6 Essential questions every international business professional should be asking before they go global

Expanding into international markets has always required ambition. Today, it requires something more: disciplined preparation. With geopolitical tensions reshaping supply chains, unilateral tariffs disrupting established…

FITT Team

The Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) is the standards, certification and training body dedicated to providing international business training, resources and professional certification to individuals and businesses. Created by business for business, FITT’s international business training solutions are the standard of excellence for global trade professionals around the world.

How to tap into the best resource for export success – experience

It’s a messy time for businesses wanting to grow internationally. The disruption of the 75-year old “international rules based order”, geopolitical situations, and the upending…

David Y Smith

David Y Smith is the Founder & CEO of Elderberry.work, a Canadian online B2B services marketplace that rapidly and flexibly matches independent consultants with 20+ years of proven experience from all functions, levels, and industries, with funded startups and SMBs. Cost effectively for consulting, interim, fractional, and project assignments. In Canada and across 40+ countries. Informed by his experience as an executive in large companies, as a consultant and fractional executive, and with startups, including extensive experience in the USA and internationally.

How to handle (and avoid) 5 of the most common types of trade disputes

In business, foresight always outdoes hindsight – and so it is in international trade. But that’s easier said than done. Operating across borders routinely exposes…

FITT Team

The Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) is the standards, certification and training body dedicated to providing international business training, resources and professional certification to individuals and businesses. Created by business for business, FITT’s international business training solutions are the standard of excellence for global trade professionals around the world.

25 International trade terms you should know

In the world of global trade, effective communication is a must. Every deal depends on a mutual understanding of trade terms and practices, and each…

FITT Team

The Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) is the standards, certification and training body dedicated to providing international business training, resources and professional certification to individuals and businesses. Created by business for business, FITT’s international business training solutions are the standard of excellence for global trade professionals around the world.

Why the finance team should be part of your international expansion plans from day one

The finance leadership in your organization has a huge role to play when it comes to international expansion. And it’s more than a role focused…

Leah Sanford

Leah Sanford, CITP, shows communicators, consultants, and advisors the way to always knowing what to say. Co-owner of Halifax-based marketing firm Kelford Inc., Leah helps entrepreneurs find their voice, fuel their passion, and connect with their ideal customers around the world.

How exporters can build global trust through strategic storytelling

Technical specs open doors. Pricing seals deals. But in international trade, what truly builds long-term partnerships is trust. And strategic storytelling is one of the…

Giovanna Patruno

Giovanna Patruno is a brand communication strategist. With over two decades of experience in B2B marketing, technical communication, and global content strategy, she partners marketing leaders to build brands that connect and influence across markets. Through her eponymous consultancy, she helps B2B technology companies craft brand and content strategies that showcase their unique value and insights in order to build trust, drive influence, and support long-term global growth.

Simplifying International Trade with Single Windows

Trade-enabling technology – TradeTech – makes international commerce more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable. In this three-part series, digital trade expert Craig Atkinson, CITP addresses key…

Craig Atkinson, CITP

Craig Atkinson is the Founder and Director of Lexmerca International Trade and a Trade Development Specialist with the International Trade Centre (ITC), the joint agency of the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Active in the field of digital trade, Craig participates in projects with multiple international organizations, academic institutions, technology foundations, and standards bodies. Academically, he is a Non-Resident Fellow with the World Trade Institute (WTI) as well as a Research Affiliate with the Singapore Management University (SMU) Centre for AI and Data Governance and the SMU Centre for Computational Law. Professionally, Craig has been a FITT Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) since 2011.

Top 10 books for international trade professionals to read in 2024

In the fast-paced global economy of today, keeping ahead demands a deep understanding of various aspects of international trade. From managing intricate supply chains to…

FITT Team

The Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) is the standards, certification and training body dedicated to providing international business training, resources and professional certification to individuals and businesses. Created by business for business, FITT’s international business training solutions are the standard of excellence for global trade professionals around the world.

Unpacking the Digital Transformation of Trade

Digital trade expert Craig Atkinson, CITP explores key considerations related to the digital transformation of trade among buyers, sellers, intermediaries, and governments.

Craig Atkinson, CITP

Craig Atkinson is the Founder and Director of Lexmerca International Trade and a Trade Development Specialist with the International Trade Centre (ITC), the joint agency of the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Active in the field of digital trade, Craig participates in projects with multiple international organizations, academic institutions, technology foundations, and standards bodies. Academically, he is a Non-Resident Fellow with the World Trade Institute (WTI) as well as a Research Affiliate with the Singapore Management University (SMU) Centre for AI and Data Governance and the SMU Centre for Computational Law. Professionally, Craig has been a FITT Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) since 2011.

Forecasting, inflation and near-shoring – what exporters need to know heading into 2024

What do should exporters know about the economy heading into 2024? In this recap of the first three installments of FITT’s Economic Briefing series, Economist Peter Hall breaks down key aspects of forecasting, inflation and near-shoring.

Pamela Hyatt

I am the Content Strategist for the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT). You can find some of my work on TradeReady.ca. My background is in copywriting, journalism and social media. My passion lies in connecting people to the stories that are most important to them.