Small Business Toolkit

Free toolkit provided by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and IBM. The toolkit provides financial tools, contracting forms, business calculators, and online collaboration tools for small businesses.  Among the specially designed free tools are: 

• an online calculator that helps small businesses determine their readiness for financing
• free software to build a web site
• free business forms used for employee performance evaluations
• community tools such as online conferencing, blog capability, group calendars
• survey and quiz builders to help small businesses make decisions, and
• a multilingual business directory to help small businesses link locally, regionally and globally.

International Trade Administration’s - Export.gov

Export.gov brings together resources from across the U.S. Government to assist American businesses in planning their international sales strategies and succeed in today’s global marketplace.

From market researchand trade leadsfrom the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Serviceto export finance information from Export-Import Bank and the Small Business Administrationto agricultural export assistance from USDA, Export.gov helps American exporters navigate the international sales process and avoid pitfalls such as non-payment and intellectual property misappropriation. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administrationmanages Export.gov as a collaborative effort with the 19 Federal Agencies that offer export assistance programs and services.

Industry Data/Analysis
The office of manufacturing & services has analysts in nearly every industry covering manufacturing (airplanes) or services (airlines)
You could view the org chart’of listings by  going to
www.trade.gov/MAS

Export Trading Companies
This is where two small companies can merge to export to a region. Their application will preclude any anti trust rules by justice
http://www.ita.doc.gov/TD/OETCA/

Manufacturing Extension Partnership

This programs helps small companies with supply chain, and other technical issues
 http://www.mep.nist.gov/

SBA Small Business Planner

Careful planning is fundamental to success.  The Small Business Planner includes information and resources that will help you at any stage of the business lifecycle from planning and starting to managing and exiting your business.

http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/index.html

SBA Regional Offices
http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/regoffices/index.html

SBA Guide to Federal Contracting

http://www.sba.gov/services/contractingopportunities/index.html

Economic Development Administration – U.S. Department of Commerce

http://www.eda.gov/AboutEDA/Programs.xml