A recent book takes a close look at Apple’s decades-long relationship with China, tracing how one of the world’s most influential companies became deeply enmeshed in the ambitions and realities of a rising superpower.

It begins in the late 1990s, when Apple shifted its manufacturing to China, initially to reduce costs. Over time, this evolved into a complex partnership. Apple poured billions into local infrastructure, training programs, and supplier development. In return, it gained access to unmatched speed, scale, and flexibility—capabilities that helped it dominate global markets.

But the relationship came at a price. Apple’s growing dependence on China gave the country leverage and strategic insight. Chinese companies once subcontracting for Apple grew into powerful competitors. Meanwhile, political pressures—on censorship, data control, and supply chain security—forced Apple to walk a delicate line.

The book doesn’t argue that Apple made the wrong choice, but rather that the relationship became something much larger and riskier than originally anticipated. It’s a story about ambition, compromise, and the unintended consequences of building too much of your future on someone else’s terms.

And yet, the conclusion is not to retreat. The reality is clear: if you’re serious about global scale—especially in hardware and manufacturing—you can’t afford to not be in China. But that presence must be strategic, informed, and well-advised.

The key takeaway is this: China is too important to avoid, and too complex to navigate alone. Success requires the right local partners, sharp strategy, and advisors who understand both the opportunity and the risk.

Can you afford not to be in China? Talk to us, we’ll help you succeed in China.

Can you afford not to be in China? Talk to us, we’ll help you succeed in China.

Chopsticks sticking upright in rice is considered taboo in many East Asian cultures, especially in Japan and China, because it resembles incense sticks offered to the dead during funerary rites. It’s associated with death and is seen as disrespectful when done at the dining table.

Chinese are forgiving. But show that you respect their culture and never ever do this.

Can you afford not to be in China? Talk to us, we’ll help you succeed in China.

What new consumer products are hitting the shelves in Germany? Which outlets are thriving — and why? What are your competitors doing differently?

With our Market Observation and Open Innovation services, you’ll stay on top of every shift in the German market. From product launches and retail trends to emerging technologies and new players, we deliver the insights that keep you ahead.

What we offer:
✅ Continuous tracking of competitor activity and product trends
✅ Monitoring of retail outlets and consumer preferences
✅ Identification of innovation partners — from startups to universities
✅ Strategic insights for R&D, marketing, and expansion

Turn observation into opportunity. Whether you’re planning to enter Germany or grow your footprint, we help you innovate based on what the market actually needs.

Talk to us.

What new consumer products are gaining traction in Brazil? Which retail outlets are setting the trends? What are your competitors doing — and what technologies are reshaping the market?

Our Market Observation and Open Innovation services keep you connected to the pulse of the Brazilian market. From product launches and retail movements to technological innovation and competitor strategies, we deliver the insights that drive smarter decisions.

What we deliver:
✅ Real-time tracking of competitor actions and market trends
✅ Insights into retail channels and changing consumer behavior
✅ Discovery of innovation partners — startups, research hubs, new products and more
✅ Actionable intelligence for product development and go-to-market strategy

Brazil is evolving fast — and so should your strategy. Whether entering the market or scaling up, we help you move with confidence and speed.

Talk to us — and turn market insight into competitive advantage.

Curious which consumer products are thriving in China — or worth adapting for local tastes? Which outlets are setting the pace? What are competitors launching, and which technologies are gaining momentum?

With our Market Observation and Open Innovation services, you gain a strategic lens into what’s working in the Chinese market — and why. From emerging product trends to successful retail formats and new tech adoption, we help you spot what’s relevant, replicable, and ripe for innovation.

Our services include:
✅ Monitoring new consumer product launches and local adaptations
✅ Retail outlet and distribution trend tracking
✅ Competitive intelligence across industries
✅ Identification of local innovation partners and R&D players

Whether you’re entering China or expanding within it, timely insights help you move faster, smarter, and with purpose.

Let’s explore the Chinese market — and uncover what’s next.

Talk to us — and turn market insight into competitive advantage.

Can you afford not to be in China? Talk to us, we’ll help you succeed in China.

Can you afford not to be in Brazil? Talk to us, we’ll help you succeed in Brazil.

Can you afford not to be in Germany? Talk to us, we’ll help you succeed in Germany.

(the picture is not meant in a condescending way and was approved by our Brazilian partners).

When people talk about diversity in business, they often focus on team composition, global expansion, or inclusive practices. Rarely, however, do we look at a country’s biological and cultural fabric as a starting point. Brazil, one of the world’s largest economies and an increasingly important player in global markets, offers a compelling case. Its diversity is not only cultural and linguistic—it is genetic, rooted deeply in centuries of migration, colonization, and resilience.

Brazil’s population today is the result of one of the most complex demographic tapestries on the planet. From the arrival of the Portuguese in the 1500s to waves of enslaved Africans and later migrations from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, the country has experienced an extraordinary confluence of peoples. What has emerged is not merely a melting pot, but a dynamic mosaic—distinct yet interconnected—reflected in the genetic code of its people.

Recent research has revealed just how intricate this blend truly is [Science]. Across Brazil’s vast territory, from the Amazon rainforest to the urban centers of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, there are profound regional differences in genetic ancestry. In the north, Indigenous roots run deeper; in the northeast, African ancestry is more pronounced. The south leans more European, shaped by waves of Italian and German immigrants. This is not just a story of historic movements, but one that still echoes today in language, food, and even patterns of disease resistance and response to medication.

For business leaders, this matters. Diversity on this scale creates a society that is inherently flexible, creative, and adaptive—qualities essential for innovation and global competitiveness. It also presents opportunities and challenges for companies looking to localize products, understand consumer behavior, or design inclusive health and education policies. Brazil’s unique demographic mix demands nuanced approaches to marketing, customer service, hiring, and leadership development.

But Brazil’s story is also one of inequity layered over diversity. The genetic complexity of its people reflects centuries of forced migration, social stratification, and uneven access to power. For businesses, especially those with a social impact mission or ESG commitments, understanding this context is critical. Building trust in Brazilian markets means not just recognizing diversity, but actively contributing to inclusion and equity.

Brazil’s richness lies in the way its past lives on in its people—literally. Every face in a São Paulo metro station or Salvador street corner is a living document of centuries of movement, struggle, and blending. And for companies looking to the future, this makes Brazil not just a market, but a mirror: of what a globalized, hybrid, and deeply interconnected world looks like.

Can you afford not to be in Brazil? Talk to us, we’ll help you succeed in Brazil.