HOW TO EXPORT A

PRODUCT?By:

Felipe AuntaSantiago Palacios

Internationalizing a product is not easy. Should be

analyzed variables than you want to export and

company

The challenge for an entrepreneur to insert your company and products in international markets, goes far beyond selling abroad through contacts with importers or making sporadic sales.

To export a product you must have a long-term vision.

INTERNATIONALIZATION IS A STRATEGIC OPERATIONinvolving all functional areas of the company, requires dedication, enthusiasm and prepare to become a successful exporter ..This should be complemented with an entrepreneurial spirit engaging with creativity and professionalism, keeping in mind what their strengths and weaknesses and opportunities and threats are.

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR PRODUCT FOR EXPORT

To learn how to export a product should be clear that the phase of preparing a product for export is critical. You should expect to have to apply some degree of adaptation of a product to be sold outside the domestic market before you make your first sale. Do not go out and start selling. Consultation potential, wholesalers, agents clients, embassies, etc. to determine the best strategy to sell your products in the overseas market.

Study competitive products in the country in which you want to do business is a

great way to focus on what works in that market. If you can not visit the country

and browse the shelves yourself, contact people there and see if they can tell you which products are comparable

to yours.

Meanwhile, take a sample of the

product you wish to export and s

Travel Checklist:

1. CHECK THE NAME OF YOUR PRODUCT

Sure, sounds great to you, but what does it mean in the target market? Find out beforehand. If you do not, you'll end up with a fiasco like the one I had when they presented the Chevrolet Nova in Venezuela, regardless of the similarity between Nova and "no go".

2. CHECK THE COLORS OF YOUR PACKAGE

What do the colors in the country of destination? In some countries the vibrant colors or red means "warning" or "danger"

but in China means good luck. A black packaging with gold-tone or silver

conveys elegance and sophistication in some countries, while in others, as in

parts of Africa, suggests death. Even if your designs have been verified to be

sold in your country, expect to start again when it comes to market abroad.

3. PACKAGING AND LABEL DESIGN YOUR PRODUCT Apart from the color choices, your illustrations or graphics need to be appropriate, attractive and understandable to the end user. If there is any way you can get feedback about the design of your container from real consumers in your target market, do. What would buy based on how it looks? For example, if you put a smiley face in your package, but buying that particular product is taken very seriously in the target country, is it offensive? And if you want to sell your products in shops that use barcode, I adding it will be essential.

4. THE SIZE OR QUANTITY OF THE PRODUCT ITSELF

The size can be perfect in your country, but too in Japan, where the average family size is smaller. One burger can feed an American, but the same burger sold in France could be a lunch for two or have to be thrown away. If you waste too much of your product, it is not economical or convenient for your consumer, so do not buy it.

5. WEIGHT AND MEASUREMENT OF PRODUCT TO BE EXPORTED

Indicates the weights and measures in your tags, according to local standard measures. The metric system is considered the global standard, but you should confirm this.

6. YOU WILL NEED A BILINGUAL LABEL FOR A PRODUCT?

In Canada a label in French and English is required. In Finland one Swedish-Finnish label is required. Most Middle Eastern countries require labels in Arabic and English. For some destinations, the first order, or delivery of test requires only one ticket on the outside of the package in the language of the importing country. Generally, the sticker must show the name and address importing agent, the weight of the package in the standard sizes of the country, a legend and the expiration date.

7. NUMBER OF UNITS PER PACK

Beware the cultural significance that represents the number of units you include in a box. Some countries, particularly in the east, consider 7 as lucky and unlucky 13. In Japan, 4 is the symbol of death, so pack four units will be the death of export adventure. Every time you have a box with a relatively small number of products, check if their number is not considered unlucky in the overseas market.

8. IMAGES OF YOUR PRODUCT ON THE LABEL

A picture is worth a thousand words. When Americans read the word PIZZA in a box, they know what's inside. But maybe in other parts not equal. Keep this in mind when you develop the packaging for international sales. The illustrations are good, photos in two colors look good, but four-color photographs show what it really is. I put yourself in the shoes of the buyer, if you know you are buying, why do you do it?

9. THE PACKAGING MATERIAL OF YOUR PRODUCT

If your package is stuck in the past in your country, do not think you can export it. Customers around the world appreciate innovation and technology. Do not disappoint your customers. Stay informed about the latest and best in terms of packaging.

10. EXTENSION OF THE CURRENT APPLICATIONS OF YOUR PRODUCTS

This is where live some months in a foreign country really pays to know how to do things local and they need to do better. You may find that if you change the speed of a kitchen blender, a food dish in China can be done more quickly and easily. Before doing business in a country ask how people spend their time there? What are your favorite foods? How to clean their homes? How do laundry?

11. CHECK THAT ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS ARE SUITABLE FOR INTERNATIONAL USE

If the cable of your product does not meet electrical standards of your target market, have all sorts of problems, especially if you've already sent the unacceptable product. Check global standards.

12. HOW WILL YOU HANDLE THE GUARANTEES, CONSIGNMENT SALES OR SERVICE CALLS ABROAD?

Anticipate what is needed to meet these commitments in the global and local markets. Can it be done? If so, trace logistics from start to finish and determines who is responsible. If not feasible, then do not offer it.

13. REVIEW THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS IN YOUR PRODUCT

Moisture, high energy costs, poor water supply, extremely high or low temperatures, poor infrastructure, this may affect the maintenance of your product in the new market. If you can not adapt your product to environmental conditions, you may have to choose another market. If no roads to transport your product, you will not get anywhere.

14. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

To sell a product in retail stores or anywhere, some countries require a statement indicating where the product was manufactured. Check with your potential customers, wholesalers, agents, embassies and logistics specialist if required by law before exporting the country that want to do business.