Doing business with people in other countries means realizing how they do things in different ways.
Adam, a Senior Salesperson in the US, said:
"
Sometimes, business can take you away from your motherland. Ambitious entrepreneurs should not be afraid to step out of their borders and open up new business opportunities.
Effective communication is an important part of export business, so understanding and adapting to local etiquette and customs is also essential. The seemingly small things, such as how you accept business cards or how you order lunches, can accomplish or break the business relationship with foreign customers.
"
Here are his unique international business practices on 15 countries.
Korea South Korea
Key words: singing
Koreans often expect their guests to go to Noraebang or Cara OK together. If you have dinner with a Korean client, you may find that your place of business is usually in Karaoke, and you must be asked to sing.
However, if you don't sing well, you don't have to worry because there are all private rooms. They also like to cut the song after the first part of each song so that they can sing more songs within the specified time.
France France
Key words: French
When it comes to doing business with French people, it doesn't matter if you can't speak French. But you have to apologize for your lack of fluency before further communication. If you've been opening up the French market but haven't had time to learn French, learn some phrases or greetings, and they'll be more friendly to you.
Besides, the French have a longer meal time, and lunch can last for 2 hours.
Germany Germany
Key words: direct
Germans are very respectful to people with direct personality, especially those who are outspoken in business negotiations. Therefore, in Germany, the more direct the better. But Germans do not like to joke about business, so it is wise to remain serious and rigorous.
Italy Italy
Key words: play
Don't expect to deal with Italians. In Italy, business is often driven by personal relationships, so don't spend a lot of time learning about your Italian customers and building relationships with them. Instead of spending energy on building a foundation for friendly communication, relax and put your business on the back burner. You'll find it easier to get customers'attention.
Australia Australia
Key words: punctuality
When setting up business in Australia, please set the alarm clock ahead, because punctuality is what they value most. If you don't know when to meet or meet an Australian client, go out early, or the other person may think you don't respect him, which will lead to a business crash.
So don't lose a deal because you're five minutes late, which is acceptable in the U.S., but NO in Australia.
Russian Russia
Key words: patience
Meeting with Russian customers or talking on time is also very important in a sense. Although Americans don't like to pinch when they meet, Russian clients usually like to arrive at the last second before the meeting when they trade with us, just to test Americans'patience.
China China
Key words: gift giving
Americans working in China prefer to prepare gifts before they attend business meetings. But don't expect them to be eagerly accepted. In China, a traditional custom is a gift that is rejected three times before being accepted. The point you need to pay attention to is that you have to continue to show that you are giving gifts until it is finally accepted.
Japan, Japan
Key words: business card
At present, the importance of business cards in the United States has decreased, but in Japan, business cards are very important. When doing business with the Japanese, Americans should carry a stack of business cards with both English and Japanese cards.
Business cards have attracted much attention in Japan. When you show your business card, you have to hand it to the customer to show its importance, but also face up in Japanese. When receiving a business card, Americans should also receive and thank each other with both hands. In addition, you should never write on a business card or play with it during a meeting because it is considered a sign of disrespect.
Brazil Brazil
Keywords: Aggression
If you do business in Brazil, please be prepared to be completely violated. This is considered impolite in the United States, but in Brazil, they tend to communicate very close and use a lot of body contact when speaking.
Although our normal physiological reaction is to retreat, if you want to maintain this business relationship, then please do not retreat, because it is considered impolite by them.
United Arab Emirates, United Arab Emirates, Arabia
Key words: left hand
Left handers may face some trouble in Arabia's United Arab Emirates. Because in the Middle East, the left hand is considered to be unclean and strictly used for physical hygiene.
It's very important to eat with your right hand, shake hands, pass papers, etc. Doing these things with your left hand is considered a serious insult.
India India
Keywords: Cattle
In business dinner in India, Americans have better watch out for their orders. If you want to impress your customers, avoid juicy steaks or hamburgers for dinner.
Because cattle are considered sacred animals in India, some customers even think that ordering any beef dishes or wearing cowhide clothes at a business dinner is a sign of disrespect for him.
Spain Spain
Keywords: cut-off date
Although the cut-off date in the United States is considered to be a fixed date, it is not the case in Spain. In Spain, the deadline is only a reference time, even if it is missed, it is no big deal. So Americans don't have to feel as if they don't seem to be taken seriously, just take into account the time that may be extended by the deadline.
Finland Finland
Keywords: Sauna
Although Americans are used to doing business in many open-air cafes, restaurants or golf courses, they may not be used to holding meetings in saunas.
In Finland, it is considered a great honor to enjoy relaxing sauna. To help build a business partnership, Americans should not reject the invitation because it is seen by locals as a sign of hospitality, which will help push the business in a positive direction.
Belgium Belgium
Key words: Kiss
When you attend a business meeting in Belgium, you have to prepare ahead of time to say hello and goodbye. Although shaking hands in the United States is enough to express greetings, Belgians prefer to kiss, or "air kiss" air kiss.
In Belgium, strangers start by shaking hands, but once a relationship is established, Belgian businessmen greet each other with three kisses. Custom usually requires kissing on the right cheek and kissing on the left cheek, and then kissing on the right cheek. So when talking to Belgians about business, it's considered disrespectful if you don't give them a kiss, or if the kisses are not in the right order.
United Kingdom, UK
Key words: tapping nose
When dealing with professionals in Britain, don't think they have itchy noses when they start to touch their noses. Usually this action is what they are implying that the next thing they will discuss is private and confidential. So it's important to focus on this gesture, because you're probably talking about something he doesn't want to be known.
