For me, these relationships are key to growing personally and professionally.  I have made friendships that have helped me get work and jobs.  Additionally, I can honestly say that if I traveled to almost anywhere in the world, I have a great place to stay with a friend and a built in tour guide.  This is a great deal of comfort because traveling alone can be daunting.

This can also be a great benefit in the global business arena…as strong relationships are a MUST.

American’s are known for their “time is money” ways and are often very superficial in their business relationships; compartmentalizing their personal and professional lives.  In most of the rest of the world – people’s personal relationships are what drive their professional dealings.  Understanding this important cultural nuance will not only help you professionally but enrich you personally. 

Taking the time and really getting to know your customer, distributor and vendor in other parts of the world will help you build trust, credibility and friendships.  The stronger relationship may help you get what you want faster, easier or even cheaper.  Think about it – you are more apt to do favors for your friends as opposed to strangers. 

6 tips to building multicultural relationships:

1.  be open: willing to ask questions and share information

2.  be tolerant of differences: just because it is not what you do – don’t assume it is wrong

3.  do what you say you will do:  if you suggest doing coffee – make a date

4.  leave business for last: let them guide the conversation that direction

5.  reach out: ask them to do something like dinner, a bike ride or a visit to a place of interest

6.  learn: inquire about their language, culture, traditions etc

Everyone loves to talk about themselves, knowing how to ask good questions and taking the time to listen to their answers is as good as gold.

I love the global model of relationships, I like learning about their families, holidays and their work. I believe I have learned more about myself and what it means to be an American by having wonderful relationships with friends around the world.  I know that I am richer in my soul and pocketbook for knowing my international friends. 

What are some ways you take time to get to know the people you work with around the world?

Gary shares current supply chain trends and how they are impacted by globalization.  Trade finance has become a increasingly important item to consider in global business to ensure an efficient supply chain.

The international marketplace is very dynamic and the current economy is making small to mid size businesses look at all their choices to ensure their imported and exported goods get t where they need to go without stopping cash flow for their businesses.

Gary does highlight the services UPS offers in this area which can be very helpful to integrate the three flows of global commerce

1.  Goods

2.  Information

3.  Funds

How are you financing your Global Supply Chain now?  What have you found to be the  most helpful?

Thanks and I hope you like the new way to get your Global Business fix!

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1. U.S. Image

2.  World Economy & Globalization

3.  Quality of Life

4.  Islamic Extremism

5.  As well as ratings for China, Iran, U.N., Russia and the EU

25 countries from all around the world participated in the study including Kenya, India, France, Israel, Brazil, Indonesia, Pakistan, China and many more.

Each of the areas above are broken down into 5  or so questions pertaining to the topic.  Pew provides the full question wording as well as notes to consider regarding the question.

It looks the U .S. is doing better in some areas but thoughts of the wars are still negative.  (no surprise here)  There are reports on Obama and the global economic crisis as well.  All really good stuff for the information junkie and those exploring their global business options – to see local sentiment of the U.S.

The Pew report also provides a historic look at previous opinions dating back to 2002.  It is enlightening to see how opinion have shifted both favorably and unfavorably in the different areas over the years. 

So , why should we care?  Inherently as human beings we care what others think of us, we want to be accepted and respected.  It is the same in global politics.

The challenge is how to get acceptance, respect and what so many countries seek…power, all at the same time?

Do you think that is even possible?

Understanding the region you are doing business in can provide the extra benefit to help you get more customers, deals and ultimately be more success in global business.

Don’t put your business in jeopardy (I know I am pushing the cheesy theme here) Do your homework about the region you are interested in as this may help you find the region’s center and will make further expansion easier.

Do you know which countries make up the Asia Pacific Region? 

Per Wiki Answers the following countries generally make up the Asia Pacific Region: 

• Australia
• Brunei
• Cambodia
• People’s Republic of China
• Hong Kong
• Macau
• Fiji
• Indonesia
• Japan
• Kiribati
• North Korea
• South Korea
• Laos
• Malaysia
• Marshall Islands
• Federated States of Micronesia
• Nauru
• New Zealand
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Samoa
• Singapore
• Solomon Islands
• Thailand
• Timor-Leste
• Tonga
• Republic of China (Taiwan)
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu
• Vietnam
• United States Territories –
• American Samoa
• Guam
• Northern Mariana Islands

Sometimes included –

• India (member of the East Asia Summit)
• Mongolia (landlocked country in East Asia)
• Myanmar (Burma) (member of the ASEAN)
• Russia (the Russian Far East borders the Pacific Ocean)

I was surprised by a few of the countries that were included.  Were you?

How do you feel about Australia, New Zealand and the Sometimes included countries?  Did you know they were part of this region?  Why do you feel they should be a part or separate from what is known as Asia?

Questions in the quiz talk about:

What is a sign you are pleased with a meal in Japan?

What do you do when you are given a left handed fork?

Do the French like Ketchup?

Should you eat everything on your plate in China?

and many more.

I know when I travel, I notice many places drink carbonated water and don’t use ice – both different than here in the U.S.

Have you seen any other unusual manners while traveling around the globe?

Denise discusses the following global business issues:

1.  History of the Asian Pacific Region

2.  Why Immigrants are here in the U.S. doing business

3.  Cultural Differences/Sensitivity – great tips!

4. How the Asian Pacific population in the U.S. is growing and their incredible buying power

5.  Why a cultural specific chamber can help ease the international process

Take a listen to the interview for more great information!

Have you done business in Asia?  Any tips for success you can share?

The way that social media encourages people to do business – by focusing on building relationships, caring what customers think, letting people get to know the people behind the brand – is a completely old idea.

It’s almost like the social media mavens read an international etiquette book and decided to implement it here, almost verbatim; it also explains a reason why many US businesses are hesitant to adopt social media because it’s “etiquette” and standards are just about as contrary to everything they learned in business school or on the job.

“It’s Not How It’s Done.”

At it’s heart, the idea that you get to know someone before doing business is contrary to “how it’s done” in America.  We have walls, and usually high ones. In American business culture, it’s just about the sale and whatever it takes for that sale is the measurement. Relationships are secondary, and many times used for advantage.  In a recent survey that showed why this doesn’t work, as trust in brands has collapsed. 52% of brands were trusted 1997; in 2008, only 22%.  The landscape IS changing.

I remember the other night talking to a friend (I shall leave them nameless) who his coworkers’ were talking about how the sale is all-important and it doesn’t matter if you lie as long as you get it done.  I’ve had that experience from a lot of salespeople – and my business experience the past few years dealing with all kinds of folks backs that up.  In some ways, being truthful is seen as weakness or an opportunity for exploitation by some.

However, the “social” way of doing business is different.  You know people.  They recommend you, you recommend them; you build networks not just on mutual business goals but commonalities.  It’s like doing business in a small town – you can’t let someone down, because everyone will hear about it.  You need to conduct yourself accordingly, because if you melt onto the bar floor most nights, everyone will know (and a hint: they won’t look upon you highly for it).

So How Is Social Media Etiquette International?

Here’s a couple examples of parities between the social media way and international business.

For instance, it’s rude to not give a personal gift in Asian cultures when meeting someone for the first time because they’ve honored you with a meeting and their time. They want to know YOU before doing business, and that gift had better not be your sales pack.  Same with social media; the unsolicited, repetitive, or noisy pitch is going to be not only turned off, but elicit negative reactions and can be counter-productive.

Testimonials on Websites in international markets are useless and in fact do damage because the average consumer does NOT trust testimonials and on top of it, they feel like the company is trying to put one over.  If you follow social media sites, there’s a major backlash by “average users” on paid tweets, paid posts, and everything of the like because it muddies the waters of trust.

Expand On This Yourself

What other etiquette points do you see that are international AND in social media?  What are things you wished more of those in business did?

Guest Blogger: Jeremiah Staes is the founder of Portage Digital Media and has been helping companies navigate the online space for over a decade.

There are many environmental factors that should be considered when doing business around the world like different laws, cultures, and societies which can cause costly conflicts.

The basic principles of domestic business still apply, but their application, complexity, and intensity vary substantially. To operate outside national borders, firms must be ready to incorporate international considerations into their thinking and planning, making decisions related to questions such as these:

1. Is there a global demand for your product or service and how will it fit into the international marketplace?
2. What is the best way to enter the market – through trade or through investment?
3. What kind of supply chain should you consider – should you get supplies domestically or from abroad?
4. How will I need to adjust my product or service to respond to consider international conditions?
5. What threats from global competition should be expected and how can these threats be counteracted or mitigated?
6. Does your organization have the human resources and cash flow to make an international business work long term?

When making the decision to take your business global, you should consider the above items into all critical decisions.  International markets can provide growth, profit, and satisfy demand that is currently not available in the domestic marketplace.

These international transactions have created an integrated and more interconnected global economy which I consider the birth of globalization. 

Does globalization and global business scare you?

Written marketing plans help a company understand its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.  Plans assist in understanding necessary resources and allocation of time.  Employees understand what they need to do and helps them execute their responsibilities.  A plan also helps a company garner loans or financial assistance. An international marketing plan takes time, often months or years to finalize.  I actually believe that plans should be very organic and evolve each year according to current market realities and product development.

Items to consider:

International or foreign markets have many different challenges for a U.S. Based company.

• Language and socio-cultural factors
• Climate and environment
• Availability of resources
• Low labor, wage and production costs
• Foreign exchange considerations
• Government and trade import/export taxes, controls and regulations

Writing a marketing plan and considering the above items will ensure you have thought through the process of going global.  Understanding the land mines before you encounter them will make your business decisions much easier in the short and long run.

Are you ready to create a plan and get started?