External Links & Downloads 

Business Modelling : 

To review an existing or define a new business model, the 'Business Model Generation' approach by Alexander Osterwalder & Yves Pigneur is a good starting point.
 

Country Information : 

For information about individual countries, as well as to compare different countries in terms of specific parameters, the following sources have proven to be useful : 

• The CIA World Factbook gives a good overview - from an US perspective - for all countries across the globe.
  

• The Human Development Index of the UN shows the development of societal parameters for individual countries.
• The Better Life Index of the OECD compares the well-being of people in terms of their material living conditions and quality of life.
• The Economic Freedom Index provides a set of economic indicators - from a politically more 'conservative' perspective.
• The Country Profiles of Transparency International give an indication of the potential level of corruption one may be exposed to in a country.
• The Travel Pages of the CDC (Center of Disease Control and Prevention) provide in-depth information about potential health risks when traveling. As a governmental agency, their advice tend to be 'on the safe side'.

For cultural information, the following two books are good starting points :

• 'Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands' by Terri Morrison and Wayne A. Conaway, Adams Media, 2006.
  
• 'The Culture Map' by Erin Meyer, Public Affairs, 2014.
  

Statistical Information :

UBS Research periodically publishes some useful and interesting information :

• A small collection of Statistical Information about Switzerland, covering social, political, cultural and economic dimensions and also putting them into an international comparison.

• A detailed comparison of Prices & Earnings across the globe, covering 77 cities on all continents, providing interesting insights into the economic dimension of daily life.