Relationships Matter

We all know that meetings go better when we have face-to-face contact. But that can get complicated when your business partner is in Beijing or Bogota. When we were putting together our current issue of IQ about exporting, we were surprised to learn how much personal connections and relationships matter when it comes to doing business overseas. From navigating cultural differences (did you know that Koreans seat the most senior executive facing the door?) to understanding protocol it's clear that you can't just do business the way you would if you were shipping your goods and services from central Minnesota to Texas. 


Investing in relationships matters, particularly when you are taking your company global.

Exporting for the small business owner

Our latest issue of IQ is dedicated to how exporting goods and services can help central Minnesota businesses survive and even thrive in this uncertain economic climate. But understanding complex tariffs, international shipping and business regulations, and the cultural differences of countries you’d like to export to may seem daunting if you are a small business  and don’t have the resources of a 3M or Cargill.  


That’s why we put together an exporting resource list--think of it as your little black book to doing business abroad. You’ll also want to make sure to check out the opportunities offered by the Minnesota Trade Office’s STEP: ExportAssistance for Small Business Program, which provides financial and technical assistance to qualifying Minnesota small businesses who are interested in exporting to foreign markets.