By Michael L. Ducker, FedEx Express COO and president of FedEx Express International.

In his 2010 State of the Union address, President Barack Obama announced his administration’s goal of doubling U.S. exports in five years. The president’s National Export Initiative represents an incredible opportunity for small businesses to access the world’s consumers — 95 percent of whom live outside the United States.

If the economic downturn taught us anything, it’s that all businesses already are connected to the global economy. The question has become: How do we best access the global economy to our advantage? The answer starts with changing our perspective.

Consider these four reasons to think differently about growing your business through international trade.