Regional International Export Program Outline

I.  Increase international awareness among target audiences

A.    Target audiences:

a.    Area businesses - Increase awareness of export benefits and opportunities among area businesses. 

b.    Area Labor – Increase awareness that Ohio jobs depend on and benefit from exports.

c.     State resources - Position the Ashland region with State and Federal agencies as a business location successfully competing in international markets, including export development and foreign direct investment.

B.     Public relations campaign

a.    Description:  Quarterly press releases to local papers to promote and document impact of exports on community.

b.    Purpose:  Raise community awareness of international trade and benefits to community.

C.     Develop Sister City Relationships

a.      Description:  Develop business, cultural and educational ties with foreign cities.

b.     Results:

                                                                          i.      Educational ties – exchange professors and students.  Improve educational opportunities and possibly attract foreign students to Ashland University.  Exploration of sister university relationships.

                                                                        ii.      Business exchanges - increase exports and possible foreign investment 

                                                                      iii.      Political exchanges - increase community ties

II.  Provide training for businesses to develop policies and internal export skills

A.    OSU Mansfield will implement a CIBER (Center for International Business Education and Research) program. 

B.     Seminars will be held to discuss specific situations, practices and problems that can enhance or endanger international business success.  Certain sessions will feature guest speakers and/or OSU Mansfield faculty members introducing specific global issues.

C.     The CIBER program will be presented to Richland and Knox County businesses in addition to Ashland County.

D.    The CIBER program will also serve as a vehicle to share the Ashland International Business Plan with neighboring communities.

III.  Assist companies to develop international sales plans

A. Market research program - Overview

a. Ashland University – MBA case study program for local businesses coordinated & planned with AU International Business Professor.

b. Description: Ashland University MBA students perform case studies for local businesses. Companies set objectives. Students complete the research under direction of trade expert and make presentations to companies.

c. Results:

i. Companies obtain valuable market research.
ii. Students gain international work experience.
iii. University develops stronger links with business community.

B. Market research program - Detailed

a. Use international resources to obtain detailed, company specific, market information such as competitor pricing, market size, industry requirements, marketing plans, etc.

b. Description: Use combination of public and private resources to obtain detailed information.

C. Create internships with MBA students focusing on international studies.

a. Students may assist with export research and export sales management.

b. International students may assist with product and literature translations.

IV.  Assist businesses to develop export sales

A.    Buying trade missions

a.      Description - Bring foreign buyers to Ohio to meet with potential exporters

b.     Results:

                                                              i.      Local companies develop initial contacts with possible customers without leaving Ohio. 

                                                            ii.      Eventual export sales and jobs. 

                                                          iii.      Link local businesses with State and Federal Resources. 

                                                          iv.      Develop international/global attitude within community.

                                                            v.      Increase Ashland University’s international exposure.

B.     Outbound trade mission

a.      Description:  Program directors manage a trade mission.  May partner with other local communities.

b.     Results:

                                                              i.      Develop export sales with regional companies.

                                                            ii.      Create jobs.

C.     Foreign Executive Management Seminar Program

a.      Work with Ashland University business program and the Gill Center to provide training sessions to foreign business executives.

b.     Results:

                                                              i.      Export Ashland’s educational training services.

                                                            ii.      Create revenue for the University. 

                                                          iii.      Expose international executives to Ashland for possible direct investment opportunities and business contacts.

V.  Assist Businesses with export challenges

A.  Export – Import Round Table

c.      Description:  Businesses involved in international business meet periodically to discuss trade issues.   

d.     Results:

                                                              i.      Local businesses develop mentors to assist each other on trade issues.

                                                            ii.      Develop/maintain export jobs

B.  Export Support Resource

e.      Contract with trade experts to provide a selected number of hours for direct trade assistance.

B.     CIBER will provide contacts with expertise in specific international fields.  CIBER attendees will have access to the presenters of each seminar for specific questions.

Conclusion

With a regional international economic development plan, the Ashland region will utilize its many economic resources and capitalize on its competitive advantages.  Community resources readily available will support local businesses to efficiently develop international sales.  The community and individual employees will benefit through increased employment opportunities, higher paying jobs and increased economic stability.