Doing Business Globally:  A Brief Guide to Cultural Awareness

When traveling for business or hosting International customers or coworkers, there are a myriad of things to know regarding International business etiquette. Of course, these rules vary greatly depending on what part of the world you’re visiting or where your business partners are from. Some of the things that you will need to research involve how you behave and gesture, how you talk (tone and volume), handshaking and introductions, personal space and relationship to your counterpart, how you dress and your overall appearance, where you should sit in meetings, and when (times of day) you conduct business—just to name a few. The best way to ensure a successful business trip is to be prepared. Learn everything you can about the culture you will be visiting. Pay particular attention to business and typical customs of the region, hours of operation, and so on.

For an extensive list of tips from passport information to airport security to immunizations to public safety and regional / custom information, consult with the US State Department’s Consular Affairs Publications, available online: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1231.html

The US State Department issues Consular Information Sheets for every country of the world with information on such matters as the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, any areas of instability, and the location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country. I strongly recommend that you access the Consular Information Sheet for any country that you will be visiting. In order to be successful in business overseas, it is important to exhibit that you have researched your customer and have taken the time to understand their culture. Common mistakes of ignorance could cost you that “big deal” that you’ve spent the past 12 months working to close—and you may not even know why.

Did you know:

1. Aggressiveness—often valued and exemplified in America—is viewed as disrespectful in India

2. Many Indians are vegetarian—keep this in mind when hosting customers from India for a business dinner

3. The consumption of alcohol in Germany is prevalent during business meals, whereas in Muslim countries it is not

4. In China, when a business partner extends his or business card, do not “snatch” it out of the person’s hand nor slide yours across the table. This is considered rude. The exchanging of business cards should always be done with two hands, as a sign of respect

5. Sharing of personal and family information is encouraged in China, even in a business setting

6. In Japan, a person’s rung on the Japanese corporate ladder is highly linked to that person’s age, so when in a business meeting seating position is important and everybody will be facing a similarly aged counterpart

7. It is part of the South Korean meeting ritual to begin by offering guests a beverage. Accept a drink when it’s offered to you, even if you only choose to sip rather than drink it.

8. Indonesian people are naturally soft-spoken, so be aware of your tone of voice and avoid being loud or harsh-sounding.

9. A person will be judged in France on their educational level, family reputation and wealth. They respect privacy, value politeness and they are generally reserved in their social interactions. They are very patriotic.

10. In Germany in business meetings, it is considered common courtesy to allow older people to enter conference rooms or other meeting settings first. The list goes on and on. The point is—educate yourself in order to be positioned for success. Here is another resource- International Business Etiquette

The list goes on and on.  The point is—educate yourself in order to be positioned for success.  Here is another resource- International Business Etiquette

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