Global Business Etiquette for Your Brand
If your company is based in the United States, you are likely familiar with business etiquette here in North America. It would be normal for you to arrive on time (or better… early!) and shake someone’s hand when you greet them during a business meeting, for example, or to even invite fellow associates out for dinner to both discuss the agenda and socialize with your colleagues.
If you’ve never given thought to globalization and expanding your business to an international market, it is likely you have never really put much thought into how business etiquette may differ in other countries and how adapting to these differences could vastly impact your ability to perform well in a global market.
Translating and/or localizing your product and services are a great step to entering the global market. However, localization isn’t the only step in moving your business forward in a foreign culture. It’s probable that you will need to work directly with other business associates in that country for a successful launch, so learning a little about proper business etiquette there can really go a long way. Your meetings could be face-to-face, via email, video chat, or over the phone. If you are trying to launch your brand in multiple countries, it will be important to familiarize yourself with each of the areas. It is not necessary to learn each and every custom in every location, but it will help if you have a basic understanding of how business etiquette works in each one.
If you are holding a business meeting in Mexico, for instance, it would not be uncommon for the meeting to begin a little late, and for your colleagues to engage in an embrace as a greeting, instead of a handshake, once a perceived friendship is established. Conversely, if you are conducting business in Germany, arriving late is considered rude and business meetings are very formal (always shake hands and greet someone as Herr [Mister] last name even when you know them well).
In China, it can be inappropriate to begin your meeting by discussing the deal you want to close directly. This may be considered rude, and you may come home without the deal you had hoped for. Instead, it is more appropriate to develop a relationship with your business partner and avoid interrupting him/her at all costs! When handing your business card to someone in China, or receiving one from a potential business partner, do so with both hands. This is considered a sign of respect.
We recently had a client request the translation of his business card into Japanese. This is also a sign of respect for the Japanese speaker who receives the card. We did remind the client that he should add the country code to the beginning of his telephone number and to avoid using the extra toll-free 800 number, as it would not work outside of the United States. Remember, it’s important to make it easy for your potential clients to reach you!
Since there is no global standard of business etiquette, we recommend always researching the area you’re travelling to (or speaking with) to ensure you are abiding by that country’s customs and standards. This shows respect for your business associates abroad and makes a good impression on them for your products and services. Being prepared shows that you are dedicated to doing business in that area and will greatly improve your chance of success when launching your localized product or service.