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by Troy McMillan

Cybercrime Is Coming for Your Business-What Are You Doing About It?

June 19, 2025
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No more excuses: it’s time to lock things down before it’s too late

Cybercrime isn’t lurking in the shadows anymore-it’s knocking at your digital front door, and most small businesses are answering without even realizing it. The worst part? Most owners don’t know how exposed they really are until it’s too late.

Let’s cut to it: If you’re running a business in 2025 and still treating cybersecurity like a back-office concern, you’re not paying attention. Hackers have moved on from just chasing large corporations. Why? Because small businesses are easier, faster, and often completely unguarded.

This isn’t just theory-it’s happening. Ransomware attacks are skyrocketing, phishing emails are getting more sophisticated, and automated bots are scanning every inch of the web for weak spots. If you’re not actively protecting your systems, you’re already a target.

The days of thinking ‘it won’t happen to me’ are over. Cybercrime is a business, and you’re on their radar. That client list, payment processor, or project vault you’ve been building for years? It’s worth real money to someone else-and they know it.

Here’s the wake-up call: your brand isn’t bulletproof, your tech stack isn’t invincible, and hoping for the best is not a strategy. But you do have options. And no, they don’t all cost a fortune. What they require is action.

Start by locking the basics. Strong passwords. Two-factor authentication. Regular updates. Those alone cut your risk dramatically. Then train your team-because all it takes is one careless click to unravel everything.

Next, level up your data game. Encrypted backups. Secure cloud platforms. Third-party tools that actually meet compliance standards. If you’re using free versions of plugins that haven’t been updated in years, you’re playing with fire.

And let’s talk policy. You need one. A real one. Who has access to what? What’s the plan if systems go down for a day? Or a week? You don’t want to be writing that manual during a crisis.

Look-this isn’t about fear. It’s about clarity. Smart business owners know the value of protecting what they’ve built. Cybersecurity isn’t a tech issue. It’s a leadership one. And the strongest leaders don’t just plan for success-they prepare for threats.

You don’t have to be a security expert. But you do have to stop pretending you’re not at risk. Because the truth is, the attack isn’t coming. It’s already here. The only question is whether you’re ready for it.

Also Read: Outsmart the Hackers: Build a Bulletproof Cyber Plan for 2025

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Skip the hashtags. Real brands are built in real rooms

Skip the hashtags. Real brands are built in real rooms

July 8, 2025
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Let’s get this straight. Your social media feed is not your brand. It’s your echo chamber. If you think your next big client, investor, or strategic partner is scrolling past your Canva post and deciding to cut a deal, you’re dreaming. Meanwhile, real founders are out there in cities like Vancouver, Austin, and Montreal. They’re walking into rooms, shaking hands, having real conversations, and walking out with real opportunities.

And if you’re not in those rooms, you’re already behind.

The illusion of digital dominance
 We’ve been sold this fantasy for years: post more, tweet faster, slap on some hashtags, and watch your business go viral. But unless you’re a lifestyle influencer or selling t-shirts with ironic slogans, the odds are stacked against you. Social reach without real-world engagement is like shouting into a void. Sure, the likes look good. But likes don’t close deals.

The brands that survive the noise are not the ones screaming the loudest online. They’re the ones who show up. In person. Consistently.

The underground revival of real networking
 Across North America, there’s a quiet resurgence happening. Founders are trading the comfort of Zoom for the power of eye contact. They’re skipping the webinars and grabbing coffee. They’re showing up to breakfast meetups in Montreal, tech mixers in Vancouver, and no-bullshit pitch nights in Austin.

These aren’t flashy, overproduced spectacles. They’re lean, real, raw. And they’re effective.

At these events, there are no filters, no pre-written talking points, no hiding behind a well-crafted LinkedIn profile. It’s just you, your pitch, and the energy you bring into the room. That’s where reputations are built. That’s where relationships are forged.

Founders vs. followers
 Let’s talk brass tacks. Your competition is showing up. They’re listening, learning, positioning. And while you’re obsessing over which trending audio to slap on your next Reel, they’re getting invited to closed-door pitch decks, forming alliances, and being remembered.

In-person events aren’t optional anymore. They’re part of the survival kit. Especially for small and medium businesses that need to break through the noise, build local presence, and establish trust.

Still think a strong Instagram grid is your edge? Keep scrolling.

Trust doesn’t happen in the comments
 You know what builds trust faster than any follow-up email? A handshake. A candid chat over coffee. A heated debate in a breakout session. Trust is visceral. It happens when you look someone in the eye and make your case.

People remember how you made them feel. Not how you edited your caption.

This is where too many founders trip up. They’re outsourcing their personality to social media managers. They’re replacing authenticity with automation. And they’re wondering why the engagement doesn’t convert.

The answer? Because you’re not in the room.

The new rule: Be where your competitors are
 The most brutal truth in business? If you’re not where the action is, someone else will take your spot.

In Toronto, founders are hitting events like the Small Business Forum and CanadianSME summits. In Chicago, they’re meeting at industry breakfasts and trade expos. In Vancouver, it’s startup roundtables and post-hackathon hangouts.

None of these events require you to be the loudest. But they do require you to be present. Consistently. Because in a sea of faces, the one that keeps showing up becomes familiar. And familiar becomes trusted.

Your brand needs to be seen in 3D
 Real brand equity is built when people know you beyond your logo. They remember how you speak. How you solve problems in real time. How you handle feedback without hiding behind a screen.

That’s why in-person events are not just “nice to have.” They’re a business multiplier.

You want more leads? Show up.
You want media attention? Show up.
You want better partnerships? Show up.

Not as a guest who hides in the back. As someone who leans into conversations and leaves an impression.

What showing up actually looks like
 Let’s get practical. This isn’t about booking a booth at every expo. It’s about strategic participation. Here’s how to stop hiding and start showing up:

  • Start small and local. Look for breakfasts, pitch nights, or niche summits near you.
  • Speak when invited. Panels and workshops give you instant credibility.
  • Follow up like a pro. Don’t just collect cards. Message people with real context.
  • Host your own meetups. Become a hub for your industry. Coffee mornings work. So do rooftop sessions.
  • Show up with intent. Don’t wing it. Know who you want to meet and why.

Final thought: The screen will not save you
 Look, you can automate your posts, schedule your emails, and build a slick online brand. But at some point, you’re going to need to sit across from someone who can change your trajectory.

Will they know who you are? Or will you be just another handle in their inbox?

This is not the time to play it safe. Not in this market. Not with this level of competition.

So skip the hashtags. Put down the ring light. Step into the room.
That’s where the real game starts.

tariffs-are-not-a-side-note-the-are-the-plot-twist

Tariffs Are Not a Side Note – They’re the Plot Twist

June 14, 2025
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Let’s cut the fluff. In 2025, if your business still treats tariffs like background noise, you’re not just behind  you’re bleeding out. What’s unfolding right now in U.S. trade policy isn’t some bureaucratic shuffle. It’s a full-blown shift in how global commerce plays out, and if you’re not rethinking everything from your supply chain to your pricing strategy, you’re setting yourself up to lose.

This is not just another policy report. This is a call-out to businesses who think survival is about avoiding damage. It’s not. It’s about outmaneuvering it.

The U.S. Trade Playbook in 2025: Power Move or Self-Sabotage?

Welcome to tariff warfare, American edition. The current U.S. tariff framework is less about diplomacy and more about economic pressure, think trade weapons, not trade agreements.

Here’s what the Biden administration has rolled out:

  • 25 to 125 percent tariffs on Chinese EVs, green tech, and semiconductors. Because if you can’t outbuild them, overtax them.
  • 30 percent steel and aluminum duties under the “national security” banner. That’s $220 billion in global imports getting more expensive overnight.
  • Retaliatory tariffs hitting Canada and the EU  25 percent on Canadian auto parts, 35 percent on European agricultural products. All in response to digital tax moves.

The result? American importers are paying more. A lot more. On average, 17 percent more across the board. And $54 billion in monthly trade is being redirected like a river blocked by a concrete dam.

Who’s Getting Burned  and Who’s Getting Smart?

China: Playing Chess While the U.S. Plays Checkers

Here’s what China is doing while we’re throwing tariffs around:

  • Exporting more to ASEAN (up 22 percent in Q1 2025). Smart.
  • Shifting to high-tech goods (now 38 percent of total exports). Smarter.
  • Near-shoring in Mexico to duck Section 301 duties. Smartest.

The message? They’re not begging for access. They’re building new lanes.

U.S. takeaway: If your suppliers are still locked into legacy Chinese factories, you’re not just exposed, you’re obsolete. Start building ties in Southeast Asia and Mexico now.

tariff-us-china

Canada: Friend Zoned and Taxed Anyway

Canada got blindsided with a 25 percent tariff on $155 billion worth of goods. Appliances, apparel, machinery are all more expensive now. SMEs are reporting 10 to 15 percent margin hits, and consumer prices are up nearly 5 percent on things like beer and motorcycles.

Survival tip: If you’re importing from Canada and not using their April 2025 tariff remission portal to get back up to 80 percent in duties, what are you even doing?

UK: Half a Handshake, Half a Slap

Yes, the “Prosperity Deal” cut tariffs on British cars from 27.5 to 10 percent. Jaguar Land Rover is celebrating. But 89 percent of UK exports still face a 10 percent baseline tariff.

So the big win? Not really. Unless you’re dealing in steel or Scotch.

Move fast: Source from tariff-exempt categories. The Federal Register is your best friend now.

Also Read: How to win online?

The Compliance Game: Not Optional Anymore

In 2025, compliance isn’t paperwork. It’s profit preservation.

Here’s how smart companies are staying ahead:

  • Leverage FTAs like USMCA. You want to avoid 25 percent tariffs on China-sourced parts? Follow the 75 percent regional content rule.
  • Adopt ASEAN’s DEFA. It’s not just buzz. It’s a way to restructure your tech and digital supply chains away from over-taxed zones.
  • Use AI-driven compliance tools. Predictive analytics can model 250 tariff scenarios. You can see danger before it hits.
  • Deploy screening systems like Descartes. Slash customs delays by 40 percent.
  • Bottom line: You’re either investing in compliance or bleeding in penalties and delays. Choose your hit.

Brutal Truths About Trade in 2025:

Let’s dismantle some myths:

MythReality
“Only big companies get hit”72 percent of U.S. customs penalties target SMEs
“Compliance is a cost center”AI tools reduce errors by 83 percent, saving $380K per $10M imported
“Tariffs help local producers”U.S. steel prices up 34 percent  killing downstream sectors like auto and construction

Small Businesses Are Squeezed  But Not Powerless:

SMEs importing machinery or electronics from China are seeing 15 to 25 percent cost increases. But the smart ones are fighting back.

Here’s how:

  • Tariff Engineering: Change the product. Adjust the steel composition. Get a better HTS code.
  • Bonded Warehousing: Store goods in Foreign-Trade Zones. Defer duty payments until the sale.

Luxury Brands: Taxed and Still Winning

Nearly half of EU luxury imports now carry a 22 percent duty. But brands like LVMH and Burberry are absorbing 60 percent of those costs  and still raised prices by 18 percent.

Why? Because brand matters. Because customers trust them. Because they control the story.

What Comes Next? Policy Whiplash Is Just Beginning

Here’s what’s already in motion:

  • Quantum-proof your data. NIST-approved encryption will be mandatory by Q3 to comply with cross-border data standards.
  • Model EU retaliation. A 35 percent digital tax tariff from Brussels is on the table. If you’re not running CGE models, you’re guessing.
  • Get political. Join trade advisory committees. If you’re not lobbying, you’re letting someone else write your rules.

Final Take: Redesign or Get Left Behind

Here’s the hard truth: You don’t win in 2025 by avoiding tariffs. You win by designing them out of your business model. The companies pulling ahead are doing three things:

  1. Cutting dependency on China. ASEAN and Mexico are not backups. They are the future.
  2. Digitizing compliance. If your customs strategy runs on spreadsheets, you’re toast.
  3. Influencing trade policy. Waiting for policy to shift in your favor? That’s not a strategy. That’s wishful thinking.

Remember this quote from USTR Deputy José Fernández:


“The companies thriving aren’t those avoiding tariffs; they’re redesigning operations to make tariffs irrelevant.”

He’s right. And if you want to be in that winner’s circle, it’s time to stop reacting and start rewriting your playbook.