Born in the E.E.A - EU Digital Single Market
We've been much more focused on the North American market over the last two years in terms of roll-out, but we've needed to pay more attention to the market where Lolo Company was born: the European Economic Area (EEA) - home of the theoretical EU Digital Single Market.
Making sure our digital service ticks all the regulatory boxes has meant dealing with 27 EU + 3 EEA + 1 CH regulatory agencies often requiring local lawyers for the simple reason that we need a login to some digital portal with a local person. We're 28 people in our company working globally and this has been nuts compared to what is required for other large markets. As we finished off this latest tranche of work, I asked ChatGPT for parody lyrics. Enjoy...
Born in the E.E.A
(Verse 1) Got a new startup, ready to grow, But I'm buried in the paperwork flow. Every country's got its own set of rules, Need a lawyer in each one just to keep it cool.
(Chorus) Born in the EEA, I was born in the EEA. Born in the EEA, yeah, I'm born in the EEA.
(Verse 2) Tryin' to go digital, cross-border trade, But I need a fax number just to get paid. Legal firms in Norway, Sweden, and Spain, Dealin' with bureaucracy drivin' me insane.
(Chorus) Born in the EEA, I was born in the EEA. Born in the EEA, yeah, I'm born in the EEA.
领英推荐
(Verse 3) Got Iceland on the line, they got great hold tunes, Waitin' on approvals, it's takin' me till June. Arguing against VAT registration in every new place, Spend more time on forms than runnin' the race.
(Chorus) Born in the EEA, I was born in the EEA. Born in the EEA, yeah, I'm born in the EEA.
(Bridge) Lawyers on call just to navigate through, Fees and licenses, never gettin' due. Just want to serve folks across the EU, But the bureaucratic mess keeps blockin' my view.
(Chorus) Born in the EEA, I was born in the EEA. Born in the EEA, yeah, I'm born in the EEA.
(Outro) Paper trails and procedures, never seein' an end, Tryin' to expand, but the rules never bend. Born in the EEA, with a dream in my hand, Drowned in bureaucracy, can't even take a stand.
(Chorus) Born in the EEA, I was born in the EEA. Born in the EEA, yeah, I'm born in the EEA.
Managing Director at AI-Elevate
2 个月This whole regulatory compliance problem happens because the EU is a round peg trying to fit into a square hole. Unlike the U.S.A, which was founded from the bottom uip, i.e. a sense of national identity, the EU was a product of government beauracrats who, with the 'best intentions' imposed this governental structure from the top down. Even now, there isn't a sense of a 'European identity' French people still identify as French, Germans identify as Germans, etc. This is one of the main reasons why the EU economies are such basket cases compared to the US. These cumbersome regulatory structures make it incredibly difficult for companies, especially startups, to do business in Europe. Steve, you should frankly consider moving out of Europe, otherwise, thiese issues will never cease.
People & Culture leader
2 个月Maybe skip the lawyers and take some inspo from his song "born to run" next time?
Great lyrics! Awaiting the seasonal Wham version…
IoT Business Development Director | Networking Queen | Mentor | Host @Making It In Austria | Follow #adelamdz#DiaBAC
3 个月nice picture by the way! cheers, Adela