Resources for “Going Global”

U.S. Commercial Service

www.export.gov

The global business solutions unit of the Department of Commerce. Offers:

• Wide and deep knowledge of markets and industries
• A unique global network
• Inventive use of information technology
• A focus on small and mid-sized businesses
• The clout and cachet of the U.S. government

Your State Department of Commerce

www.commerce.gov/statemap2.html

Each state has a Department of Commerce that is affiliated with the U.S. Department of Commerce. Its mission is to foster, promote, and develop foreign and domestic commerce. Your State Department of Commerce has a wealth of resources to assist you in your efforts to source or sell internationally.

Export-Import Bank of the United States

www.exim.gov

The official export credit agency of the United States. Mission is to assist in financing the export of U.S. goods and services to international markets. Does not compete with private sector lenders but provides export financing products that fill gaps in trade financing, such as working capital guarantees (pre-export financing); export credit insurance; loan guarantees and direct loans (buyer financing). No transaction is too large or too small.

GlobalEDGE

www.globaledge.msu.edu

A knowledge web-portal that connects international business professionals worldwide to a wealth of information, insights, and learning resources on global business activities. Created by the Center for International Business Education and Research at Michigan State University. Mission is to provide useful global business and trade knowledge via an easily accessible and reliable web system.

Sister Cities

www.sister-cities.org

A nonprofit citizen diplomacy network creating and strengthening partnerships between U.S. and international communities in an effort to increase global cooperation at the municipal level, to promote cultural understanding and to stimulate economic development. Sister Cities International leads the movement for local community development and volunteer action by motivating and empowering private citizens, municipal officials and business leaders to conduct long-term programs of mutual benefit.

Reading Suggested by Ed Barlow, Futurist

Paradigms: Business of Discovering the Future, Joel A. Barker

Change is Everybody's Business, Pat McLagan

The World is Flat, Thomas L. Friedman

The Flight of the Creative Class, Richard Florida

Bridging the Cultural Gap, Penny Carte and Chris J. Fox

World Out of Balance, Paul A. Laudicina