Once you decide to begin exporting, you need to dedicate sufficient resources to develop your export markets. This involves a commitment of people, money and product development. Fortunately, there are programs from Austrade and other government agencies to help:

• People
  As many growing Australian ICT companies are small (the majority have less than four employees), you will need to decide who will take on the time-consuming export development role. Generally this will be a senior manager such as the managing director, chief executive officer or business development manager.
  
  To ensure your success, this person must be able to balance their other commitments with considerable overseas travel and international customer development activities. If you do not have the resources to dedicate someone to this task permanently, private sector export consultants can assist.
  
  Use industry forums and professional associations to talk to other ICT companies about their export stories. Learn from their mistakes. Seek out their insights about what it takes to get ready for export.
  
  Ideally, you should seek a mentor within your local ICT community. This is someone with experience who you can call for advice. Programs such as the AIIA Mentor Program can help you locate suitable mentors.
  
  
• Money
  Export development costs money, so you need to ensure you have sufficient financial resources to cover export market development activities up-front. Immediate returns from your export activities are unlikely, especially when additional R&D or product adaptation is required before you can secure your first export sale.
  
  Funds spent on export development may be claimable retrospectively under an Export Market Development Grant.
  
  Learn more about accessing government grants and other finance options.
  
  
• Product development
  You need to make sure your product is suitable for export before you attempt to sell it overseas. This can involve everything from translation to basic technical changes. It is equally important to prepare your website for international business. Make sure the information you provide is up-to-date and that the site is well-designed, well-written and user-friendly.
  
• Government assistance
  Numerous government programs are available to help ICT companies globalise. Learn more about government assistance programs and find out who to contact to see what is relevant to you.
  
  If you are a new or irregular exporter, you may be eligible to join Austrade’s New Exporter Development Program. Currently around 700 ICT companies participate in this program, and some are already achieving export success.