Dear Dan: At a recent trade show I learned that small companies like ours are gaining sales overseas. We’re basically homebodies here, a bit intimidated by foreign markets. Where do I get help? – Homebody
Dear Homebody: Thanks to an anemic dollar, sales outside the United States by American companies of all sizes are booming, promising to reverse years of trade deficits that saw America buy far more foreign goods and services than the other way around. The U.S. Department of Commerce says that exports surged some 15-20 percent in the first part of the year. In short, our stuff looks downright cheap to buyers using other, beefier currencies.
Here’s where to get all the help you need:
• The U.S. Commercial Service (CS), online at www.BuyUSA.gov, is a terrific place to jumpstart a cross-border selling effort. This Department of Commerce program can help in four basic ways: 1) Provide world-class, country-specific market research; 2) plug you into trade events that promote your product or service to qualified buyers; 3) provide introductions to prospects and distributors; 4) counsel you through every step of the export process.
• The BuyUSA.gov Web site is pleasantly easy to navigate and void of the annoying ads and clutter found on many commercial sites. Their mission is simple as well: “To promote U.S. exports and defend U.S. business interests in foreign markets.”
A key strength of this site is its super helpful country-by-country breakdown. Pick a nation from the Home Page drop down menu (139 are listed) and the site delivers the most concise package of helpful contacts and information available anywhere.
For example, I selected Brazil, a key Latin American economy. The site gave me a list of CS offices in Brazil, a guide to services offered, a list of upcoming events, business service providers, a country commercial guide, business travel information, standards and intellectual property rights in Brazil, useful links and more.
• Export.gov is a Web portal where the U.S. government has consolidated many of its export programs and information sources. Here you can learn about export basics, find country information and tariff rates, view webinars and find ways to promote your own products overseas.
This site offers a way to search for trade opportunities by industry, and find market research, trade events and trade leads. The site can also help you find solutions for international marketing, finance, logistics, licenses and trade data. There’s even a special section that can help you get paid if you’re having trouble.
Export help also is available by phone, at (800) USA TRADE. •
Daniel Kehrer can be reached at
editor@business.com.
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