<p>DeVry Online Global Issues in Business BUSN 427</p><p>ALL modules Global Business Plan</p><p>First, locate ALL 16 Modules you need to prepare your business plan in the Doc. Sharing Section of the class. There, you will find the explanation of what each module needs and a general sample. In general, your research paper should contain about 1 (one) page (double space) of discussion for each module. Try to keep your discussions per module, limited to no more than 2 (two) pages. You may reorganize the material, but make sure each module TOPIC is clearly identified.</p><p>FOCUS: This research paper is really an exercise in producing a feasibility study. This is a group project and whether you choose a country and use the research to determine the best product or service to introduce… or whether you start with a product or service and determine which country would be the best place… or weather the instructor provides a list of products and countries for your selection, you will use the research to either PROVE or DISPROVE the idea. I hope that your idea will be feasible. However, there is no penalty should your research determine that your original hypothesis was incorrect. Ultimately, you will all have the same focus: introducing a product or service into a foreign country. Whether you start with the product and choose the country, or start with the country and choose the product/service, that is up to you. At the end, you all will have either a product or service AND a country you plan to use for your global expansion, and your opinion/recommendation about whether it will work and why. </p><p>FORMAT: This is a senior level course and your writing should indicate that. Use standard research format. The official citation format style for DeVry is the APA format (please refer to the Doc. Sharing for more information about the APA format style). The DeVry Online Library has many sources to assist you. Use either Times Roman or Ariel font. You can use either 10 point or 12-point font. One (1) inch borders. Keep graphics to a minimum. Uploading high memory (more than 2MG) documents to the platform can create obstacles. If you have maps and other graphics you want to use, I would suggest making a separate Addendum that could be uploaded separately. If you scan a graphic, do not use resolution any higher than 75 dpi. I will be reviewing these via the computer and not printing them out. Low resolution is fine for computer viewing. CITE YOUR SOURCES. Use the APA style of referencing. </p><p>Module 1: Identifying Global Business Opportunities Once the country and product is selected, evaluate potential markets for feasibility as well as a look at both comparative advantage and/or absolute advantage. Further analysis such as a SWOT, for example would be a good start for a paper.</p><p>Module 2: Analyzing International Competitors Using the 3 steps in the module, evaluate the competitive environment. This would include competitive advantage, core competence, standardization vs. customization, and is the competitive environment fragmented, consolidating? What stage of the life cycle does the INDUSTRY fit into? If you are evaluating a country rather than a firm, then what types of businesses are the oldest, the newest upstarts. What foreign investments are there already? What is the attitude toward American companies?</p><p>Module 3: Assessing the Economic/Geographic Environment This is where you start to really get to the “meat” of your investigation. By now you should have a country in mind AND a product or service in mind. As you evaluate the economy and natural resources, do so with your product or service in mind. Do you need waterways and shipping docks? Do you need telecommunications? How stable is the </p><p>1 of 3 DeVry Online Global Issues in Business BUSN 427</p><p> economy? Is your product/service purchased with discretionary income or disposable income? What is the GDP/capita in US dollars? Compare it to the US GDP/per capita. </p><p>Module 4: Assessing the Souci-Cultural Environment Using the 4 categories in this module, paint the cultural picture. You may want to look at future trends and predictions. In the US for example, we have the aging babyboomers. The largest segment of the US population was born between 1946-1964. Beginning on Jan. 1, 1996, the first of the baby boomers started turning 50. This segment will have 2500 people turn 50 every day (365 days) every year for the next 10 years. Starting in 2006, those same people will start turning 60. By 2014, the largest segment of the US population will be 50 – 70 years of age. The same thing is happening in Japan. What are the implications of that kind of cultural influence? Look at those kinds of statistics as well.</p><p>Module 5: Assessing the Political Legal Environment There are 4 areas here to consider which will either inhibit or facilitate your expansion. Identify the obstacles and opportunities within your country and how you might be successful.</p><p>Module 6: Selecting a Global Company Structure Use the 4 key steps to determine the Action Plan at the bottom. Primarily, this will be your Operational Recommendation for how to gain entry and what structure will be the best. Support your decision. On the other hand, you can list pros and cons to each alternative. Based on that analysis to capitalize on the strengths and opportunities as well as the benefits, minimizing risks, what is the best course of action?</p><p>Module 7: Financing Sources for Global Business Operations Ok… this is the section for “Show me the money!” </p><p>Module 8: Creating a Global MIS (Management Information System) On Step #4: The Action Plan is your best summary in this section as what you will need.</p><p>Module 9: Identifying Human Resources for Global Business Activities The primary focus here is Step #1. Determine the method and make a case as to why it is the best method. From there, discuss items such as average wages in the country, compare that to US wages for the same job and determine what additional compensation will be necessary for your expatriates.</p><p>Module 10: Managing International Financial and Business Risks You should have most of the necessary research for this section already. What is necessary here is to EVALUATE the information in terms of impediments, obstacles, risks, loss, etc. and how to mitigate them. For example, in a strategic alliance how might you ensure the safeguard of any proprietary information so that the alliance cannot become a direct competitor? </p><p>Module 11: Product Target Market Planning for Foreign Markets In this section, you will discuss the benefits and features of your product in a way that should appeal to a group of potential REPEAT buyers. The key to successful business is having REPEAT buyers. That is who your target market will be generally. A group of people with identifiable characteristics with similar needs who have the ability, authority, and desire to buy or use what you have. What features and benefits does your product or service have that will appeal to the group you have identified?</p><p>2 of 3 DeVry Online Global Issues in Business BUSN 427</p><p>Module 12: Designing a Global Distribution Strategy Distribution IS transportation. How does the product or service get to the consumer? Do you need a good infrastructure (roads, waterways, railroads), or good telecommunication equipment (telephones, servers, computers, fax), or refrigeration or electricity? You should have enough information gathered to evaluate what is feasible what might present obstacles to delivery.</p><p>Module 13: Planning a Global Promotion Strategy Promotion IS communication. How do you plan to communicate your product/service? What is available to you? If you rely on TV advertising, for example, what percentage of households have TVs in the home. How much is government a controlling factor in advertising? What are the preferred method people in your country get the news? Newspaper, TV, radio. Would it work to use a sales force?</p><p>Module 14: Selecting an International Pricing Strategy Competitors, cost, and demand are the primary determinants to price. Cost is related to the economy. Competitors reflect the pricing based on standard of living and to a certain extent the demand. Be sure to review your economics and know whether your product or service has an elastic demand or an inelastic demand concerning price.</p><p>Module 15: Determining Organizational Financial Results This is partly a review from Module 7. However, the best approach would be to see if you could develop a pro forma income statement. Even if you are estimating the numbers, see if you can create an Income Statement that will indicate your costs, revenue and profit.</p><p>Module 16: Measuring International Business Success Measuring success IS a cost/benefit analysis. Look at costs and benefits financially, socially, and politically. You can even add an environmental cost/benefit component. Does you business plan provide more benefits than costs in all those areas? If yes, then your plan is a “go” decision. If on balance, it costs more than it benefits (financially, socially, environmentally, politically), then your decision would be “no-go.” </p><p>3 of 3</p>