Trade Northern Ontario

The export continuum identifies four types of exporters; potential, new, experienced and diversifying.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROCESS – “THE EXPORT CONTINUUM”
Potential Exporter ►►►►►►►► ►►►►►►►►►►►►►►► Experienced Exporter
Knowledge or Experience Level	Phase 1 Minimal Export Knowledge	Phase 2 General Export Knowledge	Phase 3 Applying Export Knowledge	Phase 4 Exporting to the U.S.A. or other Markets
Export Status	Low Has little or no exposure to exporting but is interested in exploring new opportunities	Low Business has general understanding of exporting	Low to Medium Business has completed initial research, has determined that it has export potential and is working on an export/marketing plan	Medium - High Business has completed export plan and has committed money and human resources to exporting (for a minimum of 2 years).
Business Needs	Awareness & Interest Building General Information	Knowledge & Skills Development	Export Counselling & Advice	Support for Market Penetration
Type of Service and Resources	Workshops on Export resources Roadmap to Exporting & other general guides Export Readiness assessment On-line Export resource guide	Workshops – Export Skills On-line Skills Export Readiness Assessment New Exporters to Border States Mission Sector specific Guides Market Research Country Guides	Basic and Advanced Market Prospect Research Customs and Logistics info. Trade Leads, Trade shows, Trade Missions Register with International Trade Commissioners (VTC)	Market Development Counselling Export Development Bank Sector Specialists Trade Commissioner Service

Potential Exporter: A company that has not yet begun to export but has expressed an interest in doing so.
Our trade advisors can provide a potential export business with the necessary information to determine if exporting is an option for your business.

New Exporter: A company that makes less than 10% of its revenue from exports.

Are you willing to commit the time, human and financial resources required to pursue markets outside of Northern Ontario? Once you have determined that your business is export-ready, the next step would be developing a plan detailing how your business could select potential export markets, develop customers, sell your products or services and promote your business.

Assistance in getting your company export-ready can take many forms:

Specialized training workshops such as Forum for International Trade Training "Going Global" series
Information searches on export strategies or plans
Drafting of generic export marketing steps to follow, sector specific business or general business

Our trade advisors are available to assist you with the plan and conduct an assessment of export potential.

Experienced Exporter: A company that makes more than 10% of its revenue from exports.

You many wish to increase the number of export opportunities by looking for joint venture or consortium-type opportunities. Growth may be achieved through many business-to-business networking strategies, including:

Export clubs,
Trade shows,
Association business networking sessions,
Trade missions,
Industry Canada's SourceCan web site and other related web sites.

Diversifying Exporter: A company that makes more than 10% of its revenue from exports and wishes to find new clients in new markets or sell other products to the same market.

Our trade advisors can assist in providing "Market Intelligence" regarding potential markets and customer prospects for products and services by working with International Trade Canada, Trade Commissioners, Ontario Exports, Inc., and independent experts to:

Deliver workshops on specific topics,
Organize a trade mission or participate in Federal, Provincial or Municipal trade shows,
Coordinate events such as trade fairs and exhibitions.

TNO can utilize a network of consultants, IRAP (for product modifications), custom brokers, logistic experts and other government trade service providers to provide assistance in the following areas: