International Trade and Market Research

 

This module will cover the research process, step by step. It will cover:

• International Trade Research

• Planning the Research Process

• Defining Research Objectives

• Evaluating Export Opportunities

• Evaluating Import Opportunities

• Data Collection

• Analyzing the Data

• Market Intelligence

• Competitor Intelligence

• Management Information Systems for International Trade

• Sources of Market Information

• Using Databases

• Applying Trade Research: Products and Processes

• Applying Trade Research: The Promotional Strategy 

International Marketing

 

This module will provide knowledge on how to outdistance the competition. It will cover:

• The Principles of Marketing

• The International Marketing Plan

• Domestic vs. International Marketing

• The Techniques of Market Research

• The Market Entry Strategy

• Cultural, Political, and Legal Implications

• Marketing the Right Product

• The Promotional Strategy

• Missions and Trade Fairs

• Pricing and Marketing

• Enhancing the Marketing Effort

• Marketing Services

• International Marketing Management

• Sources of Assistance

International Trade Logistics Management   

 

This module will teach the crucial interplay of the export team, documents, preparation, and transportation in getting the goods from the seller to the buyer. It will cover:

• The Role of Logistics Management

• Preparing a Logistics Plan

• Supply Chain Management

• Transportation Management and Analysis 

• Inventory Logistics

• Concepts of Advanced Logistics

• Logistics and the Export Process

• Order Processing and Order Fulfillment

• Preparation of Shipments

• Export Documentation

• Shipping, Freight Forwarders, and Insurance

• Delivery and Distribution

• The Import Process

• Import Documentation

• Standards, Health, Safety, and Environmental Issues

• Managing logistic activities

• Managing the logistics process 

• Improving logistics performance; basic tools for improvement, meaningful change, impediments to improvements 

International Market Entry and Distribution

 

This module will help chart a course to international markets and negotiate any obstacle. It will cover:

• Defining Strategic Needs

• Barriers to Entry

• Distribution Issues

• Investment-based Entry Strategies

• Pursuing an Investment-based Strategy

• The Role of Partnerships in International Trade

• Partnering with Product Representatives: Agents and Distributors

• Finding the Right Partner

• Negotiating Partnering Agreements

• Working with Suppliers

• Technology Partnering

• Managing a Joint Venture

• Exit Strategies

International Purchasing/Sourcing

 

This module will cover the skills in sourcing products and services efficiently and cost effectively:

• Location and evaluation of international sources>

• International sourcing strategies; local buying, group sourcing agreements, strategic alliances, integrated supply chains

• Advantages and risks of multi-sourcing

• International purchasing procedures

• Terms and conditions of purchase, payment terms, transport and insurance

• Tenders: bids, conditions, analysis, evaluation and acceptance

• Purchasing and inbound logistic

International Trade Finance

 

This module provides examples of complex ventures and will show you how to secure financing for them. It will cover:

• An Introduction to Trade Finance

• The Financing Presentation

• Trade Finance Risk Analysis and Management

• Foreign Exchange Rates

• Export Costing and Transaction Viability

• Forms of Financing

• Trade Payment Methods

• Understanding and Processing Documentary Credits

• Export Credit Insurance

• Official sources of Trade Finance

• Cash Flow Planning

• Countertrade and Consignment

• Bonds and Guarantees

• Factoring and Forfeiting

International Trade Strategy and Negotiation

 

This module teaches and exposes you to the high-level skills of strategic thinking and planning, as well as working with others in a diverse international trade business.

• International trade planning

• Strategy generation, strategy choice, strategic issues

• Market selection 

• Negotiating Abroad

• Investment, joint venture, strategic alliance,

• Selecting appropriate market entry strategy

• Custom Strategy

The Practices and Management of International Trade

This module will help to manage international trade activities more effectively, with an eye to competitive advantage. It will cover:

• Exporting as one whole operation

• Importing as one whole operation

• Managing international physical distribution and logistics

• Organizing the financing needs of international trade

• Coping with the business and legal environments

• Operating in the global economy

• Managing the Export Process

• International Business Planning

• The Global Economy and International Companies

• Benchmarking the Competition

• Information for Management

• Operating an Export Office

• Externalizing Operations

• Managing Strategic Alliances and Virtual Corporations

• Managing for Competitive Advantage

• Building an International Work Force

• Managing Cultural Diversity

• Managing International Innovation

• Managing International Assets

• Managing Risk

Practicum

 

4 – 16 weeks of internship exposes students to the nitty gritty of the procedures and the operations involved in International Trade.  It also impels them to actively take part in observing and analyzing the problems and trying to improve.  Experiencing the organizational realities of work is an important addition to their career profile.