Computers Help Business in Numerous Ways, but Are They the Most Important Tool You'll Need? Dennis Hessler Doesn't Think So.
©2003 by Dennis Hessler
A computer is an important tool for the international trader. But it's not the MOST important tool. Your brain, your abilities and your talents are far more important. With your brain, a computer and a game plan, well...the world can be yours. Let me show you what I mean.
Your computer is the way you can keep track of your business. You can monitor sales and expenses with accounting programs. You can predict future profits and calculate expenses easily and quickly with a spreadsheet. You can draft letters with your word processing program and develop sales material with a desktop publishing program. With simple presentation programs, you can even develop your own professional presentation to potential suppliers.
Using the Internet you can make important trade contacts. Just as importantly, you can reach experts in all areas of international trade and access libraries of information on tactics, tips, contacts, methods that have worked and not worked, and just about every other aspect of exporting. You can identify and get in touch with suppliers and even review their products on their website.
Your Internet connection and computer also serve as a mailbox. You can talk instantly with potential contacts, information sources, other traders such as yourself, buyers and overseas representatives. And it doesn't matter if the person you're talking to is in the next room or the next continent.
Online communication is not only fast, it's cheap. You can even set up your own website so customers, suppliers and others can get valuable information about you and your company any time they want. Web authoring software allows you to create your own professional-looking web page for pennies.
Now let's talk about you. What is your "edge?" By that I mean, what do you bring to exporting that will make a manufacturer want to take you on as his exporting representative?
One new exporter told potential suppliers that he didn't have exporting experience but had contacts in Mexico and spoke fluent Spanish. This made him attractive to U.S. companies that wanted to expand into the booming Mexican market. Some new exporters take advantage of a business or personal relationship with a company owner. The goal is to ESTABLISH CREDIBILITY with the potential supplier. This is the most important step in starting out as an exporter.
Early on you must determine how you will slice up your share of the huge international market. Traders who are looking for one big sale as the way to make their fortune in exporting are usually disappointed. Instead, learn to specialize. Stick to a general product line such as electronic parts, books or sporting goods. Become familiar with your product line and work on establishing a good reputation. Before long, this will translate into more business as manufacturers seek you out to represent them.
Okay. Let's look at a game plan that works. I recommend that new exporters start out on commission rather than a buy-and-sell basis (merchant). By this I mean you act as an agent for the supplier by finding buyers and handling packaging, shipping, terms of sale and other matters related to exporting.
As a beginner, you probably do not want to take title to goods. This is expensive and risky, although the profit potential is greater. Some newcomers start out on a buy-ad-sell basis but only for a limited quantity of goods once a buyer has been identified.
Dennis Hessler is an international trade consultant and publisher who runs his own home-based trade and information company, Spyglass Point Productions. You can learn more about Dennis' international trade information products including how-to books, videos, software, newsletter and consulting service by contacting him directly or visiting his website.
Spyglass Point Productions PO Box 13141 Pensacola, FL 32591 U.S.A. Phone: 850-438-5527 Email: Dennis@spyglasspoint.com Website: www.spyglasspoint.com
Previous Index
Idea Help
Next
