1. What is the purpose of an export audit?
2. The Target Market Context:

• • Standards and Approval
  • Common Practice in Purchasing Procedures
  • The RFI
  • The Growing Importance of CSR

3. The Export Audit Process

• • The Audit Questionnaire
  • Points of contact
  • Background – get to know the company, QMS, H&S, Environment, CSR etc
  • Leadership – why export? strategy, objectives, motivation, attitude to risk, international experience, self-perception, expected outcomes of the audit

Department by Department Review

• • Products – analysis of product range, pricing, packaging, labelling, USPs, Value Proposition, suitability for export, approvals, shipping, stocks, lead times, training/after-sales support, company capability to adjust to requirements
  • Production – capacity, utilisation, bottlenecks, raw materials and supply chain, staff training and availability, quality control, manufacturing process
  • Finance – attitude to risk, financial strength, ability to invest in export, expansion, capability in foreign currency and payments, documentation
  • Sales – structure, best performers traits, why do customers buy? Domestic market share and growth potential, current routes-to-market, document review, Quality and price perception, competition, sales presentation, customer satisfaction
  • Export Experience – review of current exports, %, number and order size, geographical analysis, payment terms, export documentation and shipping, skills assessment
  • Marketing – strategy, collateral review, customer facing documentation review, exhibitions, publications etc.
  • Market Research – do you have any? Which export markets do you target? Why? Where are competitors active? Leads analysis
  • Competitors – who are they? Where are they?

4. Export Audit Tips and Suggestions
5. Summary