Leah Sanford has a long-time passion for marketing. She enjoyed her corporate marketing role before taking the leap into entrepreneurship. She now helps other entrepreneurs take their brands global.

Her husband, Joel Kelly, shared Leah’s passion for marketing. He dreamed of starting his own business, and together, they built Kelford, Inc.

Through their company, Leah and Joel work with entrepreneurs to help define and articulate their unique value, and then demonstrate it to their very best customers. She finds joy in helping entrepreneurs from Canada and beyond change the world by helping them communicate in a way the world understands.

“An entrepreneur just has this creative mindset of seeing past the obstacles and wanting to try new things. There’s this creative, innovative space that just clicks a little different for an entrepreneur, and it’s so fun to work with.”

Leah strives to infuse fun and creativity into the process of helping entrepreneurs uncover their goals, define their value, and demonstrate it at a distance. So they can keep going, keep growing, and keep building a business they love.

If a business is online, it’s potentially international

Based in Canada, Kelford Inc. is both a local and an international business, thanks to the ease of connecting online.

“We often work with folks who are located here in Canada but sell around the world,” Leah explained.

“We’ve had many clients around the world trying to enter Canadian markets or other global markets. For us, it’s all about demonstrating your value, globally.”

Whether a business owner offers professional services, or artisan-made products via e-commerce, or deep-tech solutions, they may benefit from global trade training.

“Shopify changed the game, and Amazon before that. And Etsy has been this beautiful creator space on a smaller, more personal, artistic scale of what’s possible. It doesn’t have to be down the street anymore. The pandemic really opened that up from on a global corporate scale.”

Leah developed a more global approach from the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation and international business training through the FITTskills program.

A resource that helps open doors

“I would absolutely recommend the FITTskills program to people who love long-term learning. The program is comprehensive – so in the long term, everything stacks really nicely.”

When the world slowed down during the COVID-19 pandemic, Leah decided to invest time into professional development. Invest Nova Scotia offers training and other resources for entrepreneurs including FITTskills training as a FITT educational partner. Leah took advantage of the opportunity and enrolled in the FITTskills International Sales & Marketing course.

“It felt like this little serendipitous moment that kicked me off on the right journey.”

That moment led Leah toward earning the CITP certification. She found the designation and the FITTskills program incredibly practical and easy to apply to real-world situations. In addition to knowledge, it also helped hone her mindset.

“It’s been a confidence boost. It obliterates that imposter syndrome feeling! It’s a great anchoring ground of knowing what I’m doing. I have the FITTskills textbooks to go back to. I have the knowledge base to go back to. I have the resources to draw on, and the connections that it’s opened up have been brilliant.

The program also offers moments of connection and the chance to network with other professionals and expand valuable international connections. Leah even found a new client who was a classmate in the same FITTskills course. She indicated that when looking for partners, the CITP designation acts as a green flag.

“I know that there’s been a vetting process in that credential. It’s a credential that has a governing body and there’s something really beneficial to that. When you’re evaluating apples to apples, this one suddenly is a little more nutritious.”

Paying it forward and building up other entrepreneurs

Leah jumped at the opportunity to help other aspiring entrepreneurs through the Lab2Market program. This federally backed, multi-agency partnership encourages master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral-level researchers to gain tools that may help them take their expertise and innovations to the marketplace. Leah is a facilitator in the Lab2Market Oceans programs, through Memorial University.

“We’re focused on ocean innovation and technology. Students are bringing forward ideas and products such as oil spill clean up breakthroughs, improved safe navigation through icy waters tools, new marine coatings, etc. The program is comprised of brilliant students, many international, exploring how they might enter a global market—seeing if there’s a market for their idea. And we educate, and hopefully inspire, them to build businesses and take their innovations forward, while supporting them as they go through the roller coaster of emotions in customer discovery!”

Leah credits both completing the FITTskills training and earning the CITP designation for preparing her to help these scientists develop business skills and entrepreneurial mindsets.

Whether local or global, it’s all about relationships

Leah found that her relationships with clients don’t end with the initial project developing a marketing position and strategy. She likes to keep in touch with clients as they implement their strategy. Kelford also offers a daily inspirational positioning newsletter.

“For us, it’s natural to stay in touch and celebrate their wins. And on the flip side ask, are you struggling with anything? Just let them know we’re here.”

Over the years, Leah and Joel worked with dream clients including Big Cove Foods of Nova Scotia. They came to Kelford with a goal of bringing their spice blends from a local product to stores across the country. After exploring their goals and aspirations, Kelford helped them create an actionable marketing strategy.

As they implemented the plan, they found their voice and fun in their marketing, and were able to focus on demonstrating their value to their best customers. And with that focus, they saw pick up from stores across the country as well as growth in their online sales. As they’ve grown, their social impact has grown too—participating in ‘1% for the Planet’ where they donate to charities, and  prepare fresh meals and munchies to Viola’s Place, a homeless shelter in their community.

She sums up her ideal client as, “the entrepreneur who has an ambition that speaks to their soul, has a product or service that can do good out in the world. And then is really crafty, creative, and wants to do something more than for the hustle, more than for the dollars, but something they want to stick with for a really long time because it makes them happy. And that happiness makes their customers happy. That’s the dream.”

“When you go out somewhere to sell your product, it’s not over when you make the sale. Now we have to prove that we’re going to stick around, that we backup our product and our commitments, that we are here with the customer service.”

Looking toward the future in a changing world

Adaptability is crucial for entrepreneurs in an ever-changing market. Leah appreciates having the course text, case studies, and videos available as reference resources whenever new challenges and opportunities arise.

“So, what you knew and what you did two years ago is different now. What I would have recommended two years ago is different now. A marketing strategy I write this year is going to be different from the one I write in a year from now because of how the market changes.”

Leah envisions a future where Kelford, Inc. further expands its portfolio of client collaborations from all over the world. The choices when selling globally can be overwhelming. The knowledge and resources gained through the FITTskills program and validated through earning the CITP designation provide building blocks for success.

“My experience working toward and earning the CITP has been wonderful in terms of knowing “how can we leverage our skills, the tools that we know are out there?” It’ll always be just the two of us, but how do we grow that impact that we’re able to have? And we are really looking at that on an international scale now.”

Exploring his roots led Tulio Conejeros to a future in international business. At the age of 20, Tulio sought to return to Chile, the country of his birth, to connect with his family and explore the culture. His visit included a tour through several South American countries, and he was intrigued by the varied cultures he experienced on that journey.

His experience inspired him to learn more about cultures around the world. Upon returning to Canada, Tulio enrolled in Mount Royal College and applied for the North American Mobility Project.

As one of the first students in the scholarship program, Tulio spent one semester at the Tampico campus of the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education in Tamaulipas, Mexico, in the international business studies program. His studies abroad cemented his goal of establishing a career in in international business. Tulio went on to earn a Bachelor of Commerce degree in international business from the University of Alberta.

Reveling in world cultures

His career in international business has allowed Tulio to immerse himself – and his family – in the same cultural experiences he first enjoyed as a young traveler and student.

One December while working in Beijing, he  unexpectedly remained in China over Christmas. He connected with other international businesspeople and expats where he was staying at the Great Wall Sheraton. They spent Christmas Eve together singing along with the hotel’s live band and sharing stories of their business travels.

Another posting to set up an office in Bogota, Colombia, gave Tulio the opportunity to share his travels with his family. They rented a place to stay across from the beach in Cartagena, Colombia. The experience was a memorable one for his children, who still talk about the culture, food and beautiful weather they experienced.

Want to learn more about how the CITP designation can help you accelerate your career? 

Connecting Canadian businesses to opportunities worldwide

In addition to rich personal cultural experiences, Tulio’s career in international business has led to some fulfilling professional moments.

While working on the Bridge County housing development with Longfor, one of China’s largest developers, he was tasked with finding a Canadian architect and housing designer, along with building materials, suited for the high-end project.

He presented the opportunity to Canadian firms and brought them to China to participate in the project. He was able to see the project through, from the concept phase for a vacant piece of land to a final project that featured Canadian design and building projects.

“The meeting with Longfor at the concept stage, visiting the vacant land and being able to see the finished project – which included Canadian design and building products – was an experience I will never forget and always cherish.”

Tulio also worked with his firm in Calgary to develop a comprehensive overview of the heavy equipment industry in North America for a Chinese manufacturer. His team took the time to learn the ins and outs of North American equipment operators, regulatory environments, and the types of equipment needed for special terrains – such as oil sands.

They then conducted focus groups in Canada and  flew to China to present their findings to executives of the Chinese manufacturer. As a result, the manufacturer designed equipment, warranty programs and selected specific OEMs to meet North American market needs.

Learning the intricacies of doing business internationally

Through his experience, Tulio has learned the importance of patience, understanding and knowledge of business practices.

“There are a lot of intricacies and nuances dealing with different business cultures that – unless you are told from an experienced international professional, or learn it over time on your own – could lead to a missed opportunity because of a simple misunderstanding or cue you didn’t pick up on.”

Showcasing the skills learned through a successful career

Tulio decided to earn the CITP designation as a way to validate his years of experience in international business and to demonstrate that his experience gave him the knowledge and skillset to work in the highest levels of international business. He was able to use his international experience to earn the CITP designation through the executive path to accreditation.

After 20 years of intense international work, the CITP designation has given Tulio a sense of validation and pride in his work, and will help bring his firm new opportunities.

“The CITP designation will bring me credibility and recognition with clients, new employers and colleagues as I continue on this international journey.”

Calvin Xiao started his professional career working in the global division at Grey Advertising as a strategist. He majored in English, which made him a great fit for this position, where he helped international brands adapt for entering the China market.

During his time at Grey Advertising, he got the chance to work with some famous brands and campaigns.

“ I had opportunities to work for a handful of prestige advertising campaigns in the global community and serviced numerous well-known brands.”

Calvin’s clients were all overseas. Due to their different market entry statuses, he was able to develop comprehensive international trade marketing management skills. Having such a wide range of clients, Calvin managed everything from pre-entry market feasibility analysis, to market-entry marketing strategy, brand globalization, and the day-to-day campaign management of his clients. Getting to work with some large brands and showing his ability to manage so many different tasks at once helped Calvin accelerate his career.

Giving up a six-figure salary and becoming a part-time cashier

Immigrating to a new country for work is never easy, especially when it means leaving one of the most well-known advertising agencies in the world and starting at the bottom in your field. Eleven years ago, Calvin was a group account director at Ogilvy China, where he managed the company’s international business division. This was a dream job with great benefits, a high-paying salary, and he could see himself being considered to oversee the China operation one day.

“To everyone’s surprise, I quit my job and immigrated to Canada.”

Calvin knew when he moved to Canada that he would need to make a name for himself in this market, but it was proving harder than he thought.

“In the initial years, it wasn’t easy for me to blend into the Canadian elite advertising industry regardless of how hard I tried”.

He hoped to find a junior role at a local agency but was often told he was an “over-qualified candidate” or had “too-good-to-be-true experience”. After searching for work with no luck, Calvin had no choice but to take a part-time position at a local grocery store in order to make ends meet. Despite the struggles Calvin faced while trying to enter the advertising industry in Canada, it didn’t stop him from getting back into his field.

Today, Calvin is an entrepreneur and the founder of Cataystx Co., a proudly Canadian business consulting firm specializing in “International Trade E-commerce Marketing Management”. Calvin now has 15 years of professional experience in global marketing (eight years in Canada), an MBA degree, and two professional designations.

Want to learn more about the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP®|FIBP®) designation? See why it’s the world’s most recognized designation for competency and credibility in global business.

Living one of his proudest professional accomplishments, every day.

“Where I am now in my journey is one of my proudest accomplishments.”

Starting a business consulting firm that helps more Canadian SMEs to become export-marketing ready and succeed in the global e-commerce market is challenging, rewarding and one of Calvin’s proudest professional accomplishments.

“My goal is to serve Canadian SMEs as a catalyst. I bridge intercultural management and overcome communication barriers, integrate business systems, and accelerate Canadian SMEs’ export business growth into overseas markets.”

Calvin’s professional journey has been anything but linear. From working his way up in China and securing a job at the world-renowned agency Ogilvy, to immigrating to Canada and having to start back at the bottom, to then start his own consulting firm. It’s safe to say Calvin can overcome any obstacles thrown at him.

Calvin share’s his favourite piece of entrepreneur advice

Calvin quoted his MBA professor and mentor of his, Dr. Lee Swanson, “Work on your business, not just in your business.”

Dr. Lee reminded Calvin not to be like many entrepreneurs who can’t see through the ocean of ongoing tasks and business opportunities. Instead, he suggested focusing intently on growing what you do best. His advice, alongside others, inspires and encourages Calvin to step out of his comfort zone regularly.

“Instead of following a safer path of climbing the corporate ladder, I chose to start a business. My goal is to create opportunities for Canadian SMEs with the ambition of being successful globally.”

FITTskills courses gave Calvin tools he uses directly with his clients

Although Calvin already had many years of international trade experience under his belt, he found that the FITTskills courses expanded his core competencies in international trade and marketing management.

“As a result of completing the FITTskills courses, my awareness and understanding of all aspects of trade ecosystem, has significantly broadened and deepened. From risk mitigation to logistics management and legal matters to financial analysis, this knowledge base includes the full spectrum of international trade.”

Calvin’s favourite FITTskills course was “Without question, the Feasibility of International Trade.” Calvin dubbed this his favoutite course because of the aggregation of resources in one place and because it introduced him to a few strategic planning frameworks, many of which have made their way into his service offerings for his clients.

Gaining recognition, credibility and a community with the CITP designation

“By acquiring the CITP designation, I’m benefiting from the recognition this certification holds in over 40 countries. This widespread recognition means I can help my clients grow their businesses within over 40 countries – an endless possibility for growth.”

Calvin also points out that beyond giving you credibility, the designation also gives you access to resources and peer support from a community of CITPs around the world.

In receiving his designation, Calvin felt proud, but he also felt the pressure of responsibility.

“As a Certified International Trade Professional and a Canadian, I feel responsible for doing the best I can to help Canadian businesses diversify their markets, mitigate risks, and get their companies recognized on a global scale.”

Calvin feels that his CITP designation is vital for his professional development as it will help him connect with other CITPs, which will grow his professional network globally. It also allows him to establish trust early on, promote a sense of legitimacy for his business and increase his credibility with potential clients and network connections.

Hearing his story, you can’t help but be inspired by Calvin Xiao’s career and personal journey. His drive, determination and skills have taken him around the world and from an entry level professional to an executive, to an entrepreneur. We can’t wait to see where he goes from here.

Born and raised in Paris, Julien Rosan had two passions while growing up—traveling and playing Monopoly—both inseparably linked to the intriguing world of international trade. Little did he know then that his fascinations would soon transform into an exciting career that would take him across the world.  

Julien went on to obtain a master’s degree in international trade administration along with a master’s in business administration in marketing and got his first work experience in Europe, North America, and Australia. His career has taken him far away from his native France, and today he works for the Government of Canada in the United States. 

Successfully rising to challenges early on in his career

After just a few days in his new job after moving to Chicago, Julien happened to bump into the CEO who asked if he would be able to secure his first deal by the end of that month. 

‘I had no clue if I could deliver on this promise, but I confidently stated, “For sure!”. Lucky me, and my French, I was able to sign a brand-new account from Quebec on the very last day of the month.’

Another notable occasion when Julien’s innate problem-solving skills came to the fore was while he was part of an official, high-level diplomatic delegation to meet with the executive leadership of one of the world’s largest healthcare corporations.

The situation became complicated when just a few hours before the meeting, a health scandal broke out, making allegations against the company they were scheduled to meet with. As this triggered an immediate public reaction from the Minister of Health back home, the onus was on Julien to navigate the sticky situation.

Displaying exceptional stress management skills, he delivered a last-minute confidential briefing to officials on this sensitive issue, thus successfully managing to ease the tensions and move forward smoothly with the proceedings. 

A moment of pride

When nominated for the Emerging Leaders Program of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Julien had the chance to analyze global issues with his peers and meet with thought leaders, foreign officials, and policymakers. The highlight of this program was attending the Chicago Council’s Centennial Celebration honoring President Barack Obama and Yo-Yo Ma. 

Want to learn more about the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP®|FIBP®) designation? See why it’s the world’s most recognized designation for competency and credibility in global business.

Julien’s advice to the newbies: The importance of networking can never be over-emphasized

At the beginning of his career, Julien relied on his knowledge and interpersonal skills to find a job, or to move to the United States. But during the course of his career, he has come to understand how crucial it is to network, seek referrals, and build professional relationships. Nowadays when he receives LinkedIn requests from students seeking advice or internship connections, he makes it a point to remain as approachable and helpful as ever.

“I love this proactive approach and always keep my door open as I can see myself in them 10 years ago.”

International trade training that kept him on his toes

Julien already had 10 years of professional experience before he earned his FITT Diploma. However, he chose to sign up for FITTskills courses as he knew the training would help polish his existing knowledge and equip him with practical, real-world insights.

“The online exam questions – combining critical thinking and real-world case studies – kept me on my toes.”

“My favorite FITTskills course was International Market Entry Strategies as I have a personal affinity for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). I also appreciated the Intercultural Competence module included in this course.” 

A desire to formalize his knowledge and experience

As a Trade Commissioner working for Global Affairs Canada, Julien wanted to pursue a certification that would help him excel in his position, and that would be highly valued within his organization. He applied for the prestigious, industry-recognized CITP®|FIBP® designation which he earned in April 2022. The addition of this valued credential to his professional portfolio gave him a sense of achievement and satisfaction. 

Julien looks forward to leveraging the distinguished designation to continue to excel in his career and to contribute to furthering the cause of international trade.  

His talent, knowledge, and rich experience in his field have set the stage for greater successes and an ever-soaring professional trajectory in the years to come. 

Roberto Tiradentes de Lima was born in Brazil, and by the time he was a teenager, had begun learning English and Spanish in addition to his Portuguese native tongue. It was this experience with multiple languages that first sparked his interest in international cultures, communication, economies, and how they all intersect on the world stage. Roberto decided to parlay these interests as well as his trilingual abilities into a career and went on to study international business in post-secondary school.

Helping to facilitate trade from companies to countries

Roberto has since embarked on an impactful international career, taking him to many countries including the USA, England, Ireland, Spain, Italy and now Canada for his work. He has worked with an impressive array of global organizations on projects and policy affecting nations worldwide, including the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Brazilian Ministry of Agrarian Development (MDA), Department of International Negotiations for the Trade Promotion International Advisory (Brazil), the World Trade Organization, and now Global Affairs Canada.

Roberto’s favorite career highlights all relate to assisting companies expanding internationally, working with governments to create beneficial international policies, and the personal growth that comes as a result of travelling internationally and living abroad.

“There is nothing compared to seeing a company’s growth in international market share as a result of our assistance, or participating in government high level group work to discuss commercial defence measures (including players like Canadian Bombardier and Brazilian Embraer),” says Roberto.

Developing agri-trade policies to improve food security in developing countries

One career highlight Roberto is particularly proud of is his work for the Brazilian government.

“I was hired as an international business consultant by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), to work in the Brazilian Ministry of Agrarian Development (MDA).

I was a member of the Department of International Negotiations for the Trade Promotion International Advisory (AIPC) in the Minister’s Office where I provided consultancy in foreign trade and assisted Brazil in reviewing policies related to food security and anti-dumping measures in reference to commercial defense.

In addition to that, I was involved with Doha development round for agriculture, for the World Trade Organization. During this time, I participated in weekly meetings with diplomats in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, briefed and debriefed the senior management team and participated in high level, confidential work with multiple internal and external stakeholders.”

One of my proudest professional accomplishments during this work was when I coordinated, in Spanish, the Brazilian delegation on ‘commerce facilitation negotiations’ in Uruguay for a Mercosur meeting.

I also drafted briefing notes and elaborated five technical documents on General System of Trade Preferences Among Developing Countries (food security), Commercial Defense Measures (anti-dumping measures) and on the Brazilian Foreign Trade Chamber. I think all of this has prepared me well for my career at GAC, which I’m really excited about.”

Career success comes down to continuous relationship building and professional development

Roberto took the FITTskills courses as a way of reviewing and updating his professional knowledge, with the ultimate goal of earning his CITP designation.

“Taking FITTskills courses was part of a great review process and learning through a lot of reading, videos and gleaning the lessons from many different case studies. This learning process helped me have a broader view of the international business environment.

My favourite FITTskills course was Global Value Chain. I have accumulated a lot of solid experience in imports and exports as a result of working for freight forwarding and trading companies, and I love this type of work.

During my work experience I have developed logistics plans, coordinated with brokers, cargo agents, and international insurance, and developed shipping plans to minimize freight spending and to optimize time. Even with all of that experience, the course on Global Value Chain covers all of the important aspects of this fascinating “universe,” which is always evolving. So, we’re always learning new things.”

Want to learn more about the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP®|FIBP®) designation? See why it’s the world’s most recognized designation for competency and credibility in global business.

Adding credibility to experience and expertise with the CITP designation

Joining the CITP|FIBP community was also a way of proving his credibility, improving his career prospects, and growing his network of established trade professionals.

“One thing I’ve learned during my career that I wish I had known when I started working in international business is to never underestimate the power of networking. I chose to apply for the CITP designation because it has a great reputation and is widely recognized. In addition to that, the Trade Commissioners at GAC are encouraged to earn their CITP designation in recognition of the international trade competencies it validates, and those who have it may increase their chances of internal promotions.”

“I felt rewarded when I got the email informing me that my application for the elite CITP-FIBP designation has been approved. The process of earning the CITP designation demand many hours of dedication and discipline, so I felt that a plan had been put in action and the result was obtained. I’m happy to part of this elite professional community.”

We’re looking forward to following Roberto’s already impressive career with Global Affairs Canada and beyond.

Gaukhar Kydrykhanova’s fascination with international trade began when, as a thirteen-year-old, she developed an interest in the problems caused by illicit cross-border trade. This spurred her to devote many of her initial years as a student to doing intensive research on the issue of international drug trafficking.  

“I learned about the important impact that international trade is making on the regional development and reduced transnational crime. But research was not enough. I wanted to bring in practical change.” 

Gaukhar earned the Presidential Scholarship to complete her Master’s program from the University of Birmingham, UK. Upon her return to Kazakhstan from the UK, she was recommended by the scholarship administration team to be considered for an expert job role at the Kazakhstani Ministry of Industry and Trade. Gaukhar joined Kazakhstan’s WTO accession team on a cold February day, which marked the beginning of an incredible career full of exciting adventures and interesting discoveries.   

Playing a lead role in organizing the women leadership initiative 

Women’s leadership is an essential topic in both Canada and Kazakhstan. Therefore, it was a matter of pride for Gaukhar to allocate her efforts and resources to plan and organize a visit with prominent women in business and female policy-makers from Canada. It was equally fulfilling to see well-known and inspiring women from Kazakhstan come to the event in huge numbers to support the round-table discussions. What followed was a series of illuminating speeches, debates, and an exchange of ideas centered around women’s leadership in Canada and Kazakhstan.  

“Many of the interactions went on to result in interesting projects. But, more importantly, I witnessed a broader change in the wider public consciousness that continues the trend towards progressive and inclusive transformation.” 

Another exciting task she was involved in was building a project with the British Gas company. It was a complex and impactful learning experience as supporting large transnational corporations required a meticulous, all-around approach.  

Facilitating many official visits from Canadian ministers to Kazakhstan 

With Canadian-Kazhakstani relations having significantly expanded over the last decade in multiple sectors, such as IT, Fintech, consumer goods, life sciences, and many others, Gaukhar feels proud to have been a part of this growth. She has played an instrumental role in facilitating many official visits of Canadian ministers to Kazhakstan. Coordinating these visits was often a challenge as it entailed multitasking, attention to detail, strong analytical, organizational, and troubleshooting skills. 

These experiences encouraged her to tap deeper into potential and grow professionally.  

“A few years ago, I was selected for an assignment in the regional offices in Canada. I had an exclusive chance to get exposure to the work delivered by the regional offices in several provinces across Canada. It was an interesting project that has helped me to learn about and take part in the processes that are developed in Canada, before clients’ expansion to the export markets.” 

Follow your inspiration in International Trade 

In her fifteen years of experience in the profession, Gaukhar has learned to persevere in the face of difficulties and always to have faith in her abilities. Her valuable nugget of advice to those just starting their careers is to believe in their talents and face the challenges head-on with confidence and determination. 

International Business training that honed her inter-cultural skills 

Also, coming from a country that is home to diverse cultures, Gaukhar has had vast experience in dealing with people from varied backgrounds. However, taking the FITTskills courses helped her broaden her knowledge on the different cultures and equipped her with the practical skills to hone her interpersonal abilities.  

“I now feel empowered in facilitating more CSR projects and bringing my stakeholders to a new level of success.” 

Understanding international trade finance from a new perspective

Although she found each of the FITTskills courses informative and illuminating, her favourite is the “International Trade Finance” course, as international banking has always been a topic of particular interest for her. The course helped her develop a better understanding of the work that she had been facilitating for many years in partnership with her colleagues from Export Development Canada. 

“This course has helped me understand the processes from the perspective of a bank officer. My interactions and meetings with EDC colleagues in Ottawa, close in-person work with my colleagues from EDC in Moscow, and this course have helped me to understand the perspective of an international banker.” 

Learn how to properly manage your cash flow and mitigate financial risk by selecting appropriate transaction methods and tools for international trade activities. It’s all in the FITTskills online International Trade Finance course.

Becoming a part of a community with shared professional interests, values, and passions 

Gaukhar decided to formalize her knowledge and expertise in international trade by applying for the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation, a globally recognized competency benchmark for business professionals. It would allow her to both learn from a vast network of seasoned international trade professionals and share her own expertise culminated from her decade and a half-long tenure in the profession. 

When Gaukhar’s application was approved in October 2022, she felt truly honoured to join this elite group. Not only would she stay up-to-date with the latest business skills and industry-leading knowledge, but it would grant her greater professional credibility on a new global level. 

“It felt like an important milestone opening the door to take part in connecting with like-minded counterparts, who just like me are deeply passionate in international trade, developing and sharing the best approaches and practices of our profession.” 

Spurred on by her achievement of earning the prestigious designation, Gaukhar is excited at the prospect of new business opportunities coming her way. The credential also inspires her to take on a new level of responsibility and understanding while approaching her clients. It is motivating her to work harder on all her projects. 

We’re excited to see Gaukhar forge ahead with confidence and determination, scaling new heights of success as she achieves all the goals she has set for herself—and more! 

In 2016, the Province of Nova Scotia formalized its partnership with China by launching the Nova Scotia-China engagement strategy.

In this, Christine Quin Yang identified an opportunity to engage her unique skills and cultural knowledge to build bridges between Nova Scotia and its global partners. So, one year later, while Nova Scotia-China engagement was blooming, she joined the Nova Scotia Department of Intergovernmental Affairs as an International Relations Officer with a focus on China.

Seeing the impact of building trade relationships first-hand

In this role, Christine attends bilateral meetings with foreign governments and Nova Scotian businesses to identify opportunities to work together. She often accompanies the Premier of Nova Scotia on trade missions pursuing and negotiating important partnerships for the Province of Nova Scotia.

“It’s special for me, both personally and professionally, to develop economic and cultural ties between Nova Scotia and China, and more broadly throughout Asia. I’m proud to support the relations that go beyond business and trade, helping people from different parts of the world better understand each other.”

Pre-pandemic, her day-to-day work included bilateral meetings, trade shows, formal dinners, public speaking engagements, and business roundtable meetings, with the end goal of promoting Nova Scotia exports and attracting foreign investment to Nova Scotia. Fortunately, Christine and her colleagues were able to adapt many of these engagements into virtual meetings until regular business travel resumes.

“This type of work is often difficult to measure. On a trade mission to Japan in 2017, colleagues and I finished a meeting and walked down a busy street in Tokyo.

I spotted a truck with a Nova Scotian seafood company’s logo parked on the road, thousands of miles away from Canada. At that moment, by seeing a Nova Scotia company succeed in a foreign market, I realized that was the best way to visualize the meaning of my type of work.

Working hard to end anti-Asian racism

Christine also has a deep sense of pride in the important work she does as Vice-Chair of the Halifax Regional Municipality’s Women’s Advisory Committee.

Christine has harnessed her skills in advocacy and diplomacy to create awareness to campaign for better race-based data collection in Nova Scotia, and a call to action to stop anti-Asian racism.

Her accomplishments earned her further recognition as one of 2021’s recipients of the Most Inspiring Immigrant in the Maritimes Award presented by My East Coast Experience.

Aside from her diplomatic skills and cultural knowledge, Christine credits some of her success to her experience taking FITTskills courses and earning her CITP designation.

My favourite part of FITTskills courses was learning from my classmates and instructors by listening to their real-life stories of international trade. It has helped me to gain a new perspective. My favourite course is Global Value Chain. I’ve learned so much about the global supply chain and logistics, which play an instrumental role in international trade.

Christine is thrilled all of her hard work has paid off and she has now joined the elite global community of Certified International Trade Professionals.

“The CITP designation is recognized in the global business world. It will provide me with a broader network and introduce me to future opportunities.”

In 2001, As a student in the Customs Clearance bachelors’ program, Rahim Mohtaram began his journey in international trade with an internship in the most important port in Iran. This experience made him sure that international trade, logistics, and business negotiations were paths that he wanted to pursue throughout his life. It wasn’t long before he finished his MBA at the University of Tehran in 2006 and started his first job at a customs brokerage company.

As is the case with many young, hard-working individuals in international business, Rahim worked in various departments and organizational levels, learning a lot about international trade activities along the way. Specifically, he learned the ins and outs of business negotiations, cargo insurance, multimodal transportation, documentary credits and collections, compliance, and customs clearance formalities. Eventually, in 2014, he took on a supply chain and procurement position at a trading company, garnering even more experience to bolster his knowledge and career. Clearly, his initial instincts about his future in trade were correct.

Exciting travels, contracts, and negotiations

It’s no surprise that travel has been plenty during Rahim’s career, bringing him to more than 10 countries and countless exhibitions as a chief negotiator. These travels have become more compact too, including a three-day journey to China, two days on a plane, and a one-day negotiation meeting.

Despite the demanding schedule, he enjoyed so much of his work, gathering many favourite stories from his travels, including one that took place in China:

“One of my most memorable experiences was a five-day trip to China, in which I negotiated with 7 companies in seven different cities, from Shanghai to Guangzhou. My team and I drafted and signed 4 contracts during those five days, and it was an amazing experience. Business Travel with a professional team is the best way of learning skills in international trade and business negotiations.”

Putting knowledge into action to help businesses around the world

Rahim has merged his lengthy experience and knowledge to help many companies to handle their international business. Since 2006, he’s:

• negotiated and implemented more than 160 international contracts for various products
• worked with companies from more than 25 countries in different industries
• trained more than 6000 people in large and small companies
• published 13 practical books about international trade

These books cover many trade-focused topics, such as customs clearance procedures, cargo insurance, international transportation, international payments, and international business letter writing. He has also guest authored a TradeReady blog on discount strategies and appeared in several FITT events as a panelist.

Experience that leads to sage advice

With so many experiences, Rahim has become exceptionally seasoned in international trade, offering up plenty of sage advice to his colleagues:

“My advice to anyone who wants to improve his/her skill in international trade is to work at customs brokerage or logistics companies for a while. You can gain valuable experiences in different industries and about different products in a short time. In a single day, you must handle challenges about a wide range of products, and after a few months, your knowledge and experience will be extraordinary.”

Want to learn more about the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP®|FIBP®) designation? See why it’s the world’s most recognized designation for competency and credibility in global business.

Adding credibility to experience and expertise with the CITP designation

Understanding the importance of expanding his credibility and professionalism in the field, Rahim decided to pursue his CITP through the Executive Path in 2021. His reasons for doing so were simple:

“I selected the Certified International Trade Professional designation, simply because I believe it is the best option available. The CITP is the world’s most credible and recognized designation in international trade, and it helps me to add value in my services to my customers. I am thrilled to be a CITP, because, after 15 years of hard work, my expertise is now validated by the most credible international trade entity in the world.”

Where the CITP designation will take him

Now, as an accomplished international business professional, Rahim is teaching, consulting, and coaching businesses on how to do business the right way. He believes that the CITP designation will open new windows for him, improving his credibility as an experienced consultant and coach, allowing him to help more companies achieve their goals in global markets.

Already successful within the field and ever-hungry to achieve more, we know that Rahim will be a face to watch for in the international business ecosystem for years to come.

Abedin Kader believes that a combination of passion for international trade and great teachers spurred the beginning of his successful career. Roughly 10 years ago, during his undergraduate studies, he was enrolled in international economics courses and achieved excellent grades with ease. He believes his academic success was partly due to how much he enjoyed the topics, but mostly because his lecturers and professors were so inspirational.

Exceptional beginnings leading to broad horizons

Eventually, he decided to pursue a master’s degree in international economics and finance. It wasn’t long before he was working for a local trading conglomerate, an endeavor that took place shortly after he moved back to  Bangladesh in 2016. This organization imported and sold commercial products and Abedin was responsible for conducting necessary market research and strategy formulation. He also helped them develop business opportunities and diversify their product portfolio.

Joining the Danish Foreign Ministry and discovering his true calling

Though Abedin’s assignments were highly dynamic—he was dealing with varying products and segments at the same time—it was not until he joined the Danish Foreign Ministry’s Trade Mission in Bangladesh that he truly realized his passion for the field of international trade.

For over two years, he led the market intelligence and communications efforts for the trade team, and this, in turn, facilitated Danish enterprises to expand not just in Bangladesh but across South Asia. “I thoroughly enjoyed learning the intricacies of commercial diplomacy, navigating through the layers of trade policies, and developing a wide network in South Asia and Scandinavia,” he says of this learning experience.

Great teams, coffee breaks, and comedy

Among Abedin’s favourite career stories are those that were spent with his team. “To be honest, every day, working with my team has been a blessing. I think my favourite stories always took place while working with them on the most intense and sensitive projects.” While he cannot discuss the details of some of these projects, he can say that his humorous coffee break discussions from this time may, someday, make their light to the public in what will be his “first stand-up comedy performance,” he jokes. 

Taking pride in professional achievements, from Bangladesh to Denmark

Abedin has a wealth of professional achievements under his belt. These include

• Facilitating the first roadshow from Bangladesh to Denmark for Foreign Direct and Portfolio Investment, targeting institutional Danish investors
• Spearheading a series of exhibitions to promote green technology and minimalist culture, which he believes is undoubtedly essential for fast-paced and densely populated emerging markets
• Managing multiple assessments to study the scope of Danish green solutions in Bangladesh and translating the results into viable business opportunities

The importance of understanding and applying cultural sensitivity in everyday life

If there is one nugget of wisdom Abedin wishes to impart to his international trade counterparts, it is this: “Understand the significant importance of cultural sensitivity in every aspect of life, whether personal or professional. It not only helps one to be a better person but can also help one to better understand the needs of their peers and clients.”

Want to learn more about the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP®|FIBP®) designation? See why it’s the world’s most recognized designation for competency and credibility in global business.

Earning the CITP designation to transition into the Canadian Market

In September of 2021, Abedin moved permanently to Toronto, Canada. This move pushed him to look for a credential that would help him transition smoothly into the Canadian market while also getting his past work experience recognized by employers.  It wasn’t long before he came across the CITP designation: “During this search, I found out about the CITP®|FIBP® designation and about the prominence it holds in this field of work, and I immediately signed up for it,” he notes.

An illuminating FITTskills experience

Abedin’s experience with FITTskills training was positively enriching. He was able to improve his understanding in several areas, noting that

“My Achilles heel in international trade always has been the supply chain aspect of it. I believe the course on Global Value Chain certainly has improved my working knowledge in the subject matter.”

He also adds, “My favorite three courses were: Feasibility of International Trade, International Market Entry Strategies, and International Sales & Marketing. I always enjoyed working in these areas and would like to specialize in these areas going forward as well.”

Learn whether international opportunities are viable for your business through critical research and analysis in the FITTskills online course Feasibility of International  Trade. 

Validating years of hard work with the CITP®|FIBP® credential

Abedin feels that earning the CITP designation validates his years of efforts and this “feels amazing.” For him, it is the first-ever professional designation that he has achieved, and thus, holds a special place in his heart.

He also says,

“I am sincerely excited about connecting with fellow professionals in Toronto who are similarly passionate enough to invest in themselves by pursuing this designation. I also hope to collaborate with them, learn about their experiences, and further expand my horizon.”

Of course, with so many successes already achieved, including a contract position as a Business Development & Project Coordinator with the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Inc., Abedin’s career horizon is already bright and promising. We have no doubt that he will have many more extraordinary accomplishments in the near future.

Swaran Singh began his career in international trade while transitioning career paths. Coming from a French-speaking province with an IT background, he was finding it difficult to find field-related jobs. That’s when one of his friends got him into a FedEx Ground hiring seminar. It wasn’t long before he was hired and realized that international trade was something he was always interested in—especially the notion that international trade professionals connect people all around the world together. “During this time, I developed an interest in the import-export process and how to go global with your business,” he adds.

Adversity as one of the greatest career lessons

Before transitioning into international business, Swaran experienced many difficulties landing work. But, as it turns out, these adversities proved to be one of his greatest career lessons and achievements. He notes: “Just like Jack Ma, I got so many refusals for the jobs that everybody was getting hired for. I had so many job refusals that I forgot the count. But what’s important is that I never let myself get distracted by these refusals. I keep my focus and worked on perfecting my skill set.”

Now, as an operations manager at FedEx, he has certainly used the difficult moments in his career to his advantage. Though he is proud of his role, he knows the road ahead will be challenging, so he is looking forward to the many great moments to come. 

Constant improvement as a daily goal

Swaran uses a piece of advice from a former manager to guide him daily: “ I’ll never forget one thing my manager said to me. He said: ‘Don’t go for the next thing until you are perfect in the first one.’ So I always focus on getting better every day.”

A fruitful FITTskills experience

As a perpetual learner, it’s no surprise that Swaran decided to enroll in FITTskills training at Collège LaSalle to improve his international business acumen. He had been searching for import-export training and came across the CITP®|FIBP® (Certified International Trade Professional) designation. Understanding the potential with the training, he became convinced after seeing that it was endorsed by EDC (Export Development Canada) too. 

For him, the experience gave him important business training and skills but also introduced him to other people and cultures. “The experience was great. I met a lot of students in the class from around the world. It was a wonderful opportunity to know other countries and their specialties, their culture,” he notes.

During his studies, he also got to dig deep into an area of interest: the flow of goods:

“I think the most important part in any business is the flow of goods. You need to have a better understanding of how the international financial sector works to ensure your business stays afloat. For that reason, my favorite course was International Trade Finance.”

Learn everything an importer or exporter needs to know when it comes to payment, risk mitigation, financing, and the flow of goods and services with the FITTskills online International Trade Finance course.

Swaran became CITP certified in June of 2021 and feels “great” about the achievement.

“I am currently working on my dream project and I hope with the help of this knowledge and designation I will be able to achieve my target.”

We have no doubt that with his determination, ambition, and capacity for endless learning Swaran’s target will become a reality soon.

Want to learn more about the CITP designation? Discover why it is the world’s most recognized professional designation for international business.