You are a senior advisor working for a consulting firm.

A Canadian retail manufacturing organization seeking to expand globally has come to you for advice.

They are seeking to expand globally into more than one country in Asia...(This may include South East Asia).

Based on your studies in this course "Project Management".

Question:

What reports or documents should they produce as part of this consideration /decision making process and why?

Name and describe in detail and justify your recommendations.

Reports & Documents:

• Memorandum of association, articles of association, incorporation letter, board resolution
• Business plan
• Rules and regulations
• Cultural assessment

The documents required to take the correct decisions for the organization and continue smooth operations in a new country are the memorandum of association, articles of association, incorporation letter, board resolution, business plan, rules and regulations, cultural assessment, cost analysis report, risk analysis report, organization structure, and the finance strategy adopted by the company.

These documents are essential to ensure that the products and services are designed based on the target customer's preferences and the company can retain and accomplish the desired results.

Step-by-step explanation

To expand the consulting firm globally in Asia, the Canadian retail manufacturing organization will be required to produce the following documents to make the best decisions for the growth of the company.

The documents required to conduct business in the country legally and decide the shareholder's responsibilities in the expanded operations are as follows:

·       Memorandum of association- It is a legal document prepared and signed by all the shareholders during the formation of the company. It includes the basic details of the company and the information about the shareholders. It also describes where the decision-making powers lie in the organization. This is an important document and is recommended to be updated and provided to prove that the company is a registered one.

·       Articles of association- This document explains the roles and responsibilities of the shareholders involved in the company. It also has the rules and regulations that will be followed to continue the business efficiently that are agreed by all the shareholders. It helps to delegate the tasks involved in the business accurately and is recommended to refer as and when required.

·       Incorporation letter- This document allows the business to set up internationally. It is essential to obtain it from the state government to prove its existence. This document needs to be attested and is recommended to be produced for smooth functioning in a new country.

·       Board resolution- This document is important and required for the company and should be signed and attested by the secretary or deputy secretary appointed by the board of directors. It is an essential document for expanding the business abroad and it is recommended to be used while taking important decisions. It shows the responsibilities of the corporate offices and records all the decisions taken by the board that might be required to refer in future.

The other documents that are required to ensure the organization is set up appropriately and will function efficiently, and earn profits are as follows:

·       Business plan- The manufacturing unit needs to determine the strategies and steps they will take to set up the business in a new country. This will be done by creating a business plan based on the objectives of the organization and derive the different ways they can achieve the desired results. It is recommended to have a detailed business plan to ensure all the requirements and objectives are considered.

·       Rules and regulations- The rules and regulations followed by the company presently and that will be followed for the operations in the new country need to be always kept handy to ensure they can be referred at any point of time during the setup and later. The regulations of that country also need to be understood and a copy of the document will be of help while planning the different activities. These documents are recommended to be available at all times so that the required steps are taken adhering to the regulations.

·       Cultural assessment report- This report will help to analyze the market of the country, and their tastes and preferences. It will guide the organization to plan effective strategies to ensure they can create a difference through its products and services. It is recommended to do a thorough analysis to ensure the needs and preferences of the target are met.

·       Cost analysis report- The organization needs to adopt a pricing method that is determined according to the market analysis done of that country. This will help them achieve the desired results efficiently. It is recommended to price their products competitively that will help them secure a good position in the market.

·       Risk analysis report- The organization should do an accurate risk analysis and determine the strategies that can be applied to curb the risks involved in setting the business from scratch in southeast Asia. Every new business has different risks and should be taken care of to ensure the smooth functioning of the organization. It is recommended to ensure the risks can be identified and to decide on the actions prior to entry in the new market.

·       Organization structure and finance strategy- The structure of the organization adopted in the new country is also important to make the right decisions as it helps to understand the operational efficiency of the organization. The organization also needs to plan a strategy for the financing options in the new country like the financial institution they would work with, and if any investments are required locally. This analysis will help them make better decisions and actions. It is recommended to ensure the structure is defined to enhance the operational efficiency and know the possible financial aids that can be used for functioning in the new country.