Import Your Ideas
by
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This book is written for those interested in how importers work and how the product lines are developed and sold.
A growing number of companies are finding they need to import in order to be competitive. It is fine to "buy American" but many products can no longer be made in the United States and be competitive as labor costs are ten to twenty times more here than in China and many other countries. Product lines move from country to country for lower labor cost.
The global economy cannot be reversed. Read Thomas Friedman's book, "The World is Flat". Importers and exporters alike think of a world market. Many years ago we talked about which state was the leading source for a particular product. Now we talk about which country. Importers attend trade shows the world over to keep up with the latest trends that will eventually envelop the world.
China believes trade is their most important endeavor and does everything it can to promote their manufacturing sector. Few people are aware that the Chinese government gives their manufacturers a subsidy on all shipments. The amount is based on product category and varies over time. Many competing countries consider this an unfair trade practice.
Those involved in importing can include import companies and also buyers, designers, and specifiers.
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About the Book
Divided into three parts, Import Your Ideas first shares the fictional success story of two young importers. This unique narrative illustrates the techniques of importing. In the second section, Pouliot provides a how-to guide for establishing oneself as an importer—delving into every aspect of the business, including financing, negotiating, networking, packing, sourcing, contracting, and communicating. The third part discusses many of Pouliot’s personal and unusual experiences working as an importer for almost fifty years, spanning the globe in such countries as Hong Kong, China, Costa Rica, Haiti, Tonga, Turkey, and Taiwan.
Import Your Ideas provides a working guide that details the tricks of the trade for importers to understand this business that has the potential to provide many exciting worldwide opportunities and experiences.
“Ted Pouliot, an international entrepreneur, businessman, and consultant for a half-century, shares his invaluable experience about what readers need to know and understand about importing from Asia and elsewhere.”
—Neal St. Anthony, business columnist,
Minneapolis Star Tribune
About the Author
Ted Pouliot, an international entrepreneur, has been a designer, importer, and consultant for fifty years. After entering the importing field, his business grew to include showrooms in major market centers. He expanded internationally with factories under license in six countries. As a volunteer, Pouliot taught design and importing in many countries. He currently lives in Minnesota.