When your company decides to look towards foreign markets for selling your product(s) you need to make an Export Plan. The Export Plan is basically a Business Plan with an international market focus (specifically, the target market(s) you have selected). The Exporter Plan describes the company’s target market(s) in detail, clarifies your export goals, activities and objectives, and determines the resources necessary to achieve your anticipated positive results.

It is essential that you spend the time and effort needed to plan your efforts in an organized, efficient and straight forward way. Not only is it vital for your company in terms of providing a working guideline for your efforts but it is also a principle way of communicating your company’s strengths and goals to important contacts en route to and within the target market. Indeed, many key decision makers, from financial officers to importers, will be reviewing and evaluating your Export Plan as you proceed to the get your goods to market.

As we move on to reviewing the Exporter Plan in more detail, it is important at this time to note that even as you proceed to plan toward the export market, it is vital not to do so at the peril of your domestic/ existing markets. In other words, as you plan to export to new markets, continue to maintain and manage the market(s) that have led you to this point of success.