Russow’s International Business Links

You asked for resources to help you get international clients. So here goes…

Over the next couple of weeks you will find a series of posts on useful resources to help you:

• Find inspiration and ideas
• Build your international business
• Carry out international market research
• Develop your international skills

All of these resources are filed in each of the appropriate 8 International Sales Road Map Guides.

You can link to a complete list of these resources from the Key International Resources Guide at the bottom of this page.

There are many different resource hubs for international business online.

• Some of them may be biased.  University resources are usually a safe place to start.
• Some of them may have bad links.

Here is a university resource that promises all links are checked every 10 days.

• Everything International - Lloyd Russow, Philadelphia University

International Resource Suggestion

You can get more information elsewhere. But this is as good a place to start your exploratory research as any.  The choice of links here is good.

The categories are clear and useful for carrying out your research.

• Country & Regional Data
• Product Classification Systems
• Company & Industry Data
• Education: Faculty & Students
• International Organizations
• Market Entry (Export) Assistance
• Mega Sites & General Data
• News
• Professional Associations
• Travel

The links here are all useful and a good place to start your research.

More Resources

Key International Resources Resources to help you build your business Resources for international market research Recommended books and websites

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Resource To Find Companies In Switzerland

You asked for resources to help you get international clients. So here goes…

Over the next couple of weeks you will find a series of posts on useful resources to help you:

• Find inspiration and ideas
• Build your international business
• Carry out international market research
• Develop your international skills

All of these resources are filed in each of the appropriate 8 International Sales Road Map Guides.

You can link to a complete list of these resources from the Key International Resources Guide at the bottom of this page.

Yesterday we looked at a resource for exploratory market research for Switzerland.  Now, here is a resource to look up Swiss companies.

• Infonautics Directory of Switzerland

Infonautics Directory of Switzerland is a good resource for information about Swiss companies.

International Resource Suggestion

Do you need to find out more about Swiss companies? This is a good place to start.

There is also other useful travel information.

Have you found this website useful?

How did you use the information here?

Please leave a comment below and tell us why.

More Resources

Key International Resources Resources to help you build your business Resources for international market research Recommended books and websites

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Review Your Product For More International Sales

So you already have a few international clients and you would like to get more?

Here is a list of brainstorming questions to help you review your product and how it is perceived in your international markets.

Product Format

• Can you change the format in which you deliver the benefits of your product?
• Can you take something away from your product?
• Can you add something to your product?
• Can you make your product bigger?
• Can you make your product smaller?

Product Creation

• Does your product have a market in your target country?
• Do you know what your product will solve for your international market?
• Do you know how your international market wants to get your product?
• Can you create your products faster?
• Can you create your products slower?

Product Quality

• Can you compete with yourself and improve the quality of your product?
• Can you improve the image of your product?
• Can you differentiate your product from your international competition?
• Do you know how your international market perceives the quality of your product?
• Do you know what your international market wants in terms of product quality?

Product Delivery

• Can you improve the package?
• Can you find a new way to transmit your expertise?
• Can you change your delivery process?
• Can you deliver your product in different ways?
• Do you know how your international market wants your product delivered?

Product Market

• Can you identify the best markets for your product?
• Can you change what your international market believes about your product?
• Can you influence how your international market uses your product?
• Can you get rid of all of your clients’ fears about your product?
• Do you know how your international market uses your product?

Pricing

• Can you do it more expensively?
• Can you do it more cheaply?
• Can you finance the purchase of your product?
• Can you create a stronger price gap between your other products?
• Can you create a stronger price gap between your competition?

Customer Service

• Can you provide more customer service?
• Are you providing appropriate customer service to your international market?
• Are you reviewing your customer service support to provide feedback on market research?
• Are you using your customer service for more market research?
• Do you know how your international market perceives your customer service?

These brainstorming questions are simply a starting point.  Set aside some time to review them and brainstorm your own questions.  Your own market feedback should provide you with an additional source of questions.

Use your ideas to test your international market on ways to improve your product for more international sales.

More From Cindy

Interested in reading more on my personal opinions and experiences with cultural communication and international sales?

CindyKing.biz on cross-cultural communication

Read The Whole Story

This is part of the Get International Clients Business Guide 8 Improve Your International Business Development Plan This is where you can find out how to improve your international business development

Need Help?

Need instructions?

• Instructions on how to use Your International Sales Road Map

Need to see where this fits in?

• A complete list of current Core Business Guides & Sub Guides for Your International Sales Road Map.

Still confused? Review your answers in the first Core Business Guide

• Core Business Guide 1 - Discover Your International Business

Simply click on one of the 8 different color coded boxes immediately below to access other core business guides.

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First New Products For International Markets

If this is your first foray into international business development, you might wonder whether you should develop a new product.

Do you feel there is no international market potential for your current products?

Remember, your first priority is to get to know your specific foreign markets.

When you understand your foreign markets you will be in a better position to know how to sell to them. You will know what they want.

Only then should you think about heavy investments in creating a new product.

It is easier to start with one product, and learn how to adapt it to different cultures.

Instead of starting with a product you should do something else first. In fact you need to answer two questions.

First sit back and review your current expertise.

• What is your current expertise? What do you know how to do well?

This expertise is probably also valuable outside of your current marketplace.

The next appropriate question to ask is:

• How does your foreign market what to receive your expertise?

Answer this question and you will have a good idea what sort of product to sell to that market. You will also know how to craft the best offer you can to develop each of your international markets.

But it is not always easy to figure out how your foreign markets want to receive your expertise. It requires in the field market research.

This is why you should look at first selling:

• What you already have
• Or an easy to create information product to leverage the advantages of the web

With the direct sales experience in different specific foreign markets you will be able to make better decisions before incurring any real expenses.

It is best to leave creating brand new products specifically targeted to international markets for when you have gained enough market knowledge.

Please have another look at the 5 basic steps in international marketing.

And, if I have not dissuaded you, and you are still tempted to develop a new product, here are a few guidelines to start with:

• Don’t reinvent the wheel.
• Don’t try to make products that others are already making very well.
• Focus on what you do best.
• Outsource everything else.

Read the whole story

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Guide 1 - Discover Your International Business

Last updated 25 November 2008.

In This Core Business Guide 1:

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why Should You Want International Clients?
• Do You Have An International Market?

Step 1 - Where Is Your International Business?

• 7 Traditional Paths To International Business Development

Step 2 - Identify Your Current Marketing

• 5 Marketing Steps To International Marketing

Step 3 - Find What To Sell

• Find What To Sell
• Different Consumer Habits In Different Cultures
• First New Products For International Markets
• Read This Before You Choose Your First Product To Sell Abroad
• Start With One Product
• Target Your Global Market With An Understanding Of Their Demographics
• When Digital Products Open International Markets
• First Brainstorming Questions To Determine What To Sell Abroad

Step 4 - Choose Where To Sell

• Why Selling To Everyone Is Too Expensive

Step 5 - International Success Basics At A Glance

• Business Guide - International Business Success Basics
• Your International Mindset

Keep Reading

• Bonus For Action Guide Subscribers
• More From Cindy
• Even More Resources
• Websites & Blogs
• Recommended Books
• Recommended Resource - SME Toolkit
• Recommended Resource - International Trade Centre
• Recommended Resource - UNCTAD
• Recommended Resource - Organization Of American States
• Recommended Resource - OECD
• Recommended Resource - ASEAN

Next Step
Need Help?

Frequently Asked Questions

Would you like to develop your international business?
Are you a beginner at international sales and marketing?

Then, read this Business Guide first. There are two important questions you must answer before you can find the right mix for your international marketing.

After finding the right international marketing mix for your business you can then learn how cross-cultural marketing tools can help you bring in more sales.

International Business Development is no longer limited to companies which can afford to set up overseas offices. But there is one hitch. You still need to use an international marketing strategy suited to your business.

Why Should You Want International Clients? Are still wondering whether you should develop your business abroad? Then, read this Frequently Asked Question.

Do You Have An International Market? Are unsure about your international market? Then, read this Frequently Asked Question.

Choose your foreign market

Where Is Your International Business?

International web marketing is great tool for international business business development.   But this is also where it is foolish to forget to review some traditional international business basics.

You need to identify your current position as an international business in order to identify the most effective steps you need to take to develop your international markets further.

Please read carefully through the first two steps below. This is the first place most small businesses fail. And it is also the source of most problems further down the road.

These two steps will help you to define where your international business is right now.  You will also be able to identify your next logical step towards getting more international clients.

Get this wrong and you could jeopardize your chances of successful international results. You may even have unrealistic expectations which could waste your time and money.

The first rule in international business development is to take it one step at a time… starting from your first step from where you are now.

7 Traditional Paths To International Business Development How do you go from a domestic company to an international company? How does your current international business effect your marketing strategies? Businesses normally go through distinct development phases as they become an international business. It is usually best to stay within this path.

Choose your communication

Identify Your Current Marketing

5 Traditional Marketing Steps To Become An International Business What type of international marketing suits your current business? Before creating your international marketing plan you need to identify your business needs. This list of the traditional marketing steps businesses progress through will help you to understand where you are and the steps you need to go through to fully develop your international business.

Choose your product

Find What To Sell

After the exercises above, you should now be ready to begin the process of finding what you want to sell abroad and where to sell it.

These articles will help you to choose the products you want to sell to international clients and where to start selling them.

The first question is often what you should sell. Some companies do not know if there is a market for their products.

Different Consumer Habits In Different Cultures • Do you already know if your product cannot be sold in every market? • Will it be difficult to sell your products abroad? • How should you evaluate different consumer habits? Read more about how different consumer habits can help you choose your product.

First New Products For International Markets • Are you tempted to create a new product for your new international markets? • Are you wondering if you need to create a new product? • Do you want to know whether you should create a new product for your foreign clients? Find out what you need to know here.

Read This Before You Choose Your First Product To Sell Abroad • Are you still hesitating to decide what to sell abroad? • Do you need some help rationalizing your decision? • What do you need to know about deciding which product to sell? Read more here.

Start With One Product • Do you think you need to sell all of your products abroad? • Are you at a loss what to sell to your foreign markets? • Find out how choosing one product can help you get started. Read further here.

Target Your Global Market With An Understanding Of Their Demographics • Do you know if your foreign clients want your product? • How can you find out if your product will appeal to your international clients? • How can you find out more about your international clients? Read how understanding your foreign markets can help you sell your products abroad.

When Digital Products Open International Markets

When Digital Products Open International Markets • Are you stuck on deciding which product to sell abroad? • Would you like an easy solution to stimulate international market research? Find out how digital products can help you here.

First Brainstorming Questions To Determine What To Sell Abroad • Do you need help deciding what to sell abroad? • How important is the choice of your first product to sell abroad? • This is an easy step if this is the first time through the 8 steps of the International Sales Road Map. Find inspiration here.

Choose your country

Choose Where To Sell

The second question is often where you want to sell your products.  In which foreign countries?  In which order?  Is there a priority?

Why Selling To Everyone Is Too Expensive • Do you know where you should sell your products and services? Read this before you decide to sell your product without choosing one specific country first

Get off to a good start

International Success Basics At A Glance

International Business Success Basics • Do you feel at a loss with regards to dealing with international business? This guide gives you the background information you need right from the start.

Your International Mindset • Why is your international mindset key to your international success? • How do you acquire an international mindset? Read more… especially if this is your first time around the 8-step International Sales Road Map..

Bonus For Action Guide Subscribers

Free Mind Map - Only For Action Guide Subscribers

This is a password protected bonus for Get International Clients Action Guide subscribers.

All subscribers get weekly emails with tips on brainstorming questions, actions steps, and troubleshooting suggestions in this Action Guide.  In addition, subscribers get free access to bonus reports, mind maps and fact sheets.

Not yet subscribed to the weekly Action Guide?  Then, sign up here to get your free bonuses.

What Is Culture? Remember, this is for Action Guide subscribers only. You will need the password in your weekly email to access this bonus.

More From Cindy

Interested in reading more on my personal opinions and experiences on how to connect with international markets?

CindyKing.biz International Business Development

Even More Resources

Blogs And Websites To Inspire International Business • Useful resources to build your international business • Sources of inspiration for all aspects in your international business development • Personal blogs of people with international experience

Books To Develop International Skills • Suggestions to inspire and improve your international business skills

Toolkit Resource To Build Your Business • Are you just starting your business? • Do you want an easy toolkit to help structure your business? • Check out the free SME Toolkit

International Trade Centre Resources • Do you need to compare international market data? • Do you know the leading countries that buy your products and services? • Check out the free resources available here.

United Nations Conference On Trade And Development • Do you want to know the future trends for international trade? • Do you need some ideas on how to look for different international markets? • Have a look at these useful resources

Resource To Discover The Organization Of American States • Are you targeting any of the countries in this organization? • Would you like to see what this regional organization is doing? • Check out this regional organization for ideas.

Resource For Small Businesses In The OECD • The OECD is a great source of information. • Are you targeting any of their member countries or the countries they deal with? • Check out what they have to offer.

Resource To Discover Southeast Asian Markets • Are you selling to any of the ASEAN member countries? • Are you familiar with ASEAN? • Check out what they have to offer.

Next Step

Plan Your International Sales Road Map Your next step is to review the next Business Guide in this series: Guide 2 - Plan Your International Sales Road Map The International Sales Road Map gives you a simple step-by-step process to run through once, and then repeat as you progress in your international business expansion. The International Sales Road Map shows you how and when to implement the other Get International Clients Business Guides.

Reasons Why You Should Implement An International Sales Road Map

- Coming soon most international web marketing plans forget to add international marketing and cross-cultural marketing strategies.

Need Help?

Need instructions?

• Instructions on how to use Your International Sales Road Map

Need to see where this fits in?

• A complete list of current Core Business Guides & Sub Guides for Your International Sales Road Map.

Still confused? Review your answers in the first Core Business Guide

• Core Business Guide 1 - Discover Your International Business

Simply click on one of the 8 different color coded boxes immediately below to access other core business guides.

Rate this:

3.2

First Brainstorming Questions To Determine What To Sell Abroad

The basic sales principals for your domestic market also apply to your international markets. Don’t forget them when planning for your international business expansion. You might feel overwhelmed when you contemplate the process you need to go through to take your business abroad. Don’t be.

8 Steps To Your International Business

Here’s what you do:

1. Start with the basics. Identify them.
2. Take one step at a time, and follow international business best practices. Plan your process.
3. Use international internet marketing to its full capacity. Get international visibility.
4. Add cross cultural web marketing tools. Build an international communication strategy.
5. Apply a Ready Fire Aim strategy and repeat until you get it right. Get started.
6. Cultivate foreign market feedback consistently. Learn about your foreign market.
7. Create your international sales procedures. Start selling internationally.
8. Track, test and repeat the process. Adapt your product and your business to your new international markets.

Product To Fill Market Needs

First, let’s start with the basics. You need to have a product in equation with the needs of your foreign markets. Many small businesses get stumped here and never get any further.

I have not come across a single business that cannot develop some form of international business. Of course there are certain limitations.

For example, bakers are not be able to sell their fresh bread across the world. But they have other options:

• Sell fruit cakes style products through mail order
• Sell recipe collections or how-to instructions online
• Coach foreign bakers in one of your methods through video or teleseminars
• Actively promote regional specialties online to get foreign tourists to visit your store locally and then look for foreign franchise opportunities
• Ask an international web marketer to help you

The right idea with good marketing practices will get you international results.

But what if you have no idea what to sell abroad. What can you do if you have just decided to actively pursue international clients?

Brainstorm

The answer is to brainstorm. This will help you to get the ball rolling.
To brainstorm effectively you need to open up and lighten up. Let new ideas come to you.

Here are a few brainstorming questions to get you started. Read more