Around the nation and around the world, people are celebrating as news sets in that Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States.

The Associated Press reports that Kenya President Mwai Kibaki declared a public holiday in honor of our president-elect, and that across Africa, people stayed up all night or woke before dawn to watch history being made.

In Indonesia, where Obama lived as child, hundreds of students at his former elementary school cheered when he was declared the winner and danced in the rain, chanting "Obama! Obama!"

When Obama and running mate Joe Biden take their oath of office on Jan. 20, Democrats will control both the White House and Congress for the first time since 1994. I think it’s a much-needed change for our country and its people, and hope that Obama can steer the nation into a more positive direction.

What are your thoughts on our new president-elect? What changes would you like to see made that will affect your company or how you do business?