Everybody knows International trade is a lucrative business. But you have to know your territory first! It is a well-known fact that crucial to the success of any company doing business overseas resides in its ability to understand and master internationally accepted transaction standards. Although international sales may look the same everywhere, proper execution of actions like selecting and setting up contracts with agents, distributors and other facilitators might prove challenging.

The United States is a very country, with states having their own laws and cultures, offering a wide range of interesting business opportunities for export-ready companies. However, selection and evaluation of potential distributors, representatives, agents and joint venture partners - remotely - from your home offices overseas can be a costly exercise, often leading to frustration. Disasters generally happen, due to factors beyond international executives' control, including language issues, different laws and regulations, government interventions, and many other unforeseen aspects.

Let's take the State of Texas. This state's economy, with an enormous consumer base, is practically the same as Brazil's and leads the nation! Here it is: