Are you ready to go global? If you’re the owner of an established business that is generally successful and profitable, you may be ready to expand into international markets and grow your business.

When it comes to expanding internationally, there are a lot of things to consider. It can bring many benefits to a business but it can also be challenging. 

You need to make sure that your product complies with local laws and regulations, figure out how to market your brand in an unfamiliar culture and then make sure that you can deliver on time and within budget.

There are also many different ways to sell internationally. Each comes with its own strategy, planning, and paperwork, and the success of each one can vary depending on where you intend to trade.

The most important step when looking to trade overseas is research. This takes time and money, so you must be ready to invest in order to succeed. 

Once you have decided that you are ready to ‘go global’, how do you find your market?

Making global connections is a great way for businesses to learn about the global market place and business practices. These connections can help you in many ways, including discovering new suppliers, new customers or even finding out that a specific market isn't for you before you commit.  
 
Members of the Essex Chambers of Commerce can take advantage of the British Chamber of Commerce International Network. This network comprises of 75 British Chambers of Commerce and business groups that are located across all continents of the world and directly linked to the UK Accredited Chambers of Commerce network.

To help you further, we are running training courses on International Trade Research and Finding International & Global Opportunities as part of our new Trade Expert Training Academy.
 

International Trade Research - Tuesday 19th March from 9.30am to 1.30pm 

This virtual half day course will help you develop knowledge from research activities in order to gain an understanding of:

► International trade theory
► Global economic development and growth
► Currency and exchange rates,
► Trade policies and their impact on an organisation
► Free trade agreements
► Direct investment from financial sources outside the UK
► Tariffs and no trade barriers
► Supply chain and logistics
► Intercultural management
► International law and treaties

Finding International & Global Opportunities - Thursday 25th April from 9.30am to 1.30pm 

This virtual half day course aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of the importance of research, including social media, to find opportunities in global trade, and where you can get support. Topics covered include:

► Networking
► Trade shows
► Competitors
► Partners
► Suppliers and distributors.
► Taxes
► Customs
► Tariffs
► Insurance
► Documentation
► Government websites and support programmes