Business & Finance

Five Great Resources for U.S.-Based International Businesses

Leads, Procurement Guidelines and Free Training Resources for International WIB

By Lahle Wolfe, About.com Guide

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Women already start United States businesses at nearly twice the rate that men do. But more women are also now forming businesses to reach a global market. Here are resources to help you find leads and opportunities, and free training and information on starting and growing an international business.

1. Commercial News USA

U.S. Department of Commerce

You can advertise your business in the U.S. Commerce Department’s official export promotion magazine, Commercial News USA (CNUSA).

CNUSA is distributed free of charge every other month by U.S. embassies and consulates all over the world for the purpose of promoting the services and products of United States companies. Current circulation: 400,000.

For advertising information visit www.export.gov/cnusa or call 1-800-581-8533.

2. International Trade Administration

U.S. Department of Commerce

This DOC-run entity provides free, hands-on training to help business owners through every step of the export industry through counseling services offered throughout the United States.

"The Commercial Service has a network of export and industry specialists located in more than 100 U.S. cities and over 80 countries worldwide. These trade professionals provide counseling and a variety of products and services to assist small and mid-sized U.S. businesses export their products and services."

Find a Trade Specialist near you or call toll-free 1-800-USA-TRADE.

3. Millennium Challenge Corporation

United States Millennium Challenge Corporation

U.S. Government

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a United States Government corporation established for the purpose of providing assistance to some of the poorest countries in the world.

According to MCC, "After an MCC partner country signs what is called a “Compact”, it begins implementing its projects aimed at reducing poverty. During that implementation, the country will need to procure various goods, works and consulting and non-consulting services.

Licensed from the World Bank, the MCC Program Procurement Guidelines are based largely on the World Bank’s Guidelines for the Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers and Guidelines for Procurement under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits."

Procurement Guidelines

4. National SBDC Information Clearing House (SBDCNet)

U.S. SBA

The National SBDC Information Clearing House (SBDNet) provides exhaustive information for all types of businesses but has a special section just for international businesses.

The SBDC (Small Business Development Center) is governed by the Small Business Administration through a network of individual centers throughout the United States.

SBDC International Business Development
Find a local SBDC office
Join the SBDCNet Ning Network (free) and connect with counselors and other business professionals.
Follow the SBDCNet on Twitter.

5. United States Small Business Administration (SBA)

U.S. Small Business Administration

The SBA offers many free resources for women-owned businesses including free courses to learn the basics of international trade. These free, self-paced courses are written in clear terms and can be completed in about 30 minutes (but you can stop and start courses at your leisure).

The SBA currently has two courses listed for international business development; however, only one course option on their website seems to be active: Global Enterprise: A Primer on Exporting.