TRADE ADVISOR TOOLS

As an association founded by international business faculty and trainers, NASBITE (i.e., North American Small Business International Trade Educators) has many qualified members who contribute to our resources and publications including:
  • Trade educators from two-year and four-year colleges and universities;
  • Trade advisors and specialists at all levels of federal, state, and local government;
  • Trade service providers specializing in accounting, compliance, finance, legal, logistics, marketing and related fields;
  • Small and midsize business owner-managers engaged in international business;
  • BCO/Shippers and operating companies engaged in exporting and importing;
  • Corporations engaged in manufacturing or producing goods and services worldwide.

 

EXPORT AND INTERNATIONALIZATION

To export - think like a start-up. It can be a challenge to advise an established company going into a new international market - Next time, suggest they think like a start-up! When a business goes international, their challenges grow globally as well. Whether your client is about to export for the first time or has direct foreign investment, there are many decisions to make and actions to take to ensure their exporting is successful. One of GrowthWheels tools is a pack of 30+ visual Decision Sheets that help Export Advisors take clients through a process where they understand alternatives and reach decisions. NASBITE members receive a 20% discount.

BUSINESS ADVISOR CERTIFICATE (BAC)

To become a trusted advisor you need more than just technical skills. You also need interpersonal skills that can help you build lasting relationships and empower your clients. By joining the Business Advisor Certification (BAC) program you can obtain credentials in skills to engage and empower clients, cultivate mindsets and build trust though improving listening skills and much more. This professional development program is focused on developing, or strengthening, all the skills to become a trusted advisor. NASBITE members receive a 20% discount.

LivePlan for International Trade Advisors

LivePlan helps trade advisors guide clients through business planning, financial forecasting, and export strategy, all in one place.

To support international trade advising specifically, we’ve developed a custom International Trade Planning Template in collaboration with SBDC leadership. This template is designed to align with real-world export advising workflows and incorporates curated guidance and resources commonly used by trade advisors.

Advisors can use LivePlan to:

  • Guide clients through structured export and market entry planning
  • Build and adjust financial forecasts tied to international expansion
  • Collaborate in real time with clients on strategy and assumptions
  • Track progress and compare performance against goals

The International Trade Template includes built-in prompts and links to trusted export resources, helping advisors and clients move faster with more clarity and confidence.

Get Access to the International Trade Template

If you support exporters or internationally focused businesses, you can request access to the International Trade Template within LivePlan.

Request access here: https://www.liveplan.com/international-trade-advisors

INTERNATIONAL TRADE INFORMATION SOURCE DIRECTORY FOR THE ASBDC PROFESSIONAL


A Comprehensive Guide to International Trade Information 
Prepared by: Laurent Kahl
International Business Consultant, 
University of Georgia SBDC International Trade Center
This publication and the links provided are for informational/research purposes only. Inclusions on this list does not indicate the expressed or implied endorsement of the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center International Trade Center.

TRADE PASSPORT

The Trade Passport website is a resource aimed at providing on-demand training, local resources, and rapid expert assistance to small and medium sized businesses that are focused on international trade as a pathway to business growth. This is a collaborative venture between NASBITE International and America's SBDC.

The webinars available cover:

  • Export fundamentals
  • Import fundamentals
  • Market entry and market management
  • Operations and supply chain
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Software/Internet tools
  • Trade finance

It’s free to set up an account and view 20 webinars.