12 Quick Cross-Cultural Tips For Today’s Global Executives
Are you a competent executive, but don’t know anything about proper cultural practices, customs, and protocols in other countries? Knowing the right cultural cues and practices is very valuable to create sustainable and profitable relationships when doing international business.
Here are 12 quick tips to increase your awareness and increase your success: –
1) In the East Asian boardroom, which involves new business acquaintances, many executives will arrange the business cards of the participants by the way they sit at the table, so they can be sure to know the right name, title and place it right in the company hierarchy.
2) If you do business in East Asia, be prepared to bring lots of business cards. You will use more than in North America during conferences or similar meetings. Understand the protocol for giving, receiving, handling and storing business cards. Never write on a business card. Store in a classy place above your waist. Using a back pocket or wallet for this purpose won’t work, gentlemen.
3) For men – it’s not uncommon in the Middle East for your local male colleague or client to hold your hand while walking. This means they like and trust you. Be warned, if you think that your hands have suddenly become damp, as a result.
4) In many countries, you can meet local residents in just a few minutes, who may ask rude questions that we usually consider very personal. An example is: Are you married? How many children do you have? … READ MORE ...