Expand into new global markets with these 5 lessons from marathon running

As an avid runner, I see a lot of opportunities to equate efforts to expand into new global markets to running a marathon. Here are five lessons I’ve learned from my experiences in marathon running and managing the global business expansion of various entities.

Lora Rigutto Vigliatore, CITP|FIBP

Lora is an International Trade and Business Development "Coach." She has a passion for international trade development and many years experience coaching businesses to expand into global markets. With fluency in Spanish, Lora has a keen interest in finding strategic partnering opportunities between Canadian and Latin American businesses and maintaining those cross-cultural relationships.

Bill Macheras, CITP|FIBP – Trade Commissioner

Even after working in international trade for almost fifteen years, Bill’s enthusiasm for his work as a Trade Commissioner is equaled only by his networking skills with others in the industry, and his knowledge of the everyday problems that SME’s face when exporting their goods.

Ewan Roy

I'm a Digital Marketing Specialist for the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT). My background is in writing and research, and I am passionate about communicating new ideas and telling stories that matter to you.

Following the Yellow Brick Road to a successful international career

Even though the majority of the yellow brick road is polished and smooth, the road has areas where many bricks are broken or have been uprooted from their foundation. When I look back on my own journey to a successful international career, the road that I followed looped by steep cliff edges, and was riddled with its share of missing bricks and potholes.

Stephanie Kam, CITP

Stephanie W. Kam, CITP is Senior Consultant and Legal Counsel at CPCS Transcom Limited, a Canadian consulting firm in the infrastructure sector that provides advisory services in developing economies around the world. Stephanie is a specialist in legal and regulatory reform for public-private partnerships and advises both public and private sector clients on public-private partnership projects.

Import Specialist – Danfoss

The Import Specialist will assist the Import/Export Compliance Manager to manage all of the aspects of import transactions for both raw materials and finished product.

How I used storytelling to liven up a daunting international trade project

I have to admit it turns out that being told “You will have to do it!” was a blessing in disguise. It led me down the road to what turned out to be a truly great opportunity to tell stories about my global trade experiences in a recent international trade project.

Virginie de Visscher, CITP|FIBP

Virginie De Visscher is known for her entrepreneurial approach to international business development. Her experience includes more than 10 years working in Africa where her positions included Operations Manager at UGACOF, a processing and exporting coffee plant in Kampala, Uganda and Sales and Marketing Manager at TRANSYS, an IT commercial enterprise in Kinshasa, DRC. She speaks English, French and Spanish fluently.

Discovering new global business experiences while exploring the world

Although a degree in commerce was definitely a good pick for me, I was mostly interested in the lesser-known international opportunities that were provided to gain new global business experiences.

Rob Howard

Rob is a multilingual international trade professional (English native, fluent French, fluent Spanish, and advanced Mandarin) focusing on the petrochemical export and drilling technology industries. He also aspires to one day get his Juris Doctorate degree in Houston while focusing on international trade & transactional law.

Regulatory Compliance Coordinator – Under Armour

The Regulatory Compliance Coordinator will develop and maintain regulatory compliance programs that will ensure Under Armour retains a positive reputation and compliant importer status with governmental agencies.

U.S.’ signing of the TPA forces administration to tiptoe around anti-Israel amendments

In late June, U.S. President Barack Obama signed the Trade Promotion Authority into law, ostensibly to give himself more leeway in negotiating international trade deals. The U.S.’ signing of the TPA has caused more than a ripple in U.S. ally Israel.

Jacqueline Côté

I am a working journalist, with experience as SNL Financial’s Canadian correspondent for its Mining and Metals vertical. I also served as the Managing Editor for Central Asia Newswire – covering daily economic and investment news in the region – as well as Features Editor for the Washington-based Magharebia.com, which covers developments in the North Africa region. I have been published in The Montreal Gazette, The Guardian (UK), The New Statesman (UK), Red Pepper (UK), Geopolitical Monitor and CNN.com.