Last week, SBA announced the launch of a new online course designed to help small businesses explore exporting opportunities in international markets. Global Enterprise: A Primer on Exporting is a free, self-paced course that provides practical guidance on exploring international markets. The new course is available from the Small Business Administration's training Web site at www.sba.gov/ training. To access the course, click on "Free Online Courses," and then select the first course listed under International Trade. The course is a comprehensive training module using script and audio to provide fundamental information about selling in global markets. It illustrates how to identify international markets, develop an export strategy, make and receive international payments, and finance trade operations, and it offers guidance on determining a firm's readiness and suitability for exporting. The Exporting Primer includes more than 45 direct links to many key international resources. To access the SBA press release announcing the new online course, click here.

 
"Question everything" Maria Mitchell (America's first female astronomer)

Understanding the "Green" Economy
What is a "Green" industry or occupation? There are many aspects of work that could be considered green, such as new materials, methods, products, and services. However, we do not yet have a common language capturing the broad and varied nature of green industries and jobs. Several states and many local organizations are working collaboratively to better understand and promote the effects of clean and green technology on our economy. To encourage the discussion on how green technology affects the workplace and economy, a consortium of local, state, and federal entities is currently reviewing "green" literature to create a "Digest of Green Reports and Studies". Access the digest at http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/?pageid=1032

 

 
"That our daughters may be as cornerstones, polished after the similitude of a palace." Quoted by Mary Lyon 

 (founder of Mount Holyoke)

 
The Value of Signage
Signage in its most basic form has been shown to be responsible for bringing in as many as half of all new customers, though 25% is more likely to be the case. When it is designed as part of an overall site motif and tied in with other forms of advertising its benefits to the bottom line can be even more substantial. For more information about the value of signage visit the International Sign Association at www.signs.org, www.stba.gove/starting/signage, or listen to Taking Care of Business on Wednesday, December 3rd, at 7pm on www.kzyx.org as West Company interviews sign makers Rick and Megan Sacks.
 

 
Build Referrals - Network, Network, Network
Increase sales and bring customers to you with these biz tips and self-assessments from SCORE.org:

The Secret to Networking Success
It's all in your approach, smile, be friendly, and ask questions. The secret, when your first approach someone, consider how you can be a resource and help to him/her. You also want to ask for advice. Advice makes it easy to create good will and make friends and allies.  

Email Marketing
Building your permission-based email list is one of the best ways to maximize your email marketing efforts. You don't want to miss the opportunity to communicate with your customers or members. Make sure you give them ample opportunity to join your list. Make a habit of collecting emails to add to your list. Just remember that you are building a permission-based list, which means a person must give their permission before being added. Here are some tips for growing your list.