Organization : Startup Greece
Facility : How to start exporting (products)
Country : Greece
Website : https://elevategreece.gov.gr/
How to Start Exporting :
In order to export we must first create our product or better still a range of products. A well-designed product should meet three conditions as follows :
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** Proper design
** Well-designed packaging
** Certification (in terms of product and packaging material).
Market globalisation has led more than ever to their liberalisation and has provided numerous possibilities for businesses to expand there.
Of course entry to the world market means not only opportunities but also risks and therefore it should be carefully studied; it should not be seen as an occasional business prospect.
The advantages and opportunities for a business which exports its products can be the following :
** Economies of scale
** Rise in sales
** Rise in profits
** Reduction of the company’s dependence on the domestic market
** Gaining expertise
** Product empowerment in the domestic market.
However, except for the opportunities which come up for a business to grow and expand, there can also be challenges and threats at times which must be diagnosed in time and tackled.
These could be :
** Increased production or operation costs
** Adjustments in business administration
** Competition
** Long-term return on the investment
** Bureaucratic procedures.
First and foremost, it should be mentioned that the businessman will have to be aware of and take into account the following :
** Product competitiveness
** The company’s human resources
** Business funding
** Expectations and objectives.
A businessman should take into account factors such as the following in order to explore the position of their product in foreign markets :
** Potential target-customers
** Features of the product itself
** The company’s production capacity.
How to adjust your product for export :
In many cases making deciding to export a product also means that some necessary modifications need to be made on the product itself.
The methods and techniques applied to check a product’s export suitability cover a very wide range of procedures from very basic, fast and inexpensive techniques to those involving complex, expensive and lengthy procedures.
It is up to the exporter to choose together with their respective representative or product distributor the extent, technique and duration of the survey which should be carried out each time.
A programme can be put in place which includes research and could involve the following :
1. Study and registration of competitive products :
** Technical features:raw materials, form of product, variety, type, sizes, trademarks, colour, modifications, improvements, durability
** Quality assessment:resistance, ability, performance, appearance, suitability and ease of use
** Legal protection:design (form of product, patent rights, approvals)
2. Packaging/Appearance :
** Technical features: design, shape, manufacture materials, resistance in weather conditions, ease of use and stability during loading and unloading, distribution, storage and exposure, adjustment to official rules and legislative regulations.
** Attractiveness : size, shape, suitable colouring, quality seal and label design (tag).
** Product identity : shape, colour, label, trademark
** Details : product description, composition, instructions
** Provision of services : the kind of services provided by competitive products – delivery, installation, preparation, main parts and components, training on their use, repairs, contributory goods.
3. Competitive Prices :
** Consumer prices : list of basic prices – usual selling prices – taxes (value-added tax, Community or municipal taxes) – discounts (due to quantity or cash payment) – methods of payment (cash, by credit, in instalments) – discounts due to damaged goods – variety of products, market sectors and points of sale (sales outlets and shops).
** Wholesale prices : different prices – discounts – terms of payment – special discounts for wholesale importers and retailers due to products, sectors, size of the order, kind of traders.
4. Product acceptance :
The exporter will have to acquaint potential importers with his/her product and discuss with them the conditions regarding the selling and movement of similar products.
Hence the exporter will have a first clue and will be able to perform additions or changes to their product where necessary. Then the exporter will have to present the product to a group of wholesalers and retailers in order to hear their views and make decisions.
The exporter can also ask for feedback directly from the consumers. The exporter will also have to look into :
** the size and dimensions the product should have
** the kind of outer shell the product will have to packed in
** method of packaging to ensure ease of movement inside the warehouse
** ease provided by the packaging to ensure easy refrigeration if needed
** the selling price and ease of similar benefits.