International Busine Etiquette Tips Nowadays, busine environment is becoming increasingly more global is.Meetings, phone calls and conferences are held all over the world and attendees can come from any point on the globe. On any given busine day you can find yourself dealing face-to-face, over the phone, by e-mail and, on rare occasions, by postal letter with people whose customs and cultures differ your own. You may never have to leave home to interact on an international level.
While the old saying \"When in Rome, do as the Romans do\" still holds true, busine clients and colleagues who are visiting one country should be treated with sensitivity and with an awarene of their unique culture.Not to do your homework and put your best international foot forward can cost you relationships and future busine.One small mitep such as using first names inappropriately, not observing the rules of timing or sending the wrong color flower in the welcome bouquet can be costly.
There is no one set of rules that applies to all international visitors.That may sound like a daunting task, but taken in small steps, it is manageable and the rewards are worth the effort.Keeping in mind that there are as many ways to do busine as there are countries to do busine with, here are a few tips for minding your global P\'s and Q\'s.
Building relationships Few other people are as eager to get down to busine, so take time to get to know your international clients and build rapport before you rush to the bottom line.Busine relationships are built on trust that is developed over time, especially with people from Asia and Latin America.
Dreing conservatively
Americans like to dre for fashion and comfort, but people from other parts of the world are generally more conservative.Your choice of busine attire is a signal of your respect for the other person or organization.Leave your trendy clothes in the closet on the days that you meet with your foreign guests.
Observe the hierarchy It is not always a simple matter to know who is the highest-ranking member when you are dealing with a group.To avoid embarrament, err on the side of age and masculine gender, only if you are unable to discover the protocol with research. If you are interacting with the Japanese, it is important to understand that they make decisions by consensus, starting with the younger members of the group.By contrast, Latin people have a clear hierarchy that defers to age.
Understanding the handshake With a few exceptions, busine people around the world use the handshake for meeting and greeting.Variations in handshakes are based on cultural differences, not on personality or values.The Japanese give a light handshake.Germans offer a firm shake with one pump, and the French grip is light with a quick pump.Middle Eastern people will continue shaking your hand throughout the greeting.Don\'t be surprised if you are occasionally met with a ki, a hug, or a bow somewhere along the way.
Using titles and correct forms of addre We are very informal in the United States and are quick to call people by their first name.Approach first names with caution when dealing with people from other cultures.Use titles and last names until you have been invited to use the person\'s first name.In some cases, this may never occur.Use of first names is reserved for family and close friends in some cultures.
Titles are given more significance around the world than in the United States and are another important aspect of addreing busine people. Earned academic degrees are acknowledged.For example, a German engineer is addreed as \"Herr Ingenieur\" and a profeor as \"Herr Profeor\".Listen carefully when you are introduced to someone and pay attention to busine cards when you receive them.
Exchanging busine cards The key to giving out busine cards in any culture is to show respect for the other person.Present your card so that the other person does not have to turn it over to read your information.Use both hands to present your card to visitors.When you receive someone else\'s busine card, always look at it and acknowledge it.When you put it away, place it carefully in your card case or with your busine documents.Sticking it haphazardly in your pocket is demeaning to the giver.In most cases, wait until you have been introduced to give someone your card.
Valuing time Not everyone in the world is time conscious.Don\'t take it personally if someone from a more relaxed culture keeps you waiting or spends more of that commodity than you normally would in meetings or over meals.Stick to the rules of punctuality, but be understanding when your contact from another country seems unconcerned.
Whether the world comes to you or you go out to it, the greatest compliment you can pay your international clients is to learn about their country and their customs.Understand differences in behavior and honor them with your actions.Don\'t take offense when visitors behave according to their norms.People from other cultures will appreciate your efforts to accommodate them and you will find yourself building your international clients.
