Course Code
Academic Year
In this final capstone course, emphasis is placed on developing comprehensive business plans for a Canadian small- to medium-sized enterprise (SME) to enter and compete successfully in an international market. Students develop and present a comprehensive country report, analyzing and assessing a country s attractiveness to an SME for trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) on relevant competitive, economic, political, geographic, cultural and demographic factors. They also develop a comprehensive business strategy and plan including appropriate marketing, organizing, production, logistics, human resources and financial strategies for an SME to successfully enter and compete in an international market. Plan requirements include a comprehensive assessment of market attractiveness, an environmental and risk assessment (politics, economics, demography, competition, culture, opportunities, threats, Porter s five forces), an internal assessment (strengths and weaknesses), an evaluation of market entry strategies, mission, vision, goals, objectives, strategies and tactics, and detailed tactics for marketing, operations, finance, organization, structure and management.