Trade Research Update

One important step I lay out in my book and classes as you begin your business is to consult the Directory of US Importers, or the Export version, for a quick list of many of your competitors. Of course the purpose is to see what NOT to copy (what they are doing) and also to learn the terms and conditions of sales, AKA quality and service level that is standard in your industry.

There are many imitators out there, but the real McCoy is to be found here, if you wish to purchase copies. I recommend you consult a copy your local library carries, but consult google books for the name of the nearest library that does so, or call around.

It comes out every year, and is expensive, but the previous years copy goes up on amazon for sale, no doubt by libraries selling the "outdated copy. I doubt any year sees more than 2 or 3 percent change...so last years copy at 90% of list, or 2 years ago edition, at 95% off is a deal.

The other use of this document is to discover what customsbroker or freight forwarders your competition uses, so you can use them too.

John

Bookmark this post --- Email this post