The CEO Mindset and Growing the International Side of Your SME: Expanding Your Business In the US

How To Use the CEO Mindset To Grow the International Side of Your

SME:Expanding Your Business In the US

Elli St.George GodfreyExecutive Coach/TrainerAbility Success Growth

About Elli•Executive Coach and Trainer•“CEO” of Ability Success Growth since 2005•Work with clients in Ireland, Northern Ireland and US

©2013 by Elli St.George Godfrey. All Rights Reservedwww.abilitysuccessgrowth.com

Focus areas:• Adapt to your changing role as business owner/ executive in your growing SME •Designing and managing change•Business planning•Support to increase cultural awareness of both home and the US

What are we talking about?


•How do you define CEO and is that your role in your SME?•Expanding or exporting as a way to grow•Planning and preparation are a must•Smoothing your path with well-established resources in US


It’s all in the details!

How do you define…?


CEO

What does a CEO do?

5 Things…

(generally speaking)


The 5 things that a CEO does…

• Sets the vision and tone for the organization• Designs and explains how the organization will

grow and develop over time• Seeks out talent to make the vision, tone and

growth happen• Holds everyone accountable to the business goals• Makes sure revenues and profits stay healthy



Sound familiar?

Hmm….


Become a Practical Visionary

Pragmatism: Taking ideas and ideals and acting on them followed by assessing or measuring them. William James American philosopher

©2013 by Elli St.George Godfrey. All Rights Reserved

VisionWhat are you aiming for this year?

Vision

Start by listening to yourself…

• What does your business really do?

• How does this inspire you?• To what country do you most

want to export/expand?• What is your greatest dream

about exporting/expanding?


You provide the tempo, structure and direction

Leadership

Leadership Exercise


When you are in a leadership position, do you prefer toa. Give instructions and let your team members do their workb. Monitor your team closely to see how they are performingc. Let the team manage themselvesd. Some combination of the above

I can identify my emotions accurately and express them appropriatelya. Trueb. False

I can explain my vision for the organization clearly and succinctlya. Trueb. False

I feel confident about making difficult decisions, even if it means upsetting othersa. Neverb. Some of the timec. Most of the timed. Always

Your Leadership has a direct impact


• Identifying your leadership style supports what works already

• Your communication style needs to be clear for both your staff at home and new hires in the US

• There is an emotional life to building a business in a new environment

• Noticing the gaps in your leadership skills makes it easier to know what to learn now


What are you aiming for this year?

•Positive entrepreneurial business environment•New revenue streams•Gives you more credibility at home•Adventure•Hard work

Why expand in the US?

Planning and preparation are crucial

• Know why you want to do this• Identify how much capital is needed• Do market research• Use current business networks and

organisations• Be aware of cultural differences and

similarities• Explore needed resources


Planning and Preparation Exercise• Is this in sync with my business vision?

• Given my cash flow, is this a good action right now?

• Will this make money?• Do I really want to do it or do I think I’m supposed

to do it?


Resources or Where Do I Begin?


The Business CoalitionOne Boston Place Suite 600Boston, MA 02198 +001 781 935-9580www.thebusinesscoalition.org

Massachusetts Office of International Trade and InvestmentBoston Fish Pier212 Northern AvenueEast Building ISuite 300Boston, MA 02210+001 617-830-5400www.mass.gov/moiti

There are also contacts within consulates, networking groups (e.g. Boston Irish Business Association), enterprise boards and trade organisations. Please ask if I can introduce you to US-based resources.

US Customs and Border ProtectionBoston Field Office10 Causeway Street Room 895Boston, MA 02222www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/

http://www.thebusinesscoalition.org/


3 questions…1. What are your expectations?2. What would happen if you don’t consider

yourself the CEO of your business?3. Why is adding exporting or international

expansion to your SME so important right now?

Want to explore your aspirations for growing your SME internationally?

Let’s schedule a 1 hour consultation…

Elli St.George GodfreyExecutive Coach/Trainerwww.abilitysuccessgrowth.comElli (at) abilitysuccessgrowth (dot) com

http://www.abilitysuccessgrowth.com/

The CEO Mindset and Growing the International Side of Your SME: Expanding Your Business In the US

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