The Hard, Cold Facts of Life about Profiting in the Exporting Business

                                                                                         

It ain't easy to be successful! As I've said many times, if it were, everybody would be doing it. And here I'm talking about the business of running your own international trading company.

In the last few months, I've received many calls, faxes and emails from clients seeking some sort of guarantee of success. 'Will you guarantee success if I follow your program?' they ask me. My answer is always the same: 'No one can guarantee success but you. I don't know anything about you. Will you give up when things get tough? Do you have the initiative to look for opportunities? Do you have the intelligence to take advantage of them?'

Success in international trade seldom happens overnight. In truth, it does happen overnight sometimes, but that's the exception rather than the rule. Unfortunately, in this business like so many others, it's the exceptional cases that you hear about. For the rest of us it's building relationships, gathering information and just plain learning that leads to success.

People who become successful traders usually start part time while holding onto their day jobs. I don't recommend dropping everything and going headlong into exporting (or any other business). It's just too risky. I've worked with many new exporters whose enthusiasm gets in the way of their common sense. They quit their jobs, read everything I produce then decide to do it their own 'quicker' way.

This is enthusiasm that's a mile wide and an inch deep. Success in most businesses and especially in exporting takes a while. But when it comes, it is doubly rewarding and if you do it right, you don't have to start over with every new exporting deal.

It's the first one or two trades that are the most challenging and take the longest time. After that, you simply 'stoke the money machine' and expand markets and products. The secret -- and it's really no secret -- is to do it slow and do it right.

Sometimes it amazes me how many newcomers think in such big terms yet seem unable or unwilling to do the little things that can really guarantee success. This kind of pie-in-the-sky thinking makes it very difficult for suppliers or buyers to take them seriously.

If you work hard, pay the dues and stick with it, you'll be a success. Check out every opportunity that comes your way. Keep your enthusiasm and do it right!

About the author:
Dennis Hessler is the publisher of The Computer User's Guide to Running Your Own Exporting Company and numerous other books, video tapes, software packages and The International Trade Connection newsletter which is designed to show entrepreneurs new to exporting how to get involved in the booming global market.

Learn more about international trade at his website, http://www.spyglasspoint.com. You can also download a free sample copy of The International Trade Connection at the site. If you have questions about any of his products or international trade in general, e-mail Dennis at Dennis@spyglasspoint.com. Spyglass Point Productions, P.O. Box 13141, Pensacola, FL 32591 U.S.A.


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