WORKSHOP: ‘Making the Most of International Trade Shows’

Thursday, February 14th, 2019, 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Offices of Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith PC (Downstairs Event Room), 313 S. Washington Sq., Lansing, MI 48933

This interactive workshop is geared toward improving your international ROI by engaging a strategic model for selecting and leveraging international tradeshow practices. Participants receive a practical use workbook. Advance registration is required. Fee includes Workbook and Timeline Planning Guide, Continental breakfast, and Lunch w/Keynote speaker. Offered in collaboration with the Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan and the Michigan Dept. of Agriculture & Rural Development’s International Marketing Program. View The Flyer. To REGISTER.

FIRST FRIDAYS ROUND TABLE: ‘Achieving New & Sustainable Foreign Revenue’

Friday, March 8th, 2019, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Millpond Parke Office Building, (Large Boardroom), 800 W. Grand River Ave., Brighton, MI 48116

SPROUTwide Global’s FIRST FRIDAYS ROUND TABLES are simply a place to come together with other businesses in the area to learn and discuss international trade topics that affect, enhance, and challenge growth driven businesses. THIS MONTH’s TOPIC: ‘Achieving New & Sustainable Revenue in International Markets’. All are welcome but registration is required to be sure there’s a seat for you at our boardroom table.

RESERVE YOUR SPACE. Please include ‘ROUND TABLE PARTICIPANT - MARCH 8’ in the Message Field. A confirmation for your space will be emailed to you.

FIRST FRIDAYS ROUND TABLE: ‘Understanding India - Is it Worth The Risk?’

Friday, April 5th, 2018, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Millpond Parke Office Building, (Large Boardroom), 800 W. Grand River Ave., Brighton, MI 48116

SPROUTwide Global’s FIRST FRIDAYS ROUND TABLES are simply a place to come together with other businesses in the area to learn and discuss international trade topics that affect, enhance, and challenge growth driven businesses. THIS MONTH’s TOPIC: ‘Understanding India - Is it Worth the Risk?’. We’ll be including stats on various growing business sectors in India. All are welcome but registration is required to be sure there’s a seat for you at our boardroom table.

RESERVE YOUR SPACE. Please include ‘ROUND TABLE PARTICIPANT - MARCH 8’ in the Message Field. A confirmation for your space will be emailed to you.

Tools: 

Export Readiness (Initial) Assessment. This assessment consists of 5 separate dimensions.  Each dimension is scored in 4 areas. This is thanks to the talented people at Michigan State University's International Business Center and Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Regardless of the assessment result, SPROUTwide can help you increase your readiness or help you put your existing preparedness into a working strategy. Visit Here 

Currency Converter - OANDA. Quick search currency exchange rates by single dollar or specific values for most all countries. This site also offers a retroactive calendar for accurate exchange values on specific dates in the past as well as historical comparisons of multiple country currency fluctuations. Visit Here

Comparing Management Cultures. Offered in an article by the Harvard Business Review, this interactive chart provides you with a comparison of various pairs of management styles in cultures across the world. Chart and comparisons done by business culture expert and author of The Culture Map, Erin Meyer. Not only is it interesting, it just might help you in your next international negotiation. Visit Here 

Websites: 

globalEDGE. Funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education Title VI B grant, globalEDGE delivers a comprehensive research tool for academics, students and businesspeople. globalEDGE provides tools and resources to efficiently research many international business questions you may have. Visit Here 

U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Mission Calendar. U.S. Department of Commerce trade missions are overseas programs for U.S. firms that wish to explore and pursue export opportunities by meeting directly with potential clients in their markets. Visit Here 

U.S. Department of State "Direct Line for American Business". The Direct Line program provides a unique opportunity for American businesses, particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises, to engage directly via webcast with U.S. Ambassadors overseas to learn about opportunities for exporting. Visit Here

Books: 

Don't Let This Happen To You. Published by the Bureau of Industry and Security, a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce. An introduction to the consequences of violating U.S. Export Control Law and includes actual stories of investigations of Export Control and Anti-boycott violations. Free Download 

Dictionary of International Trade. Published by The World Trade Press. This book is the most respected and largest-selling dictionary of trade in the world. It is in use in more than 100 countries and is now one-third dictionary and two-thirds encyclopedia. Buy It Here  

Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: The Bestselling Guide to Doing Business in More than 60 Countries. Published by Adams Media. This book is now fully revised, updated, and expanded with over sixty country profiles, the 2nd Edition provides invaluable information on how to handle common business interactions with grace, respect, and an appreciation for different cultures. Buy It Here