The Trade Bridge Blog

Trade Resources Proliferating

Proliferation can mean "an idea whose time has come." I came across two interesting trade resources today and was reminded of a third. Check out GlobalGoodsTV for online video featuring international trade news and analysis AND product videos. This is brand new and could be a great way to get online video exposure for importers and exporters. Then my friend, Huyen Bui of DI-Central, sent me a link to a super intermediary, B2X, which specializes in acting as importer of record for importers that want to bring in products from China, virtually risk free. I'm anxious to find out how their platform actually performs as they progress. And that lead me to the international trade expert, journalist and publisher, Michael White, and his podcast, the International Business Report. Michael is a trailblazer and innovator in using media to expand the cause of international trade, to educate and to inform. I can almost imagine no borders as I surf betwixt and between these sites.

We Are Making a Difference

I'm jazzed to report that Trade Bridge is making an impact. We are providing the WCO with some very welcome and much needed feedback from our members, U.S. SMEs. I was in Brussels in December speaking to a SAFE conference about SME views on C-TPAT. TBI Chairman Bruce Wilson goes to Brussels next week to attend the 2nd SAFE Working Group meeting. As an Observer, TBI can provide input and the SME perspective at an international level.

The Canadian SME community, through their trade associations, are also interested in providing the Canadian perspective for Trade Bridge to represent to the WCO. This would be a valuable addition to the Trade Bridge cause which I will be pursuing in the coming months.

Keep your fingers crossed as CBP reviews my application to COAC. If I am appointed, Trade Bridge and its 7000 SME importer-exporter members, will have a direct line of communication to Congress. Is there any question that this is a movement whose time has come?

Top IT Pain Points for Global SMEs

I stumbled on a blog called "The Entreprenuerial Mind" by Jeff Cornwall who is the Director of the Belmont University Center for Entrepreneurship in Nashville. He cites a new study from the International Office of the International Council for Small Business (ICSB):  Global Technology Study conducted in collaboration with DELL Inc. I resonated with the Top IT Pain points not only because I think they apply to all SMEs but also because these are the very issues that TBI sponsors wrestled with when developing the TRG Direct product for US importers: managing costs of technology, product complexity making them too dependent on an outside company for support, and issues with trial-ware installed on new computers.

Fortunately, TRG Direct addresses these IT Pain Points very well.

The cost of accessing the technology is a small, one-time, upfront fee ($1000) and a per entry fee ($20-$30/entry) with no long term commitments or volume contracts to agree to. All the cost of upgrades are borne by the provider, TRG Direct. The issue of support is non-existent because the product is web-based and therefore there is no need for supporting software that is housed on the customer's server. Finally, as the product is web-based, there is no trial-ware to have issues (no need for new computers either).

As we say in my house, "No pain, no pain."

SBA Trade Programs Act Approved by Committee - Sometimes I Feel So Republican

Sometimes I feel so Republican. (You know, "keep taxes low to stimulate the economy" vs. "increase taxes to pay for programs to stimulate the economy.")

Call me "old-fashioned" but I would like to know that taxpayers' hard earned dollars are actually funding something worthwhile. And that's why I can't quite decide whether I like this amendment to the Small Business Act or not.

The House Small Business Committee just approved an amendment to the Small Business Act that appears to be a big coup for future and beginner SME exporters: "SBA Trade Programs Act of 2007 - To amend the Small Business Act to improve trade programs, and for other purposes." It covers the gamut of govenmental support from finance to trade protection. The intent of expanding U.S. exports via the SME exporter is laudable. I'm just not convinced this is the way to do it.

The amendment will cost taxpayers money to implement and maintain. Will the cost be worth the return to our economy? What is the expected return to our economy? None of this information appears in the amendment so it's impossible to make an informed decision about whether or not to support the amendment.

As an advocate for SME exporters it seems like a slam dunk for Trade Bridge to come out in favor of this amendment. It does, after all, appear to provide significant help to SMEs that want to expand into global markets. But is it prudent to support the amendment on what may simply be, a noble goal? If monies are appropriated (which the amendment calls for) and the amendment doesn't do anything to either improve the export capabilities of SMEs or the U.S. economy it will be wasted time, effort and money.

I'm wary of the government's ability to design and implement these changes effectively and efficiently when the accountability seems either nonexistent or an afterthought. (Again, call me "old-fashioned.")

For now though, I'm keeping an open mind while I conduct more research. Check back here regularly as I will continue to update and post information as I get it.

CHBs Crash & Burn Today! - Time For Importers To Speak for Themselves

ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) aced one. Read more about the break-up of the counterfeit smuggling ring that included those licensed professionals (CHBs) that have been the self-proclaimed "voice" of SME importers for decades. Time for a change?