Review the following list of items to see if your firm has what it takes to achieve export success:

1. Make a long-term commitment to exporting.
2. Develop an export marketing plan.
3. Produce the right product for the market.
4. Pay close attention to your export strategy, including product positioning and pricing.
5. Be prepared to offer credit terms to customers.
6. Give careful attention to the selection of your partner, agent or distributor.
7. Nurture your relationship with your agent or distributor.
8. Support your export marketing with multi-lingual promotional and technical materials.
9. Hire personnel with who speak the languages of your foreign market and who know those markets.
10. Ensure competent staff through on-going export training and international marketing courses.
11. Develop a strong in-house support network for international marketing.
12. Go out and meet your customers - send senior company officers to the foreign markets from time to time after a contract has been won.
13. Exhibit at trade fairs or speak at international conferences - take full advantage of Government-supported trade fairs in your target markets.
14. Learn the local culture and business customs.
15. Consider using Canadian trading houses or experienced Canadian partners to develop the more distant and challenging markets.
16. Honour your contracts with foreign customers.
17. Be aware of potential hazards and manage your export risks.
18. Be prepared to change strategy to suit often changing market conditions.
19. Make a commitment to on-going research and development.
20. Be prepared to respond quickly to changes in technology.

If, after reviewing the checklist, you feel that your firm is prepared to export, continue on to the next section.