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The International Trade Administration estimates that less than 1% of 30 million U.S. companies export their goods worldwide, with small businesses making up more than 70% of U.S. exporters. This means most companies are missing out on a bevy of customers. But there are several issues to consider before deciding to export. This article looks at the importance of studying particular markets, choosing a method of exporting, developing contacts and determining tariffs. A sidebar lists six questions to ask before making the decision.
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A merger or an acquisition can be a long — and delicate — process, and there’s plenty that can go wrong before it’s over. To better the chances that an M&A will be a success, up-front due diligence work is a must. This article explains what to look for in the financials, but also discusses other aspects of a company’s operations that merit scrutiny, including employee attitudes, the customer base and IT operations.
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As raw material and transportation costs continue to climb, many distributors are encountering price increases from their suppliers. But, before deciding to cut one’s losses with a supplier, it’s important to consider several strategies for working around rising supplier costs. This article shows how to understand where increased costs are coming from and how to create stronger supplier relationships — or how to find new suppliers if all else fails.
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Powering down a plant’s equipment to make repairs or adjustments delays production and can cut into profits. This short article offers five suggestions for keeping a production line operating at maximum efficiency.
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