Advisory PROGRAM
 BEEN THERE, DONE
THAT
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS Advising PROGRAM
 Been There, Done That. That's the name of a new
advisory program to help area companies expand their
international business. It is being offered by The International Network
(Northeast Ohio International Business Network), an organization
of people engaged in international business.
Been There, Done That is a program that makes highly experienced
senior business executives who are currently actively involved in international
business available as advisors to Northeast Ohio businesses that want to expand
internationally. There is no cost for this service.
Many strong, well run businesses in Northeast Ohio that could be marketing
internationally are not doing so. As a result, they are missing out on the
potential to increase their growth rate as well as improving employment
opportunities here at home.
A key reason is that they do not have first-hand international business
experience. Experience that can help guide success in unfamiliar foreign
markets. Been There, Done That advisors can provide that experience.
"The knowledge and wisdom of our advisors is an underused resource," according
to Don Esarove, chairman of the Northeast Ohio International Business
Network. "Each has years of executive level experience in international trade.
Each is committed to helping other area businesses achieve the kind of success
that they have enjoyed. They are exceedingly well qualified to act as advisors."
Esarove also pointed out that, "The Been There, Done That program in
no way conflicts with the many excellent international awareness and educational
programs now available in Northeast Ohio. Nor does it replace any internal
company staff or the paid services of consultants, lawyers, etc. so necessary
for successful international business. Rather, it complements these existing
resources by providing an experienced advisor to assist the leaders of the
individual business with strategic guidance for its international growth."
The requirements for an area business to receive a Been There, Done That
advisor are simple. First, top management of the business must be committed to
expanding internationally, and be prepared to support that commitment with
appropriate resources. Second, apply to Been There, Done That. This can
be done online on this web page (see below). That would be followed by a
personal interview.
SOME POSSIBLE SCENARIOS
Each Been There, Done That advising engagement will likely be quite
different. Following are several hypothetical scenarios in which a Been
There, Done That advisor could be of assistance.
Scenario 1: Global Purchasing Manager
- Feeling customer pressure to reduce costs further, my CEO says to explore
Vietnam and India as possible sources. Who can provide referrals? Who has
experience with logistics infrastructure in each location?
- We're currently sourcing in China through a broker, but thinking of going
direct. What should I consider before establishing our own sourcing operation
there?
Scenario 2: VP of Sales and Marketing
- My software company is looking for market intelligence on competitors in 3
Asian countries, and names of potential resellers. Where can I get that?
- Who can make an introduction to the Brazilian government to discuss a
government supply contract?
Scenario 3: CEO
- I am evaluating a strategic marketing partnership in Central/Eastern
Europe. I have been burned once, and I need an experienced entity to conduct
due diligence. Who has that capability? And how reliable are they?
- Is there an advantage to a Foreign Trade Zone?
Scenario 4: VP of Human Services
- The CEO wants a plan to reduce turnover in our Mexican operation.
- Our biggest customer is requiring adherence to strict worker safety
regulations applied globally. How can we implement safety procedures
uniformly?
- We must resolve a labor dispute in our German factory before triggering
delivery delay penalties from our aerospace customer. Who can help me?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Been There, Done That?
A program in which advisors who are highly experienced and currently active in
international business advise senior managers of Northeastern Ohio businesses on
their international growth strategies and initiatives.
Why such a program?
Even though this area has world class resources to support international
business, many area companies which are capable of marketing internationally are
not maximizing their opportunities outside the US. A key reason for this is the
lack of experience in international trade. Been There, Done That is
designed to provide the needed experience.
Who can qualify to be a advisor?
The Northeast Ohio International Business Network maintains a database of highly
experienced international business executives. Each has specific qualifications
by industry sector, geographic experience and special capabilities. Each has
chosen to participate in this program. Any Network member with appropriate
qualifications can be an advisor.
Who can receive an advisor?
Any Northeast Ohio business that offers products or services that can be
marketed internationally, is committed to expanding internationally and is
prepared to back that commitment with appropriate resources can apply for a
advisor.
What does it cost?
Been There, Done That advisors serve without pay. Their only reward is to
see the companies they are advising grow internationally. Thus, they expect to
have regular, continued dialog with policy making management of their client
companies. And to advise on appropriate international decisions.
Do Been There, Done That advisors replace existing resources?
Absolutely not. Their role is to be an advisor to senior company management.
They do not perform any task services. So a client company may want to have
appropriate internal staff. And may also need outside paid services from
consultants, lawyers, etc.
Does Been There, Done That compete with any existing programs?
Absolutely not. To the best of our knowledge, there are no other
international business advising programs in this area. Northeast Ohio has a
myriad of excellent sources of information on international business as well as
international awareness and educational programs. Been There, Done That
supports and complements those activities.
How long is an advisor engaged with a company?
That depends. The engagement can last as long as both the advisor and the
company feel it is a mutually beneficial relationship. Neither is required to
make a long-term commitment at the outset. Ultimately, the durability of the
relationship is driven by the mutual satisfaction of both parties.
Can the advisor sell services to the client company?
Generally not. Advisors may not accept compensation from a Been There,
Done That engagement without the expressed approval of the board of the
Northeast Ohio International Business Network. And approval would only be
granted if the client company specifically requested, with the concurrence of
the advisor, that the scope of the advisor's role be dramatically expanded.
APPLICATION FORM
Please use the following online form to request a advisor through the Been
There, Done That program.
THE INTERNATIONAL NETWORK
1120 Chester Ave. Suite 470
| Cleveland, Ohio 44114-3514
Phone: 216-771-1200
| Fax: 216-696-2582 | Email:
admin@neoibn.org
|
