7 concepts for building successful international business relationships

Every business relationship is unique, by applying these concepts and ideas we can increase the probability of making long term, quality and reliable relationships with foreign clients, suppliers and partners.

1.   Supply and Demand.  The fundamental idea behind business and a market economy.  Want to determine where to sell or buy, or predict if prices will be going up or down?  Understand the concept of supply and demand.

2.  Cause and Effect.  Physics applied to the business environment.  What you do will affect your competitor and the market and vice versa.

3.   People like to feel important and special.  Learn this and you’ve discovered one of the fundamental qualities of a great salesperson or marketer.

4.  Simple clear communications, on-time. all the time.  Don’t make it technical, keep it easy to understand.  Answer all questions when asked, don’t hide the bad news and never forget to call back and follow-up.  When we don’t understand, ask questions, ask more questions until it is perfectly clear.

5.  Get the work done, on time, and with the highest degree of quality possible.  Insist that this is a critical part of the relationship for both sides.

6.  Listening is more important.

7.  Get it in writing.  After all meetings sign and date a document that briefly states what happened, the agreements, the chronology  and deadlines involved, and who is responsible.   All transactions and agreements should be documented.

International business traveler – ambassador, explorer, map-maker

The critical roles played by international business traveler.

International business travelers play an incredibly important role as ambassadors, explorers and “map-makers” inside their organizations and with their overseas contacts.

Ambassadors, Explorers, and “Map-Makers”

Ambassador of your country and culture. During your trip your actions and reactions are being watched by others. They are trying to confirm, deny or create stereotypes of your country.  Everything including your inter-personal skills, business negotiation skills and manners, the way you dress and eat, your choice of hotels, table manners, social skills, and the ability to make small-talk and conversation will be watched, examined and commented upon after you leave.  Keep this idea clear at all time during your trip, it is important.

Ambassador of your company. Prepare and bring all materials required for the negotiations and business interactions.  Project an aura of professionalism, a willingness to learn and share, and honesty.   Create relationships with a long-term vision.  You may be promoted or leave the organization some day, but your international contacts will continue to do business with your company.

Ambassador of you. International business is all about relationships, and your behaviour and attitudes are critically important as the liaison and trusted representative.  Make promises you can keep, follow-through on the projects and projects.  Project honesty and a concern for doing business and maintaining relationships.   Your actions should focus on creating a climate of trust and open communication.  Don’t try to be someone you are not.

Explorer. The international business traveller, technicians, and sales and business development executives have the added responsibility of verifying existing information, establishing new contacts that will be beneficial in the future, and discovering new ideas and opportunities.  It requires an inquisitive character, a bit of courage and a spirit of adventure.

Map-Maker.   Often neglected by organizations is the cultural, political and personal information gathered by international business people.  This information (or data), should be gathered, filtered and consolidated, and available to the organization after every overseas trip.   “Maps” should be made for future consultation and reference.  The map-making role requires the separation of the facts from interpretation, personal anecdotes and opinions. This information becomes the foundation for all future strategic and operating decisions.

Original post August 21, 2006

Cultural misunderstanding – the deal breaker

Expansion into international markets and working with other cultures can created unforeseen headaches and avoidable problems for companies who enter foreign markets without sufficient cultural information and know how.

Many companies of all sizes have encountered communication and cultural problems in international projects.  Many times these problems occur due to oversight, or the impact of a culture and customs on the business were not taken seriously.

Virtually all organizations seeking to export or participate in international markets face steep learning curves about culture, customs and manners. Mistakes are made, at times very costly mistakes.

Making the wrong decisions, miscommunications, offending decision-makers or neglecting the fine points of initial negotiations can often bring a prompt end to an overseas business opportunity or deal.

The lesson to be learned is to invest some time and money to prepare, to understand your international markets and the culture where you will be doing business.

It’s not enough to understand your brand and current customers. Never underestimate any cultural factor, and never assume that your model, project or way of life will be embraced fully and without reservations.

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International business traveler – ambassador, explorer, map-maker