Program 2: Export Readiness Development

2.1. Product/Service Suitability

• Scope: A thorough evaluation of the client’s product(s) or service(s) to determine their potential in international markets. This includes assessing existing market demand, identifying necessary adaptations (e.g., labeling, features, formulation) to meet foreign preferences or regulations, and analyzing the competitive landscape in target markets.
• Key Benefit: Gain a clear understanding of whether a product/service is viable for export and what modifications are needed to succeed, saving resources by focusing on the most promising opportunities.
• Key Highlight: Objective, data-driven assessment providing actionable insights into product adaptation and market positioning for international success.
• Target: Businesses (including individual entrepreneurs) considering exporting for the first time, or existing exporters looking to introduce new products/services to international markets.

2.2. Production & Operational Capacity

• Scope: An assessment of the company’s current production capabilities, scalability, quality control systems, and overall operational infrastructure to determine its ability to meet potential export volumes, maintain consistent quality standards, and handle the increased complexity of international orders.
• Key Benefit: Identify potential production bottlenecks and operational gaps before committing to export orders, ensuring the ability to fulfill international demand reliably and maintain product quality.
• Key Highlight: A practical evaluation of operational readiness, offering recommendations for capacity building and process improvements to support export growth.
• Target: Companies, including SMEs and larger individual enterprises, that need to verify if their current operational setup can support the demands of exporting.

2.3. Financial Resources

• Scope: A review of the company’s financial health, including cash flow, profitability, access to finance, and cost structures. Assessment of the capacity to fund export-related activities such as market research, marketing, product adaptation, logistics, and potential payment delays or longer payment cycles common in international trade.
• Key Benefit: Ensure the company has the financial stamina to undertake and sustain export activities, and to identify potential funding needs and strategies for managing export-related financial risks.
• Key Highlight: A realistic financial health check specifically focused on the requirements of exporting, including an understanding of export financing options.
• Target: Businesses (including individual entrepreneurs preparing for export) needing to understand the financial implications of exporting and assess their capacity to invest in and manage the costs associated with international expansion.

2.4. Management Commitment & Skills

• Scope: Evaluation of the level of commitment from the company’s leadership towards exporting as a strategic goal. Assessment of the existing internal expertise (personnel skills) in areas like international marketing, logistics, and cross-cultural communication, and identification of any skill gaps that need to be addressed through training or hiring.
• Key Benefit: Ensure that exporting initiatives are backed by strong leadership support and that the necessary skills are in place or planned for, which are critical factors for long-term export success.
• Key Highlight: An assessment that goes beyond tangible assets to evaluate the crucial human elements of export readiness – leadership vision and team capabilities (personnel).
• Target: Organizations where top management is considering exporting but needs to align the entire team (personnel) and ensure the necessary internal drive and expertise are present.

2.5. Digital Infrastructure

• Scope: Assessment of the company’s existing digital assets and capabilities, including website internationalization (e.g., multilingual, SEO-friendly for global audiences), e-commerce platform readiness, CRM systems for managing international leads, and digital communication tools for interacting with overseas partners and customers.
• Key Benefit: Identify strengths and weaknesses in the current digital setup to ensure the company can effectively market, sell, and communicate in the global digital marketplace.
• Key Highlight: A focused review of digital tools and platforms, providing recommendations for creating a robust digital footprint suitable for international business.
• Target: Businesses (including individual exporters leveraging digital tools) that rely on or intend to rely on digital channels for their export activities and need to ensure their infrastructure is up to the task.