Bill Shook International Business Development
International Business Development for Companies Expanding Across Global Markets
For more than 40 years, Bill Shook has helped companies navigate international negotiations, market entry, import/export opportunities, supplier relationships, buyer development, and cross-border business execution.
Experience across China, Poland, Vietnam, Cambodia, Brazil, Thailand, the Philippines, Portugal, Belgium, Mongolia, Ethiopia, and other international markets.
Schedule a Strategy Call
Trusted Experience in Complex International Markets
Bill Shook has worked across decades of international business development, helping companies and organizations evaluate opportunities, build relationships, negotiate terms, open markets, and avoid costly mistakes in unfamiliar business environments.
"I would like to express my appreciation for your help in arranging the discussions between the China State Economic Planning Commission delegation and the World Bank, UN, Department of Commerce, and the Los Angeles Mayor's office. Again, thank you for your work in helping increase U.S. exports."
— Robert E. Rubin
Assistant to the President for Economic Policy
The White House, December 13, 1994
This recognition reflects Bill Shook's long-standing role in helping connect international business opportunities with U.S. export, trade, and commercial development objectives.
About Bill Shook
Bill Shook has spent more than four decades working at the intersection of international business development, trade facilitation, and cross-border commercial strategy. His career began during China's early economic opening and has expanded to include work across Asia, Europe, Latin America, and emerging markets worldwide.
His background includes direct experience with import/export operations, international sourcing, buyer and supplier development, market-entry strategy, cross-cultural negotiation, and commercial project coordination. He has worked with Fortune 500 companies, government-related trade initiatives, financial institutions, and private-sector businesses of all sizes.
Bill Shook's approach is practical and commercially grounded. He does not write theoretical reports. He helps clients understand what is actually happening in a deal, what the risks are, and what to do next.
40+
Years of International Business Experience
50+
Countries and Markets Engaged
100s
of Companies and Organizations Served
Practical International Business Guidance — Before the Costly Mistakes Happen
International business rarely fails because of one obvious problem. It usually fails because of misunderstood expectations, weak local verification, poor negotiation structure, unclear responsibilities, unreliable partners, payment misunderstandings, quality-control gaps, or cultural misreading.
Bill Shook helps clients think through the deal before they commit money, inventory, reputation, or executive time.
Market Entry Strategy
Evaluate whether a market, partner, product, or opportunity is realistic before major commitments are made.
International Negotiation Support
Help structure business conversations, commercial expectations, buyer/supplier terms, and relationship strategy.
Import / Export Development
Support companies seeking to export U.S. products, source products internationally, or build cross-border trade channels.
Supplier and Partner Evaluation
Review practical business risks before clients rely on a supplier, distributor, buyer, agent, or local partner.
Deal Oversight and Problem Solving
Provide experienced judgment when communication breaks down, terms shift, shipments stall, or expectations become unclear.
Cross-Cultural Business Guidance
Help clients understand how business decisions are actually made in different markets, not just how they appear on paper.
International Experience Across Multiple Markets
Bill Shook's background extends beyond one country or region. His work has included international business development, trade facilitation, market-entry support, commercial introductions, negotiations, sourcing, export development, and project coordination across multiple markets.
United States
Poland
Vietnam
Cambodia
Brazil
Thailand
Philippines
Portugal
Belgium
Mongolia
Ethiopia
CHINA
MEXICO
China remains one important area of experience, but the broader value is international business judgment developed across many markets, industries, and deal environments.
In Poland, Bill Shook supported early international business and investment discussions during the country’s transition into global markets, including work connected to Polish economic and trade officials and joint venture development.
In Belgium, his work was connected to Sepp Group / Sepp Finance Ltd., which maintained European offices and supported international trade, finance, and business-development activity.
In Vietnam, he participated in trade and business-development discussions involving financial-sector and government-related contacts, developers, construction interests, and U.S.–Asia commercial cooperation.
In Cambodia, his work included import/export and business-development activity connected to agricultural equipment and industry development.
In Mexico, Bill Shook’s international business background includes consulting and business-development discussions connected to Grupo Azteca / Banco Azteca-related interests.
How We Help
International Business Strategy Call
A focused advisory session to review a proposed international business opportunity, export idea, supplier relationship, buyer lead, or market-entry decision.
  • Opportunity review
  • Risk identification
  • Practical next steps
  • Market-entry considerations
  • Negotiation guidance
  • Partner or supplier concerns
Export Development Advisory
For U.S. companies seeking international buyers, distributors, agents, or commercial opportunities.
  • Product/export readiness review
  • Target market discussion
  • Buyer/distributor positioning
  • International introduction strategy
  • Sales-message refinement
  • Negotiation preparation
Import / Supplier Risk Review
For companies sourcing products internationally and needing experienced eyes before sending funds or scaling orders.
  • Supplier background and communication review
  • Pricing and terms assessment
  • Quality-control risk notes
  • Shipment/logistics risk questions
  • Red flags and negotiation issues
  • Practical recommendation report
International Deal Advisory
For larger cross-border projects requiring commercial judgment, coordination, introductions, negotiation planning, and issue resolution.
  • Project scope review
  • Commercial strategy
  • Coordination support
  • Professional-service partner coordination when appropriate
  • Executive-level guidance
Who This Is For
This service is designed for business owners, exporters, importers, manufacturers, investors, product companies, distributors, and executives who need practical international business guidance before making expensive decisions.
U.S. Companies Seeking International Buyers
Companies that want to export products, develop overseas channels, or evaluate buyer/distributor opportunities.
Importers and Product Companies
Businesses sourcing goods, components, food products, industrial products, packaging, equipment, or consumer products internationally.
Manufacturers and Industrial Suppliers
Companies evaluating overseas opportunities, commercial partnerships, or international sales channels.
Entrepreneurs and Private Companies
Founders or owners considering a cross-border business opportunity and needing experienced review before committing capital.
Professional and Advisory Teams
Lawyers, accountants, consultants, and financial advisors who need business-side international insight for client projects.
Why Clients Work With Bill Shook
Bill Shook brings the perspective of someone who has spent decades inside real international business situations — not just writing reports from a distance. His value comes from knowing how deals move, where they break, how trust is built, and when a client should slow down, renegotiate, verify, or walk away.
  • 40+ years of international business-development experience
  • Background in import/export, sourcing, negotiation, and market entry
  • Experience with major corporations, government-related trade discussions, and private companies
  • Practical understanding of supplier, buyer, distributor, and partner risk
  • Cross-cultural negotiation experience across Asia, Europe, Latin America, and emerging markets
  • Strong focus on realism, risk reduction, and commercially useful next steps
“The goal is not to make every opportunity look attractive. The goal is to help clients make better international business decisions before money, reputation, or leverage is at risk.”
Representative International Business Background
Over his career, Bill Shook has provided international business information, advisory support, introductions, market-entry insight, sourcing guidance, and commercial development assistance involving major companies, institutions, and private-sector opportunities.
Technology and Industrial
IBM, AT&T, General Electric, Ford, Honda, Diebold, Grumman, Lear Siegler
Finance, Professional Services, and Institutions
World Bank, Swiss Bank, KPMG Peat Marwick, First American Title, Prudential Realty
Food, Beverage, and Consumer Brands
Starbucks, McDonald's, KFC, Subway, Schlotzsky's Deli, Yum Brands, Gallo, Tropicana, Sunkist, Sweet Street Desserts
Government and Trade-Related Experience
U.S. Department of Commerce, California Governor's Office, Nevada Trade Department, Municipality of Anchorage, and international delegation-related projects
Representative names reflect historical advisory, market-information, business-development, or related project experience. Engagement types varied by project and time period.
Engagement Options
1
Strategy Call
$350 / 45 minutes
Best for reviewing a proposed international deal, discussing export opportunities, evaluating supplier or buyer concerns, or getting practical next steps before committing resources.
  • Reviewing a proposed international deal
  • Discussing export opportunities
  • Evaluating supplier or buyer concerns
  • Getting practical next steps before committing resources
2
International Business Advisory
$3,000 – $6,000 / month
For companies needing ongoing advisory support for international business development, sourcing, export planning, buyer/supplier coordination, or negotiation preparation.
  • Regular advisory calls
  • Email support
  • Deal and opportunity review
  • Negotiation guidance
  • Supplier/buyer communication strategy
  • Monthly executive summary when needed
3
Project-Based Engagement
Custom Pricing
For larger cross-border projects, export initiatives, market-entry work, partner evaluation, commercial introductions, or complex deal advisory.
  • Project scope review
  • Commercial strategy
  • Coordination support
  • Professional-service partner coordination when appropriate
  • Executive-level guidance
International Communication Support
Clear communication is often the difference between progress and costly misunderstanding. When needed, Bill Shook's advisory work can include support for international communication, presentation preparation, cultural review, and professional Mandarin Chinese communication through experienced specialists.
Mandarin Chinese communication support may be directed by Su Yang, a former international broadcaster with extensive professional voice and communication experience.
Communication support is available as a component of broader advisory engagements when appropriate to the project.
Before You Commit to an International Deal, Get Experienced Eyes on It
Whether you are exporting U.S. products, sourcing internationally, negotiating with a foreign partner, evaluating a buyer, or considering market entry, the right guidance early can prevent expensive mistakes later.
International business development • Export advisory • Import/export strategy • Supplier and buyer review • Cross-border negotiation support