Common International Businesses Etiquette Techniques

Conducting business is more than just making a profit and striking deals. It is about interactions between people, building professional relationships, and growing markets and communities. But when you're working globally, you'll find that these interactions differ from what you're used to in your own country. That's where international business etiquette comes into play.

International business etiquette dictates the mannerisms, communication, and business style a company upholds. Besides promoting cultural diversity, it is a strategy to gain business advantage as a distinguishing factor between competing firms.

Learning the etiquette of other cultures may seem a bit daunting at first. But with practice, these common techniques will become second nature.

Research Cultures And Customary Practices

What you consider hospitable, disrespectful, or rude may not necessarily be seen as such in a different country. So, before you go into a new country for business, research respectful and acceptable practices.

Introductions Matter

First impressions are important, and the first meeting usually determines whether or not business between both parties will happen. But before you even hold the meeting, you have to greet each other. And sometimes these greetings are more important than the meeting itself.

If you are from the United States, the traditional greeting is a firm handshake, eye contact, and an exchange of names and "how do you dos." But this is certainly not a universal practice.

For example, in Japan, bowing is typically the way businessmen greet each other. You can shake hands, but people rarely do this. Senior members also lead meetings most of the time.

Learn A Few Words in Their Language

People appreciate it when their visitors make an effort to learn and use their native language correctly. It is a way to impress business prospects and a show of respect to their culture.

Keeping Time

Though you should never be late for a meeting, every culture has different assumptions on what they consider punctual. In Central Europe, for example, business meetings start right on time. In Germany specifically, you need to make appointments at least two weeks before the date and arrive early on the designated day. If you do not observe this process, the other party will consider you rude for committing this faux pas.

Always Bring A Gift

Bringing a gift to your business host is a sign of appreciation for the time they have taken to meet with you. It is also a display of one's courtesy and kindness. But just be mindful of how and what you bring someone.

In Asia, for instance, gift-giving during meetings is very common. In China, you present a gift using both hands. In Japan, you should wrap all gifts. And you should never gift a watch as it is a symbol of death. Europeans and people in the Middle Eastern people are quite fond of receiving gifts as well.

Socialize Before Business

Most cultures consider it rude to jump straight to business without talking shop. Some countries require a slow build-up to the business at hand, and rushing this process is a sign of impatience.

Let's look towards Asia again for one example. In China, business meetings end after at least three hours. Pushing the business agenda is rude as well, as they make a decision only after everyone has reviewed the facts.

Crossing the Pacific, in Brazil, business meetings only begin when the host initiates them. Before that, the participants engage in casual conversation and get to know each other.

Understand Their Negotiation Methods

Business negotiation in international territory is quite complicated. This is mostly because of cultural conflict and a lack of understanding of how negotiations proceed. Understanding the nature of negotiations and how they arrive at agreements is a great way to ensure cohesion.

Americans and Canadians are quick to settle disagreements, but Canadians prefer harmony instead of one party having to make concessions. The French and Italian negotiate with long, intense debates, the French preferring a logic/rational approach and the Italian, elegance and flexibility. Unlike these two countries, however, the Finns prefer to negotiate with little words and concise language.

Conclusion

International business is an excellent opportunity to grow any venture globally. But you have to know how to communicate appropriately with business people from other countries. Otherwise, your experience navigating the global business community will be riddled with embarrassing missteps. Better to learn beforehand than by mistake!