2026 is already here. Let's take a look at the top 10 international business strategies to consider in 2026.
1. Artificial Intelligence Agents or AI Agents
AI agents are software that can execute multi-step tasks based on goals set by humans. Basically, AI agents can autonomously learn, plan, reason, collaborate, and complete tasks on behalf of humans. According to Cisco AI Readiness Index 2025, which surveyed 8,039 senior business leaders in charge of AI integration in organizations with 500 or more employees, 83% of respondents planned to deploy AI agents in 2026.
2. AI-powered Humanoid Robots
We will likely see more robots at work in 2026. Deloitte estimated that shipments of AI-powered humanoid robots will increase from 5,000 to 7,000 units in 2025 to 15,000 units in 2026.
3. Scenario Planning
Scenario planning, or the process of developing plans for different possible changes in the future, may be an ancient and boring technique, but it is still an effective way to help businesses prepare for uncertainties. McLean & Company collected data from 1,626 respondents in various industries in 2025 and found that companies that had conducted structured and documented scenario planning through detailed analysis had 2.1 times greater chances of capitalizing on new opportunities.
4. Innovation Ecosystem Participation
Participation in innovation ecosystems, or networks of innovators, is still a crucial strategy for
businesses, both large and small. The IBM survey, which collected data from 1,028 C-suite leaders, reported that the top executives agreed with the following:
· “Our ecosystem partners help us limit the impact of disruption (89%)”
· “Using ecosystem data in our AI tools and applications improves our AI capabilities
(86%)”
· “We attain more value from our ecosystem than we individually contribute (82%)”
· “Our ecosystem partners enable us to more rapidly adopt new technologies (79%)”
· “The quality of data in our ecosystem improves our business solutions (77%)”
5. Business Model Innovation
Researchers have found that business model innovation, or changing the fundamental ways businesses operate, is associated with both corporate performance and resilience. This means that
businesses that have implemented business model innovation tended to perform better and be more resilient than those that have not. For example, when sustainability became a global concern, brands could offer rentals as a more sustainable option for consumers or create new businesses for second-hand products using advanced technologies. Products that used to be mass-produced can now be personalized. Business owners do not need to own physical products anymore, thanks to digital technologies; digital platforms can be created to connect buyers and sellers.
6. Sustainable Choices
According to Blue Yonder’s 2025 Sustainability Survey of more than 5,000 consumers in
Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, the U.K., and the U.S., 78% of respondents cared about sustainable shopping, and 65% would be willing to pay a premium for sustainable products. When considering barriers to making sustainable purchases, the respondents cited the following reasons: high prices (54%) and lack of sufficient information on sustainability or convenience (27%). Therefore, business leaders should aim to make sustainable products more affordable, clearly convey sustainability information, and make them widely available.
7. Nearshoring
Geopolitical conflicts will likely continue well beyond 2026. International businesses should consider nearshoring or sourcing near their business operations to minimize disruptions in their global supply chains. In 2024, Bain surveyed 195 Chief Operating Officers and found that 80% of respondents planned to increase the use of nearshoring in the next three years.
8. Climate Proofing
As climate change worsens, businesses are exposed to higher risks of severe weather events, including heatwaves, droughts, floods, wildfires, and hurricanes. MSCI conducted an analysis of infrastructure-related holdings in 1,427 private capital funds to estimate potential losses from extreme tropical cyclones and found that the percentage of infrastructure exposed to damages
greater than 20% has already increased fivefold. In addition, MSCI estimated that by 2030, insurance premiums for physical risk and natural catastrophe protection will increase by 50%. This means that businesses face higher risks of extreme weather every year and should consider climate proofing to minimize potential losses. Examples of climate proofing include relocating essential equipment away from disaster-prone areas, using reinforced concrete and steel framing to withstand extreme winds, diversifying sourcing locations, and buying insurance with coverage for extreme weather.
9. Preemptive Cybersecurity
AI can be a powerful tool, and criminals know that too. With AI-powered cybercrimes on the rise, cybersecurity has shifted from reactive detection to proactive measures, where threats are neutralized before they execute. Gartner, Inc. estimated that half of the cybersecurity budget will be spent on preemptive measures by 2030.
10. AI Sovereignty
AI sovereignty, or the ability to control AI technologies, data, and infrastructure, has been a major concern among business leaders because, without it, businesses may face data breaches, loss of data access, and intellectual property theft. According to an IBM survey, 93% of 1,028 C-suite leaders believed that AI sovereignty must be part of business strategy in 2026. This means that businesses should build AI systems based on locally stored data and develop them within the regulatory frameworks of the countries or regions where their headquarters are located.

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https://www.iese.edu/insight/articles/trends-2026-business-management/
· Bharadwaj, A., Gilbert, M., Gratowski, T., Lang, N., Maggard, K., & Wilson, C. The geopolitical forces shaping business in 2026. Boston Consulting Group. https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/geopolitical-forces-shaping-business-in-2026
· Blue Yonder Group, Inc. (2025). 2025 Sustainability Survey. Blue Yonder Group, Inc.
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· McLean & Company. (n.d.). HR trends 2026 – Leading through change: Human centric and future ready. McLean & Company. https://hr.mcleanco.com/research/ss/hr-trends-report-2026
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