As we navigate the monumental changes following the 2025 inauguration, we're very grateful to you, our newsletter subscribers, for your partnership and continued support.

Our SelectGlobal clients, are provided with early access to our market insights and analysis that help them stay ahead of the game. However, with so much changing, we wanted to share with you the trends that could really make a difference for your business this year.

What is Changing:

• AI Acceleration: AI is advancing 10 times faster, better, and cheaper than previously anticipated. This rapid development means that businesses can no longer afford to take a wait-and-see approach. Automation will redefine labor markets, reducing the need for human input in some sectors while increasing demand for new skill sets in others. AI-driven communication tools will streamline operations, but they will also create a more competitive landscape where differentiation becomes harder. Content creation, once a time-consuming process, is now being rapidly automated, shifting the value from production to strategy. Competitive advantages that once took years to build can now be replicated in months or even weeks. Businesses must proactively adopt AI solutions to stay relevant, while also being mindful of the ethical and regulatory implications surrounding AI implementation.

• Fortress North America: Not yet into the U.S. market? "Fortress North America" is no longer just a concept—it is an economic shift that is reshaping global trade. Rising geopolitical tensions, supply chain vulnerabilities, and protectionist policies are reinforcing the advantages of manufacturing, selling, and servicing products within North America rather than relying on imports. While being within the USMCA region (Canada and Mexico) offers some benefits, it is no longer a sufficient safeguard. The only real security lies in producing inside the United States, where companies can fully insulate themselves from future tariffs, customs delays, and shifting trade policies. Industries such as renewable energy, semiconductors, and critical minerals are already seeing major government incentives for domestic production. For businesses, this means strategically locating operations within the U.S. to capitalize on emerging regional advantages and ensure long-term stability.

• Energy Access and Speed to Power: Large electricity users (over 10MW) are encountering growing challenges in securing reliable energy access, particularly in areas where grid constraints and permitting delays can stall projects for years. In response, companies are increasingly turning to energy independence strategies, such as integrating behind-the-meter solar microgrids with natural gas or battery backup systems. These hybrid solutions provide greater stability in energy costs, reduce exposure to utility rate volatility, and offer resilience against power outages. With federal and state-level incentives accelerating the deployment of distributed energy resources, businesses that take proactive steps toward energy self-sufficiency will gain a competitive edge in cost control and sustainability compliance.

What Will Not Change:

• People Over Hardware: Remember, people are always more important than technology. No matter how much automation or AI advances, human insight, decision-making, and leadership remain irreplaceable.
• The Value of Personal Interaction: Face-to-face and knee-to-knee meetings remain crucial for building trust and understanding. While digital communication has its place, real business relationships are forged in person.
• The Power of Networks: Your personal networks are invaluable; they are the backbone of business growth. Strategic connections will continue to be a major differentiator in business success.
• Opportunity Everywhere: There's opportunity all around; you just need to know where to look. Those who remain adaptable, curious, and forward-thinking will always find new ways to thrive.

Thank you to our clients for your continued trust and camaraderie. If you're exploring expansion opportunities or want to discuss how these trends might impact your business, reach out and let's talk. We're here to help.