Here’s a free guide to help businesses navigate global markets and stay resilient during periods of economic uncertainty.
The Virginia SBDC International Business Development Program works with Virginia based firms to enhance their global success. Our Certified Global Business Professionals provide confidential counseling, training, and customized research to help companies mitigate risks, prioritize markets, identify financing, and grow export sales.
Services
Virginia-based businesses have access to a number of IBD services that promote international expansion
Training
The IBD regularly hosts training on a broad array of trade-related issues. IBD educational activities range from hour long webinars on focused topics to comprehensive cohort-based programs, including preparation courses for the Certified Global Business Professional examination. To learn more about current training opportunities, visit the Virginia SBDC Training page.
Advising
The Virginia SBDC IBD team provides business leaders with confidential advice and guidance to help develop and grow export sales. Our free advising services are built around four domains of knowledge essential for any business expansion overseas.
- Global Business Management: Evaluate export readiness for “new-to-export” companies, develop strategies and tactics for exporting.
- Global Marketing: Identify potential export markets and customer segments, work with our partners in the U.S. Commercial Service and VEDP to identify potential export sales representatives in foreign markets.
- Supply Chain Management: Offer insights into outbound logistics, including freight forwarding, research and evaluate supply chain options.
- Trade Finance: Provide technical assistance with SBA and Ex-Im Bank finance options, share referrals to a range of lenders and financing providers.
Research
George Mason University is recognized as a Carnegie Tier I research university, a designation reserved for premier institutions of higher education. Established Virginia companies looking to expand globally can tap into the diverse array of human capital at the university by requesting research tailored to their needs. The IBD team and its student researchers can provide actionable intelligence on market conditions, applicable regulations, logistical concerns, and a host of other issues.
International E-commerce
Join the Global eCommerce Accelerator Program and fast-track your expansion into new international markets. Working with our eCommerce advisor during online workshops, you will build your eCommerce internationalization roadmap, complete with valuable resources and clear next actions to achieve your online goals.
Track your progress entirely online on a unique platform combining training content, quizzes, interactive tools, and resources.
To learn more, contact Aaron Miller: amille2@gmu.edu.
The IBD Team
With over 50 years of cumulative trade experience, the Virginia SBDC’s International Business Development program is prepared to help your business take advantage of international opportunities.
Resources
The Virginia SBDC and its partners have created a number of resources that address topics relevant to current or potential exporters alike.
IBD Guide Navigating an Economic Downturn
NASBITE Trade Passport
The Trade Passport website is a resource aimed at providing on-demand training, local resources, and rapid expert assistance to USA-based small-medium-sized businesses that are focused on international trade as a pathway to business growth.
The Virginia SBDC has partnered with NASBITE to make the Trade Passport resources available to our clients.
Our clients and/or partners can watch up to 20 videos at no cost, then pay $149 for an annual access.
The Trade Passport training are excellent primers for people to utilize if they are not already in business or if they want a tutorial on a challenging topic
SBDC Resources
Professional Journals: Since the Virginia SBDC is hosted at George Mason University, a Tier 1 research university, the IBD team has access to a number of proprietary trade journals, databases, and reports.
U.S. Commercial Services Resources
International Trade Administration Resources
Success Stories
The Virginia SBDC is proud to have assisted numerous companies establish or grow their export program
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Partners
The Virginia SBDC Network is a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration and George Mason University-Mason Enterprise Center. The IBD program is grateful for the additional support provided by its partner organizations.
