I recently had the pleasure of joining Maheen on the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast to discuss how small businesses can embrace digital transformation and make the most of artificial intelligence (AI) to grow and succeed.

We talked about how even small businesses with limited resources can take their first steps toward digital transformation. The key is to focus on building a strong online presence, using social media, and tapping into e-commerce platforms. These are the foundation for success in today’s digital world.

AI is truly changing the game in digital marketing. I shared how small businesses can use AI to improve customer engagement, automate tasks, and optimize marketing efforts. By using AI tools, businesses can personalize experiences and make their operations more efficient, which helps them stay competitive.

A big takeaway was how small businesses can grow beyond their local market. With the right digital marketing strategies—like leveraging social media and targeted ads—businesses can connect with global audiences and build their brand internationally.

We also covered the power of automation. By automating repetitive tasks, businesses can free up time for more strategic work while also providing timely and relevant interactions with their customers.

I want to thank Maheen for hosting such a great conversation. It was a pleasure to share my thoughts on how small businesses can take advantage of digital transformation and AI.

If you’re interested in learning more, check out my book, From Local to Global: Empower Your Growth with Digital Marketing, and feel free to explore my work at Noah Digital.

Expanding globally is challenging in today’s fast-moving digital world. From Local to Global: Empower Your Growth with Digital Marketing is designed to help executives scale their businesses internationally using simple, actionable strategies. As a digital marketing expert with over 20 years of experience, I wrote this book to guide business leaders in leveraging digital marketing to fuel global growth.

The book has already made a significant impact, achieving Amazon Bestseller status in multiple categories, including Global Marketing and Marketing for Small Businesses. This recognition highlights the effectiveness of the strategies shared within. As the Founder & CEO of Noah Digital, I’ve seen many business leaders eager to grow internationally but unsure how to leverage digital marketing effectively. This book bridges that gap by providing executives with the tools to scale without getting lost in technical details.

In the book, I provide a step-by-step guide for turning a local business into a global powerhouse. Key topics include building a digital brand across borders, balancing PPC and SEO to maximize visibility, conversion optimization to turn global visitors into loyal customers, and adapting your social media strategy to connect with diverse audiences worldwide.

This book is designed specifically for business leaders, offering actionable advice without the need for a marketing background. With real-world case studies, I show exactly how businesses have successfully scaled globally and provide practical strategies that are easy to apply.

AI is a powerful tool for global expansion, and I explain how executives can use AI to automate processes, improve targeting, and enhance campaign performance across international markets, helping businesses stay competitive.

I also tackle challenges like cultural adaptation and avoiding common mistakes when expanding internationally, offering practical solutions to ensure your global growth is successful.

From Local to Global provides a clear framework for expanding your business globally. Whether you’re building a global brand or optimizing your marketing strategies, this book offers the tools you need to succeed. Order your copy on Amazon today and start turning your global ambitions into reality.

On January 15, 2025, Ms. Lena Xu, President, and I were honored with the Markham–Unionville (MU) Achievement Award at a ceremony held by MP Paul Chiang. This recognition highlights our dedication to both the local community and Canadian business. The event took place at MP Chiang’s constituency office in Markham, Ontario.

During the ceremony, I spoke about how Noah Digital Group has leveraged digital marketing, big data analysis, and AI-driven strategies to help Canadian businesses grow globally, particularly in China. Ms. Xu shared insights on our work with the Chinese-Canadian community and cross-border trade, focusing on our collaboration with the City of Markham to establish the Canada-China Enterprise Overseas Service Centre.

Ms. Xu and I have always believed in the power of technology to drive growth and change. I also reflected on how our team’s work with top global brands such as Apple, Microsoft, and BMW has reshaped the digital marketing landscape. Lena’s parents were present for this special moment, underscoring the values of hard work and perseverance that have shaped her success.

I am grateful to MP Paul Chiang for his thoughtful words of recognition. At Noah Digital Group, we remain committed to empowering businesses with AI-driven digital marketing strategies, SEO, PPC management, and cross-border trade solutions to help them thrive in the global marketplace.

A Memorable Celebration of Leadership and Community Impact: The Markham–Unionville Achievement Award ceremony was a significant moment for both Ms. Lena Xu and me, as it not only recognized our professional achievements but also highlighted the meaningful contributions we have made to our community. It was a privilege to share this recognition with such esteemed colleagues and friends, and we are grateful to MP Paul Chiang for his thoughtful acknowledgment. This event marks another milestone in our ongoing commitment to advancing digital marketing, fostering cross-border trade, and positively impacting communities both locally and globally.

On October 30th, my team at Noah Digital and I attended the third Canada-China E-Commerce Summit, hosted by the International Electronic Commerce Center (CIECC) of the Ministry of Commerce of China and the Canada-China Economic Science and Culture Associate (CCESCA). This summit provided an excellent opportunity for Canada-China E-commerce businesses to network, exchange insights, and share success stories. It also recognized outstanding businesses with prestigious awards.

At the summit, we had the chance to connect with other attendees and companies from various industries. The event was filled with valuable discussions, where industry experts shared their knowledge and experiences in E-Commerce.

I am incredibly proud that Noah Digital Inc. was awarded the E-Commerce Digital Marketing Outstanding Contribution Award. This recognition was a true honour and a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team. It reinforced my belief that perseverance and expertise always pay off.

During the event, I had the opportunity to give a presentation on how small and medium-sized companies can fully leverage digital marketing. I emphasized the importance of moving away from traditional advertising methods like newspaper ads, flyers, and banners, which often fail to yield the desired results. Instead, I showcased how Noah Digital Marketing helps businesses reach their target audience online instantly and cost-effectively.

We also had a booth at the summit, where we showcased our services and connected with attendees. Many took advantage of the opportunity to sign up for a free consultation, eager to explore how we could help them grow their businesses.

One of the highlights of the event was meeting the mayor of Markham! As Jack Ma famously said, the web is the future for all companies. At Noah Digital, we are well aware of this digital shift and are committed to staying ahead of the curve. Our mission is to help businesses grow exponentially by leveraging powerful online digital channels. The key to success in today’s market is staying up-to-date with the latest digital marketing strategies and technologies while working with the right team—and that’s exactly what we provide at Noah Digital.

The joint venture signing ceremony between my company, Noah Digital Group, and the China-EU Trade Platform was held simultaneously in Toronto, Canada, and Qingdao, China, on October 21, 2021.

With a registered capital of C$10 million and a total investment of C$30 million, this project is set to further promote friendly exchanges and cooperation between China and Canada across various fields, including economics, technology, trade, and culture. It will also attract top Canadian enterprises to invest in Qingdao and introduce high-quality Chinese products and services to Canada.

At the signing ceremony, I expressed my hope that through close collaboration with the China-EU Trading Platform, Noah Digital Group could leverage our expertise in digital marketing, big data analysis, cross-border e-commerce platforms, and artificial intelligence advertising to offer cross-border e-commerce businesses in China and Canadian companies multiple competitive advantages.

Ms. Lena Xu, CEO of Noah Digital Group, spoke about our collaboration with the City of Niagara Falls, sharing that we are preparing to establish a cross-border e-commerce industrial park in the Niagara Foreign Trade Zone, which will serve as a one-stop platform to promote trade between Canada and China.

John Kuhn, Director of Noah Digital Group, also addressed the audience, stating, “Our superior e-commerce platform, combined with extraordinary digital marketing and fulfillment capabilities, will address the challenges presented to SMEs by the pandemic and meet all the requirements of businesses and consumers.” He emphasized that our vision is to empower businesses globally with the digital tools to create a customer-centric procurement and shopping experience, noting, “We’re creating the democratization of the e-commerce platform. No matter the size, you will have the ability to compete in the world of the Internet of Things.”

The Noah Prime eCommerce Platform will enable Canada and China to introduce high-quality products to millions of consumers worldwide.

This joint venture will strengthen ties between Canada, China, and other countries, promoting collaboration in economy, trade, science, technology, education, and more. It will help build an economic and trade ecosystem based on cooperative exchange, resource sharing, and win-win cooperation.

I was joined by Ms. Lena Xu, Directors John Kuhn, William Zhai, and Gary Zhou, Ping Hou (Chairman of the China-EU Trade Platform), Xia Yang (General Manager), Zuo Cui (Chairman of the Qingdao Overseas Chinese Federation), Tony Wang (Chairman of the Canada-China eCommerce Alliance), Lilian Guo (President of the Hamilton Chinese Business Association), and other distinguished guests who attended the event both in person and virtually in Toronto and Qingdao.

On November 22, I had the honour of joining Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and a business delegation led by Michael (Guozhi) Chan, Minister of International Trade, on a trade mission to China. This delegation included 100 business representatives, and Mr. Chan noted that in previous trips, they successfully brought back approximately $1 billion in business to Canada. This time, expectations were high for securing even more commercial agreements.

During this visit, Mr. Chan highlighted Ontario’s strengths in financial services, agricultural products, medical technology, and high-end innovation. He emphasized that Ontario’s diverse economy and skilled workforce make it an attractive partner for Chinese enterprises. Over the past five years, trade between Ontario and China has grown by nearly 40%, reaching 42 billion Yuan in 2016.

As the President of Noah Digital Inc., I am honoured that our company is the only digital marketing firm represented in this delegation. In an interview with Ming Pao, I shared my enthusiasm about the opportunities ahead and expressed confidence that we will secure six-figure contracts during this trip.

Mr. Chan acknowledged that Canadian enterprises were previously hesitant about expanding into the Chinese market. However, their outlook has shifted in recent years. He also pointed out that North America’s free trade agreement has made it increasingly difficult for Canada to grow its trade, reinforcing the need for Canadian businesses to diversify their investments and expand into global markets beyond the U.S.

Premier Wynne echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that building strong partnerships with China is vital to Ontario’s economic growth. She highlighted how previous trips have led to billions of dollars in investments and expressed her excitement about this third visit, reinforcing Ontario’s reputation as a competitive and innovative investment hub. She also encouraged Chinese enterprises to take advantage of the opportunities Ontario has to offer.

I firmly believe that economic and trade cooperation is built on trust and strong relationships at individual, enterprise, and national levels. The Ontario government’s close ties with China have made it easier for entrepreneurs like myself to connect with Chinese businesses and establish meaningful partnerships.

At Noah Digital, my team and I are dedicated to helping both Canadian and Chinese SMEs succeed in digital marketing and e-commerce. With a multicultural team that deeply understands both markets, we are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between Canadian and Chinese businesses. Our expertise in digital marketing enables us to provide tailored strategies that help companies effectively reach their target audience and achieve their business goals. My education and experience across China, the U.S., and Canada have given me the knowledge necessary to navigate these three distinct markets, ensuring success for our clients on both sides of the world.

He pointed out that Noah Digital’s main business is providing digital marketing services, and a platform to enable businesses to reach their target audience effectively. Dr. Bin Tang’s education and experience are from China, the United States and Canada giving him the experience and the knowledge necessary to understand the three markets.