International Business Planning



At an average cost of $30-40k to enter an international market, it's important to develop your international business plan (IBP) as well as possible prior to execution.  Our series of WebGuides on Nevada's top 10 markets is a good starting point.  We would encourage you to develop similar guides for your market of choice.  In addition, we suggest that you develop an IBP.

It should probably be said that an IBP is only as good as the library used in gathering your information although the internet has become a great source of information.  This guide was prepared using the resources of the University of Michigan Kresgee Business School Library, one of 10 research universities throughout the US.  As a result, some of the hard copy resources referenced may not be available at your library.  You may wish to either try interlibrary loan or consider visiting your closest major research library.  In all cases ask for a reference librarian experienced with their international resources.

Our guide is divided as follows:

  • Step 1: Identify the various international and domestic classification systems used to statistically classify the products and/or services intended for export.
  • Step 2: Select the best countries in which to market your product.
  • Step 3: Analyze the potential marketability of your product in these new markets.
  • Step 4: Assess the domestic (in country) competition you will face.
  • Step 5: Identify any restrictions on trade, including tariff levels and non-tariff barriers to trade (i.e. import quotas, Voluntary Export Restraints (VERs), regulations and standards).
  • Step 6: Establish a market entry strategy.

To see an example of how everything fits together, please see our case study.

Additional required reading is "Locating, Screening, Selecting, and Motivating Foreign Representatives".


[ Up ] [ Country Specific International Trade Guides ] [ Export Documentation ] [ International Business Planning - (IBP) ] [ International Travel ] [ International Trade Finance & Credit ] [ Reference ] [ WebGuides - Nevada's Top Ten ]

Date Updated: June 11, 2010

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