Getting To The CORE Of Export Readiness: Commerce Offers Free Tool To Help Companies Compete

Sept. 26, 2005 -- The rigors of global competition require an unprecedented level of business savvy and acumen. Is your company ready for international trade? Will your product(s) meet the demands and requirements of the global marketplace? Can you navigate the red tape of the export-import world on your own or will you need a third-party’s help? Where will you find suppliers and partners?

To help companies answer these questions and determine their export capacity and readiness, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce offers a new, free tool known as the CORE (Company Readiness to Export) program.

A Web-based, self-assessment application, CORE gives executives the tools they need to develop an export strategy. Developed by the Center for International Business Education Research (CIBER) at Michigan State University, the acclaimed program can help Oklahoma businesses identify their exporting strengths and weaknesses and outline a plan of action to address their international trade needs.

Twelve Oklahoma businesses have already participated in two test seminars on the CORE software, and they couldn’t be more pleased with the results.

 “If I would have had this assessment tool 10 years ago, it would have saved me countless hours and unknown dollars in trying to maximize my results in international markets,” says Scott Smith, general manager of Dan Hill & Associates, Inc. “This tool helped us understand where we were and where we needed to go.”

In the coming months, Commerce and CareerTech will partner to deliver introductory workshops at CareerTech campuses all over the state. After attending these workshops, businesses are given access to the CORE program for one year free of charge, allowing them to use it as a reference tool and continually evaluate their progress.

For more information on the CORE introductory workshops and software tool or to set up a one-on-one consultation, contact Jesse Garcia, International Trade Officer, 405-815-5213 or 800-879-6552.

.