Many companies focus on market entry strategy when expanding internationally. But even the best plans can fall apart when the operational realities of moving goods across borders are overlooked.

In this episode of the Business Beyond Borders podcast, host Cynthia Dearin is joined by La Chang, a global logistics expert, to explore the critical but often invisible role logistics plays in international growth. Drawing on deep, real-world experience, La shares what actually happens behind the scenes of global trade—and why so many companies underestimate its complexity.

Together, Cynthia and La Chang unpack the operational side of international expansion, including:

Why logistics is often the deciding factor in global success or failure
How “Murphy’s Law” shows up in cross-border operations
The most common mistakes companies make when managing global supply chains
Why unpredictability is the norm—and how to plan for it
The realities of shipping, customs, and regulatory complexity across markets
How strong operational execution becomes a competitive advantage internationally

They also discuss what happens when things go wrong—from delayed shipments to unexpected disruptions—and how businesses can build resilience into their global operations rather than reacting when problems arise.

This conversation is for founders, CEOs, and leadership teams who are serious about international growth and want to understand what it really takes to operate across borders—not just strategically, but operationally.

Want a clearer path from strategy to results?

The conversations on Business Beyond Borders are grounded in the same framework we use with clients at Dearin & Associates.

You can explore it in the Blueprint for International Success — a practical guide to navigating global expansion with clarity, momentum, and commercial discipline.

Access the Blueprint here: www.dearinassociates.com/blueprint

Podcast Partner

Global growth also means managing global money. OFX supports businesses operating internationally with competitive FX rates, streamlined payments, and better visibility over cross-border cash flow.

Learn more or sign up via our partner link: https://app.ofx.com/registration?pid=15337

Chapters

(00:00:00) - In the Know: Think Global Logistics
(00:00:42) - What is the worst logistics disaster you've ever had to fix up
(00:05:47) - The life of a Logistics worker
(00:08:16) - What's the riskiest thing you've ever transported?
(00:09:37) - The secret to success in the logistics industry
(00:12:41) - Start Your Own Business
(00:18:24) - Experiencing failure first hand
(00:20:08) - In the Elevator With a Multinational
(00:23:17) - Think Global Logistics: The mission and culture
(00:27:52) - TGL Logistics: The Challenges of Growing in Asia
(00:31:05) - Malaysia: Why I'm moving up to the country
(00:33:48) - The constant state of disruption in the logistics industry
(00:39:07) - What Do You Think is the Truth About Going Global?
(00:40:25) - A Chat With Lorraine

Episode #66:Why Logistics Makes (or Breaks) Your International Growth with La Chang

Business Beyond Borders