If you haven’t been able to attend a NDTO Trade Talk, we encourage you to do so. The presentations are educational and filled with the information on what you need to know to be a successful exporter. If you’re still not convinced, here is what Roger Gussiaas, the 2010 North Dakota Exporter of the Year, has to say about a recent talk he attended:
NDTO: Why did you attend the trade talk?
Roger Gussiaas: Doug Jacobson is a person with much knowledge on exporting. The title of discussion, “Essentials of U.S. Export Controls, Sanctions and FCPA Compliance,” this tells me how to stay out of trouble. It isn’t enough to try to do all things right, it is easy in exporting to innocently do something wrong with a large consequence at the end.
NDTO: What was appealing about the topic?
RG: So many things were interesting, especially the impact of bribing, which is a way of doing business in some parts of the world. It is illegal for Americans and many other countries to participate in this business practice which, in some parts of the world, is common. The fines are huge if caught. Also the corruption perception index was very interesting. What we think of our country and what other people think of their own country in terms of corruption, there are many surprises.
NDTO: Did you find the information helpful?
RG: Yes, there was a lot of good information. I started out as a farmer and knowing I had to wear many hats and be knowledgeable in many areas. As an exporter, I think we wear more hats yet, with a never ending number of jobs, checklists and accountability.
NDTO: Would you recommend a trade talk to another exporter?
RG: A good speaker spurs great discussion, so sometimes the best knowledge comes from an exporter perhaps telling about a situation they went through. Learning from someone else’s mistake may save you an expensive lesson. We have a small business, and when I attend a NDTO trade talk, it gets me on track. This talk will remind me of areas in my business I may neglect. Anytime I can spend more time with good exporters and the NDTO, this really helps my business. If you hang around good successful people perhaps a little success rubs off.
If you would like to attend the next Trade Talk you can sign up at www.ndto.com. “Best Practices for Export Management” will be held Wednesday, August 3, 2011 from 8:30am-4:30pm at the Ramada Plaza Suites – Brahms Room, 1635 42nd St. S, Fargo. The cost of the event is $60 for NDTO members and $100 for non-members. Please register by Friday, July 29, 2011.