If well assessed, foreign trade is a strategic choice. It is compelling to have a detailed plans for export which includes all main informations about past and current commercial flows, potential deals, operative expenses, how to adapt products or services to the specific market features.
Nowadays, trade is naturally international: every kind of product and service should be sold on an international basis. Accordingly, business opportunities are naturally scaled up, also due to business friendly governmental policies that are taking place in certain geographic and sectorial areas. Selling abroad means an enlargement of corporate targets and growth potentials.
Choosing to land in a market is often takes place before giving momentum to an internationalization process and, paradoxically, the former is the primary drive for the latter. Whenever looking to becoming international is the rational outcome of a thoughtful strategic planning, choosing a prospective market is undeniably a pivotal phase in the process.
Basing on the primary aims, the strategic choice on where to internationalize involves various aspects: infrastructures, political, economic and cultural features; market saturation due to imports; tariffs and trade barriers; development trends, market segmentation and main competitors.
Once the targeted market is set, it will be a matter of strategy. A competitive strategy involves an analytical effort with regards to the chosen market segments and to different options for corporate physical presence. Choosing the right local partner is also important, as well as properly positioning the firm, whilst keeping room for adaptions according to market conditions, pricing policies, sales and payments terms.
Tailored marketing and communication do complement and promote such strategic effort, and the latter shall be supported by an efficient corporate organization.