The Global Business Development Institute at The University of Toledo’s College of Business and Innovation is again partnering with United Parcel Service (UPS) and the U.S. Commercial Service to provide area small and medium sized businesses access to experts who will help their company enter new global markets quickly and with greater knowledge and confidence through the GlobalTarget program. This is the third year UT College of Business and Innovation is offering this program.

Beginning in October, GlobalTarget participants meet monthly for nine months in specialized sessions covering relevant topics based on an understanding of current members’ needs. The program then helps companies develop plans to improve their business’ supply chain, identify talent, understand export financing, and develop market entry strategies.

“It’s a global world. Facilitating existing or new exporters to enter foreign markets benefits all of Northwest Ohio,” Interim Dean Dr. Thomas Sharkey said. “Companies often recognize that expanding to global markets is something they should do. We make it easier for them because we have the experts who will show them how to do this and will provide them with all the criteria for success, whether they have a manufactured product or intellectual property.”

“Global Target not only assists companies that are planning to conduct international business, but it also works with businesses already doing business globally who are looking for ways to expand their international presence, ” said Debbe Skutch, director of UT’s Center for Family & Privately-Held Business and GlobalTarget Program coordinator. “Furthermore, GlobalTarget is the first organized, focused attempt in this region to not only provide information, but to actually match local manufacturing companies with foreign markets.”

Ben McGilvery, Cauffiel Corporation, who participated in the second offering of Global Target at UT, said, “The format and resources provided are excellent to expose participants to international sales/logistics. Although we’ve been conducting international business for many years, the program helped us to better understand the process and utilize resources available to us.”

Other features and benefits of GlobalTarget include access to ancillary educational programs offered by the UT College of Business and Innovation — such as the Schmidt School of Professional Sales and the Center for Family and Privately-Held Business — and site visits to area companies that have already achieved a level of success in global entrepreneurship.

The third GlobalTarget series of programs begins in October and participants are still being accepted. To apply, download an application form at: utoledo.edu/business/global/target, or call the Global Business Development Institute at 419.530.2068.

Tags: College of Business and Innovation