At a time of increased globalization and the internet, the world has become a lot more interconnected. But that also means that our world is more complex and competitive than ever.
In today’s ever-changing environment, businesses must be able to think beyond their country’s borders to compete and succeed.
“Going global” was once a buzzword but has become more of a necessity for businesses to survive and stay ahead of the competition.
For any business to be globally competitive, it must be present in global markets.
As the Founder and Managing Director of IBS Global Consulting, a global management consultancy that specializes in helping companies expand internationally, Tonya McNeal-Weary recognized the disparities in small businesses, especially minority and women-owned small businesses, doing business globally.
Research shows that international trade is a key driver of small business success. Unfortunately, small businesses are vastly underrepresented in international trade.
This is, in part, due to a lack of knowledge about international markets and foreign trade regulations.
Tonya founded Think Global Training Academy to equip small businesses, including minority and women-owned small businesses, with the knowledge and adaptive forward-thinking capabilities needed to succeed in global markets.
Courses are taught by leading business experts and are offered on a range of global business topics including export management, global supply chain management, customs and trade compliance, and international trade finance.
Its flagship course Women Going Global Masterclass teaches high-potential women-led companies how to create a successful strategy for international expansion.
Formed as a training arm of IBS Global Consulting, Think Global Training Academy opens a virtual doorway to new learning experiences that are more accessible to small businesses and helps removes barriers and create an inclusive learning environment for businesses of all sizes that want to break into international markets.
Since time constraints also limit small business access to quality training programs, Think Global Training Academy offers a wide range of highly interactive courses that can be taken entirely online.
According to recent studies, online training takes between 40 and 60 percent less time than traditional training which is great for busy entrepreneurs, business owners, and CEOs.
Think Global Training Academy is designed to help level the playing field and build the global competitiveness of small businesses via a blended learning model combining research, case studies, and practical results-oriented content which is designed to be relevant to real-life applications.
The goal is to become a trusted source of knowledge and training for small businesses looking to go global.
There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way companies across the globe do business.
As an international business consultant with vast market experience, Tonya believes this is an excellent time for small businesses with innovative products and technologies to think global and expand into new markets.
Tonya is an Accredited Management Consultant and Certified Small Business Consultant who has worked with many companies across four continents and various industry sectors.
She is passionate about helping small businesses connect to global markets and inspiring other women entrepreneurs to build global enterprises.
As part of her continuing efforts to create an inclusive business environment and growth opportunities for women, Tonya launched the Women Going Global Movement to inspire and encourage women entrepreneurs to explore international business opportunities.
Through specialized training and consulting to address the specific challenges faced by women-owned businesses, Tonya is helping to reduce gender-related trade barriers.
Her new book Women Going Global: Real-Life Stories of Women Entrepreneurs Doing Business Across Borders shares inspiring true stories of remarkable women from 13 different countries who have overcome the odds and turned barriers into opportunities and are successfully doing business beyond their country’s borders.
Tonya is an international speaker on topics including women and entrepreneurship, international trade, export strategy, and doing business in emerging markets.
She currently serves as the President of the Northern USA-India Business Council of the Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WICCI) and was recently named to the National Small Business Association (NSBA) Leadership Council alongside other small-business advocates from across the country as they work to promote the interest of small business to policymakers in Washington, D.C.
MSP News Global Team
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