Export is the most essential element for expanding your business. A prior export plan can reduce the chances of financial risk and uncertainty. Export planning in advance is therefore always advisable.
Dedicate a team to work on export planning. Discuss the plan with the heads of the organization and the team that handles export.
Are you looking out for an export plan?
Here are some tips from Kuza Biashara, on export planning:
Background Check
Always conduct a background check before starting an export plan. Try to research on various international markets, their regulations, terms and conditions. Make an export business plan to find out if the organization is ready for international export or export within the country. Do not forget to investigate about your competitors. Check thoroughly where your competitors are located and where they sell the most. Also research about the conditions set by different government authorities around the world.
Products to export
Decide on the products to export beforehand. Discuss with the company heads what products can be sent. Choose products that are easy to export and that are hassle – free with any alternative ways to export products and do so without any damage to the consignment.
Choose your market
Before you export, figure out your core geographical locations. Research well about the core areas and where the products are sold most and from which areas the demands are increasing. Use the Internet to locate your areas easily. This is the most important aspect of your export plan. A wrong area, can give you zero results even with the best export planning. A Marketing plan for export business is always recommended.
Distributing your products
The company should work out the charges involved in export, with the courier services. All charges should be worked beforehand for exporting products within the country and abroad. Appoint agents or distributors in core areas to facilitate work easily. Courier services should be held responsible for any damage occurred during delivery. They should also follow the time-frame set for exporting products.
Maintain a checklist
Appoint a person to maintain and review the checklist which can contain the following:
- The names of the products
- The quantity of the products
- The date of delivery
- The cost involved
The person responsible should coordinate with the clients and courier services. He/she should follow up with the clients after the delivery has been made and stay in touch with the courier services to remind and check about the deliveries.
Entrepreneurial Learning
Preparing a business plan for export business is the most fundamental step to export strategy. It helps in decision making in the entire process and will act like a guide to exporting. Planning will ensure you a successful outcome. Don’t hesitate to make few changes in your export marketing plan and add in new information according to the changes in the market.
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