Minding Your Global Manners

To say that today's business environment is becoming increasingly more global is to state the obvious. Meetings, phone calls and conferences are held all over the world and attendees can come from any point on the globe. On any given business 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 adage "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" still holds true, business clients and colleagues who are visiting this country should be treated with sensitivity and with an awareness of their unique culture. Not to do your homework and put your best international foot forward can cost you relationships and future business. One small misstep 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's no one set of rules that is applicable to all international visitors so do the study for each country that your customers represent. That will sound like a frightening task, but taken in little steps, it is controllable and the rewards are worth the effort. Recollecting that there are as many paths to do business as there are nations to do business with, here are a few tips for taking care of your world P's and Q's. Building relations : Few other folks are as avid to get down to business as we Yanks. So take some time to get to know your world clients and build rapport before you rush to the bottom line. Business relations are built on trust that is developed over time, particularly with folks from Far East and South America.

Dressing conservatively : Americans like to dress for fashion and comfort, but people from other parts of the planet are often more conservative. Your selection of business clothes is a signal of your respect for the other person.

Leave your modern garments in the closet on the days that you meet with your foreign guests. Look at the hierarchy : it's not always a simple matter to understand who is the highest-ranking member when you are working with a group.

To keep away from humiliation, err on the side of age and male sex, only if you are not able to discover the custom with research. If you are interacting with the Japanese, it's important to appreciate that they make choices by consensus, beginning with the more youthful members of the group. By contrast, Latin folk have a clear hierarchy that defers to age. Understanding the handshake : With some exceptions, business folk around the planet use the handshake for meeting and greeting.

However, the Yank style handshake with a firm grip, 2 quick pumps, eye contact and a smile isn't universal. Variations in handshakes are based totally on cultural differences, not on personality or values.

The Japanese give a light handshake. Germans provide a firm shake with one pump, and the French grip is light with a quick pump. Middle Eastern folks will continue shaking your hand across the greeting. Do not be shocked if you are often met up with a kiss, a cuddle, or a bow somewhere along the way.

Using titles and correct forms of address : we are very informal in the U. S. And are quick to call folk by their first name. Approach first names with caution when working with folk from other cultures. Use titles and last names till you've been invited to use the person's first name. In a few cases, this can never occur. Use of first names is reserved for family and close mates in some cultures. Titles are given more importance around the planet than in the U. S. And are another crucial facet of addressing business folks. Earned educational degrees are recognized. As an example, a German engineer is addressed as "Herr Ingenieur" and a professor as "Herr Professor". Listen punctiliously when you're introduced to somebody and be aware of business cards when you receive them. Exchanging business cards : The key to giving out business cards in any culture is to show respect for the other person. Present your card so the other person does not need to turn it over to read your info. Use both hands to present your card to visitors from Japan, China, Singapore, or Hong Kong. When you receive another person's business card, always look at it and acknowledge it.

When you put it away, place it conscientiously in your card case or with your business documents. Sticking it chaotically in your pocket is demeaning to the giver. Ordinarily wait till you've been introduced to give somebody your card. Valuing time. Not everybody on the planet is as time conscious as Yanks. Don't take it personally if somebody from a more relaxed culture keeps you waiting or spends more of that commodity than you routinely would in conferences or over meals. Stick to the guidelines of punctuality, but be understanding when your contact from another country seems unconcerned.

Honoring space issues: Americans have a particular value for their own physical space and are uncomfortable when other people get in their realm. If the international visitor seems to want to be close, accept it. Backing away can send the wrong message. So can touching. You shouldn't risk violating someone else's space by touching them in any way other than with a handshake.

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 clientele.