And the agency says there are mafia strongholds where the local business environment is so polluted by the presence of gangster-run enterprises that it is almost impossible for honestly managed firms to operate.

BBC: Italy tackles mafia-owned businesses

We need state and local politicians to think outside of their party affiliation and facilitate a Main Street business environment that encourages the local barbershop, restaurants, manufacturing plants, and other businesses to create and invent the products and services that will change lives and communities for the better.

FORBES: The Day After -- Stop Whining and Get Back to Work

Peers considered the programme of legislation for the new session proposed in the Queen's Speech focusing on agriculture, business, the economy, energy, environment, local government and transport.

BBC: Queen's Speech debate part two

Instead, this new effort involves workers, suppliers and companies as active partners in efforts to improve child and maternal health, promote gender equality and empower women, combat disease, strengthen local communities and protect the environment wherever they do business.

FORBES: U.S. Companies Must Raise The Bar On Supply Chain Conditions

As individuals or organizations, our experiences were mostly influenced by local events, and so by understanding our local business or national environment we could learn about the world around us much faster than it was changing.

CNN: Why the best thing you can do is fail

"Tesco's success has made it immensely powerful - a position that it is clearly abusing by putting small traders out of business and killing off local high streets, bullying suppliers, and damaging the environment through its never ending demand for cheap food, " said Sandra Bell, the group's food and farming campaigner.

BBC: NEWS | Business | Environmentalists target Tesco's

In a larger context, I can relate the song lyric to the evolving business environment as companies of every size look to offer their goods and services not only within their local communities, but also across the globe.

FORBES: In a difficult economy, talent matters more than ever