Concern about global markets and exporting is no longer a luxury for many Nebraska firms, it is necessary for continued growth and expansion. Nebraska businesses recognize that to retain their local, regional, and national markets they must produce products that are competitive internationally even if sold only domestically. Use this web site to conduct research, explore world markets, find out about upcoming trade missions and much more with our easy to use hyper-links.
Exporting need not be complex and confusing. There are a few questions to be answered and a few requirements that must be met in order to facilitate an international sale. However, OITI has the resources and the experience to assist the new-to-export Nebraska business (regardless of size) with the step by step process of evaluation, operations adjustments, financing, market research and product enhancement needed for getting into the 'international game'. If your company is new to international business go directly to the New-to-Export section. We can also assist existing international businesses in exploring new markets, by providing up-to-date emerging market research and information on financial assistance.

1. Obtain qualified export counseling and develop a master international marketing plan before starting an export business. The plan should clearly define goals, objectives, and any problems anticipated.
2. Secure a commitment from top management to overcome the initial difficulties and financial requirements of exporting. Although the early delays and costs involved in exporting may seem difficult to justify in comparison with established domestic sales, the exporter should take a long range view of this process and carefully monitor international marketing efforts.
3. Take sufficient care in selecting overseas distributors. The complications involved in overseas communications and transportation require international distributors to act more independently than their domestic counterparts.
4. Establish a basis for profitable operations and orderly growth. Although no overseas inquiry should be ignored, the firm that acts mainly in response to unsolicited trade leads is trusting success to the element of chance.
5. Devote continuing attention to export business when the U.S. market booms. Too many companies turn to exporting when business falls off in the United States. Then, when domestic business starts to boom again, they neglect their export trade or relegate it to a secondary position.
6. Treat international distributors on an equal basis with domestic counterparts. Companies often carry out institutional advertising campaigns, special discount offers, sales incentive programs, special credit term programs, warranty offers, and so on in the domestic market but fail to make similar offers to their international distributors.
7. Do not assume that a given market technique and product will automatically be successful in all countries. What works in Japan may fall flat in Saudi Arabia. Each market has to be treated separately to ensure maximum success.
8. Be willing to modify products to meet regulations or cultural preferences of other countries. Local safety and security codes, as well as import restrictions, cannot be ignored by foreign distributors.
9. Print service, sales, and warranty messages in locally understood languages. Although a distributor's top management may speak English, it is unlikely that all sales and service personnel have this capability.
10. Provide readily available servicing for the product. A product without the necessary service support can acquire a bad reputation quickly.

New to exporting?

- Click on any site image below to go to that site -

- This is our very own in-house web guide for beginning exporters. It contains a great deal of useful information, and hopefully it will help you get well on your way to being an exporter.

- If you're looking for a good international business site, this is the best we've found on-line. We highly recommend it for learning or for business. This is the online version of the Department of Commerce's Basic Guide to Exporting

This site has numerous links, and is an excellent source for information. This site is maintained by ITA (International Trade Association).

- This site is an excellent source for information on transportation and trade. Links and step by step instructions are provided on things like trade classification schedules, and how-to guides on transportation forms. Use this site when developing or refining your infrastructure in operations for international exporting and shipping. Some Nebraska freight forwarders can be found on the International Assistance & Resource List.

- This site is the home page of the Department of Commerce International Trade Administration's Trade Development office. It features many helpful links and guides.