Export 101 - International Essentials

New to International Business and need some direction? Or a seasoned veteran and just need a refresher? The Export 101 series of posts explore the various aspects of the international business plan to help keep you focused and on track.

2018 Global Forum Recap: Export 101

The 2018 IBC Global Forum in Toronto opened on Sunday afternoon September 23 with a one-hour session packed with information on Export 101: Understanding the International Business Plan. This session, geared for new Global Forum attendees and those who are new to the export business, also served as a refresher for experienced international marketers. Led by IBC Board member,…

Export 101: Understanding Export Compliance

Product Testing and Compliance When selling products to international markets, some certifications and compliance testing is likely required before your product can be shipped. The type of product you sell will determine which testing protocol and certifications are required. Certification proves a minimum level of credibility to the market. Consumers in global markets…

Export 101: Understanding the International Business Plan

Having a plan is important in all areas of business, but it may be even more important when selling products on an international basis. Conducting international business is complex, and you need to properly plan in order to maximize global success. Creating a plan for each of the following eight topics is essential for success overseas, and the combination of these plans…

Export 101: Understanding Export Mechanics

When shipping goods internationally, the process can be quite overwhelming. Negotiating terms, determining shipping methods and obtaining best costs are difficult for all but the most experienced companies. This article will discuss two important topics that any new exporter/importer will find useful – Incoterms and Freight Forwarders. INCO Terms Incoterms are maintained by…

Export 101: Understanding International Marketing

An extremely important aspect of any business plan is finding customers. No matter how great your product is, you won’t be successful unless you get it in front of a buyer. As networking, face-to-face interaction and relationship building are critically important in international sales, thankfully there are several methods and resources to help you accomplish these…

Export 101: Understanding Pricing

Pricing: Where to Begin Developing an export pricing strategy is one of the most important and complicated aspects of selling overseas. There are many factors to take into consideration when setting prices including your company’s export objectives, market dynamics, costs associated with exporting the product, and sales strategy. When considering your company’s export…

Export 101: Understanding Supply Chains

Your supply chain is an integral part of the international sales process as it impacts both the cost of the item and the time it takes to deliver a product. Although there are several variations, this article will discuss four primary supply chain alternatives: Domestic Warehouse, China-based Warehouse, Direct Import and Foreign Warehouse. For illustrative purposes, let’s…

Export 101: Understanding Product Selection

When initiating an export plan, conducting a product selection exercise is a key element. In reviewing market selection, suppliers may have considered product suitability as one aspect, understanding on a basic level what markets were best suited for the supplier’s current product lines. Before deciding to ship products overseas, however, a more in depth product review should…

Export 101: Understanding Market Selection

When choosing to sell internationally, market selection is an important but potentially daunting task. There are approximately 194 countries around the globe, and selecting where to begin exporting can have a significant impact on finances and long term success. Often, suppliers begin as an “accidental exporter”, selling to those customers and countries who proactively…