Government Resources to Help Your Business

CITC is a business consulting and educational organization, operated through the California Community College system. They are dedicated to promoting business expansion through the use of global eCommerce sales, as well as helping to build a workforce with expertise in global eCommerce. Staffed by a group of eCommerce and SMB experts, their mission is to assist California-based businesses with entering the global eCommerce market.

The continued and growing success of small businesses hinges on increasing international sales, and the CITC provides a number of resources that can benefit NAMM members. Their resources include expert information on global eCommerce, through blogs and prerecorded webinars written and delivered by their industry experts, educational content such as digital badges and training modules available for deep-dive into key topics, expert consultation and access to qualified interns and internship programs. Additionally, free tools are accessible on their website, and are open to all businesses regardless of location and include ecommerce readiness and SEO assessment, market research reports in 28 countries, Duty & Tax calculator and a repository of related government sources and information.

NAMM recently spoke with Leah Goold-Haws, the Sector Navigator of Global Trade and the Statewide Director for the California Centers for International Trade Development (CITD). Goold-Haws oversees a team that works with the 114 colleges in the California Community College system, offering trade assistance to companies or individuals in the state of California. Prior to that, Goold-Haws has served as Deputy Sector Navigator of Global Trade and Logistics for the Greater Los Angeles, California region, serving 19 colleges. Goold-Haws built a reputation as a trade expert at CITD, providing California small businesses with tools, training and resources to succeed in export trade activities. She operates a federal Market Development Cooperator Program in partnership with the US Department of Commerce, providing training in ecommerce for cross-border trade to companies throughout Southern California.

Can you tell me about the CITC and its mission?

The CITC is dedicated to assisting small and mid-size CA companies in enhancing their ecommerce capabilities and growing sales online and overseas.

How does the CITC fit in with other government programs? Is there a hierarchy?

We are in the “spectrum” of trade service providers as follows: the Small Business Development Centers are the first entry point for most start-ups and small businesses that need fundamental assistance with everything from bookkeeping to website development. At the other end of the spectrum is the US Commercial Services which provides industry-specific and market-specific insights for exporters selling at volume. The USCS programs offer fee-based buyer introductions and market analysis. The CITC sits between these two key organizations in growing smaller businesses in their ecommerce capabilities and expanding through cross-border ecommerce sales.

And how does that break down to your organization, the CITC?

CITC offers access to online tools and resources that allow for “self-serve” results. In addition, the CITC offers an online SEO assessment and Ecommerce Readiness assessment – both valuable reports that help a company pinpoint exact areas of need. The CITC offers ongoing webinars and training in key areas of cross-border ecommerce knowledge and access to consultants in a variety of areas of expertise. And finally, the CITC is partnered with the CA Community Colleges in a Global Virtual Internship Program (VIP), which connects business to project support with a remote student team under the direction of ecommerce experts.

What opportunities do you have for NAMM members?

The CITC is looking forward to customizing a partnership with NAMM to provide unique access to industry-specific topics, insights relative to NAMM members and support in growing cross-border sales in NAMM member categories.

How does eligibility work?

The only eligibility requirement for CITC engagement is that the company must operate in California (it may be headquartered elsewhere) and be committed to ecommerce growth.

How do you recommend someone get involved?

The CITC is the first introduction to a robust inventory of content and expertise. It is also the main portal for contacting our team and connecting to the exact services we provide.

Any final thoughts/resources to share with our members?

The CITC is always listening to our clients and, as we move into the post-COVID “new normal," we remain interested in hearing from NAMM members to hear about your experience in the field and what topics or issues you are seeing that we can provide support and resources for. We welcome open communication with your members.