Business Project

Final Project Int 110

This is a guide with the rubric. The questions provided under each section are meant to guide you through the project- you may be able to answer all you may need

This is a great resource for you project: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/

It should be a minimum of 4-5 typed pages. Be sure and format with headers that align with the topic.

General Description of Project: There are many different countries and products for investors to choose from. However, there are limited resources with which they can do this. The more research an investor conducts on a foreign country, and a company’s products, the greater the chances of success the investment will yield. Your task is to investigate the feasibility of exporting a Canadian product into a foreign country and provide detailed information as to the viability of this venture.

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to allow the students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of international business from a American perspective. The project will assist in their understanding of doing business in other countries and promote a greater understanding of the challenges that companies and countries face in today’s global environment. The research and information gathering for this project will allow students to meet many of the expectations of the course.

1. Students will gather information about doing business in another country.

2. Students will analyze the ways in which various factors influence how business is conducted in another country.

3. Students will examine the marketing challenges of doing business in another country.

Instructions

• Students will choose a local company (Guelph, K-W, Cambridge, GTA) and a country to expand

• The students should gather all of their information and create a final report with recommendations.

• The APA referencing style should be used for this report.

Paper Content

Part 1 - Country Facts and Statistics Choose one of the following countries: China, Japan, UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, India, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Spain, Portugal, South Africa, Turkey, South Korea, Egypt. Country facts and statistics give an investor a starting point with which to study and evaluate the potential of a foreign country. This Part should be formatted as a one- or two-page fact sheet. The geographic data should include at least one comprehensive map, and the democratic and economic data must include several graphic representations. All materials must be referenced using APA referencing. Geographic:

• Country name: conventional long form and conventional short form.

• Map with major cities, ports, international airports, major highways, major rail lines and physical characteristics (mountains, rivers, etc.) marked. This may contain more than one map.

• Area (sq. km) and comparison to Canada (as a percentage of Canada).

• Time zone. When it is noon in Ottawa it is __________ in __________ (country). • Climate/weather conditions. Demographic: Create a graphic representation of the following: • Population and comparison to Canada (as a percentage).

• Population growth rate.

• Age distribution (population pyramid).

• Life expectancies (male, female).

• Rural vs. urban (percentages).

• Culture of the Company

• Literacy rates (male, female).

• Ethnic groups (percentage of total population).

• Religious groups (percentage of total population).

• Languages spoken (official and other - include percentages). Economic

• GDP per capita.

• Inflation rate.

• Unemployment rate.

• Currency name and current exchange rate to Canadian dollar.

• Currency stability (5 year graph - compared to CAD or USD).

• Income distribution (% GDP to % population).

• GDP by sector (percentages).

• Top 1-3 import partners.

• Top 1-3 export partners.

Part 2 - Political Profile A country’s political structure tells investors a lot about that country. Is the county democratic? How prevalent is corruption? How stable is the government? Investors carefully study these questions and their answers before choosing to invest in a foreign country. This Part should be formatted as a Foreign Affairs Brief providing factual data for investors on the topics outlined below. All materials must be referenced using APA referencing. Government:

• Government type. Stability, military

• Head of state (name and position).

• Date government elected or appointed.

• Date of next national election.

• Country’s views on trade.

• Tariffs, quotas, embargoes.

• Labor standards (wages, conditions, etc human rights issues).

Part 3 - Company / Product - Current Status In order to successfully market your product in your foreign country, you need to have a thorough understanding of the American situation. Choose a small company in your hometown that sells products such as clothing, boats, water purification systems, or cardboard boxes, etc. Begin by examining the company’s website and news articles related to the company. Once you have determined what products your company sells, you will select a product sold by your company on which to base the remainder of this assignment. Create a Corporate Profile as outlined below for your business that does not exceed 1 page but provides an investor with pertinent information on your company’s domestic structure and market strategies.

Company: • Name, address, locations.

• Owner (person or company).

• Number of employees.

• Corporate structure.

• Product lines (general description).

• Export experience.

• Product: features and benefits, packaging.

• Price.

• Promotion.

• Place: where is it available/sold (retail); distribution and transportation.

Part 4 - International Marketing Plan Complete an international marketing plan for your product. Answering the questions provided.

Name: Country: Company: Product(s): 4 ‘P’s Product:

Product

1. What needs/wants does your product fulfill in your selected country?

2. Who is the target market (consumer) of the product? How often will they purchase the item? 3. Are purchases affected by climate?

4. Are purchases affected by geography; for example infra-structure or transportation problems?

5. Does your product conflict with traditions, habits, or beliefs of the customers in your selected country?

6. What makes your product(s) unique for the country’s market?

7. What competing products are already available in your selected country? If possible state the product and company names that are being sold currently in your selected country.

8. What are the competitive advantages of your product or business over other domestic and international businesses?

10. Will your product be restricted abroad; for example tariffs, quotas, or non-tariff trade barriers?

Price

1. Can consumers in your country afford your product?

2. What factors do you need to consider when setting prices in your selected country?

3. Are your products’ sales very sensitive to price changes?

Promotional Strategy:

1. What advertising materials will you use?

2. What media would you use to advertise your products? e.g. Print, TV, Radio.

3. What cultural concern(s) must be addressed in your advertising? e.g. Language differences, literacy rates, buying influences, religion, attitudes towards change and foreign products

Place (distribution)

Outline your distribution channels from America to your selected country. e.g. Export packing, container loading, inland freight, handling, ocean freight, courier mail, tariffs.

Will you sell directly to the consumer or do a joint venture, license etc.

In this section or

Part 5 - Recommendations and Conclusions

You are now ready to make an informed decision as to whether you would recommend that your company export your selected product into your selected country. Your final task is to write an executive summary which addresses the question: Should your company export the product to your selected country. Your reasons should be justified and based upon the research you have conducted. Your argument should demonstrate the knowledge and understanding that you have obtained throughout this course. Any works cited should be referenced using the APA formatting model.

Here is the general rubric

Content	Novice (0-5)	Competent(6-10)	Proficient (11-15)
Stage 1 Country Facts and Statistics
Geographic	Attempt made Several items on geography there	Attempt made and most of the elements presents	Outstanding all elements with an overview and description
Demographic	Attempt made Several demographic items present	Attempt made and most of the elements presents	Outstanding all elements with an overview and description g
Economic	Attempt made Discussed general economic terms	Attempt made and most of the elements presents	Outstanding all elements with an overview and description
Culture	Attempt made Discussed general terms	Attempt made and most of the elements presents	Outstanding all elements with an overview and description
Stage 2 Political Profile
Government	Attempt made Discussed general terms	Attempt made and most of the elements presents	Outstanding all elements with an overview and description
Political Issues	Attempt made Discussed general terms	Attempt made and most of the elements presents	Outstanding all elements with an overview and description
Human rights	Attempt made Discussed general terms	Attempt made and most of the elements presents	Outstanding all elements with an overview and description
Legal Issues	Attempt made Discussed general terms	Attempt made and most of the elements presents	Outstanding all elements with an overview and description
Stage 3 Company Status
Company	Selected a company but lacked data	Selected a company and did a good overview	Selected a company, researched the company, provided detailed overview
Marketing Mx	No clear marketing mix present	Presented all the variables	Clearly and accurately depicted the company’s marketing mix
Stage 4 International Marketing Plan
Product	Identified product but not related to country	Good overview of product as related to country	Outstanding all elements with an overview and description
Price	Identified price with no discussion as to why	Good overview of price as related to country	Demonstrated a valid model for pricing internationally
Place	Discussed some of place variables but in no detail	Good overview of a plan to distribute and sell product	Discussed a legitimate supply channel and place variable identified where they sell product and reflected respect for the vulture and values of the country
Promotion	Mentioned would promote but no clear plan	General overview of promotion that shows connection to the country values and systems in place	Discussed a valid promotional strategy that was feasible, respectful of the culture, and possible given the country’s infrastructure
Stage 6
Recommendation and Conclusion	Made an attempt to summarize and defend choice of country	Summarized and made 2-3 recommendations	Excellent summary and recommendations and conclusions that seem plausible and possible
Grammar/APA/overall paper mechanics	Hard to read short, lacking depth, many grammar errors, no references	Paper had a few grammar errors but they did not detract from content, student made an attempt, references present	Very few errors, reads as a polished project, that reflects, depth and insight. Refences from multiple sources and few grammar errors,

References DOCURI INC. (2017). Retrieved August 2020, from Final Project for HR MBA Students on International Business: https://docuri.com/queue/final-project-for-hr-mba-students-on-international-business-_59a8d44cf581719e12ace0d4_pdf?queue_id=59d7caeff58171622128bba4.