by Karen Kerrigan-
May is Global Trade Month, which serves as a great reminder that 95% of the world’s consumers live outside of U.S. borders. America’s small businesses already dominate the global marketplace. Did you know that 76.2 percent of U.S. exporters have fewer than 20 employees, and 86.7 percent have fewer than 50 workers?
If you are thinking about going global (or expanding into new markets), there are many useful resources to help you get started or to expand. Here’s a great list of resources, both private and government sponsored, many of which are FREE:
U.S. Census Bureau
The U.S. Census Bureau provides valuable resources and training on understanding the Foreign Trade Regulations, classifying your commodities, filing export information, and utilizing international trade data. Learn more about these topics through webinars, tutorials, training videos, seminars, conferences and other useful tools to help you build a strong foundation in the fundamentals of exporting.
FREE Webinars this Month: During the month of May, the Bureau is hosting a series of FREE webinars to help small businesses navigate the global marketplace. From “Getting Started” to “Getting Paid” and more, these four webinars provide important information and the basics for going global. Check out the webinar series here.
U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA)
U.S. Commercial Services: The trade promotion unit of the International Trade Administration (ITA) will help you get started in exporting, or help increase your sales to new global markets. They have trade specialists in 107 U.S. cities and in more than 80 countries. Services include: market research, trade events that promote your product or service to qualified buyers, introductions to qualified buyers and distributors, counseling and advocacy through every step of the export process.
A Basic Guide to Exporting: Whether your firm is new to exporting or in need of a refresher on the latest ideas and techniques, this comprehensive guide provides the nuts-and-bolts information you will need to meet the challenges of today’s global economy.
Other ITA Resources:
The Export Yellow Pages: Advertise worldwide free or upgrade to fee-based ads – online and in print. More than 27,000 U.S. members are participating. Browse company profiles free.
Trade Finance Guide: A Quick Reference for U.S. Exporters: Discover the basic fundamentals of trade finance. Turn your export opportunities into sales that you get paid for, and paid for on time.
Export-U
The U. S. Export Assistance Center in Atlanta and the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center host this international business webinar site. The site is designed specifically for busy professionals who need quick answers to trade-related questions. The free webinar topics include: How to know if you are ready to export, global market research, Costing and pricing, Commerce Department services, Payment terms, SBA export financing, and more. To visit the site, please click here.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
SBA’s provides a business guide to exporting, which includes the benefits of exporting, education and training support, and a host of other resources to help your small business succeed in the global marketplace.
GlobeTrade
GlobeTrade is a leading management consulting and marketing solutions company dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and small businesses go global. Their mission is simple: to make going global easy by giving small businesses the tools, resources, and knowledge they need. Sign up for the regular newsletter, or visit the The Global Small Business Blog.
Export-Import Bank
Small Business Portal: An interactive guide for U.S. small business exporters.
UPS Global Trade Portal
This UPS resource site can help you navigate the complexities of going global. “Whether you’re new to the global marketplace or new to international shipping with UPS, you’re in the right place. Working with UPS can help you reduce the risk, complexity and cost of global trade.”
Stats and Data
TradeStats ExpressTM: The most up-to-date annual and quarterly trade data. You can retrieve, visualize, analyze, print and download your own customized output.