And if you think about it, the human need to exchange or barter for goods and services has always been essential to our survival. It has allowed us to grow, expand, diversify, and join forces with other like-minded humans and nations—and in this basic notion, we can find the kernel of what keeps trade unified today.

We still need to cooperate and exchange goods and services with other countries and people, because it not only helps us survive, but ultimately to flourish.

Though the job market is increasingly difficult to navigate, knowing the basic reasons for why we always have and always will exchange goods and services can provide direction and relief.

Yes, trade today is not the methodical industry it once was. It moves at the speed of digital platforms, automated customs systems, AI-driven forecasting tools, and geopolitical realignments that can disrupt an entire region overnight.

Yes, the skills that people need to have to keep up with these transformations are manifold. Yes, there are multiple economic, political, and environmental disruptions in the mix. But, people and countries still need to trade, and this will never stop. 

So, if you’re looking for a job in the global trade market right now, there are some great ways to get started in the field, first and foremost by getting the right training.

And from there developing on-the-job experience through internships, mentorships, or junior roles. Let’s not forget the increasing power of networking in today’s tempestuous hiring waters too. 

Starting from scratch in the field of international trade? Read our tips below and begin carving your path to a profession that’s always evolving yet as enduring as civilization itself.  

Know your learning options

There are many learning options for business in general. These range from highly specialized courses on individual topics like Incoterms or customs compliance, to broader selections, like general business administration, or project management through degrees like an MBA or certifications like the PMP.  

For newcomers who want a broad understanding of global trade in addition to a practical roadmap for how to start, grow, and manage a business across borders, the FITTskills program and the CITP®|FIBP® designation provide one of the more structured and widely recognized pathways available, a sentiment that Daiana Leandro, Customer Success Specialist, Ocean Sonics Ltd. agrees with.  

Just as lawyers and doctors have recognized professional standards, Daiana ventures that the CITP® designation gives international trade professionals a recognized benchmark of expertise, ethics, and commitment. 

“I think that having a professional designation is important to back you up. To show that you’re committed to what you’re doing,” says Daiana.

For professionals like Julia (Xia) Zhao, CITP – President, Raintree International Trade Co. learning about international trade through validated courses also adds confidence to your arsenal.  

“Don’t just work hard. Educate yourself and work harder,” she recommends, adding that completing the FITTskills program gave her a better understanding of the rationale behind decisions and their execution, and provided a significant boost to her ability to collaborate with her colleagues in different roles within the industry. 

The FITTskills Program: What it covers

Rather than offering theory alone, the FITTskills program breaks global business down into a practical and straightforward set of steps, strategies, and skills that all international business professionals must know and execute in real life.  

While some business programs emphasize high-level theory, FITTskills focuses on the practical side of doing business internationally. For product and service exporters – including technology companies – this includes topics like exporting digital products and services, navigating international compliance and procurement requirements, managing global partnerships, understanding market-entry considerations, and working across different regulatory and cultural environments.

For those who advise businesses in international trade it helps them understand the challenges and needs of their clients to be able to meaningfully support them. It’s designed to help professionals apply international business concepts directly to real-world operations, sales, and global growth.

The program’s six courses mirror the lifecycle of an international business venture, from assessing feasibility all the way to executing sales across borders.  

Learning online: flexibility for a world that never stops moving

Many who enter the field today do so while balancing full-time jobs, family responsibilities, or immigration transitions. For these learners, the ability to train online—on their own time—can be the difference between entering the field and never getting started. 

Sajal Takhi, CITP, provides an illustrative example of this. 

Despite balancing a demanding career in logistics and pursuing a Master’s in Finance, Sajal was able to complete two FITTskills courses. It was such an enriching learning experience that he decided to complete the entire FITTskills program. He went on to apply for his Certified International Trade Professional (CITP®|FIBP®) designation, understanding its ability to open international doors and add credibility to his CV. 

“These courses significantly deepened my knowledge, allowing me to apply advanced analytical skills directly to my work in logistics. This enhanced my ability to make data-driven decisions, mitigate risks, and optimize costs, ultimately contributing to the growth of the company and adding value to the broader community.”

In-class instruction: where conversation becomes understanding

For others, learning becomes more powerful when it happens in a room full of different perspectives and background and includes the face-to-face interactions, discussions, and hands-on projects that come with in-class learning. 

Teniola Animat Oke, winner of the International Business Plan Award at the 2024 FITT Educational Awards notes the value for her in going through the process to complete her project. 

“Completing this project was incredibly rewarding,” Teniola said. “It pushed me to integrate everything I learned – market analysis, financial planning, risk management, and cultural adaptation – into an actionable plan. It reinforced my passion for international business and my confidence in tackling complex, multifaceted challenges.”

Extended learning: where skills turn into opportunity

CITPs often emphasize mentorship as a turning point in their careers. 

Audrey Marie-Nely – Associate Vice-President, Banking, RBCx, saw the benefit of mentorship firsthand, through a mentorship program facilitated by FITT: 

“Before moving to Canada, I didn’t realize the power of mentorship. Through a FITT mentorship program, I was matched with an experienced trade professional who provided invaluable guidance. Even though the formal program has ended, we still keep in touch.”

She adds, “Mentorship is a way to give back and help others navigate the complexities of global trade. It’s something I plan to continue throughout my career.”

Networking: A powerful tool for growth and connection

Networking as a practice has undergone a wide-ranging transformation in the past few years. COVID-19 saw the rise on online networking events, but post-pandemic, in-person events gained back momentum as people realized they missed the subtle yet irreplicable business nuances of connecting with other people in person, face to face. 

Whether in-person or online, networking still remains fundamental to career growth, especially in the international trade field. These connections are critical to finding strategic partners and contacts across borders, and for job hunters, they’re also essential for meeting potential employers in the field.  

Julien Rosan, CITP and Trade Commissioner, Global Affairs Canada, agrees wholeheartedly. At the beginning of his career, Julien relied on his knowledge and interpersonal skills to find a job. But after many years in the field, he now sees how crucial it is to network, seek referrals, and build professional relationships. Nowadays, when he receives LinkedIn requests from students seeking advice or internship connections, he makes it a point to remain as approachable and helpful as ever.  

“I love this proactive approach and always keep my door open as I can see myself in them 10 years ago.”

Internships: more than a foot in the door

Even a short internship can ignite a new career. Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey, Ursula Burns and Steve Spielberg all performed internships, with many of these experiences launching the legends into their lifelong careers. 

Ian Murdoch, CITP, experienced the benefits of internships firsthand, when he travelled to Kenya for a six-month internship through a program at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University. 

Through his experience, he assisted a coffee farm with sustainable business development and international trade. This opportunity sparked his interest in the field as it offered him a chance to work with people from around the world and contribute to an important cause like sustainable growth and development. The experience also accelerated his passion for international trade, a profession that he still pursues as a Trade Commissioner at Global Affairs Canada. 

Learning on the job: letting the job teach you

Those who stay in the field long enough often say the same thing: the work itself becomes the teacher. 

“In the beginning, everything seems overwhelming” says Ramon Pinto, CITP, President & CEO, SOLUPAPER LLC whose $60K startup eventually evolved into a multimillion-dollar cross-border company. But with work and patience, success can come: 

“Instead of taking quick, expensive routes, we focused on sustainable expansion, reinvesting our profits and seeking financing only when absolutely necessary. It wasn’t easy, and many times it felt like we wouldn’t make it, but every financial hurdle taught us to be more resilient and manage our resources efficiently. The key was always keeping the long-term vision in mind, knowing that each sacrifice today would bring us closer to success tomorrow.”  

He describes the trade career as a constant exercise in judgment; reading markets, picking partners, understanding risks, sensing change before it arrives. 

“We made decisions based on data analysis and trends, and we weren’t afraid to invest in areas that seemed uncertain. Today, that vision has allowed us to maintain a solid sales trajectory and continue moving forward despite industry shifts.”

He adds that,

“If you never stop learning you increase your opportunity to grow, adapt, and improve.”

Carving a path is a unique experience for each individual, but effort always drives success

Across a myriad of professional trade careers, it’s clear that no one path is identical. Some enter the field through in-class instruction, while others take on mentorships and internships.  

And yet, despite these differing routes, advice rooted in personal effort remains parallel: 

• Start with foundational training to validate expertise and build confidence. 
• Seek out real experiences, even entry-level ones, that expose you to how goods, money, and decisions operate on a day-to-day level. 
• Build relationships and contacts, as these connections open business and career opportunities 
• Find a mentor, and someday, become one to learn from and contribute to a deep community of experts 
• Stay curious, and keep learning to stay ahead of industry transformations 

Much like the evolution of trade itself, progress, even in the face of setbacks, is attainable. You just need to remain patient and keep moving forward. 

The post How to start a career in international trade from scratch – tips, advice, and strategies from professionals appeared first on Trade Ready.

Although Yuzuru Mizohata had been interested in international trade since his early days, it was only while working for a Japanese used goods company that he became aware of the high demand for technologically advanced Japanese products. Conversely, it also brought home the fact that many products sold in other countries were no longer used in Japan.    

Overall, the experience offered him insights into the Japanese market, giving him valuable pointers about the type of products that would be viable for overseas suppliers to export to Japan.  

He began his international business career in 2018, after graduating from Sprott Shaw College, where he completed the International Trade Program.

He worked for a food importing company, where he handled logistics, procurement, and negotiations with suppliers. He made sure to provide contractors with all the relevant information as early as possible, even if it meant working across different time zones.

His responsibilities involved negotiating with suppliers regarding prices and delivery dates, managing sales contracts, shipping instructions, shipping schedules, and shipping documents for importing various foods from around the world.

It was there that his forte of nurturing strong business relationships came to the fore when he translated the latest information on agricultural products from around the world to his Japanese clients.

“I built wonderful relationships with every person in charge by supplying them with the necessary information in a timely manner,” Yuzuru said.

His efforts led to a significant increase in sales and established his reputation for bridging gaps between foreign suppliers and Japanese clients/consumers.

After working for the company for several years, he established his own company with a friend, which is an international trading and overseas expansion consulting company.

Establishing a new importing company in 2020 

As with any new venture, Yuzuru adjusted to the complexities and challenges that such a project entails, doing his best to stay on top of all the questions his overseas suppliers were likely to ask.

These usually centred around his proposed Japan marketing strategy and the anticipated sales. He also worked to provide the contractors with every bit of relevant information as early as possible, even though it often meant working across different time zones. 

“I learned a lot of things while taking on new challenges to continue earning a profit,” he said.

After selling his company, he moved to Germany to work for one of the largest logistics companies in Japan.

Taking on a new challenge as VP of an overseas expansion consultant company

As the world becomes more interconnected, businesses of all sizes are looking to expand their operations overseas. However, this is often easier said than done, with a host of challenges to navigate, from cultural differences and language barriers to legal and regulatory requirements.

That’s where Yuzuru steps in as an experienced overseas expansion consultant specializing in helping businesses successfully expand into new markets around the world as Vice President of Mars Global Expansion Consulting.

With years of experience and a deep understanding of global business practices, he and his team provide clients with a range of services designed to help them achieve their international expansion goals.

“There are many differences that need to be overcome when expanding overseas. Every business is different, with unique needs and goals. That’s why I take a personalized approach to overseas expansion consulting, working closely with each client to understand their specific challenges and develop customized solutions to meet their needs,” says Yuzuru.

Expanding into a new market requires a deep understanding of local business practices, consumer preferences, and cultural norms. To help his clients with this, he conducts extensive research and analysis to provide clients with the insights they need to make informed decisions about their overseas expansion strategy.

“Building strong relationships with local partners is key to success in overseas markets,” says Yuzuru.

He and his team help clients identify and develop relationships with trusted partners in their target markets, ensuring a smooth and successful entry into new markets. He is confident in providing clients with the guidance and support they need to successfully expand into new markets around the world.

Yuzuru’s greatest strength – building productive relationships 

An accomplishment Yuzuru is particularly proud of comes from his time working for a food importing company. His tasks consisted of negotiating with suppliers regarding the price and delivery date, managing sales contracts, shipping instructions, shipping schedules, and shipping documents related to importing the various foods from all over the world. It was there that his forte of nurturing strong business relationships came to the fore when he went on to translate the latest information regarding agricultural products from all over the world to his Japanese clients.  

“I built a wonderful relationship with every person in charge as I supplied the necessary information in a timely manner for them.” 

Yuzuru’s efforts led to a significant increase in sales and established his reputation for being able to bridge every gap between foreign suppliers and Japanese clients/consumers.  

Communication skills and respect for foreign cultures is key to succeeding at international trade 

Yuzuru believes that it is important to maintain frequent dialogue and discussions with foreign clients in order to keep communication channels open. The other essential ingredients for building successful international business partnerships are an understanding of and respect for foreign customs and culture, without which no trade endeavour can be possible.  

Upskilling to receive a well-rounded training in international trade 

Yuzuru soon realized that he needed a deeper understanding of the trading industry as he often found himself struggling with different aspects.   

He enrolled at Sprott Shaw College to receive in-class FITTskills training, with the aim of gaining holistic knowledge and getting current with the latest trends in global business. The trade training not only helped him gain business know-how but also brought him in contact with students from diverse cultures. This gave him an opportunity to learn about their experiences, lifestyles and preferences – valuable insights for any aspiring trade practitioner. 

What Yuzuru enjoyed most about the FITTskills courses was that they covered all aspects of international trade – from assessing the feasibility to market research, and from logistics to product development and marketing.  

My  favorite FITTskills course was “Products and Services for a Global Market” because I could gain practical knowledge I could put to use right away. When it comes to importing products, we sometimes need to adapt or customize products as well as comply with regulations and law. Before importing products, we need to analyze how these differences may impact cost, product testing, sales and marketing, and so on. This course is especially necessary for all importing companies.

Adding an industry-backed designation to take him closer to his professional goals 

Yuzuru said he had two main reasons that prompted him to apply for the CITP designation. The first reason was to prove his competence to potential overseas clients who want to expand their businesses worldwide and gain their confidence. Since he is responsible for the American and Europe regions, he is excited to showcase his abilities and fulfill his responsibilities.

The second reason was to set an example for his employees and motivate them to enhance their business knowledge by receiving training in international business. He believes this will enable his team to work together in a more organized and systematic manner.

Yuzuru earned his CITP designation in April 2020 and feels honored to join this distinguished community of global business professionals. It is an important step that allows him to effectively carry out his tasks. He is keenly aware of the ethical responsibility and commitment to international business that are intrinsic to the designation, and he firmly believes that it will contribute to his success.

I am sure that the CITP designation will lead my company to succeed globally.

As Vice President of Mars Global Expansion Consulting, Yuzuru’s talent, energy and love for his profession will not only spur him on to achieve his goals, but is sure to also raise the bar for his team – inspiring them to reach their full potential.  

The post CITP Spotlight: Yuzuru Mizohata – Vice President, Mars Global Expansion Consulting appeared first on Trade Ready.

Let’s face it. You know why you want to go global – to increase your bottom line. And you know how to increase the bottom line by selling more and spending less. If you’ve been looking at going global you probably already know what you need to do, but crucially, do you or your team know how to do it? In business, if you don’t have the know-how to go global, you’ll give your profits to someone else.

The vision to take your business global needs to be considered in the context of ensuring you have the necessary know-how, both in-house and through your suppliers and advisors, so that you’re prepared to take advantage of the opportunities while mitigating and minimizing the risks.

Taking your product or service global can grow your business. But regardless of how good your offering is, without trade capable people success will be harder and riskier than it needs to be.

For SMEs, entering global markets is a significant undertaking, and like any undertaking, it requires know-how; and developing or securing that know-how will require an investment of time, and money – proving once again that there is no such thing as a free lunch.

The solution isn’t always in additional staff, it’s in empowering your current team

The good news is that documented evidence proves when companies sell to more than one foreign market they are more profitable, grow faster, and are more resilient to economic downturns. These days, the dynamics of trade are more and more complex, and therefore the need to invest in upskilling employees to develop international business know-how has never been more important.

The bad news is that if you are not yet in a position to invest in doing a deep-dive into learning the intricacies of trade or ensuring your employees have the know-how, your company may not be trade ready. A lack of employee readiness can negatively affect your bottom line.

After making the decision to go global, upskilling your employees is the next best decision you’ll make to help your bottom-line, increase retention rate and client satisfaction, and improve productivity.

I’m not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.

— Stephen Covey, Author, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

It is critically important because the functions within your company will now be international, often a huge shift from domestic operations, and your employees will need to know how to take on these new responsibilities.

Whether or not a solid marketing plan supports entering into a new market, or if you’re in a position to react to a request from an international customer, you need to determine all the costs associated with moving across national borders. Do you know how to navigate currency fluctuations and how to protect yourself against them? Can you ensure your product complies with all market regulations and is not held up at the border?

Further, by being involved in the international functions of your company your employees will also begin to play a more strategic role for you. They will help you make decisions that affect the way your company invests, how it grows, and how it competes. The people working in a company that is global help drive international trade growth, rather than just serving to support the company’s growth.

In international business, know-how is survival

International trade is not for the faint of heart, it is for those who are willing to put in the time and investment to ensure risk is mitigated and minimized so that profits can be maximized. If you expect it to happen without an investment of time and effort, it won’t.

Well-trained employees will contribute to your successes and will help you make the right decisions that will grow the company. Knowing the lower limit that your export price can be, and the additional export expenses that will be incurred, will help you determine whether the initiative is financially viable. Planning for successful international transactions will help you determine in the cost of entering a market is too high.

Unfortunately, employee upskilling is not often a priority for SMEs. It tends to be one of those areas that are cut when times or tough or when there is so much going on that upskilling is put on the “some-day” list. We often hear how companies just do not have the time or the resources to invest in the upskilling of employees.

The truth is, if you want to go global, you must invest. Even micro businesses will need to find the time to invest in building their global know-how because it will be even more challenging to follow through on international trade initiatives without it.

In international trade, know-how is survival. And while the decision to trade or not to trade involves many factors, the bottom line is that you will need competent people. You will need people who can recognize international trade opportunities, and who will know how to act on them.

You CAN go global successfully – with the right tools

Trial and error learning just shouldn’t cut it for your business. It’s not always about more people – but about more productive people – and giving them the tools to grow your business globally with you. There is formal and informal training that you can incorporate into your business culture.

Spread the training out among the different roles and interests of your key players. Have your accountant take a course on conducting cost and pricing analysis, or how to obtain financing. Have a manager look into how to assess and create a risk mitigation plan. Have your marketing lead look into market entry strategies or how to sell to international markets. Or, get a FITTskills post-secondary student to create your international business plan, or market research analysis.

And check out the Canada Job Grant to offset the financial costs of training. Having trade competent people to rely on means fewer mistakes, increased efficiencies, and ultimately, increased sales.

When a company is seeking someone to balance their books they go to an accountant. When they are developing a business contract, they go to a lawyer. So, when a company is looking at international trade as a growth strategy, why not go to an international trade expert? Or better yet – create these experts within your existing teams by empowering your employees to learn what they need to know to help you go global.

Companies that make the decision to up-skill their employees will be at the forefront of continued growth in international trade, and it will drive results.

The founder of a company is an expert in what they do, but they are not necessarily an international business expert. When those two experts come together – that’s when they can go global.

— Zeeshanali Fazal, CITP, Account Manager, Export Development Canada

Building the internal capacity to support export initiatives does include having the right product/service, the right price for the market, and the right plan. But part of that plan must include international business talent development – whether for yourself or your staff. It is the critical building block of a go global strategy.

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I also found that business students ran into many of the same problems, even though one may expect them to have learned about international business in detail. I was surprised to find out that, while many undergraduate business programs have courses in international commerce, they typically serve more as high-level introductions than detailed, practical instructions on how to succeed in the global marketplace.

When I discovered the FITTskills program, I appreciated that it is designed as a practical how-to guide for professionals in international trade.

The online courses move beyond theory and are designed for practitioners. The course textbooks often include checklists of what needs to be done in any given business scenario.

As a result, I decided to complete the FITTskills program as an undergraduate student, and I found it to be incredibly beneficial as a supplement to my existing studies. FITTskills brought the economic concepts I learned to life, provided the details and practical step-by-step instructions I was looking for, and gave me a sense of the real problems and opportunities that businesses face.

While many people wait until they’re already in the workplace to take training like this, I believe that students too, not just professionals, should take the FITTskills program.

FITTskills helped me get a job

Completing the FITTskills program while I was a student required multi-tasking and time management skills. Furthermore, I had to pay for the FITTskills courses, in addition to my regular tuition payments.

However, it was well worth it. I saw it as an investment (of time and money) in my future, which has now paid off. I’m new in my career, at just 24, but I firmly believe the program helped me become more competitive in the job market and get my first post-university job.

When I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts at the University of Windsor, I applied to an opening at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, the leading think-tank on Canada-Asia relations. When I applied, I was nervous because I only had a Bachelor’s degree—I assumed most applicants would have a Master’s degree or other qualifications. Nonetheless, I was grateful to be hired on.

While many factors went into my successful application, the FITTskills program was a major benefit.

The project I was to work on dealt with export promotion to Asia, and I touted the FITTskills program (and particularly the International Market Entry Strategies course) several times in my interview. FITTskills added something to my resume that most other applicants did not have. In an ultra-competitive jobs market, every extra qualification can set you apart.

FITTskills helped me build my career – and will help you too

The FITTskills program is great for professionals who are mid-career and want to re-focus their attention on international markets. However, I wanted to focus my attention on international markets from the beginning of my career. Having the background knowledge from the FITTskills program gave me a running start, and the opportunity to enter my career with a practical understanding of international business from the beginning. This benefited me when I entered the world of global trade—but it will also benefit me if I enter domestic markets too.

Students today, as I did, graduate in an international world—their careers are impacted by global forces. Understanding the minutiae of international business at the beginning can be incredibly helpful, and can play an important part in getting your first job.

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(OTTAWA) – October 3, 2017

Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) today announced a formalized partnership to deliver enhanced trade education to Canadian companies and trade professionals.

At the core of the partnership is the creation of the EDC-FITT International Trade Learning Centre (Centre) – a digital platform from which EDC and FITT will offer information, learning modules, and other knowledge-based resources focused on helping small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) go, grow and succeed internationally. The Centre is expected to be fully operational in early 2018.

“By partnering with FITT to educate more Canadians about international trade, we’re strengthening Canada’s trade ecosystem and helping to build this country’s next generation of trade leaders,” said Mairead Lavery, Senior Vice-President, Business Development, EDC.

“We hear from exporters all the time that knowledge is one of the most important tools for building international success, so this initiative is really about EDC adding value to the knowledge resources that FITT has already built, and making these more broadly accessible and relevant to the needs of Canadian companies engaged in trade.”

Since 1992, FITT has educated Canadians on trade and continuously improved the delivery and quality of their services. For more than 70 years, EDC has served as Canada’s export credit agency and accumulated considerable experience and expertise in the world of trade finance. The expanded partnership with FITT creates a new channel for EDC to share its real-time, practical experience of trading internationally with Canadian companies and the trade professionals who support them.

“The EDC-FITT Centre will expand the available sources of credible and relevant international trade knowledge to ensure businesses have the information needed to maximize opportunities in international trade,” said Caroline Tompkins, President and CEO of FITT. “This partnership with EDC is about boosting Canada’s proficiency in trade to a new level.”

The official announcement of the partnership was made at FITT’s international business conference, Your Future in Global Markets, which marked FITT’s 25-year anniversary.

To learn more about FITT or to sign up for trade training, please visit FITT’s website.

About FITT

FITT is Canada’s National Standards, Certification and Training Body for international trade practitioners. A world-recognized not-for-profit leader in building international business competence, FITT sets the standards and designs the training programs for the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation. Centered on international trade best practices and delivered by a broad network of educational partners, and online, FITT’s quality training programs impart knowledge and practical skills that trade practitioners can apply immediately – providing a competitive advantage and elevating their position in global markets.

About EDC

EDC helps Canadian companies go, grow, and succeed in their international business. As a financial Crown corporation, EDC provides financing, insurance, bonding, trade knowledge, and matchmaking connections to help Canadian companies sell and invest abroad. EDC can also provide financial solutions to foreign buyers to facilitate and grow purchases from Canadian companies.

For more information about how we can help your company, call us at
1-888-434-8508 or visit www.edc.ca.

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In the last 25 years, the odds of an older person being a millionaire have improved slightly. For young people, however, the odds have become much worse.

These figures come from a new paper by economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’ Center for Household Financial Stability, which shows evidence of a growing wealth gap that few people are talking about – the gap between the young and the old.

The paper, by William Emmons, Bryan Noeth and Ray Boshara, draws on surveys of 40,000 families that the Center carried out between 1989 and 2013 to examine the all-important role that your age plays in how much income you make, and how much wealth you accumulate. It offers a few clues as to how young people can game the system and end up like their wealthy older counterparts, as well as a lot of evidence to show that things are different for young people today.

In my opinion, if the “wealth gap” is this pronounced in the U.S., one of the few economies that continues to create new jobs, one can imagine what it is like in places like Europe and the Middle East, where economies are stagnating and youth unemployment is particularly evident.

While this dire situation exists, the globe is chock full of opportunities for wealth creation. As explained in the 2014 McKinsey Global Trade Institute Report, many of these are directly from or connected to global trade, whether it’s with North America, Europe, Asia, South-South trade, etc.

How SMEs can be included in global growth through e-commerce

E-Commerce is one of the newer and most accessible avenues for business people from all walks of life to participate in global trade and grow their wealth and sales.

Walmart has 250 third party vendors on its e-commerce platform. Amazon and Alibaba are tremendous vehicles for the sale of third party products on their sites. Unilever has seen the value of selling in China through TMall, though they do not sell through Alibaba. Mondavi, Costco, and P&G are just a few of the American companies which sold their products through Alibaba on Singles Day. On this one day alone in 2016, Alibaba achieved sales of $14.3 billion.

I have not heard one U.S. politician whisper a peep about e-commerce as an avenue for small business engagement in global trade.

The ramifications in regard to inclusion, economic egalitarianism, wealth-building, economic growth and job-creation are all too obvious. Politicians prefer to dwell on the dark side of globalization. This is because, despite Bill Clinton’s iconic quote “It’s the economy stupid” holding true in the political arena, ignorance too often trumps the audacity of hope.

Go global to access new opportunities for wealth

In order to build new wealth, what the world’s youth clearly needs is a crash course in international trade and trade finance, pardon the pun. The traditional solution is that of “certified financial advisers,” CFAs who provide ideas about savings and investment.

The problem with that “solution” is that the majority of CFAs have no idea how to capitalize on global trade opportunities, much less how to teach youth about what will be the greatest future source of wealth-creation. In this incapacity, CFAs are joined by economists and consultants who are largely ignorant of international trade, and international business in general. They are in no position to be advising anyone about the acquisition of wealth, and certainly not advising countries on how to grow.

Joseph Stiglitz, the Nobel Prize winning economist, noted that “much of America’s inequality is the result of market distortions with incentives directed, not at creating new wealth, but at taking it from others.” When it comes to markets, “Wall Street” is great at shock and awe, but this hardly benefits “Main Street”. Can nations create wealth without men, as Lincoln wrote, “wringing their bread from the sweat of other men’s faces?” They can!

We all realize that there is a need for a new direction, but first the leaders and the next generation of business professionals have to be educated to take it.

Global trade, more than manipulating stocks and financial markets, will create new jobs, opportunities and wealth across the nation, yet too many professionals do not feel ready or trained for it. Whether through e-commerce or more traditional solutions, today’s youth need to be ready to buy, sell and expand worldwide if they want to achieve the same financial success as generations before them.

“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.” ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

The post We can narrow the wealth gap by focusing on global trade opportunities appeared first on Trade Ready.

For over 20 years, FITTskills courses have been the leading practical training for import-export professionals who want to improve their skills and take the next steps in their careers.

The eight courses that make up the FITTskills International Business program have been offered in-class since 1993, and online since 1999. In that time, over 5,100 professionals have earned the FITT Certificate in International Trade by successfully completing four of the FITTskills courses, and over 3,400 have also earned the FITT Diploma in International Trade by completing all eight courses.

The FITTskills courses are also endorsed by both the Canadian government and the World Trade Centers Association, in over 300 locations across 89 countries.

Most importantly, FITTskills training has been endorsed by your fellow professionals who have completed the courses and witnessed the impact they’ve had on their careers.

Here’s what a few global trade experts had to say about their experiences before and after taking FITTskills courses:

Abdel Azzouzi, CITP|FIBP:

“The courses were very good because I could take them during the night, and then apply what I had learned the very next day at my job, as I looked for new markets and new businesses to work with. The courses were a big help in every aspect of my job at the time. Taking them helped me build my expertise, skills and credibility.

The FITTskills International Business program is the best one if you want to get the whole picture of international trade. No aspect is missing.

I later had an interview with the National Bank of Canada for a Manager of International Trade position. My problem was that I didn’t have any banking experience, and banks rarely hire people who don’t. During the interview, I drew a lot from the FITTskills courses and it made a real impression on the interviewer. I got the job, and since I didn’t have that experience, I think that the FITTskills courses made all the difference.”

Carolina Vasquez, CITP|FIBP:

“The program is so comprehensive, and courses like International Trade Research, International Trade Management and Global Supply Chain Management have been key tools in my career.

Consider that I was a recent graduate coming from overseas without Canadian experience.  I got a job as Export Coordinator on a full time and permanent position only three months later in a prestigious company in the office furniture manufacturing industry. Yes, I would say the FITTskills program has positively impacted my career.

Brendan McManus, CITP|FIBP:

The provision of video-recorded courses and e-books complemented my learning preferences, and provided additional flexibility for my travel schedule. The ability to complete the courses at my own pace, within a three month time frame, helped me balance work priorities with course deadlines.

The courses provided refreshers to concepts I learnt at university, and inspired new ideas for processes I use regularly at work.

Lessons from the FITTskills courses have practical application in evaluating businesses’ structures and companies aspiring to become international. The skills can be applied daily, and I believe these skills will help me grow my capacity to support international organizations and clients.

Lesley Vair, CITP|FIBP:

The FITTskills curriculum was both engaging and highly relevant to my sales role. I benefitted the most from the International Trade Finance course, which gave me valuable insights to use when discussing payment options and risk mitigation strategies with exporters and importers. The program also gave me the opportunity to learn about the evolution of trade finance products and new innovative offerings, such as supply chain finance.

The product and industry knowledge I obtained through the FITTskills International Business program paid off immensely in my sales role, and helped me to both build relationships with existing clients and develop relationships with new clients.

Ahmad Altuijri, CITP|FIBP:

The skills I have acquired from the Forum for International Trade Training have greatly shaped who I am today. The FITTskills program has provided me with ‘how-to-do-it’ skills.

Because of the skills I have acquired from FITT, I have been able to utilize a more practical approach in business and have ended up with a set of great results.

Without a doubt, it cannot be overlooked how important FITTskills courses are in becoming successful in the global arena.

Claude Gendron, CITP|FIBP:

I found the FITTskills training to be perfectly designed for my work at Global Affairs Canada. This training provides an excellent understanding of the role and responsibilities of an international trade expert.

The training offered by FITT is well-tailored to the needs of the global trade industry. I encourage all my colleagues, as well as International Trade Practitioners and Business Development officers in the private sector, to take this training. It really makes a difference.

Louei Ali, CITP|FIBP: 

Every aspect of international trade is covered in great detail and with practical elements that you can start to implement immediately. The knowledge is very specific and practical, and in many ways reinforced a lot of the knowledge gained from my MBA.

As I engaged in communications with other folks in the international trade field, I realized that I have learned a lot and I can easily help companies take the right steps towards international trade.

The textbooks are excellent references that I open and review as I come across situations in my daily duties. They offer great resources to tap into.  Most recently I reviewed the International Market Entry Strategies course content as I was working on pricing a new product in a foreign market.

The FITTskills program’s online delivery enabled me to work at my own pace, and I could listen to the lectures as soon as the kids went to bed. In fact, all my exams were done between 3am and 6am to ensure that I had quiet time to fully concentrate on taking the exam.

FITT’s core purpose is to build competence to succeed in global markets, and the FITTskills courses are a crucial part in doing that.

The post Here’s how the right training can accelerate your import-export career appeared first on Trade Ready.

Story told to Pamela Hyatt by Olivier Canolle, PACI|FPAI

I have been a Business Development Manager for 7 years at SBB International, a small-medium company based in Terrebonne, QC with experience in international business and negotiation with both government and private entities.

An international study experience leads to a global career

I had my first taste of international trade during my studies, when I travelled to Mikkeli, Finland to complete my third year of university at an international school.

It was the best school year ever – not necessarily in terms of academic achievement, but in terms of social experience. I spent time with students from all around the world, from Nigeria to Indonesia and even Canada, learning about many different cultures.

It was in getting to know some Canadians that I decided to come and live in Quebec, Canada.

My career in international trade began thanks to my current General Manager, Mr. Patrick Gharzani, MBA. I had already worked with him in the past and he gave me my chance.

Based on my experience and personality, he saw me fitting into the international department, pointing out that I would learn a lot about international trade through experience over time.

He suggested that I take the FITTskills program in English, saying that the courses would teach me all the tricks of international trade.

He also pointed out the value of building my credibility in the industry by having the PACI®|FPAI® designation next to my name on my business cards.

Finding common ground with clients from diverse cultures

Since 1989, SBB has been designing and manufacturing emergency towers for Emergency Restoration Systems (ERS). They are modular towers made of aluminium that can be quickly deployed to restore power on damaged transmission lines.

Since joining the company as Business Development Manager in 2009, I have been building and managing a worldwide network of around 60 agents. It is a big challenge because they all have a different way of working, based on their own unique culture.

It’s really interesting to see the different ways of doing business in each culture, while having the same objective, which is to sell or gain customers’ satisfaction.

I find these agents with the help of the Trade Commissioner Service in Canadian embassies abroad, or through Export Québec. I also use the catalogs of exhibitions in which we participate, often requiring a lot of time and dedication.

Sometimes I go through more than 150 pages and as many websites just to find one agent.

The research can be time consuming but being an SME, agents play an important role for our company. They are our eyes and ears in each local market.

Going the distance to make the sale

If a prospect is interested in knowing more about our products after a first round of meetings with one of our local agents, I’ll travel to meet them to make technical and commercial presentations.

Those meetings can bring together engineers, managers and people from the Ministry of Energy. I will try to maximise travel expenses by visiting 2-3 countries on each trip.

My longest trip was 3 weeks, involved 10 airplanes, and took me to 5 different countries (Nigeria, Gabon, Madagascar, Botswana and Malawi).

During the year, my General Manager and I participate in world famous exhibitions related to our field such as the IEEE in the U.S., CIGRE in Paris, and African Utility Week in Cape Town.

We try to participate in the biggest shows, but also make a point of attending more specific events when we want to test the market response for our products in a new country or find a local agent.

I am also in charge of the administrative part of international tenders, from the registration and financial statements to quality certificates, making sure all documents comply with the tender.

From time to time, I also play the tourist guide when we receive delegations from around the world. I take care of them by promoting our beautiful city, giving them a sightseeing tour of Montreal and bringing them to some of the best restaurants to help them discover some local specialties.

Making inroads to Africa

When I started at SBB in 2009, we had no business contacts within the content of Africa. From a North American perspective, this continent is often ignored on a business level because of nagging preconceptions (no money, dangerous, corruption, etc.).

Canadian companies tend to prefer doing business with the U.S. or Europe because their ways of doing business are similar and familiar. I am originally from France, where there is less apprehension toward doing business in Africa, as France is accustomed to working with Francophone African countries.

So I decided that creating a client base in Africa would be my mission at SBB, and that I would develop the continent from A to Z (Algeria to Zimbabwe).

I set out to find agents in West Africa, and our first contract was signed in 2010 with the Ivory Coast.

Winning this contract created a snowball effect, and we now have 10 clients on the continent in both Anglophone and Francophone countries. I have personally visited 25 countries in Africa, so I feel confident that I can say I am beginning to know the market well.

Training to reach a new level of respect in international business

I greatly thank my General Manager, Patrick Gharzani for advising me to complete the FITTskills program and earn my PACI®|FPAI® designation.

Honestly, I loved being able to do everything online, I find that the program fits very well into the lifestyle and schedule of a professional.

Even on a business trip, I could have easy access to my coursework and my projects, whether on my tablet, my laptop or my cell.

Also, the quality and experience of the teachers was a great asset to understand the different courses. My experience with the FITTskills program went very smoothly; we have quick access to all the resources.

The FITT staff is very professional, they reply quickly and are always ready to help, whether you need to order books or to answer the different questions you may have during the program and certification process.

The courses allowed me to understand international trade as a whole, the big picture, rather than only the sales part. This allowed me to fully understand every step and see how everything is connected together.

Now I have knowledge in all areas related to international trade and I can communicate more easily with colleagues from other departments such as logistics, for example.

I also had access to new resources that I didn’t know about beforehand, and it now makes my search for agents easier.

I feel very proud to have obtained this certification, resumed my studies at the age of 36, and worked hard for 2 years to complete it while continuing to deal with my busy work and travel schedule.

Also, many of my agents have asked me about my PACI®|FPAI® designation next to my name on my business card or email signature, and after explaining, I feel they take me more seriously and have greater respect for me.

The post Olivier Canolle, PACI|FPAI – Business Development Manager appeared first on Trade Ready.

Dr. Michele Vincenti is no stranger to designations.

The CITP®|FIBP® designation is actually the eleventh active one he has added to his name, making his full title Dr. Michele Vincenti, Ph.D, MBA, M.A., CMC, C.Mgr (Canada), CIM, C.I.M., FCSI, STI, C.Mgr (UK), F.CMI (UK), CITP|FIBP.

As the President and CEO of Alvana Business Consulting Inc., he is able to bring over 30 years of experience to help businesses at the C-level, particularly in financial matters.

He has also used his considerable international trade expertise to teach at a variety of post-secondary institutions in Canada and abroad, and is passionate about sharing his knowledge with new generations of business professionals.

A meteoric rise to the top

Michele started his career as a door-to-door salesman for an insurance company in Cagliari, the major city on the Italian island of Sardinia.

With exceptional sales skills, he was offered opportunities to quickly advance within the company. After becoming a full agent, he was able to work his way up to eventually become the owner of the company.

Under his ownership the company thrived, expanding its office in Cagliari from 2 to 11 employees, and then to eleven offices across the Province of Cagliari.

He also flexed his leadership muscles in other roles including the Board of Directors for the organization overseeing all insurance agencies in Sardinia, and as President of the National Life Insurance Company.

Years later, he was recruited by the COO of Evergreen Savings Credit Union in British Columbia to join the company’s financial planning department. Once again, Michele’s skills brought him to the top, as he ascended to manage an entire division of the company within a year of joining the organization.

In the role, he oversaw the purchase and selling of stocks and bonds for clients in all 12 branch locations, and trained the organization’s team of financial planners.

Getting started in international trade by identifying a business opportunity

Michele’s interest in trade began as a child, and only grew as he got older and began to travel extensively around the world. While the travel was initially more for tourism, it gradually shifted to become more and more business-oriented.

“During my travels I noted that some items were very popular in one country but non-existent in others.”

This simple discovery got me thinking that there were opportunities to capitalize on sales in countries were the item had not yet been introduced.

One of these initial needs was oil and gas equipment. With growing business demands in the Middle East, India and China, Michele was able to facilitate trade in these goods from North America and Europe to those areas. He now has his own company, North America MBPS Infinity Corp., to handle these transactions.

Consulting and teaching to build connections

Since starting his own consultancy business in 2003, Michele has helped many different companies. Like so many international trade professionals, travel and the opportunity to meet and connect with new people are major factors that spur his continued passion for the work.

“I love the industry, and it allowed me to travel and meet very interesting people around the world. After all, the best memories are of the people I met and worked with. It is all about working in harmony together towards an established set of objectives, and that can be so magical.”

This often happens during client meetings, as they analyze the issues his clients face.

“The experiences that come to my mind most often are those when I was able to demonstrate to the client that what seemed to be the problem was just a symptom.”

We needed to move the purpose of the project toward the root cause. Watching the clients’ faces during their “ah hah moment” when directed to the real issue is always priceless and professionally rewarding for me.

Michele has also enjoyed the opportunity to pass on his knowledge more formally by teaching post-secondary classes at several different institutions.

Since 2006, he has taught at Royal Roads University, the Swiss Management Center, Aspen University, Grenoble Ecole du Management, the London School of Business and Finance, the Ascenda School of Management, University Canada West and Fairleigh Dickinson University.

His philosophy is to connect with as many people as possible, as it offers professionals new opportunities to both receive help and help others in return to enhance their careers.

“I really recommend staying connected with other people, joining Meetups, and other professional organizations close to your area of expertise.”

“Business is a bit of what you know, and much more about who you know, so stay connected and expand your network. Sooner or later you will be able to help others and others will be able to help you.”

Adding the elite CITP®|FIBP® designation to his impressive qualifications

With his many other degrees and certifications, Michele is certainly a strong advocate for the benefits of professional designations.

“In my experience designations in themselves do not bring business in a direct way, but they help to create the trust needed to establish a business relationship. Clients want to make sure they can trust you as a person, and then they need to know you have the technical knowledge to do the work.”

“I feel proud to belong to an elite community of professionals who choose to demonstrate their professionalism to their client by completing the FITTskills program.”

He also has a deep understanding of what makes a specific designation worthwhile, and saw the value of the CITP®|FIBP® designation for his career.

“Before applying I did quite a lot of research to verify if the designation was worth the effort, and everything I read about it, from members to clients, was extremely positive.”

It is a great honor being among such a qualified group of professionals who hold the CITP®|FIBP® designation, and it certainly helps to demonstrate to clients that your technical knowledge has been tested.

We’re happy to have Michele as an important member of our international trade community, and look forward to seeing his many accomplishments to come.

The post Dr. Michele Vincenti, CITP|FIBP – President and CEO appeared first on Trade Ready.

Joel Fernandez, CITP|FIBP, is the Executive Director of the Global Chamber in Miami, Florida, and the Vice Chairperson of the Environmental Impact Committee in his town, Bay Harbor Islands, FL.

He is also the Co-Founder and CEO, US Division of Intradeservice LLC in Miami, Florida, a recognized international trade agency that helps businesses improve their global trade transactions.

He spent many years learning and gaining experience in international trade in Venezuela, his home country. Like so many international trade professionals, he decided to seek opportunities somewhere new and has spent the last several years living and working in the U.S., where he runs his own agency.

Heading straight to the top

For Joel, the juggling act of balancing his work with further education to improve his knowledge and skills was a reality for several years.

He started his career working for the Venezuelan Tax and Customs Authority in 1999 while working towards his Foreign Trade Diploma.

From there, he worked as an Export Associate at Panalpina, a multi-billion dollar forwarding and logistics company, as he completed his program to become a University Level Technician in Customs Administration.

Describing himself as “still hungry for wisdom,” he then started his Bachelor’s degree in international trade in 2002 at Universidad Alejandro de Humboldt in Caracas, and completed it in 2006.

During this four year stretch, he added to his growing list of experience by working as an Export Representative for a Venezuelan petrochemical company.

“I worked at a diplomatic level to establish new international customers, which involved navigating a lot of tariff barriers, environmental regulations and political issues.”

I’m particularly proud of the marketing campaign I set up to export to Canada, and the strategic alliance we reached with Panamerican, a big company in Texas.

From there, Joel took a role as a documentation analyst for the Maersk Group, the largest container ship company in the world.

“Here I experienced the power of the company in the industry,” he says, “since its operations serve as a reference for international trade.”

After a few months, he moved to a Venezuelan export development program, which helped 30 companies to grow globally and was sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Development Bank of Latin America, the United Nations Industrial Development Organizations (UNIDO) and local banks. He worked there as an External Junior Consultant.

“By performing SWOT analyses and benchmarking, I was able to make the appropriate recommendations and create improvements. I established direct exports to Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Peru, Uruguay and Colombia.”

Setting off on his own path

With several years of experience now under his belt, Joel decided to go down the road to become an international trade entrepreneur and started Intradeservice in Venezuela in 2006, along with a satellite office in Panama.

Joel put in a great deal of work on logistical issues, and created a line of break bulk cargo transportation with a Panamanian company to speed up shipping for VIP clients involved in trading sizable goods between Venezuela and Panama.

Setting up reciprocal shipping, one of the conditions placed on the project by a partner, proved to be a challenge, but one Joel was able to successfully handle.

The variety, control and creativity of entrepreneurship all deeply appealed to Joel, and continue to do so to this day.

As an entrepreneur, I have enjoyed the freedom and passion to go beyond my comfort zone. I have had to wear several hats simultaneously in this globalized world.

A year after starting his business, however, changes in Venezuelan politics prompted Joel to close it and move to the U.S. to take a job as a Financial Analyst for Congreso de Latinos Unidos, a non-profit headquartered in Philadelphia that is designed to strengthen Latino communities in the U.S.

The job offered Joel the chance to take on a wide variety of financial responsibilities, from budget management and economic forecasting to managing their portfolio and identifying counterfeit checks and fraud attempts.

“Philadelphia was a good place to grow my network, since I joined the Citizen Diplomacy International. This helped me create strong global relationships with the State Department guests, promoting the image of the United States and Philadelphia, as well as at the University of Pennsylvania with foreign fellows in the International Business Communication Program.”

Returning to his passion in a new country

In 2013, Joel visualized an opportunity in the European economic crisis to help companies across that continent to export their products to the American market, specifically the food industry, which was the hardest hit by the recession.

He moved to Miami to re-start Intradeservice, with a greater focus on commercial aspects than logistics, to help other businesses expand internationally. Once again taking on the many hats of entrepreneurship has been a lot of fun for him in the two years since.

As a co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of US Division, I have had the responsibility to lead and oversee marketing, financial and business development operations in this country, as well as supervise managers and commercial agents in Spain and Italy.

Joel has also travelled across the U.S. for several major trade shows in the food and hospitality industries, and assisted as a mandatory agent for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

To continue to build his expertise and recognition within the industry, Joel has once again made the effort to improve his education and credentials.

In 2013, he applied for and received the elite CITP®|FIBP® designation, and is proud that FITT recognized his commitment and effort in the international trade industry.

Being a CITP®|FIBP® adds value to my academic background and professional experience, as well as authority with my colleagues and organizations within the international trade industry.

“It has provided a level of confidence for my customers, ensuring them competency and ethics in the practice of international business.”

Recently, Joel has been assigned as Executive Director of the Global Chamber in Miami, FL, a leadership role that connects people and initiatives in order to get more people engaged and successful in global business. The Chamber is focused on growing cross-border trade and investments in a collaborative way across 500 primary metro areas and over 5,000 cities around the world.

In addition, the impact of international trade over the globe has led Joel to take a position as the Vice Chairperson of the Environmental Impact Committee of his township, which looks for recommendations for and possible solutions to global warming.

He is also currently working to complete his MBA.

With his many educational accomplishments, and a thriving business of his own, Joel looks forward to pushing his career forward and continuing to establish himself as a leading professional in the industry.

The post Joel Fernandez, CITP|FIBP – Executive Director appeared first on Trade Ready.