The International Business Podcast

• #138: The art of international sales

  If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo Marra, welcome to the international business podcast. Today, we delve into international sales. From connecting SMEs across Australia, Latin America, and Spain to overcoming regulatory challenges and understanding cultural nuances, two expert guests share insights on what's changed in the industry and how to succeed in diverse markets. See below for further information about the two guests.Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters.Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.With guests:Alex Baneres is a versatile and results-driven international marketing and sales leader with extensive experience across diverse sectors, including education, home care, travel, weight loss programs, drinkware, homeware, books, meal replacements, sports nutrition, and video games. Proven expertise in business development, P&L ownership, CRM implementation, and building long-term relationships with distributors, affiliates, and resellers in international markets such as Australia, Spain, and Latin America. Over the last two years, Alex has worked as a marketing and sales agent for several European businesses in Australia and is currently focused on growing an Australian company across Europe and Latin America. Fluent in Spanish and English, with a strong ability to manage complex projects, launch new products, optimize digital marketing strategies, and deliver measurable results.Zach Selch is a renowned global sales leader with over 30 years of experience driving international business growth. Zach's career achievements include generating over $1 billion in revenue across 150+ markets and onboarding more than 1,000 partners globally. He has been instrumental in transforming underperforming sales teams into high-performing powerhouses, achieving growth rates as high as 4,000%. His practical strategies for building international distributor networks and navigating cultural complexities have earned him recognition as a trusted mentor and advisor. Zach holds a certificate in Global Sales and Marketing Management from The Wharton School and a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Economics from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with the host Leonardo Marra

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• #137: The Gulf region. Oil, AI and Giga-projects

  If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo Marra, welcome to the international business podcast. Today, we delve into the Gulf countries. With the rapid growth in smartphone and internet penetration in Saudi Arabia, how can businesses leverage the digital landscape to enhance customer experience and market reach? Why is Dubai a hub for AI? How are Gulf businesses shifting supply chains towards emerging markets in Central Asia? And much more…We do this with 3 expert guests. Check further below for their detailed information.Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters.Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.With guests:With a globe-spanning career, Corina Goetz has embodied roles as diverse as Advisor, Educator, Confidente and Specialist in Middle Eastern culture. By creating Star-CaT, a Middle Eastern Advisory, Training, and Consulting firm, she has spent over 20 years forging trusted relationships with leaders from the Gulf, royal families, and business magnates. Her remarkable success includes escalating a company's regional client base from zero to a 6 million annual turnover. As a German national and non-Arabic speaker, she brings a unique perspective to the table, embodying the bridge between the West and the Middle East. Having navigated the complex cultural landscapes herself, she understands the subtleties of communication, attire, and social structures in the Gulf. Through Star-CaT, her mission is global – to educate, guide and assist companies in navigating the dynamic business environment of the Gulf with confidence and cultural intelligence which then leads to exeptionnel commercial success.Corina's expertise in Middle Eastern customs and business etiquette has made her an indispensable ally to a variety of clients, including prestigious names like Aka, Corinthia London, Sarova Group, Monteverdi Tuscany, King & Spalding, Dr. Rita Rakus, and Acorn Capital Advisors. She is committed to ensuring her clients not only meet but exceed the expectations of their Middle Eastern counterparts.Oksana Didyk is a strategic consultant and researcher specializing in the Gulf region’s energy, food and agriculture, culture, and logistics sectors. With 12 years of experience in business strategy, lean management, and market entry, she has advised governments, trade organizations, and multinational companies on navigating complex regional dynamics. Oksana is also completing her PhD in Political Studies, focusing on political branding and governance in the Middle East, giving her a deep analytical edge in understanding the region’s economic and geopolitical landscapes. Combining academic insight with hands-on expertise, she helps businesses not just enter the Gulf, but truly succeed in it.Giorgio Morocica is the Head of Business Development at Edugo.AI, a Gen AI-powered Learning Management System, acquired in 2023. Giorgio is also the founder and CEO of "The Founders Club" an international community with the mission to help founders and entrepreneurs create a scalable business EXIT successfully. Furthermore, he is an Angel Investor with currently 6 startups in his portfolio and a mentor for startup founders and entrepreneurs.  He holds a bachelor's degree in linguistics from Università per Stranieri di Siena and a triple master's degree from ICN Business School, University of Bologna, and East China University of Science and Technology.If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with the host Leonardo Marra

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• #136: Beauty, luxury and innovation

  If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo Marra, welcome to the international business podcast.  Today, we delve into the world of beauty and luxury. We will travel across the UK, Italy, France and China. What role will technology play in shaping the future of luxury? What are the most significant shifts occurring in the Chinese beauty market? And more. See below for details on each guest.⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters.Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.With guests:Giovanni Luigi Bordone is a multifaceted professional with a rich background in fashion, education, and business. As a Course Leader for the MA Marketing program at London Metropolitan University, he brings over 15 years of experience in corporate fashion business to the academic forefront. His expertise spans fashion marketing, luxury brand management, and sustainability, with a strong focus on teaching in diverse international settings across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. Giovanni's career has been marked by prestigious roles, including being a Made to Measure Ambassador for Ermenegildo Zegna and a Brand Ambassador for Scabal.Agnese Curti is a Brand Marketing Consultant and Co-Active Coach, combining strategic expertise with a people-centered approach. She recently founded Tangle Path, a coaching business specializing in the creative industries, to help professionals, teams, and creatives navigate growth with clarity and impact.With over a decade of experience in fashion, luxury (ex Gucci) and digital industries, she has led high-impact media and communication initiatives across Europe and Middle East, helping brands enhance visibility and audience engagement. Through coaching, she supports individuals and teams in moving from where they are to where they want to be, guided by the belief that growth is never linear - embrace the twists and turns.Lisa Nan serves as the China Luxury and Beauty Editor at Jing Daily, a New York-based publication. She specializes in analyzing Chinese consumer trends and behaviors, focusing on luxury, fashion, beauty, and WEB3 markets. Her work has been featured in prominent outlets such as South China Morning Post, Campaign Asia, Luxury Daily, and CPP Luxury. As the head of the biweekly Jing Beauty newsletter, Lisa covers key trends and insights in China's rapidly evolving beauty and wellness sector. Her biannual beauty trends forecast is highly regarded on Jing Daily. She has consulted for major brands like Clé de Peau Beauté, L’Oréal, and La Prairie on their China strategies.Manon Hu is the founder of Astrolabel, a brand consulting and management agency focused on enhancing the presence of luxury brands in China. Additionally, she serves as a Senior Partner at Luxurynsight, a leading data and AI-driven company specializing in strategic insights for the luxury market. Her expertise at Luxurynsight includes analyzing trends and consumer behavior in the Chinese market, particularly in luxury and beauty sectors, where she has been instrumental in highlighting the resilience of brands through innovative digital strategies. She previously worked Burberry and Gucci.If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with the host Leonardo Marra

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• #135: The Expat journey, from transition to transformation

  If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo, welcome to the international business podcast.  What are some of the unexpected reverse culture shocks that expats experience upon returning to their home country? What are the most important skills expats should cultivate to navigate unexpected career shifts in 2025 and beyond? And more.⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters.Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.With guests:Esteban Polidura’s mission as a Certified Life Coach and Mental Health First Aider is to help expats understand and manage their emotions during their life transitions, support them in achieving their goals, and motivate them along the way. Drawing from years of experience coaching clients across different continents, Esteban has developed a culturally sensitive approach that addresses the unique challenges faced by expats worldwide. As a published author of several books, he firmly believes in the transformative power of stories not only to inspire people but also to show them that their emotions are valid and their struggles are part of the human experience. In addition, as a renowned keynote speaker, he empowers audiences to overcome obstacles in life with resilience and confidence.Nino Fincher Is an international speaker and award winning Rapid Therapy expert in PTS and anxiety.  She moves people out of a stuck state into momentum by identifying the exact root of the problem and fixing it, as well as getting  clients clear on their purpose using the Purpose Factor system.  She lived for extended periods of time in 3 different cultures, splits her time between Dallas and Dubai and is passionate about all things neuroscience.If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with the host Leonardo Marra

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  15:32
• #134: The future of international education

  If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo, welcome to the international business podcast.  What is the future of international education? How do current geopolitical trends are influencing the choices of students when selecting study abroad destinations? And more. We do this with two experts. See their details below.Use the promo code 8D1E2 to get 50% off your first month on Patreon. This offer is valid until February 28th.⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters.Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.With guests:With over 23 years of leadership in international education, Susan Fang has built one of East Asia's most successful education consultancies, seamlessly integrating B2C and B2B models to adapt to the evolving needs of students and the competitive global market. A respected LinkedIn thought leader and sought-after speaker, Susan is a passionate advocate for international student success, ethical agency practices, and culturally-driven, sustainable returns on investment.Her unique expertise lies in bridging cultural understanding with measurable outcomes for students, families and institutional partners. Beyond her professional achievements, Susan’s determination shines through her marathon pursuits around the world, reflecting the endurance and commitment she brings to both her career and personal life. Launching Q2 2025: A Game-Changing Programme forUniversities & Schools. Susan Fang is unveiling a groundbreaking programme to help universities and schools attract - and retain - the right Chinese students in an increasingly challenging landscape. Secure your spot on the waitlist: [email protected] the meantime, explore Susan’s latest insights on what’s troubling Chinese international students today.Rickson Khaw, CEO of Uni Enrol, the fastest-growing studentenrollment platform in Malaysia, leads a team of dedicated professionals who share his vision of democratizing education and bridging the opportunity gap. At Uni Enrol, he oversees the strategic direction, businessdevelopment, and partnerships of the company, which has expanded to 450 towns and helped thousands of students apply to universities, colleges, and scholarships online. He also co-organized the largest virtual education fair in Malaysia, connecting 260,000 webinar viewers with participating institutions from over 115 foreign cities. Additionally, he launched SPM Accelerate, a program that invited top teachers to provide online tutoring and mentorship to SPM students. As a result of these initiatives, Uni Enrol has awarded over RM 40 million in scholarships and received the JCI Malaysia Sustainability Development Award for Quality Education.As a former venture capitalist, he continues to work with accelerators, VC funds, and student-led NGOs to share his insights and experience with aspiring entrepreneurs and startups in the region.If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with the host Leonardo Marra

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