The Business Environment in Chicago

‘Building Bridges through Women Empowerment’The United States-South Africa Women’s Business Forum

October 24, 2011

Richard PaullinExecutive Director

The International Trade Association of Greater Chicago

Chicago & IllinoisAppropriate place to start the

USSAWBF Dialog

U.S. MidwestA Diversified Economy

Distribution Center for the U.S.

Regional Diversity: Understand Your Target Market

Midwest

West

Southwest South

Northeast

USSAWBF DIALOG

The USSAWBF will serve as a springboard for increased economic empowerment of businesswomen in South Africa…

faciltation of business relationships between South African and American businesswomen will be emphasized.

Amb. Nomvume P. MagaqaConsul General

Understand the Diversity of Your Target Market/Partners

Take the time to do your research.

Get to know the market:

Product localization

Market segmentation

Distribution channels

Positioning strategy/product differentiation

Recognize there may be a language barrier

Some Helpful Internet Resources

• Thomas Register: http://www.thomasnet.com/• Federation of International Trade Associations:

http://fita.org• U.S. Small Business Administration: http://www.sba.gov/• “Legal Handbook for Doing Business in the United States,”

by the Swiss government, available at: http://itagc.org/research.asp

• Entrepreneurial Hot Sites: The Best Places for Starting and Growing a Business: (by the National Policy Research Council): http://www.nprcouncil.com/hotsites/

‘Building Bridges through Women Empowerment’The United States-South Africa Women’s Business Forum

October 24, 2011

Richard PaullinExecutive Director

The International Trade Association of Greater Chicago

[email protected]