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.

Creating great business relationships in Mexico

Working with individuals and ideas from cultures different from our own is complex, and filled with opportunities to misunderstand and offend everyone involved.  It requires time to develop trust and understanding for all the players involved.

Take the time to learn how and why business is done in the country.  Don’t judge the results or methods based upon your culture and your country’s standards.

There is nothing more damaging to an international relationship than criticism based upon a lack of understanding.

We must learn before we attempt to teach and implement new ideas, strategies and procedures.

When doing business in Mexico remember that no matter what you feel or believe about your company’s products or procedures, Mexicans know their market and people better than you do.  They understand the correct business etiquette and the “invisible” cultural nuances that are required in order to do business in Mexico.

If you enter into business in Mexico with the idea that you are going to “teach the Mexicans how business is really done” I am confident you will suffer some serious problems.

Pushing procedures and business strategies into Mexico will surely cause divisions, it can turn into an “us versus them” situation for employees and customers.

I recommend that your focus be on learning and understanding how business in currently done in Mexico, and why.

Once you have this knowledge, teach and explore your cultures and organizations solutions and strategies with your Mexican collaborators.   I’ll bet the ideas will get modified if necessary, implemented and embraced quickly.

The creation of hybrid strategies, using elements from both cultures, will guarantee unification and understanding for everyone involved.

Before you start a revolution it’s essential to fully understand the status quo.

Hello and Welcome! New website announcement

I have moved to a new website  LeeIwan.com!

Popular posts from the old site Lee Iwan Accumulated Experience will be updated and migrated here, and new material added at breakneck speed.

By visiting and participating here you will get insight and learn about the attitudes, actions and strategies that will increase results and reduce errors with international and Mexican business projects.

Examples:

  • How to effectively start a business relationship in Mexico
  • How to develop a strategic plan for the Mexican market
  • How to develop a realistic business plan – objectives and chronologies
  • How to creating trust and confidence from your first meeting
  • The “right way” to approach Mexican business people
  • How to find the right people in Mexico
  • How to integrate the secrets of doing business in Mexico into your activities and communications
  • How to avoid the most common mistakes that can sabotage you
  • How to construct a solid base of reliable  knowledge and contacts
  • How to focus and get results in each stage of business development:  investigation, cultivation, harvest
  • How to create a positive image based on actions and deeds
  • How to maximize your customer visits, trade fairs and commercial missions
  • How to avoid cultural mistakes in Mexico
  • How to use the power of patience to guarantee success
  • How to use communications to avoid misunderstandings and increase commitment to the business
  • How to avoid the stereotypes that will kill the deal
  • How to find the decision-makers in Mexico
  • How to find the resources and reliable information to make informed decisions
  • How to understand the Mexican business environment, how business people think, what they consider important, how they make decisions and why
  • How to surround yourself with support service experts to avoid costly start-up errors

Thanks for stopping by, please leave a comment, idea or your observations on how I might improve the site and information.

Lee