Taking the plunge: free or low-fee resources can help ensure global success.Eager entrepreneurs often sidestep side·step v. side·stepped, side·step·ping, side·steps v.intr. 1. To step aside: sidestepped to make way for the runner. 2. basic research before venturing into the global marketplace. Don't ever go solo, and never sacrifice the wealth of information your tax dollars have already paid for. Here are a few organizations you can contact for free or inexpensive guidance: * Small Business Administration, 1110 Vermont Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20005; 202-606-4000. The SBA SBA abbr. Small Business Administration Noun 1. SBA - an independent agency of the United States government that protects the interests of small businesses and ensures that they receive a fair share of government offers free information on business planning and development. Free pamphlets are available on how to start a business, apply for loans and enter the international import/export market. * U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Information Center, 14th St. and Constitution Ave., Room HCHB HCHB Herbert C. Hoover Building HCHB Homecare Homebase (software solution for managing homecare agencies) 7424, Washington, DC 20230; 202-482-0543. The trade information center offers counseling on federal export programs. Moreover, the Commerce Department tracks how much money each country spends in foreign trade. * National Minority Business Council, 235 E. 42nd St., New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , NY 10017; 212-573-2385. This organization offers help to minority-owned firms in such areas as procurement, business training, education, international trade advocacy and communications. * Small Business Resource Center, NationsBank, 3401 West End Ave., Nashville, TN 37203; 615-749-4000. The SBA, Minority Business Development Agency and NationsBank have teamed up to open one-stop shops to help train, counsel and finance entrepreneurs who are looking to do business abroad. * VentureLink USA, 13101 Washington Blvd., Suite 242, Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , CA 90066; 800-697-LINK. VentureLink USA provides information to help U.S. companies partner with foreign enterprises. Support services support services Psychology Non-health care-related ancillary services–eg, transportation, financial aid, support groups, homemaker services, respite services, and other services are available to companies trying to enter specifically the Pacific Rim and Japanese markets. VentureLink has a database of more than 100,000 subscriber companies. * Export-Import Bank of the United States Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) One of the principal U.S. government agencies in international finance. Originally incorporated as the Export-Import Bank of Washington in 1934, its goal is to help finance U.S. , 811 Vermont Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20571; 800-565-3946. EX-IM EX-IM Export-Import Bank of the United States will back up as much as 90% of a trade bank loan through its working capital guarantee program. * The Service Corp. of Retired Executives has counselors who understand international trade. Also available are various publications and other information to help business owners keep abreast of rapidly changing markets. To find the location of a SCORE chapter nearest you, contact the national toll-free hotline at 800-634-0245. The following publications will also help you cast your net in international waters: * The Catalog of Publications and Subscriptions for Business, Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954; 202-512-1800. This catalog offers hundreds of documents and includes a vast section on export/import brochures. * The Journal of Commerce, 2 World Trade Center, New York, NY 10048; 800-221-3777. This is the industry's bible on prospective trade deals and contacts. You can get a three-month, six-month or annual subscription. The rates are $104, $190 and $325, respectively. * Export Today, P.O. Box 28189, Washington, DC 20038; 800-824-9785. This monthly magazine focuses on international business; a year's subscription costs $49. * Guide to INCOTERMS Incoterms Trade terms, published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), that are commonly used in international contracts. Notes: Incoterms are used to make international trade easier by helping traders in different countries understand one another. (International Commercial Terms), ICC ICC See: International Chamber of Commerce Publishing Corp., 156 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010; 212-206-1150. This is a good book to read if you're an entrepreneur who needs help understanding standard commercial shipping terms. It spells out each step in international shipping, from who makes the arrangements to who pays the charges. |
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