What's really driving global location decisions today?

In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise sits down with Johan Beukema of BCI Global to unpack the shifting landscape of site selection and investment strategy.

From AI and data centers to supply chain resilience, Johan explains how companies are rethinking where they invest—and why. As decentralization accelerates, talent and strong ecosystems are becoming just as important as cost.

The conversation also highlights a key shift: "soft factors" like workforce quality, innovation networks, and livability are now critical differentiators in competitive markets.

A core takeaway? Communities need to clearly define their strengths and align with the right opportunities to stay competitive.

Key Takeaways

• Lower-cost locations are gaining ground

• Talent and ecosystems now rival cost in decision-making

• AI and data centers are reshaping site selection

• Supply chain resilience remains a top priority

• Clear positioning is critical for competitiveness

Key Topics Covered

• Global location strategy shifts

• AI and data centers in site selection

• Decentralization and regional trends

• Talent and ecosystem importance

• Supply chain resilience

Sound Bites

• "Lower cost locations have climbed up the ladder."

• "Focus on soft factors, not just real estate."

• "Define project profiles to benchmark your location."