You need to make sure you're fully prepared before beginning to trade with other European Union (EU) countries. You're unlikely to have the same background knowledge of markets, cultures and procedures elsewhere in Europe as you do in the UK - but the more groundwork you do, the less likely it is that you'll be surprised by anything.

If you're buying, you should conduct research to locate suppliers and assess their quality, reliability and capacity to deliver overseas.

If you're selling, it's vital to have a well worked-out plan. You need to be sure that you have the necessary resources to move into an overseas market, as well as the logistical support in place to move your goods between countries.

Draw up a sales plan. It should cover:

Your target market - is there a demand for your goods at a viable price?

Your products or services - do you need to modify them? For example, do you need to adapt them for language differences?

Marketing - how will you market your products? Don't assume they'll occupy the same market position as in the UK.

Finance - have you got finance in place to cover the costs of trading?

Distribution - how will you deliver your goods to your overseas customers?

Pricing - what prices will you charge, which currencies and which payment methods will you accept?

Contacts - what contacts do you need to make in your new market?

 

 

( liyy )20 Apr,2011

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