This test is designed to help you assess whether your company is ready for export in a more detailed manner. Consisting of 10 main categories, the test will ask you to evaluate questions divided into subcategories within each category, and rate each question on a scale of 5. Based on your total score and scores in each category, you can gain a more comprehensive understanding of your company’s readiness for export.
Test Categories:
1. Target Market:
• Have you identified your target market? (5 points)
• Have you analyzed the needs and demands of the target market? (5 points)
• Have you researched the competitive environment in the target market? (5 points)
• Do you know the legal and commercial regulations in the target market? (5 points)
2. Product/Service:
• Are your products/services suitable for the target market? (5 points)
• Are your products/services compliant with necessary certificates and standards? (5 points)
• Have you prepared marketing and sales materials for your products/services? (5 points)
3. Permits and Documents:
• Have you obtained all necessary permits and documents? (5 points)
• Do you have knowledge about customs procedures required for export? (5 points)
4. Foreign Trade Consultancy:
• Are you receiving foreign trade consultancy or legal support? (5 points)
• Is the consulting firm experienced in export matters? (5 points)
5. Fairs and Events:
• Do you participate in international fairs or trade events? (5 points)
• Have you been able to communicate with potential customers at fairs and events? (5 points)
6. Potential Customers:
• Have you identified potential customers in the target market? (5 points)
• Have you established communication with potential customers? (5 points)
• Are you using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system? (5 points)
7. Marketing and Sales:
• Is your marketing and sales strategy ready? (5 points)
• Have you identified suitable marketing and sales channels for the target market? (5 points)
• Are your pricing, promotion, and distribution strategies ready? (5 points)
8. Financing:
• Have you identified the necessary financing sources? (5 points)
• Do you know suitable financing instruments for export? (5 points)
• Do you know how to manage exchange rate risk? (5 points)
9. Logistics:
• Do you have knowledge about international shipping and customs procedures? (5 points)
• Have you selected a suitable logistics company for export? (5 points)
• Do you know about insurance and other risk management tools? (5 points)
10. Team:
• Do you have an experienced team to conduct export operations? (5 points)
• Has your team received necessary training? (5 points)
• Do you have staff who speak different languages? (5 points)
Evaluation of Export Readiness:
Overall Evaluation:
• 80-100 points: You are ready to export. Congratulations! At this stage, it’s important to implement your marketing and sales strategy and reach out to potential customers.
• 60-79 points: You are almost ready to export. You need to complete your deficiencies and improve your research. It’s especially important to conduct a detailed analysis in categories where you scored below 50 points and take necessary steps.
• 40-59 points: You are not ready to export yet. You need to conduct further research and planning. At this stage, it would be beneficial to take advantage of export consultancy or training programs.
• 0-39 points: You need to acquire more knowledge about export and seek help from experts. Learning the basic principles and concepts of export, conducting market research, and researching necessary permits and documents are important.
Category Evaluations:
1. Target Market:
• Identifying your target market and analyzing its needs are fundamental to export success.
• Knowing the competitive environment and legal regulations will help you formulate your strategy.
2. Product/Service:
• The suitability of your products/services for the target market and compliance with necessary certificates are important.
• Marketing and sales materials enable you to effectively present your products/services to potential customers.
3. Permits and Documents:
• Completing all necessary permits and documents in full is essential.
• Knowledge of customs procedures facilitates the logistics process.
4. Foreign Trade Consultancy:
• An experienced consulting firm can guide you through all stages of the export process.
5. Fairs and Events:
• Participation in fairs and events is an important opportunity to communicate with potential customers.
6. Potential Customers:
• Identifying potential customers and establishing communication with them directly affects your sales success.
• Using a CRM system facilitates managing customer relationships.
7. Marketing and Sales:
• Having a marketing and sales strategy suitable for the target market is important.
• Pricing, promotion, and distribution strategies make your products/services competitive in the market.
8. Financing:
• Identifying necessary financing sources and managing exchange rate risk are important.
9. Logistics:
• Knowledge of international shipping and customs procedures and selecting a suitable logistics company are necessary.
• Insurance and other risk management tools help you take precautions against possible risks.
10. Team:
• An experienced and trained team ensures smooth conduct of export operations.
• Staff who speak different languages facilitate communication in different markets.
Recommendations:
• Conduct detailed research in categories where you are lacking and take necessary steps.
• You can benefit from export consultancy or training programs.
This test provides a general framework. It is recommended that companies conduct detailed research before deciding to export and seek guidance from experts.
