Exporting Your
Product or Service
Growing your business by selling to
buyers in international markets
Why become an exporter?
Increased sales
Higher profits
Economies of scale
Reduced vulnerability
Increased knowledge
Global & domestic competitiveness
Are you ready?
Before you decide to pursue international export
opportunities, you need to assess your export
readiness
Your expectations – do you have:
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Clear and achievable export objectives
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A realistic idea of what exporting entails and
timelines for results
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An openness to new ways of doing business
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An understanding of what is required to succeed
in the international marketplace
HR requirements – do you have:
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The capacity to handle the extra demand associated
with exporting
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Senior management committed to exporting
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Personnel with culturally-sensitive marketing
skills
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Means to overcome language barriers
Efficient ways of responding to customer inquiries
Financial and legal resources – can you:
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Obtain enough capital or lines of credit to produce
the product or service
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Find ways to reduce the financial risks of international
trade
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Find people to advise you on the legal and tax
implications of exporting
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Deal effectively with different monetary systems and
ensure protection of your intellectual property
Competitiveness – do you have:
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A product or service that is potentially viable in
your target market
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Resources to do market research on the exportability
of your product or service
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An understanding of who your competitors are
in targeted markets
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The ability to modify your product or service to
meet market demands
Your Customer - Do you know :
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Is it in broad general use or limited to a particular
group?
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Is it popular with a certain age group?
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Are there other significant demographic patterns to
its use?
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What climatic or geographic factors affect the
use of your product or service?
Your product
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Do you need to modify your product or service to
appeal to foreign customers?
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Is the packaging expensive? Can it be easily modified to
satisfy the demands of foreign customers?
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Is special documentation required?
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Does it need to meet any technical or regulatory
requirements?
What is its shelf life? Will this be reduced by time in
transit?
Your Service
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If you are exporting services, what is unique or
special about them?
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Are your services considered to be world-class?
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Do you need to modify your services to allow for
differences in language, culture and business
environment?
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How do you plan to deliver your services: in
person, with a local partner or electronically?
Logistics
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How easily can your product be transported?
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Would transportation costs make competitive
pricing a problem?
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Does your product require professional assembly
or other technical skills?
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Is after-sales service needed? If so, is it available
locally or do you have to provide it? Do you have
the resources to do this?
Support Resources
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The Government of Alberta (GOA) can provide you
with assistance in exploring international
opportunities
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Alberta trade experts can assist you by providing
valuable information, intelligence and introductions
focused on key markets and sectors
Support Resources
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In addition to Alberta-based trade experts, the
Government of Alberta has a network of 13 Alberta
International Offices located in key international
markets to assist Alberta companies abroad
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Government of Alberta trade experts work closely
with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Development (DFATD) trade commissioners located
in Canadian Embassies and Consulates around the
world
Contact Us
To find out more and how the Government of Alberta can assist you in
exploring export opportunities, please contact us:
Alberta International & Intergovernmental Relations
Phone: 780-427-4323
Email: [email protected]
And visit us online at:
www.albertacanada.com