a direct impact in management than the impact it has on a local management. It is difficult for a firm to fit within the foreign culture because of the existence of cultural variations in international business. Being a big country with a large population, China has diverse cultures, which make it hard for adaptability by expatriate staff of the Coca-Cola Company (Chung and Smith, 2007).

This was common in the initial stages of entry of the company in China. It is argued that foreigners have to take a longer period in order to comprehend the business culture of China. The Chinese population is argued to have grown within three main philosophies, which totally affected the way they behaved and interacted even in business. These philosophies are Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. Other people considered them religions.

Business behavior has and is still being influenced by sub-philosophies emanating from the three main philosophies. Being a company that was born in United States – Western Culture, Coca-Cola experienced challenges while following interactive principles in the culture of China. For instance, Feng Shui is considered the main strategy that is used to advance and attain success in business.

This philosophy posits that environment influences the fortunes of people. Therefore, business transactions or decision making are mostly modeled around this principle.

The philosophy of Confucianism has made the Chinese develop a character that makes them believe in themselves more than what they do. Chinese people did not believe in entering business contracts with foreigners. However, they have begun doing so because of globalization and the realization of the benefits of international business. While most companies prefer taking a corporate approach in contacting business, this case cannot be easily applied to China.

Multinationals operating in China including the Coca-Cola company are forced to take a people inclined approach of conducting business instead of the corporate approach. This makes it complicated for the multinationals because of different aspects of culture like language, which has to be totally understood thereby facilitating personalized business deals.

The other philosophy or principle, which affects management of business in China, is Guanxi. This principle entails the interchange of favors amongfirms. Therefore, the expansion of business in the country is significantly affected by this principle (Wu, 2008).

One of the important factors of management at the international level is communication and language. Businesses operating on the international scene are supposed to factor this component in international management. Firms experience challenges while adapting to the local language.

This is especially in cases where firms are using expatriate staff to manage firms in foreign countries. Welch, Welch, and Piekkari (2001) observed that language could be a substantial barrier for human resource management. This is especially for subsidiary firms wherethe home country uses a different language compared to the language used in the country where subsidiaries are located.

The case for Coca-Cola company operation in China is no exception because of the vast lingual gap between United States, where the parent company is located, and China where the company has subsidiaries (Coca Cola Company 2010). Companies are bound to fail if thy find it difficult or they take long to adapt to the new language spoken in the foreign country.

Language barrier has been argued to be one of the factors that inhibit the success of multinational companies upon entry into new or foreign business environments. Coca-Cola prefers to use expatriate assignees in international markets and the same applies to its operations in China. The dependence on local languages limits the ability of the expatriate managers to communicate with the local staff working in the firms (Thomas, 1998).

Human resource management pays a lot of emphasis on close and open communication to build positive working relations firms. International human resource management experts are ascertaining that achieving open communication in international firms is quite challenging due to the language barrier (Welch, Welch, and Piekkari, 2005). The foreign companies in international markets aresorting the problem of language in expatriate management in different ways.

The Coca-Cola Company uses expatriate staff in subsidiary management to solve the problem of language constraint within international management. Coca-Cola has been shifting from dependency on using expatriate workers in managing subsidiaries because of the high rate of expatriate failure in international business administration assignments (Harzing and Pinnington, 2009).

Thomas (1998) noted that the high rate of expatriate failure is linked to numerous factors. These factors include difficulty in adapting to the foreign culture within destinations where subsidiaries are located. Expatriate workers also increase the cost of management in foreign destinations.

Costs of sustaining the foreign staff in foreign countries are argued to be unusually high. In this case,many resources are used in conducting activities to aid these staff to adapt to a foreign environment and foreign business cultures. In many cases, full adaptation of expatriate workers in international companies working in foreign lands is rarely achieved. Expatriate staff is deemed to have remarkably little knowledge on how local business environment of foreign countries is structured.

Therefore, they take a lot of time to learn and adapt to management practices used in these countries at the expense of implementing real business practices (Shay and Baack, 2004). Though it is argued that international business practices are becoming more harmonized because of globalization, it will take a little longer to attain real harmonization (Le´vy, 2007).

Fragmentation of business cultures is argued to continue dominating international business (Huang and Evert, 2003). The other action being taken by the Coca-Cola Company in eliminating cultural barriers to subsidiary management in China is training.

The company takes time to prepare staff for international assignments by training them on the culture of foreign countries where the firm is doing business. However, this aspect of international business management enhancement is argued to be ineffective (Berger, 1998). Coca-Cola prefers to use a similar model of business management in all its subsidiaries (Harzing and Feely, 2008).

Harzing and Feely, 2008 observe that many firms are thinking of the possibility of merging these to practices, which entails the use of few expatriate managers combined with local managers. The assumption is that these two sets of managers will learn from one another to propel business. Nonetheless, conflicts are bound to be inherent in such cases (Peltokorpi, 2010).

Numbers of local staff who work for international firms operating in China have been increasing with the increase in the number of international firms operating within the country. The number of expatriate staff has also been increasing but at a much lower rate. This indicates the efforts of firms to breach cultural hindrances in managing firms within China. This trend is as represented in the graph shown below:

The graph of composition of staff in foreign subsidiaries in China

Many firms are opting to expand business operations resulting to the growth of international business. Managing business in the international market is not a straightforward exercise because of management barriers. Cultural differences are the major hindrances of managing business internationally.

The barriers include language difference and differences in modes of managing business. These hinder the management of Coca-Cola Company in China. The Coca-Cola Company is attempting eliminate this hindrance by taking a dual approach in managing its firms in China.

Berger, M 1998, “Going global: implications for communication and leadership training,” Industrial and Commercial Training , vol. 30, No. 4, 123-127.

Chung, M and Smith, W 2007, “The Importance Of Overcoming Cultural Barriers In Establishing Brand Names: An Australian Company in China,” Innovative Marketing , vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 31-41.

Coca-Cola Website 2012, Career Opportunities with Coca-Cola China . Web.

Coca Cola Company 2010, Coca Cola Continues Strong Investment in China . Web.

Harzing, A, and Feely, J A 2008, “The language barrier and its implications for HQ-subsidiary relationships,” Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal , vol. 15, No. 1, 49-61.

Harzing, A and Pinnington, A 2009, International Human Resource Management ,: Sage Publications, London.

Huang, X and Evert, V 2003, “Where intrinsic job satisfaction fails to work: National moderators of intrinsic motivation,” Journal of Organizational Behavior; vol. 24, No 2, 159-179.

European Conference on Knowledge Management, Harorimana, D., and Watkins, D2008, 9 th European Conference on Knowledge Management: 4th-5th September 2008 : Southampton, Solent University. Reading, Academic Conferences Ltd.

Fisher, G, Hughes, R, Griffin, R, & Pustay, M 2006 , International Business: Managing In The Asia Pacific , Pearson Education, Australia, NSW.

Le´vy, B 2007, “The interface between globalization, trade and development: Theoretical issues for international business studies ,” International Business Review , vol. 16, no. 5, pp. 594–612.

Loi, R and Yang, J 2009, “Four-Factor Justice and Daily Job Satisfaction: A Multilevel Investigation,” Journal of Applied Psychology , vol. 94, no. 3, 770–781.

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Michigan editor who chronicled Ottawa Co. upheaval fired after trying to staff 'ghost' papers

A west Michigan newspaper editor who earned kudos for her blow-by-blow coverage of Ottawa County government’s takeover by right-wing activists last year said she has been fired by her employer, Gannett Co.

The removal of Sarah Leach as group editor of the Holland Sentinel and two dozen other newspapers came after she vented to a journalist at the nonprofit media site Poynter that Gannett's promised hires for news positions had not materialized for months, as selected job candidates waited on offers. 

Without outing Leach, the Poynter reporter asked Gannett whether they had indeed “ paused” an initiative to restaff the company’s smallest daily papers , some of which had dwindled to just one or no local news reporters. 

Days later, Leach was summoned to a video call with her supervisor, accused of sharing proprietary info with a competitor and abruptly dismissed, she said. She suspects Gannett reviewed her emails internally to identify the leak. 

When asked about this, a company spokeswoman declined to comment on personnel matters. 

“I was asked, ‘Why did you do this?’ And I just stared at the screen for a long time because it was difficult to process what this moment was,” Leach recounted.

“I admitted that I had a phone call with this person, you know, because I am dying. I have been asking for resources, and I'm doing my best to try to serve these communities to the best of my ability, and I feel like I can't. … Then I was informed that was my last day.”

Leach oversaw news operations at the Holland Sentinel and 25 other newspapers across four states — 15 in Michigan, eight in Wisconsin, two in South Dakota and one in Minnesota — the largest group within Gannett’s Center for Community Journalism division. 

She handled budgeting, hiring, goal-setting and managed overtime. Short-staffed on local editors, she was also editing and managing reporters at three of the newspapers herself: the Daily Telegram in Adrian, the Hillsdale Daily News and the Monroe News. 

Gannett is a publicly traded company and the nation's largest newspaper publisher. It also owns the Detroit Free Press and manages the Detroit Media Partnership, which runs the combined business operations of the Free Press and The Detroit News. The News, however, is separately owned by MediaNews Group.

Leach's dismissal also comes as the Holland Sentinel, her home base, is covering what is probably one of the biggest local stories in the newspaper’s 127-year history — the rise of the conservative group Ottawa Impact, borne out of political ire over pandemic restrictions in Michigan’s fastest growing county, population 300,000.

In the 2022 election, members clinched a majority of the 11 seats on the county board of commissioners. Their reign over the last 16 months has left the local government in a state of upheaval and controversy , with the commissioners moving to oust top bureaucrats like the administrator and health officer, axing the DEI department and prompting five lawsuits against the county. 

Leach jumped in last January to help cover the crush of Ottawa Impact news when the Sentinel was down to just one full-time reporter. She soon became the face of the paper’s coverage, striving to explain to the community the unprecedented nature of the board’s sweeping new decisions and their potential effects. 

A trio of retired journalists in the community elevated Leach’s work for the Pulitzer Prize for local reporting last fall, with the nomination citing the 130-plus stories she’d written. The nomination letter also noted the Sentinel's subscriptions had surged 38% at that point in the year, making it the fastest-growing website in Gannett’s division for small newspapers. 

One significant obstacle noted by the nominating committee is that Ottawa Impact commissioners generally refuse to answer questions or be interviewed by mainstream news reporters, though Leach tried to fairly represent their views anyway, according to the committee. 

“More than any other journalist she has held our local elected officials accountable. We need her to preserve democracy in this town,” said Milt Nieuwsma, a retired journalist and author who was part of the nominating committee.

“It’s almost like David and Goliath battling it out against the Ottawa Impact people. What’s ironic is we’re starting to see the results of her work now a week after she’d been fired. If she’d won the Pulitzer, it would have even more ironic. ” 

Nieuwsma was referring to Tuesday’s recall election, in which Ottawa Commissioner Lucy Ebel, an Ottawa Impact Republican, lost to Democrat Chris Kleinjans by 20 percentage points, according to unofficial results. 

Greg DeJong, former chair of the county commission, said the work by Leach and the Sentinel to keep residents informed about Ottawa Impact’s “shenanigans” led to the public outrage that prompted Tuesday’s recall. DeJong, a Republican, lost his seat in Ottawa Impact’s 2022 takeover of the commission. 

“She absolutely tried her best to hold this new board accountable and get other people’s opinions and perspectives. Some people say she’s always beating up on Ottawa Impact, but she reached out to them time and time again,” DeJong said of Leach.    

“It makes me think who from Ottawa Impact got to those people (at Gannett) and made this happen? I scratch my head, thinking, did they get to one of the decision-makers? They had the clout to do it.”

'She tells the truth'

The commission’s new leadership has blasted Leach, with Chair Joe Moss on social media calling her coverage “lies from Leach” and the “epitome of Drive-by Media,” denigrating the Sentinel as a “radicalized left-wing rag.” Moss did not respond to a call from The News. 

Vice Chair Sylvia Rhodea has called the paper hyper-partisan and “fake news.”

“Truthful journalism is dead in Holland, Michigan,” Rhodea tweeted in March. 

Leach also has been criticized outside Ottawa Impact circles. The communications director for U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, a Holland Republican, said the congressman’s hometown paper hasn’t provided fair coverage over the years.

Brian Patrick said Leach has favored Democratic candidates and ignored substantive stories, including major legislation Huizenga passed in Congress and even the opening of his new district office down the street from the Sentinel last year after district lines changed. 

“She has done a disservice to the community in recent years by running a biased paper,” Patrick said. “Hopefully the Holland Sentinel can be restored and regain its title as a newspaper that serves and represents the entire community."

In response, Leach said the paper hasn’t heard from Huizenga in a long time. “It’s not like he advocates to have that connection with the paper,” she said.

Others praised Leach for “dogged” reporting. In November, she scooped , for example, that the county had made a $4 million settlement offer in exchange for the resignation of the health director and her deputy, following a year-long feud. A public outcry ensued.  

Leach recently was a runner-up for the Michigan Press Association's Michigan Journalist of the Year, and her reporting on Ottawa Impact won first place in the association’s public service award for small daily newspapers. 

“If Joe Moss were to talk to you, he’d be jumping up and down for joy that Sarah has been released from her duties,” said Field Reichardt of Grand Haven, a Republican and long-time Ottawa County resident who serves on the road commission.

“Her reporting has been comprehensive, highly detailed and balanced to the degree that it can be, considering the Ottawa Impact people won’t talk to her. She tells the truth, and she doesn’t exaggerate. She has had an amazing effect on attitudes and opinions. ”

Reichardt noted that local grassroots groups that formed in response to Ottawa Impact often shared Leach’s articles and acted on the information within.

“I think Sarah will continue to be a factor,” Reichardt said. “She is so respected that many people will be seeing what she’s writing, wherever that is.” 

Managing 'ghost' papers

Leach, 46, of Grand Haven spent 14 years at the Sentinel, taking over as the editor in chief in 2013. She still “fully supports” the staff of Holland's daily newspaper, calling them “very skilled” journalists. She stressed the paper is more than just its Ottawa Impact coverage.

“But we do have to have a conversation here about whether local journalism is being served adequately in these communities,” Leach said. “Community newspapers are being starved to death in a variety of ways, either for lack of interest from their ownership, or lack of commitment of resources. We have to find a better way.” 

With Gannett, she oversaw five “ghost” newsrooms with no news reporters for over a year, and other newsrooms with just one local news reporter, including seven papers in Michigan like the Battle Creek Enquirer.  

There are likely hundreds of ghost papers nationally with virtually no news staff or original reporting — that is, “newspapers in name only,” said Tim Franklin, senior associate dean at Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and director of the Medill Local News Initiative. The school’s State of Local News project found newspapers closing at a pace of 10 a month last year.

Research has shown these low-information counties see turnout in local elections go down, the number of candidates seeking public office declining and one study even found corruption rising in these areas — all because the community doesn't have as much information about what's happening with few or no watchdogs “minding the store,” Franklin said.

Franklin applauded Gannett for investing in metropolitan newspapers such as the Indianapolis Star and the Arizona Republic, which are contributing the vast majority of revenue and profits for large media companies. But that leaves smaller community publishers, who are not the big moneymakers, “in a real bind,” he said. 

“They’re really scraping by,” Franklin said. 

Gannett has been shedding newspapers in the last year or two, so a possibility is some of these publications end up being acquired by local owners, investors or community foundations, which could be a net positive, Franklin said. 

“But if that happens, the concern is that some of these just get shut down, which would be a tragedy, both for the journalists involved and for the communities,” he said. 

Asked whether it plans to hire for the positions that Leach had wanted to fill, Gannett spokeswoman Lark-Marie Antón pointed to the company’s online jobs page and said it’s “actively recruiting for multiple roles throughout the region.” 

The company also said it has hired 120 new content roles in both metro and community markets across its network since the start of 2024, “and we remain committed to adding resources to support our newsrooms, including those in Michigan.”

Antón did not respond when asked for a breakdown between hires at metro versus community papers like the Holland Sentinel.

Asked about Ottawa Impact news after Leach’s departure, Antón pointed to an article on Tuesday's recall results and said Gannett’s “talented team of journalists will remain at the forefront of this important coverage, delivering timely and impactful news our readers depend on."

A 'shocking' dismissal

Rick Edmonds, a media business analyst for Poynter, published a story last week on Gannett’s “pause” on its hiring initiative for small newsroom positions, fed in part by his conversation with Leach. Gannett had pressed him about where he got his info, but he didn’t reveal that, he said.

It was the first time in 58 years of journalism that Edmonds can recall a source getting fired for talking to him, he said. 

“It’s kind of shocking. This was kinda done in a whistleblowing spirit,” Edmonds said. “And this wasn’t like a critical cornerstone of their secret strategy but about an issue in one of the smaller parts of their operation. To come down with the atomic bomb of firing somebody with no severance seems hypocritical and unseemly for a news organization.” 

Leach is confident she will land on her feet. She plans to keep working as an independent journalist in the community, covering Ottawa Impact. She’s started her own Substack site that readers can subscribe to and is setting up freelance agreements with publications like the Washington Post and the Grand Haven Tribune, she said. 

She was distressed by the timing of the disruption, however, coming amid one of the biggest election seasons for the county, with all 11 commissioners on the ballot later this year. 

“Communities need to start valuing information and realize they need to pony up some money to subscribe because journalists need to eat,” she said. “Sitting through an eight-hour public meeting isn’t information you can get from a Facebook newsgroup or from your neighbor.”

[email protected]

Ukraine war latest: Moscow accuses West of being responsible for attacks in Russia; two dead in airstrike on major city

At least two people have been killed and more than a dozen injured in a reported Russian attack on Ukraine's second-largest city of Kharkiv. Russia says it sees the US and UK as responsible for recent attacks on its soil.

Saturday 18 May 2024 07:34, UK

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• Two dead and 13 injured in Kharkiv attack
• Russia claims UK is 'de facto participant' in conflict | Moscow says it holds US and UK responsible for attacks on Russian soil
• Russian troops advance - but situation 'stabilised', says Zelenskyy
• Putin: Capturing major city 'not part of plan'
• Footage shows oil refinery fire and burning fuel depots after 'massive' overnight attack
• Analysis: Great power politics on display in China visit
• Were Putin and Xi really pictured with their 'nuclear footballs'?

Ask a question or make a comment

Welcome back to our live coverage of the Ukraine war.

Two people were killed in an airstrike on Kharkiv on Friday, with Ukrainian officials saying they expect fighting to intensify as Russia continues to attack Ukraine's second largest city. 

Russia's defence ministry claimed its forces have taken control of 12 settlements in the Kharkiv region in the past week.

A person was also killed near the Black Sea port of Odesa, a frequent target of Russian attacks, with eight more injured, according to a Ukrainian official.

In other news from the past 24 hours:

• Russia said the UK was a "de facto participant" in the war. Moscow said it holds the US and UK responsible for attacks on Russian soil because they are allowing Ukraine to use Western weapons against Russian targets;
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the situation in Kharkiv had "stabilised" as of Friday, adding their "deepest point of their advance" was 10 km;
• Vladimir Putin claimed capturing the city of Kharkiv was not part of Russia's current plan and said Moscow intends to create a "buffer zone" for Russia's own security;
• A Russian oil refinery was forced into emergency shutdown after a purported Ukrainian drone attack caused a fire. Sources on social media indicated a second Russian oil terminal was also hit.

We're pausing our coverage of the Ukraine war for the moment.

Scroll through the blog below to catch up on today's developments.

One person has been killed and another eight injured in a Russian missile attack near the Black Sea port of Odesa, a Ukrainian official has said.

Regional governor Oleh Kiper said five people were being treated in hospital. He posted pictures showing emergency workers near the scene of the strike.

Sky News has not independently verified the report.

Odesa has been a frequent target of Russian missile and drone attacks.

President Vladimir Putin used his meeting with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to "promote Kremlin narratives feigning interest in peace negotiations", analysts at the Institute for the Study of War say.

The pair signed a joint statement yesterday alluding to Russia's support for the China's proposed peace plan and a possible future Chinese-led negotiation to end the war in Ukraine.

In the statement, they claim both countries support a "sustainable settlement" for the "Ukraine crisis".

The ISW said it has "previously assessed" the Kremlin will "continue to use any calls for peace negotiations to feign interest in negotiations" in the hope of undermining Western support for Ukraine.

Moscow also hopes the West will force Ukraine into negotiations with Russia that make concessions on Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, the ISW added.

'Decisive' relationship

Meanwhile, the institute says, Mr Putin likely views Moscow's relationship with Beijing as "decisive" in his bid to further mobilise the Russian economy and defence industry to support his war in Ukraine.

"Putin and Xi highlighted bilateral trade and economic cooperation throughout their public speeches," the ISW says, adding the Russian delegation includes officials and businessmen.

"The Russian delegation likely aimed to expand cooperation with their Chinese counterparts that will facilitate increased economic ties between Russia and the PRC [People's Republic of China]."

China has previously signalled concerns its economic relationship with Russia may open it up to sanctions, the ISW says, and Mr Putin "likely intends to head off these concerns as the Russian defence industry grows increasingly reliant on the PRC".

Earlier today, we reported how a purported Ukrainian drone attack caused a fire at an oil refinery in Krasnodar, Russia.

The blaze has forced an emergency shut down at the facility, owned by Rosneft, two sources familiar with the matter have told Reuters.

According to one source, the drones hit the liquefied petroleum gas production unit while the crude distillation unit remained undamaged. 

"There was no black smoke during the fire. That means it was just the gas burning", a source said.

Russia's state-run TASS news agency reported the fire was extinguished, citing local authorities. 

The Russian defence ministry said air defences downed 44 drones over the Krasnodar region and six over the Belgorod region. 

For context: The Tuapse plant's annual capacity is 12 million metric tons, or 240,000 barrels per day. 

It produces naphtha, fuel oil, vacuum gasoil and high-sulphur diesel, and supplies fuel mainly Turkey, China, Malaysia and Singapore. 

Most Russians would support an end to the war in Ukraine this week - but only if newly-gained territories were not returned.

That's according to  the independent Levada Centre , Russia's best known pollster, which ran a survey to canvass public opinion on Vladimir Putin and the war.

While 71% would back an end to the war "this week", this figure drops to just 30% if the condition for peace were to return territories.

Since September last year, Levada reports the level of support for the Russian army has stayed at about 75%, with older respondents more likely to remain in favour.

Mr Putin's approval rating appears to be at about 82%, the pollster reports.

However, those aged between 18 and 24 appear less likely to back M Putin, with 77% not approving of his activities as president.

Former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko says no one should trust Vladimir Putin when he says he won't invade Russia's second city, Kharkiv.

The Russian leader does not have an opportunity to capture Kharkiv right now due to Ukraine's defensive forces, he said.

But in Vovchansk, where Mr Poroshenko visited yesterday, the town has been turned into "hell" - with no people or houses left.

"Don't trust Putin. Don't be afraid of Putin," he said.

"I can confirm that our strategy shall be as follows: Ukraine shall win, and Russia, undoubtedly, shall lose."

Moscow says it sees the US and UK as responsible for recent attacks because they are allowing Ukraine to use Western weapons against Russian targets.

The Russian foreign ministry said the UK, US, EU and Kyiv were "playing with fire" over attacks on Russian soil, state news agency Tass reports.

Such actions will not go unanswered, it warned.

"Once again, we should like to unequivocally warn Washington, London, Brussels and other Western capitals, as well as Kyiv, which is under their control, that they are playing with fire. Russia will not leave such encroachments on its territory unanswered."

Earlier today, Russia's ambassador to the UK said the UK was a de facto participant in the war.

This was because it has supplied Kyiv with weapons and shared real-time intelligence, said Andrei Kelin.

The number of victims from a reported Russian airstrike has risen, officials say.

At least two people are now said to have died, with another 13 injured - four of whom are in a "serious condition", regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

It is not clear what the attack targeted, but Mr Syniehubov said those injured are civilians.

Reports had initially claimed one person had died and four injured.

Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, and the surrounding region have long been targeted by Russian attacks but the strikes have become more intense in recent months.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Moscow of seeking to reduce the city to rubble.

A Ukrainian drone hit another oil terminal this morning, this time in the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiisk, according to sources and footage shared on social media.

The Importpischeprom oil products terminal and Sheskharis oil harbour were struck, with the port shut soon after the attack.

Oil loadings resumed later from Sheskharis, according to industry sources and LSEG data, while activity at Importpischeprom remains suspended.

It came as Russian officials reported another drone attack on an oil refinery, causing a fire in Tuapse, which is roughly 150km southeast of Novorossiisk.

Both are in the Krasnodar region.

Russian oil pipeline monopoly Transneftdid not reply to a request for comment. Its subsidiary, Novorossiisk Commercial Sea Port Group (NCSP), which operates the Sheskharis oil terminal, declined to comment.

Novorossiisk is Russia's largest port on the Black Sea and is a key oil outlet for crude oil and transit in country's south. It also handles grain, coal, mineral fertilisers, timber, containers, food and chemical cargoes.

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Why are US-Russia relations so challenging?

Subscribe to the center on the united states and europe update, angela stent angela stent nonresident senior fellow - foreign policy , center on the united states and europe @angelastent.

April 27, 2020

The United States’ relationship with Russia is today the worst that it has been since 1985. Moscow’s interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and what appears to be its continuing attempts to affect the 2020 election campaign have made Russia a toxic domestic issue in a way that it has not been since the 1950s. Its annexation of Crimea and launch of an ongoing war in southeastern Ukraine, plus its support for Syria’s Bashar al-Assad in his brutal civil war, and for Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro have raised tensions with the United States. President Trump came into office determined to improve ties with Russia. But the rest of the executive branch and the U.S. Congress have pursued tough policies toward Russia, imposing rafts of sanctions and expelling diplomats. The U.S. National Security Strategy declares Russia and China the two top threats to U.S. national security. At the best of times, U.S.-Russia ties are a mixture of cooperation and competition, but today they are largely adversarial.

Yet, as the world’s two nuclear superpowers, Russia and the United States bear a unique responsibility to keep the peace and discourage the proliferation of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons around the globe. Moreover, there are global challenges such as terrorism, climate change, governing the Arctic, and dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic that necessitate working together. The challenge is to find an acceptable balance between cooperation and competition and to compartmentalize the relationship in a more effective way than at present.

A closer look

How did we get to where we are today.

After the USSR collapsed, many in the United States assumed that once the Russians had thrown off the shackles of Soviet communism they would want to join the West and become more like Americans and Europeans. The U.S sent political and economic advisers to work with officials and people in the nascent private sector to promote democracy and markets. But it turned out that centuries of Russian and Soviet history had produced a unique and distinct understanding of Russia’s place in the world and the form of government it should have. The 1990s, during which Russia was a more pluralist society than it is today, is now remembered as a time of chaos, enriching a few and impoverishing many, during which Russia was “humiliated” by having to accept an agenda largely dictated by the United States. Russia’s legitimate interests, so this narrative goes, were ignored by the United States. This includes Russia’s right to a sphere of influence in the post-Soviet states, meaning that they should not aspire to join NATO or the European Union. Today, Russia defines its security perimeter not as the borders of the Russian Federation, but as the borders of the former Soviet Union. It demands that the United States and Europe acknowledge this. So far, Washington has refused to accept that premise and insists on Russia’s neighbors’ right to choose their foreign policy orientation.

Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia has become a centralized, authoritarian state and has returned as a global player, competing with the United States for influence. Although it is weaker than the U.S. both economically and military, it has the ability to intervene around the globe and to thwart U.S. interests. Washington and Moscow have fundamentally different ideas about what a productive relationship would look like.

There have been two periods in recent history when cooperation between the U.S. and Russia has worked well: the immediate post-9/11 period when Russia assisted the United States in the first phase of the war in Afghanistan, providing information which it had collected from its decade-long war there; and during the 2008-12 period of the “reset” between Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev, when Moscow and Washington cooperated on arms control, Afghanistan, Iran, and a range of other issues.

Relations began to sour when Putin returned to the Kremlin in 2012, convinced that Hillary Clinton had been behind the demonstrators who had protested his return to power. The next year, Putin granted political asylum to Edward Snowden, the disgruntled NSA contractor who stole millions of classified documents and fled to Russia via Hong Kong. It rebuffed President Obama’s request to return him. Obama then canceled a planned summit with Putin.

Russia’s actions in 2014 dealt another major blow to the relationship. Following months of popular protests, the pro-Russia Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych fled to Russia and was replaced by a pro-Western government. Shortly thereafter, Russian troops moved in to occupy and annex the Crimean Peninsula, which  had been part of Ukraine since 1954, thereby violating the terms of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum in which Russia, the United States, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom had pledged to uphold Ukraine’s territorial integrity. During the next few months, Russian-backed separatists and Russian troops wearing no insignia moved in to occupy the parts of the Donbas region in southeastern Ukraine, ousting the legitimate local authorities. Since the spring of 2014, Russia and Ukraine have been fighting a war in the Donbas region in which 14,000 have died. Responding to this violation of sovereignty, the United States imposed sanctions on Russian individuals close to Putin and on Russia’s ability to access financial markets.

Russia’s entry into the Syrian civil war in 2015 to support Bashar al-Assad has also created tensions with the United States, which was supporting groups opposed to Assad. Since then, Washington and Moscow have had to deconflict their air operations in Syria to prevent unanticipated collisions. After the U.S.’s partial withdrawal from Syria, Russian troops occupied former U.S. bases and supported Assad’s brutal assault on Idlib Province, which has produced a million refugees.

The  decisive major blow to U.S-Russia relations was Russia’s cyber interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election campaign. As detailed in the 2019 Mueller Report, a troll factory in St. Petersburg worked round the clock to use social media to exacerbate the political polarization that existed in U.S. society, cast doubt among Americans about the legitimacy of the own democracy, and use these platforms to favor Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton. Russia also tried to penetrate election machines in some states, raising the possibility that it could seek to change the outcome of future elections. The election interference via social media has continued into the 2020 electoral cycle.

What are the most pressing issues for the next administration to tackle?

The most immediate issue is the fate of the New START Treaty on strategic offensive weapons, set to expire on February 5, 2021. This is the latest iteration of the SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) Treaty signed by President Richard Nixon in Moscow in 1972. These treaties have for 50 years set limits on the numbers of warheads and delivery vehicles each side can have and they allow for on-site verification to ensure compliance. New START could be extended for another 5 years as-is while the two sides negotiate about what a future treaty that takes into account the modernization of nuclear weapons and the growth of cyber capabilities should involve. The Trump administration has insisted that any new treaty include China’s nuclear arsenal, but Beijing has demurred, arguing that its nuclear arsenal is far smaller than that of either the United States or Russia who between them possess 90% of the world’s nuclear weaponry. Both the U.S. and Russia have pulled out of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, so that the only remaining piece of the arms control structure is New START. If this is not extended, then by 2021 there will be nothing limiting the nuclear arsenals of the U.S. and Russia, with serious implications both for the proliferation of nuclear weapons and for a costly future arms race.

Resolving the conflict in Ukraine will remain a very difficult. Although the United States is not included in the “Normandy Format”—Germany, France, Russia, and Ukraine—that seeks to end the war, it still has an important role to play in negotiations for peace and in supporting Ukraine. It needs to resume a more active role.

Russia’s increasingly close relationship with China represents an ongoing challenge for the United States. While there is little that Washington can do to draw Moscow away from Beijing, it should not pursue policies that drive the two countries closer together, such as the trade war with China and rafts of sanctions against Russia.

The sanctions against Russia have impacted Russia’s economy adversely, but they have not led Russia either to moderate its actions in Ukraine or to diminish its cyber interference inside the United States. Moreover, the sanctions such as those on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany have adversely impacted U.S. allies but have had only a limited impact on Russia itself. The pipeline is delayed, but it will almost certainly be completed. Congressionally-imposed sanctions are a blunt punitive instrument carrying few incentives to induce Russia to rethink its policies. They should be re-examined in terms of their effectiveness as a tool for affecting Russian behavior.

The COVID-19 pandemic may represent an opportunity for the United States to re-engage Russia by cooperating in battling the disease. But developing a more productive relationship with Russia will remain a major challenge for the United States. Washington and Moscow have different understandings of the drivers of world politics. Russia seeks to create a “post-West” world in which the United States is one of several great power players and can no longer dominate the international scene. It seeks U.S. recognition for its right to a sphere of influence. So far, no U.S. administration since the Soviet collapse has been willing to accept this premise.

Brookings Institution, Washington DC

4:00 pm - 5:30 pm EDT

Angela Stent

February 24, 2020

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