Thinking About Taking Your Business Global

Alessandra Bianchi, writing for Fortune Small Business Magazine presents great insight into moving into the global market place.

The days when only big corporations could do business internationally are over. How to turn your company into a multi-national one.  Read the article here: Take Your Business Global

She writes: " Has your small business gone global yet? In an increasingly wired world, adding an international dimension - whether through importing, exporting, outsourcing, manufacturing overseas, or forming a strategic partnership - is now the province of both mom and pop ventures and large conglomerates. It is becoming almost as easy to do business in Peru as it is in Peoria.

So how do you take the first step to expanding internationally? Here are some guidelines."

She offers these tips that are explained in further detail in the article:

1. Choose an entrepreneur-friendly environment. Even if you travel frequently on business, you may not have a full picture of the day-to-day realities involved in running a fast-growth venture in a particular country.

2. Turn to Uncle Sam. For fees ranging from $500 to $800, your local U.S. Export Assistance Center (USAEC) - run by the Department of Commerce's International Trade Association - can help you with tasks such as finding pre-screened partners, agents and distributors; conducting background checks and market research; and tracking down relevant trade events in 85 countries.

3. Investigate suppliers thoroughly. Although technology is terrific and can save a lot of time and money, there is nothing like putting and name with a face, and seeing the factory with your own eyes, make sure you also get the names of references you can call before you sign a deal.

4. Hit the trade show circuit. Because attending these events tends to be costly for exhibitors, participants tend to be well-established suppliers of goods and services and logistics experts, such as freight-forwarders and customs brokers.

Don't expect to close sales or seal any deals at these shows. Unlike U.S. extravaganzas, which tend toward order-writing and deal-making, overseas events are more about establishing relationships over a cup of coffee.

5. Sharpen your diplomatic skills. As you don't need us to tell you, old- fashioned sensitivity and courtesy go a long way toward building productive business relationships. An entire industry has sprung up to help, with consultants offering expertise in specialties such as cross-cultural negotiation training and cultural intelligence.

6. Nail down the logistics. Once you are ready to do business overseas, you will need to secure help. If you will be exporting, you will need a freight-forwarder. If you will be importing, your supplier will handle this for you. Regardless, you will need a customs broker to handle paperwork. Often, freight-forwarders and customs brokers work in tandem. There are literally hundreds (if not thousands) of freight forwarders in the U.S..

7. Protect your relationships. Maintain consistent and frequent contact with your overseas partners via phone, e-mails and regular visits so you can be proactive about any problems that arise. After you have established some traction, it may make sense to hire a local agent who works on your behalf.

Read the article here: Take Your Business Global

Best sites for Global Entrepreneurs Here

SWK customers in New Jersey and New York are in an ideal location to go global being in close proximity to a wealth of resources in this area.

Take a look at this web site New Jersey District Export Council