Riddle of the Exporter and Kentucky SBDCs Achieve 100% Pass Rate on SBA Export Trade Certification

Jan. 17, 2012 - PRLog -- In the final quarter of 2011, the Kentucky SBDC and The Riddle of the Exporter Training Seminars, teamed up to take Kentucky SBDC Counselors to the next level in export knowledge.  The Riddle of the Exporter offers a two-day on site training that is highly interactive using team competition to explore exporting four products to four countries.  The course presents an eight-step method that walks each team and their clients through the export process. At the conclusion of the two days, team captains, using The Riddle of the Exporter, International Launch Plan™ present a business plan overview. The winning team members included: Chris Bixler-Consultant, Western Kentucky University,Bowling Green SBDC; Samuel Coleman-Director, Southeast Kentucky SBDC; Carol Cornell- Director, Northern Kentucky University, SBDC; Peggie Ervin-Ashland SBDC; Gordon Garrett-Associate State Director; Michael Rodriguez-Director,Eastern Kentucky University-SBDC; Michelle Spriggs-Consultant,Morehead State, Paintsville SBDC.

In addition to increasing export knowledge, a key goal of the seminar was a sufficient pass rate for the SBA Export Trade and Counseling Certification Test. Each State SBDC must show a percentage of counselors have passed this test to fulfill the SBDC Jobs Grant requirements.  Of the attendees, 31 took the test and 31 passed resulting in a perfect 100% pass rate.  Elyse Eriksson, the creator of The Riddle of the Exporter, stated” I wasn’t surprised, the Kentucky SBDC Counselors were excellent students and they got it!  Their increased knowledge was evident in the final business plan presentations.  I knew with this audience and The Riddle of the Exporter training, the goal of a 100% pass rate was definitely achievable."

Becky Naugle, Kentucky SBDC, State Director, commented, “Kentucky Small Business Development Center is excited to help Kentucky’s small businesses reach new international markets.  Kentucky has wonderful resources to support international trade and it is important to KSBDC to link the resources and businesses as successfully as possible. Export training helped the counselors learn a process to connect our clients with these resources to start them on the road to exporting."

According to Ms. Eriksson, a lifelong entrepreneur and past Director of Training, International Trade Center, SBDC, Dallas, “The Riddle of the Exporter training works because we approach exporting from an entrepreneurial point of view. The training is well suited for SBDC counselors and clients, entrepreneurs, students and corporations.  By giving attendees the big picture of exporting and a process; it breaks down a complex topic into manageable steps. In addition the seminar creates some fun, lighthearted competition that gets everyone involved."

"The Kentucky SBDC is the touchstone for small business in the state; now they know the process and the government sources to partner with, in order to assist their clients in the export process. I am convinced that any small business that has the commitment and capacity to export can enter the international arena and vastly improve the bottom line of their business.”

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Taranis International is a group of independent consultants specializing in international business development and export training. The Riddle of the Exporter Seminars are available on-site and soon in an E-Learning format. For more information on export and import seminars for your SBDC, school or business, contact Elyse Eriksson, elyseeriksson@gmail.com or visit www.riddleoftheexporter.com