When it’s Time to Reach Across Our Borders

As a small business owner it is important to keep an eye on your products and ask yourself the right questions to know when to sell your products into foreign markets.  Taking your product global is important for growth in a good economy and imperative when domestic sales slow during tough times.

To sell a product outside the USA you first need a product with a sales track record.  So, the first question is “do you have a product that sells successfully in the USA”? Without success in your own backyard, there are few reasons to believe you will be able to sell your product in other parts of the world.  Of course, given cultural and economic differences in foreign markets, even a wildly popular U.S. product may not sell well at all elsewhere.

The second questions to ask yourself is “are your competitors selling the same or similar products successfully in other countries”?   If you answered yes to either of these two questions, it’s time to mobilize and start writing your export business plan.  For those unfamiliar with export marketing, there are many resources available to assist one’s foray into new markets.  The U.S. Department of Commerce Foreign Services and various local and state agencies are in the business to provide export assistance to small enterprise.  You may also employ the services of an export management company who will provide more of a hands-on consultative approach to exporting your product.

The world is much smaller today with advances in communication and logistics.  Even the smallest business can find success in international commerce.  Ask the right questions, see the right help and the world will be at your doorstep.