AN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PLAN

A detailed international business plan is an essential element in the implementation of an

effective export strategy. The plan must consider company resources, identify specific
markets, and establish specific plans for dealing with marketing, legal, manufacturing,
personnel, and financial elements. Finally, it must include a schedule for implementing
the plan.

I. Executive summary
A. Key elements of the plan
B. Description of business and target markets
C. Brief description of management team
D. Summary of financial projections

II. Business history

A. History of company
B. Products-services offered and their unique advantages
C. Domestic-market experience
D. Foreign-market experience
E. Production facilities
F. Personnel-international experience and expertise
G. Industry structure, competition

III. Market Research

A. Target countries
1. Primary
2. Secondary
3. Tertiary
B. Market conditions in target countries
1. Existing demand
2. Competition
3. Strengths and weaknesses of the economy-barriers to entry, etc.

IV. Marketing decisions

A. Distribution strategies
1. Indirect exporting
2. Direct exporting
3. Documentation
4. Direct investment, strategic alliances
B. Pricing strategy
C. Promotion strategy
D. Product strategy

V. Legal decisions
A. Agent/distributor agreements
B. Patent, trademark, copyright protection
C. Export/import regulations
D. ISO 9000
E. Dispute resolution
VI. Manufacturing and operations
A. Location of production facilities for exports
B. Capacity of existing facilities
C. Plans for expansion
D. Product modification necessary to adapt to local environment

VII. Personnel strategies

A. Personnel needed to manage exports
B. Experience and expertise of existing personnel
C. Training needs of existing personnel
D. Hiring needs in the short term and long term

VIII. Financial decisions

A. Pro forma financial statements and projected cash flows assuming export activity
B. Identification of key assumptions
C. Current sources of funding-private and bank funding
D. Financial needs and future sources of funding
E. Tax consequences of export activity
F. Potential risk and sources of protection

IX. Implementation schedule