Fractional CIO | IT Strategy for High-Stakes M&A | Faster M&A, Smoother Exits | De-risking IT & unlocking value | Author

Most technology integrations miss their synergy targets. Not because the technology is wrong, but because the right leadership wasn't in place early enough.

That's where I come in.

I'm an Interim / Fractional CIO specialising in Transformation & Resilience. I work with CEOs and boards of multi-site, acquisition-led businesses, typically PE-backed, 500–10,000 employees, to turn technology from a source of risk into a source of value.

When integration timelines slip, cyber posture is unclear, or the estate has grown faster than the team can manage, I step in to stabilise delivery, simplify complexity, and build a roadmap the board can trust.
Recent engagement:

VetPartners (BC Partners-backed, £1B revenue, 14,000 staff, 9 countries). Built the Group IT Strategy from scratch. Created acquisition integration blueprints. Accelerated new practice onboarding by 30%. Simultaneously ran IT operations for 540 UK practices.

Career outcomes:

£700M+ M&A technology integration across the platform and bolt-on acquisitions
£15M+ annual EBITDA contribution through operational excellence and cost optimisation
Technology leadership across automotive retail, consumer goods, and veterinary services

Clients call me when:

→ Integration is off-track, and synergies are at risk
→ The board wants cyber confidence before exit, audit, or due diligence
→ Technology is a red flag in the data room
→ They need senior leadership fast—without permanent headcount

I also serve as NED (Digital & Technology) at Age UK, and I've published on AI governance, IT leadership, and board-level technology strategy.

Available for select interim and fractional mandates.

Let's talk: DJ@Starkhorn.co.uk

Daniel J. Jacobs

Managing Director @ MU Group | MBA, China Supply Chain Management, committed to exporting Consumer Goods mainly to Retailers in the EU 🇪🇺, USA 🇺🇸, and Mexico 🇲🇽, etc...

With 20+ years of international trade experience, I specialize in helping companies scale their product offerings, optimize sourcing strategies, and accelerate revenue through China’s vast manufacturing landscape. 

From Europe 🇪🇺 to the U.S. 🇺🇸, and to LATAM (Brazil 🇧🇷, Mexico 🇲🇽, Peru 🇵🇪…), I’ve worked alongside distributors, retailers, and brand owners to turn supply chain complexity into competitive advantage by delivering the right products, at the right cost, with speed and reliability.

What You Can Expect

👉 20+ years of hands-on sourcing success in Chinese supply chain

👉 On-the-ground teams in Shanghai & Shantou (Chenghai) for daily supplier oversight

👉 Fluent cross-cultural communication and negotiation on your behalf

👉 Seamless handling of compliance, shipping, and global fulfillment

Based in ShangHai & ShanTou, I lead two results-driven sourcing teams focused on 5 major high-growth categories:

1️⃣ Toys & Games
2️⃣ Home & Garden
3️⃣ Sports & Outdoor
4️⃣ Pet Products
5️⃣ Luggage & Bags

We act as an extension of your team by providing supplier access, quality assurance, and category insights that fuel business expansion. 

Whether you're entering new markets, launching private label lines, or streamlining procurement, we help you move faster and smarter.

Armed with an MBA from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, I lead with both market intelligence and cultural fluency—because great sourcing isn’t just about price; it’s about building partnerships that last.

If you’re serious about scaling your product business with the right sourcing strategy, let’s talk. 🙋🏻‍♂️🙏🥂

Davy Shi, 💡🌎 ✅

🌍 Something big just happened… 

And most people haven’t noticed yet.

China just removed tariffs on imports from 53 African countries. 📦🌍

From May 1st, goods entering China from almost the entire African continent will face zero tariffs. 💼➡️📈
(Yes, you read that right… ZERO.) 

This is bigger than you might think…👀

China–Africa trade already reached $222 billion in early 2025. 🚢📊

And this new policy lowers the barrier even further.

For African exporters, it means easier access to one of the world’s largest consumer markets. 🛍️

For Chinese buyers, it opens the door to more diversified sourcing across agriculture, raw materials, and emerging industries. 🏭

But what interests me most isn’t just the numbers.

It’s the larger implications💡

At a time when many countries are becoming more protectionist — raising tariffs, tightening borders, and pulling back from globalization… 🚧🌍

China is moving in the opposite direction.

It’s doubling down on global trade and partnerships. 🤝

You could argue that while others are closing doors…

China is opening new ones. 🌉

Over the past 20+ years working across China, Europe, the U.S., and Latin America, I’ve seen one consistent truth:

Trade follows relationships. 👥

Not just political ones.

But business relationships… supplier relationships… human relationships. 💬

And when those connections deepen, something powerful happens.

Supply chains evolve. 🚢
New markets emerge. 📈

And opportunities appear in places people weren’t looking before. 👀

This latest move from Beijing is another reminder that global trade is never static.

It’s always shifting.

And the companies that win aren’t always the biggest.

They’re the ones paying attention early. 🎯

So, here’s the question I’m thinking about today:

What new trade corridors will define the next decade? 🌍

And are we watching closely enough to see them forming now? 👀

#GlobalTrade #Geopolitics #SupplyChain #Sourcing #Tariffs #Trade #Africa #China #Globalization #Economics 🌍📈

Davy Shi 💡🚀🌎 

Cofounder | CEO | MBA, China Supply Chain Management, dedicated to delivering consumer goods globally, with a strong focus on overseas markets including EU 🇪🇺, USA 🇺🇸, and LATAM.

🦋 A butterfly flaps its wings in Brazil…

And weeks later, a tornado hits Texas.

It sounds poetic, am I right? 

But it’s actually a principle from chaos theory called the Butterfly Effect. 🌍

You’ve probably heard it before. 

The idea is simple…

Small actions can trigger massive consequences over time.

Not instantly, of course. 

But through a chain of reactions that ripple through complex systems. 🔄

And if you’ve spent enough time in global business…

You realize this happens all the time. 💼

A single policy change. 📜
A small shift in tariffs. 🚢
A local conflict. 🌍

At first, it seems minor.

Then slowly… supply chains adjust.

New trade routes emerge. 📦

And suddenly, the entire market looks different.

Right now, importers and exporters around the world are feeling this reality. 🚢📉

Small geopolitical shifts can create huge economic ripples.

Take the Strait of Hormuz, for example. 🌊

Disruptions there are already pushing energy prices higher, squeezing supply chains, and reminding global businesses just how interconnected everything really is. ⛽📈

A narrow shipping lane thousands of miles away…

Yet it affects freight costs, manufacturing budgets, and retail prices across continents. 🌍

That’s the butterfly effect in real time.

But it doesn’t only happen in geopolitics.

It shows up in the smallest moments of business too. 👇

📧 A carefully worded email builds trust and alignment.

Or a careless one creates confusion that takes weeks to repair.

📊 Spotting a small market trend early can put your company years ahead.

Ignoring it can leave you chasing competitors.

🤝 Solving a customer’s concern quickly builds loyalty.

Letting it sit quietly damages your reputation.

💡 Listening to a junior team member’s idea might unlock the next innovation.

Dismissing it might mean missing your biggest breakthrough.

These moments rarely feel dramatic when they happen.

They’re just small decisions.

But like the flap of a butterfly’s wings…

They create waves. 🌊

So here’s the question I’ll leave you with today:

What “butterfly wing” decision are you making today…

…and what ripple might it create tomorrow? 🌍🦋

#ButterflyEffect #ChaosTheory #DecisionMaking #BusinessStrategy #Leadership #GlobalBusiness #Innovation #SupplyChain #Impact #Growth 🌍🦋

A gentle reminder for anyone doomscrolling… 🌿

Be happy for other people. 👏

Celebrate their wins. 🎉

Clap loudly when doors open for someone else. 🚪✨

It feels like the world is more closed off and competitive as ever…

But it’s not really. 

Because it’s full of kind people… 
(Even with so-called competitors.)

In international trade, you see competitors grow fast. 🚀

You see others land accounts you wanted. 🤝

You see headlines that make you question your own pace. ⏳

But here’s what experience has taught me…

Someone else’s breakthrough doesn’t delay yours. 🌅

When you genuinely celebrate others, something shifts inside you. 💫

You move from scarcity to abundance. 🌊

From pressure to peace. 🕊️

Gratitude multiplies what comparison tries to shrink. ✨

There’s room for ALL of us. 🌍

More than enough opportunity.

More than enough success.

So, if someone around you is winning today…

Send the message. 📩
Give them a call. ☎️
Leave them a comment. 💬

Be the person who applauds loudly. 👏👏

Because kindness builds a reputation no title ever could. 🧭

And character compounds longer than any short-term victory. 🏗️

And Keep showing up… especially on the quiet days. 🌤️

What’s meant for you will find you.

And when it does…

You’ll want people clapping for you too. 🙌✨

#Gratitude #Kindness #Abundance #Leadership #Success #Character #Growth #Generosity #Mindset #Opportunity

👀 Where do you actually find Chinese suppliers today?

20 years ago, the answer was simple.

You got on a plane. ✈️
You flew to China. 🇨🇳
You walked the halls of the Canton Fair. 🏢

Deals started with handshakes and factory visits. 🤝

And you were done. 

Today… the sourcing world looks completely different. 🌍

Buyers now discover suppliers through dozens of channels. 📱💻

Some still believe nothing replaces being on the ground in China.

Others prefer international trade fairs closer to home.

And a growing number are sourcing entirely online.

I’m genuinely curious what buyers are doing today… so here’s a quick question for everyone involved in the Chinese supply chain. 👇

How do you usually find Chinese suppliers?

1️⃣ Travel to China to attend fairs like the Canton Fair and meet suppliers face-to-face. 🇨🇳✈️

2️⃣ Attend international industrial fairs 

3️⃣ Online sourcing platforms like Alibaba. 💻📦

4️⃣ Social media channels like LinkedIn, Facebook… or even platforms like TikTok. 📱

5️⃣ Or a mix of several channels. 🔄

From what I see on the ground in China…

The smartest buyers rarely rely on just one source. 🧭

They combine digital discovery with real-world verification.

Online helps you find suppliers faster. ⚡

But relationships and factory visits help you choose the right ones. 🏭🤝

And in sourcing…

Choosing the right partner often matters more than the price.

So I’d love to hear from you. 💬

Which sourcing channel works best for you today?

Drop the number below or share your experience. 📊👇

#Sourcing #Procurement #Manufacturing #China #SupplyChain #Suppliers #Import #Export #B2B #Logistics

👀 Where do you actually find Chinese suppliers today?

The author can see how you vote. Learn more

😅 “Wait… what were we talking about again?”

If a client has ever said that during a meeting…

You know how uncomfortable that moment feels. 👀

The message gets lost.

And suddenly everyone is trying to find the thread again. 🧭

Early in my career, I thought the solution was simple:

Explain things better…
Add more context…
Give more detail. 📊

But over time I realized the real issue was something else.

I hadn’t learned the client’s communication style yet.

And that’s the first thing you should discover when onboarding a new client. 🎯

Because every client communicates differently.

Some want quick updates.

A short message. A few bullet points. Done. 📱

Others want deep planning sessions where every detail is discussed. 🧠

Some prefer in-person meetings where trust builds face-to-face. 🤝

Others would rather handle everything through text or quick voice notes. 📲

None of these are wrong.

They’re just different styles.

The mistake many account managers make is assuming everyone wants communication the same way they do. 

For example, many Chinese salespersons expect their overseas clients to communicate using WeChat, which they are accustomed to.

But this is not always the case. Many overseas clients prefer to use WhatsApp rather than WeChat. 

However, great client relationships start with adaptation. 🧭

Your role is to adjust the pace and the style.

Because when communication matches the client…

Everything becomes easier. 💡

Trust builds naturally.

In fact…

The best partnerships start with understanding how the other person communicates.

Not just what they want…

But how they want to hear it.

So when you onboard your next client, ask yourself one simple question:

How do they prefer to communicate?

Because once you understand that…

The entire journey becomes much smoother. 🧭✨

#Communication #Leadership #Trust #ClientSuccess #Onboarding #Adaptation #Partnerships #Business #Management #Strategy

Cheap toys are losing.
High-value toys are winning. 🧸📈

Something important is quietly changing in the toy industry.

Families are not necessarily buying more toys.

But they are buying better ones.

Fewer toys.
Higher value.
Stronger connection.

Parents are asking different questions before buying:

• Will my child actually play with this?
• Does it connect to something they love?
• Is it worth the space in our home?

Toys are no longer just impulse purchases.

They are becoming experiences, stories, and collectibles.

And the data confirms it. 📊

After two stagnant years, the U.S. toy industry returned to growth in 2025:

• Total sales +6%
• Average price +4%
• Units sold +3%

But the real story is where growth happened.

The $30–$69 price segment grew 18%.

Meanwhile, several lower-priced toy segments declined.

So what’s driving this shift?

Three big forces:

🎬 Entertainment
Toys connected to movies, games, and characters people love.

🧠 Selectivity
Parents want toys that encourage creativity and meaningful play.

🎨 Collectability
Designer toys blur the line between toy, art, and pop culture.

This shift is also reshaping manufacturing.

Production hubs like Chenghai District, often called the world’s toy capital, have built ecosystems capable of moving from design to global production quickly. 🌏

With over two decades in global sourcing, I’ve seen how quickly manufacturing ecosystems adapt when consumer demand evolves.

And right now the signal is clear.

The future of toys may not belong to the cheapest products.

It will likely belong to toys that deliver:

✨ Story
✨ Creativity
✨ Identity
✨ Long-term engagement

Just like sneakers, trading cards, and gaming.

The toy industry is slowly moving from price competition…to experience competition.

And that shift may define the next decade of the industry.

#Toys #Retail #Trends #Design #Sourcing #Manufacturing #Trade #Strategy #Innovation #Business

View newsletter: Beyond Titles: Real Leadership

Over the past few years, I’ve started to notice something important happening in the toy industry. Consumers are moving away from cheap, disposable to

Open article: Why High-Value Toys Are Taking Over 🧸📈 by Davy Shi 💡🚀🌎 • 4 min read

Why High-Value Toys Are Taking Over 🧸📈

taplio

The Battle

Daniel J. Jacobs

Davy Shi, 💡🌎 ✅

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreDavy Shi, 💡🌎 ✅'s LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Daniel J. Jacobs

Davy Shi, 💡🌎 ✅

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Davy Shi, 💡🌎 ✅'s LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreDavy Shi, 💡🌎 ✅'s LinkedIn Performance