A well-designed foreign economic activity system can become not just a supportive element of a business, but a full-fledged source of profit and growth. According to Tatiana Vinnitskaya, an expert in the field of foreign trade, the key to success lies in a step-by-step methodology covering strategy, processes, finances, structure and team.
The first step is strategic planning. The foreign economic activity strategy should not be an abstract idea, but a logical continuation of the company's overall business model. If the goal is to minimize costs, then the emphasis is on reducing purchase prices and optimizing logistics. If the focus is on the uniqueness of the product, then individualized deliveries, work with non—standard suppliers and premium markets are important. All this should be recorded in the import policy of the company.
The next stage is process optimization. It is important to choose between a streaming or a project model of conducting foreign economic activity. Streaming is suitable for stable operations, while design is suitable for unique operations that require flexibility. Each function, from procurement to certification, needs to be clearly regulated and assigned to responsible employees.
The third level is management accounting. It is important to see where the company is losing money and where it is making money. The division of costs into variable and permanent, an understanding of the cost structure, and scenario budget planning make the process transparent and predictable.
Next is the organizational structure. Foreign economic activity can be conducted through external contractors, an internal department, or even a separate legal entity within the holding. The level of maturity depends on the scale of the business and its ambitions. Vertically integrated structures are being formed in large companies, where control covers all parts of the supply chain.
The fifth element is the command. We need not just specialists, but professionals who understand the strategic importance of their role. To do this, a KPI system is being implemented, which allows you to evaluate the effectiveness of each employee and the entire structure as a whole.
Vinnitskaya's methodology makes it possible to systematize foreign economic activity even in the most complicated companies and bring international operations to the level of a predictable and profitable mechanism.
