When you consider exporting, it is understandable that you would
draw on past knowledge and expertise/experience gained in the domestic market.
Experience would expose the hidden pitfalls and would teach you about best
business practice
Basic business principles that you apply to the domestic market would be applied
to the international market too.
No company with less that three - five years experience in the domestic market,
should consider venturing into the international market place.
If you have not had a successful track record of more than three - five years
in the South African market, then surely you would not be able to successfully
develop an international presence.
Entering into an international market means dealing with different kinds of
customers, environment, legal systems, economic and international regulations
that may be very different from those in the domestic market.