Small Business Exporters and Globalization

We've been looking at small business globalization and have been following Laurel Delaney's Global Small Business Blog.  She recently posted on the the National Export Strategy report produced by the US international Trade Administration.  Some interesting data from the report:

• Only about 4% of US companies are exporters and the US has the lowest level of exports as a % of GNP of the G7 countries  - roughly 10%.  The highest is Germany at almost 45% and the 2nd lowest is Japan at a bit over 15%
• SME's (defined as less than 500 employees) accounted for 29% of US export value in 2005.
• While the number of exporting businesses in the US grew rapidly in 90's, it has stayed relatively flat since 2000.  In 2005 there were roughly 239,000 exporting companies, 97% of which are SMEs. 
• 58% of exporting companies traded in only one export market.

With 95% of world's consumers and 80% of world's economic activity (2006 purchasing power parity - source CIA Fact Book) are located outside of the US.  Clearly there are huge export opportunities for US small businesses, and these numbers show that we are just at beginning stages of small business globalization. 

Comments

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[Laurel Delaney]

Much appreciation and I enjoy reading your informative blog too.

Much work to be done to help entrepreneurs and small businesses go global although we will see great strides made in the future thanks to technology (Internet).

Best,
Laurel

[Anthony Lorizio]

Fabulous data!
While working day-to-day with Baby Boomer private company owners, it is amazing how few generate revenue outside of the United States.

Having returned to the university to get globalized, I researched this very issue. While Laurel states strides are being made, American business folk still think that they can maintain and grow their fortunes within the boundaries of the Atlantic and Pacific shores. Nay Nay!!!!

Additionally, working in the private capital/equity domain, this writer knows first hand of where currency is being accumulated in Europe to "steal" American companies at a discount as the Baby Boomers bring their companies to market in droves over the next five to seven years.

Your blog/web site is terrific. I will return often.

Anthony Lorizio

[Anthony Lorizio]

In addition to working in the lower middle market where exporting is almost non existent, I teach a class in global trade at a local university.

As a tool to illustrate to the students the present state of exporting in the US, I took them to your web site.

Additionally, your data is so substantive this writer has made reference to a few of your articles on the www.hamiltonwright.com web site/blog.

Keep up the good work

Anthony Lorizio