If GE Thinks Globally, Shouldn't You?

"Going global isn't nearly as expensive as it used to be," he says. "You don't need to travel around the world to make contacts; you can search company Web sites on the Internet and email potential partners or suppliers." No matter what your industry, you should know your competition -- regardless of what time zone they're in.

It's also relatively easy to set up international sales through your company Web site; once the basic framework in English is done, you can have it translated into other languages. Thanks to the weak dollar, foreign shoppers are more willing than ever to buy relatively cheap U.S. goods.

"Today, small businesses have to go out there very aggressively," says Ghadar. Yes, diving into the world of international commerce can be scary. But the rewards are there for companies brave enough to grab them.