I was delighted to hear of Austrade’s activities in the USA, and BSI looks forward to working with Austrade to Leverage the Power of Australia to assist Clients Export Succezsfully into the USA Marketplace!

Austrade open for business in the USA:

Austrade has recognized the importance of the USA as a trading partner for Ozzie Companies, and have come to the party by appointing 20 Austrade Offices around the USA… split up into 8 Industry Groups.

They have been involved with:

  • 150 promotional trade events

  • 20 Inward Buying Missions

  • 500 Media Mentions

  • Various Marketing and Business Guides to assist exporters navigate the market.

  • Bring strategic Players/Buyers to Australia

8000 Australian Companies have been trading with the USA in some way over the past few years, and 54% of all EMDG claimants promote and sell their products into the USA Market place.

Alignment of the Stars for Aussie Exporters

There are a number of factors that have aligned to assist Australians enter the USA Marketplace:

  • Americans love us

  • We talk the same language

  • Support of American Policy

  • Australian Wine has led the way – the Yellow Tail Story

  • We have an outback image – “the Crocodile Hunter”

  • The Wiggles

  • Actors and Actresses – Russell Crow and Nicole Kidman

  • News Limited – the success of Rupert Murdoch

  • A strong Expat Network – who call Australia Home

What this does is something invaluable – it opens the door so that you are able to do your 30 Second Elevator Pitch!

Although we speak the language – we have a different culture, and a successful exporter into the USA has to play by the USA rules….

We need to “brag” – why is our product so good that you need to be compelled to buy? Focus on the WIFM factor – don’t beat around the bush – tell the Customer what is in it for them! Tell them what the deal is - quickly.

USA is:

  • Wealthy

  • Competitive

  • Consumer driven

  • Mass Market

  • Segment Driven

  • Market for anything

An example of the opportunity – Coles and Woolworths represent 70% of consumer market in Australia. There are 42000 supermarkets in USA.

A company with Gourmet Foods can deal with “Bristal Farms” who will possibly take all their supply.

Ensure that your packaging and pricing is done correctly – everything needs to be in lbs and ozs.

You need to be able to segment the market place… what is your Unique, Competitive Niche? Be able to articulate it!

How are you to be heard above the noise. At trade shows or events – position yourself so you can be heard. PR is key!

Before going to USA, do your market research – ensure that you have the ability to be a long term sustainable player in the marketplace.

There are many ways you can enter the market – is it with a Distributor, JV agreement, Agent, you own office. What have other companies done in your space… do your research.

Some are concerned that a successful businesses will sell the business/IP/Technology to a USA Company. This is not a bad thing. If successful, the entrepreneur will sell for ++ $s… this is great for the Australian Economy, as the successful Entrepreneur will understand the opportunity, and does it again, returning the wealth to Australia.

USA Sustainability Factors:

  • Long term commitment

  • Relationship/network development

  • Success and reputation in Australian

  • Patience and perseverance

  • Entrepreneurial spirit

  • Unique Selling Proposition

  • Market Selection

  • Overseas Experience

  • Cultural Awareness

Sustainable Exporter Profile:

  • Passionate about international business

  • Committed to new export markets and opportunities

  • Committed to exporting …despite short term setbacks

AUSTFA Opportunities:

  • Government empowerment GSA’s

  • Enhanced access

  • Decreased tariffs

  • Increased Quotas

  • Ease of Market Restrictions

Opportunities include but not limited to:

  • Agribusiness

  • Food – Gourmet, Wine and. Meat, Seafood, Dairy

  • Sell to Government – Security, Defence, US Gulf Coast redevelopment

  • Auto

  • ICT

  • Specialty Goods

  • Services

Things an Aussie Exporter needs to do to get traction in the USA Market:

  • Tradeshows – and follow up on every contact

  • Buyer missions

  • PR

  • Market Research

  • Perseverence and Persistance

  • A thick Skin

  • Passion about your product

  • Ability to leverage on people who have done it before

  • BSI USA Gateway

  • Austrade

  • EMDG

  • DFAT

  • State Overseas Offices

  • Alliances

  • Relationships

David Brown runs BSI USA Gateway office in San Francisco. He will help you with your Journey into the USA Marketplace.

About BSI

BSI assists Companies access International Markets, Raise Capital and Maximise Government Grants.

For more Information about accessing the USA Marketplace, contact David Brown on dbrown@bsi.com.au or Ivan Kaye on ikaye@bsi.com.au

For more Information about Maximising your Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) contact Harvey Gartrell hgartrell@bsi.com.au , Andri Damoko adarmoko@bsi.com.au , James Roberts jroberts@bsi.com.au or Ben Milner bmilner@bsi.com.au