Fast Company Executive Board
Fast Company Executive Board · 2023
Robert Nikic: Fast Company Executive Board
Robert Nikic was a member of the Fast Company Executive Board from 2023, contributing insight on globalization and small-business competitiveness.
Member
Since 2023
At a glance
- Network
- Fast Company Executive Board
- Membership
- Since 2023
- Format
- Expert Panel contribution
- Topic
- Globalization and small business
- Tip
- Competitive pricing and technological investments
- Robert's role
- Member
Last updated
How Robert Nikic contributed to the Fast Company board
How it works
The board is a vetted network of senior executives, founders and business owners. Members publish insights on FastCompany.com through Expert Panels and bylined articles.
Robert's contribution
Robert joined in 2023 and contributed to the Expert Panel "Industry leaders discuss 14 factors of globalization in business." His tip was competitive pricing and technological investments.
What he argued
He wrote that globalization drives increased competition, compelling small businesses to lower costs, expand reach and differentiate themselves. Embracing new technologies, forming partnerships and optimizing supply chains, he argued, are essential to staying competitive and growing.
Related: The Gazette on cross-border growth · Forbes Councils contributions
In Robert's words
My answer on globalization came from experience. My family crossed borders as refugees from the Balkans and started over with nothing, and later I watched small sellers compete with companies a thousand times their size. My teenage startups failed and I worked 18-hour shifts, so I know small businesses can't outspend anyone. They have to be smarter: lower costs, better partners, better technology. We built our company without outside investors on exactly that basis, and it made the Inc. 5000 at #418 and #35. Since 2026 I've worked on SDG 8 & 9, helping small businesses sell across borders.
Robert Nikic
Key takeaways
01
A vetted network
Members are senior executives, founders and owners who publish expert insight.
02
Competing globally
Robert's tip covered pricing and technology investment.
03
Small businesses must adapt
Lower costs, wider reach and clear differentiation.
Where this fits in his story
2011
First platform launched
2018
Relaunched as a full platform
2023
Inc. 5000 debut at #418
This feature
2024
Climbs to #35
2026
Steps away to work on SDG 8 & 9
Contribution
Industry leaders discuss 14 factors of globalization in business
Tip: Competitive Pricing and Technological Investments
"Globalization drives increased competition, compelling small businesses to lower costs, expand reach, and differentiate themselves. Embracing new technologies, forming partnerships, and optimizing supply chains are essential to competitiveness and growth…"
Read the article
Where it led
Then, he wrote about small businesses competing globally. Now, that is SDG 9.c, making it cheap and simple for small businesses to sell across borders with digital tools. The panel answer from 2023 reads like an early outline of his current work.
Then
Then, he wrote about small businesses competing globally.
Questions
Was Robert Nikic a Fast Company Executive Board member?
Yes, starting in 2023.
What did he contribute?
A tip on competitive pricing and technological investments in a panel on globalization.
What does Robert Nikic do now?
He works on SDG 8 & 9, including cross-border selling under SDG 9.c.
Original article
Read the original article · Published in Fast Company
Fast Company Executive Board Expert Panel
About Fast Company Executive Board
Fast Company is an American business media brand founded in 1995. Wikipedia
About Robert
Robert Nikic is an entrepreneur, TEDx speaker and Advisory Council Chair at Reseated Councils (United Nations SDG 8 & 9). He came to the United States as a refugee, and from 2011 to 2026 he built and led an e-commerce company that was twice named to the Inc. 5000. Today he works to make it easier for anyone, anywhere, to start a business and grow it.