Doveloping our National Version.

If Your Country's Name's not on the List

If a national or regional version is not available, you may consider approaching your national trade support institution to publish a version in your country. Government, non-profit or commercially-oriented organizations with national standing interested in publishing a country version of Trade Secrets are encouraged to become network partners.

Becoming a network partner

1. Request Information Pack from ITC.

2. Articulate in a letter to ITC the organization's background and national standing; proposed time frame to complete the survey, assemble questions, draft answers, compile resources section, prepare first draft, final layout and printing; national marketing and distribution plan; and budget for personnel, printing and marketing. Include the organization's most recent annual report.

3. ITC will evaluate the commitment, credibility and competence of the partner. If the partnership proposal is accepted by ITC, the terms and conditions for the Joint Publication Arrangements will be confirmed through a written agreement.

4. Upon signing the Joint Publication Agreement, ITC will furnish the national partner organization with a copy of both the Guidelines for National Adaptation and the Generic Version of Trade Secrets: The Export Answer Book (2nd ed.).

5. The partner organization then produces and launches the publication with ITC guidance and technical advice. The process is accomplished in accordance with the Guidelines for National Adaptation. This manual explains how to research, write and adapt the publication by explaining the steps partner institutions need to undertake as they develop a practical, results-based guide to exporting.

The national development process

Below is the typical process undertaken to produce a national version, based on a 12-month time frame.

Appoint writing team

* Identify editor and research assistants and business librarian, if needed.

* Send letter to ITC on the names and qualifications of the final team.

Survey business community

* Determine survey method (one-on-one/focus group, facsimile, phone or mall).

* Develop standardized survey instrument.

* Identify firms and organizations to survey.

* Send survey introduction letter.

* Survey international business community.

* Transcribe respondents' answers in the form of questions.

* Compile names of respondents to include in acknowledgments.

* Send complete list of questions gathered from the survey process to ITC.

...