To pardon an overused cliché, the world is getting to be a "smaller place" to do business, much smaller. The internet, which may well have as much or more effect on mankind than the wheel, is connecting people and business this century like we could not have imagined 25 years ago. As competing businesses develop they are continually crossing borders for improved services, increased quality, speedier delivery, cheaper raw-materials, lower cost of services, bigger markets, more profitable deals, less competition for their products just to mention a few. International dealings are becoming increasingly transparent to the customer in some cases. Often a customer in the United States may be speaking to a support person in India when he is trying to get his computer to behave properly.
If you are a leader in your industry today, to truly sustain long-term leadership, an international presence is more than likely crucial. For other entities it may be a means of survival or a glowing opportunity. There are many competing products being invented and produced daily that may well find their way to your market. Expanding your markets into additional countries provides many benefits. Other than simply growing the top-line revenues of your company and giving you additional market opportunities, selling your products and services across borders invariably provides some balance to typical fluctuations in the market economies. Often when your domestic markets are subdued, you will find markets in other regions relatively stronger, allowing you to better cover your risks. Surely, these benefits come at a cost and risk to your organisation. International market develop can be capital intensive and risky. One can select the wrong country for expansion, wrong partner, incorrect market segment, a misguided marketing plan, etc.