Author: OKSBDC Webmaster

National Export Initiative

An Original Article from Export.gov

What’s New in National Export Initiative (NEI)

White House Releases Report to the President on the National Export Initiative

The White House released a report to the President on the National Export Initiative (NEI). The report outlines ways the U.S. government can expand efforts to help U.S. businesses win more foreign government contracts, find buyers worldwide, participate in more trade missions and trade shows, receive more export financing, and learn new ways to sell products and services overseas.  A central focus of the plan is providing additional assistance to small and medium-sized businesses, which are major drivers of new job creation.

Read the Full Report (PDF)

National Export Initiative Webinar

August 16th, 2010 – Francisco Sánchez, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, encouraged the 50 state and five territorial governors to invest in creating and/or intensifying their efforts on exports during the first-ever National Export Initiative (NEI) webinar.  Courtney Gregoire, NEI Director for the International Trade Administration (ITA); and Taline Sanassarian from the Small Business Administration (SBA) provided an overview of the NEI, its goals, and the steps ITA and SBA are taking to implement the initiative. They also discussed federal and state coordination in support of the NEI, and highlighted state-based export initiatives as models for other states to consider.  The webinar concluded by discussing innovative efforts that are underway in Arkansas, Florida, and Washington, which support the NEI.

View the Presentation (PDF).

Export Control Reform Initiative

On April 20, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates discussed the Administration’s interagency review of the U.S. export control system, which calls for fundamental reform of the current system in order to enhance U.S. national security and strengthen our ability to counter threats such as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Read the Fact Sheet on the President’s Export Control Reform Initiative.

Learn more regarding the Export Control Reform Initiative.

Export.gov and the NEI

Export.gov is your gateway to the trade promotion and export finance programs of the Federal Government. At Export.gov we have a lot for everybody.

The NEI is a multi-year effort to increase U.S. jobs by increasing the number of companies exporting and expanding the number of markets current U.S. companies sell to. The federal government’s trade promotion and export finance agencies are ready to help U.S. businesses large and small meet this challenge.

Over the months and years ahead, the NEI will:

  • Work with our Strategic Partners to help companies shipping to only one market expand their sales to new markets.
  • Expand the availability of credit for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s).
  • Improve online tools to make information easier to find and faster to use.
  • Work to reduce trade barriers that are in your way to increasing your exports.

Click here to view the original article.

FAQ

General Business Questions

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Counseling Questions

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Starting a business

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Marketing

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Human Resources

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Rose State College SBDC

Professional Training and Education Center

The Oklahoma SBDC at Rose State College provides entrepreneurs with professional business consulting at no cost, management training, and vital information they need to grow and succeed in a complex and competitive global environment.

The OKSBDC at Rose State College maintains a full-service office in Midwest City, serving start-up and existing businesses in the Oklahoma City Metro area with significant collaborative work being done in the military and veteran community surrounding Tinker AFB. The OKSBDC at Rose State College is a member of the Oklahoma SBDC Network, a statewide service network funded in part through cooperative agreements with the U.S. SBA, State of Oklahoma and other private and public partners; hosted by Southeastern Oklahoma State University; and nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs.

Request Advising

1720 Hudiburg Drive
Midwest City OK 73110

Southeastern Oklahoma multiple locations

The Oklahoma SBDC at Southeastern Oklahoma State University provides entrepreneurs with professional business consulting at no cost, management training, and vital information they need to grow and succeed in a complex and competitive global environment.

The OKSBDC at Southeastern maintains a full-service office in Durant, serving start-up and existing businesses in the Southeastern Oklahoma area. OKSBDC maintains a satellite office at Southern Oklahoma Technology Center in Ardmore. The OKSBDC at Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a member of the Oklahoma SBDC Network, a statewide service network funded in part through cooperative agreements with the U.S. SBA, State of Oklahoma and other private and public partners; hosted by Southeastern Oklahoma State University; and nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs.

Request Advising

Southeastern Oklahoma State Univ.

301 W. University Blvd
Durant, OK 74701

Client Rights and Responsibilities

Welcome to the Oklahoma Small Business Development Network (OKSBDC). You have a right to expect:

  • Prompt, Courteous, and Professional Counseling Services. The demand for our services is high and cases must often be prioritized by need and training may be recommended before counseling is provided.
  • Confidentiality of Information Discussed. All information shared will be held in strictest confidence. No information provided by you will be used to the commercial advantage of any staff member, consultant, or other resource of the OKSBDC or to the benefit of any third party.
  • Confidentiality of Client Status. No public use of your name, address, or business identity will be made without your prior approval. OKSBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration and that limited information with respect to your client status is provided to the agency.
  • Business Consulting. Our role is to counsel and assist small business owners and those planning to go into business. We will not make business decisions or judgments for you, though we will make recommendations and suggestions as appropriate.
  • Fees and Charges. The OKSBDC may charge reasonable fees for training programs, special services, and publications. However, you have a right to feel secure that no fee will be charged by the OKSBDC or its resources for normal counseling services provided to you.
  • Recommendations and Referrals. No recommendations will be made as to the purchase of goods or services from any individual or firm with which any OKSBDC staff or its resources have any financial, familial or personal interest. The counseling services provided to you are a part of the effort of the OKSBDC and its sponsors to respond to the growing needs of the small business community and to positively affect the economy of Oklahoma. They are not intended to compete with, replace, or be a substitute for services available from the private sector. Clients whose needs can be fully met by private sector practitioners or firms in an affordable manner will be encouraged to use those resources.
  • Waiver. In consideration of the OKSBDC furnishing you with management and technical assistance, you agree to waive all claims against the OKSBDC and its constituent institutions, its staff, or any other resources employed by or used in connection with these services. We rely on our clients in our efforts to assure the quality and effectiveness of the counseling services we provide.
  • Surveys. In return for no cost consulting OKSBDC asks all clients to complete a written evaluation of the services provided. In addition, all clients will be asked to complete a brief “impact” assessment within one year following the close of the case file. Finally, clients may receive direct inquiries from this office, the State Director’s office or the U.S. Small Business Administration with respect to the services provided to you. Your response to all of these inquiries will be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to OKSBDC. We look forward to working with you.
We welcome you as a client and encourage you to call on us if you have any questions or comments with regard to your rights and responsibilities or services you receive. You can do so by requesting advising.

Helping Small Businesses Start, Grow & Succeed

OKSBDC assists small business owners and new entrepreneurs by providing no charge, one-on-one business management advising, business management workshops and business technical assistance. OKSBDC advises business owners in many areas including financial analysis, capital sources, business planning, operations, industry research, international trade, commercial finance, human resources, accounting, competitive market studies, import/export assistance, government contracting opportunities, information technology and economic and business data modeling and analysis.

Southeastern Oklahoma State University (SE), in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) established the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center Network (OKSBDC) in 1984. SE continues to serve as the lead university in a statewide consortium of private and public partners including the SBA, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, many Oklahoma universities, the Creek nation as well as many other entities and organizations including, chambers, economic development organizations and Main Street programs. Banks and commercial lenders across the state are also key supporters of OKSBDC.

OKSBDC is one of 63 SBDC programs existing in every state in the nation as well as in many U.S. territories. Similar entrepreneurial development programs in other countries have been modeled after the SBDC program in the United States. OKSBDC provided over 16,000 hours of consulting to Oklahoma entrepreneurs and small business owners in 2012 and provided services in all 77 Oklahoma counties.

The OKSBDC State Office is located at 301 W University Blvd, Durant, OK 74701, can be reached by phone at (580) 745-2877, or by email at info@oksbdc.org. You can click here to request advising or find a list of resources at oksbdc.org

Register here for free online training!

Reinveinting Q & A Checklist

When you are considering reinventing or reinvigorating your business, the first step is to assess your current business and the business environment.

Use the following checklist to help you get started, and then contact your local OKSBDC office to schedule a no-cost Business Success Check-Up. Working together we will work to gain a current benchmark for your business and begin developing a strategic plan toward your new goals.

CURRENT STATUS/COMPETITOR COMPARISON

*What is your current product or service?

*Does it meet today’s customers’ needs/wants?

*Are you providing the product/service in the most cost efficient, consumer-friendly way?

*How does your pricing compare with your competitors?

*How does your delivery system compare with your competitors?

*Do you have additional expertise or assets that could be utilized? Or, are some equipment and assets unused and need to be sold to make room for a new direction?

PRODUCTS/SERVICES & MARKET

*Should you add new products/services to your line?

*Should you grow your existing markets or seek new market share?

*What is happening in your industry that will affect your decisions?

*What is happening in the economy that will affect your decisions?

STAFFING/RESEARCH & TRAINING

*What research is needed to provide you with the required information?

*What training will you need to help you set and accomplish your goals?

*Are additional employees needed and do you know how to hire and manage them?

For assistance with these issues and more, contact your local OKSBDC office.

Top 25 Questions to answer before you start

If you liked your answers from “Is Starting Your Own Business for You” and you think you are ready, then get your notepad, IPAD, computer or something to record your answers to our Top 25 questions to answer before you start a business!

  1. What’s my number one reason for starting a business? My second reason?
  2. What will success look like in my business in 1 year? 5 years?
  3. What kind of business do I want?
  4. Am I prepared to spend the time needed to get my business started?
  5. How will I set up the legal structure of my business?
  6. What products or services will my business provide?
  7. What types of suppliers do I need?
  8. How soon will it take before my products or services are available?
  9. Where will my business be located?
  10. Am I prepared to spend the money needed to get my business started?
  11. Is my credit good?
  12. How much money do I need to get started?
  13. Will I need to get a loan?
  14. Who is my competition?
  15. How will I price my product compared to my competition?
  16. Who is my ideal customer?
  17. How will I advertise my business?
  18. What differentiates my business idea and the products or services I provide from others in the market?
  19. How long do I have until I start making a profit?
  20. How will I keep track of my sales, expenses and income?
  21. What taxes do I need to pay?
  22. How many employees will I need?
  23. Do I need to protect my products or business?
  24. What kind of insurance do I need?
  25. How will I manage my business?
Thinking

Is Starting Your Own Business For You?

What an incredible experience! Owning your business, being your own boss, doing what you love, working on your own time, and getting paid!

Sounds exciting, but is it really for you? Do you have what it takes to be successful? Are you willing to do work for yourself? Be the chief, be the worker and be the accountant?

Continue reading “Is Starting Your Own Business For You?”

Is Starting Your Own Business For You?

What an incredible experience! Owning your business, being your own boss, doing what you love, working on your own time, and getting paid!

Sounds exciting, but is it really for you? Do you have what it takes to be successful? Are you willing to do work for yourself? Be the chief, be the worker and be the accountant?

Take a minute and consider these skills and traits that lead to success in a small business. Be honest, you might surprise yourself with your readiness to start!

ARE YOU:

  1. Comfortable with taking risks: Being your own boss also means you’re the one making tough decisions. Entrepreneurship involves uncertainty. Do you avoid uncertainty in life at all costs? If yes, then entrepreneurship may not be the best fit for you. Do you enjoy the thrill of taking calculated risks? Then read on.
  2. Independent: Entrepreneurs have to make a lot of decisions on their own. If you find you can trust your instincts — and you’re not afraid of rejection every now and then — you could be on your way to being an entrepreneur.
  3. Persuasive: You may have the greatest idea in the world, but if you cannot persuade customers, employees and potential lenders or partners, you may find entrepreneurship to be challenging. If you enjoy public speaking, engage new people with ease and find you make compelling arguments grounded in facts, it’s likely you’re poised to make your idea succeed.
  4. Able to negotiate: As a small business owner, you will need to negotiate everything from leases to contract terms to rates. Polished negotiation skills will help you save money and keep your business running smoothly.
  5. Creative: Are you able to think of new ideas? Can you imagine new ways to solve problems? Entrepreneurs must be able to think creatively. If you have insights on how to take advantage of new opportunities, entrepreneurship may be a good fit.
  6. Supported by others: Before you start a business, it’s important to have a strong support system in place. You’ll be forced to make many important decisions, especially in the first months of opening your business. If you do not have a support network of people to help you, consider finding a business mentor. A business mentor is someone who is experienced, successful and willing to provide advice and guidance. Read the Steps to Finding a Mentor article for help on finding and working with a mentor.

If you liked your answers and you think you are ready, then go to the next section and answer our Top 25 questions to answer before you start a business!