What are the essentials to working with overseas business partners?

Question

I'd like to learn the essentials to develop stronger connections with my business partners overseas. What steps can I take and what do I need to know to reach across cultures and foster deeper relationships?

Answer 1

Essentials for fostering a good relationship with overseas business partners:

First, learn the language, or have someone on staff who does know it. (I have a friend, human resources manager of the southern hemisphere for largest elevator company in the world, who learned Japanese, Chinese, German, French and Spanish-enough of each to conduct business professionally and communicate effectively-he is based in Sydney, Australia.)

Second, learn the culture of the country you're doing business with. (Find out about traditions, the people and land itself, and the history, especially where tradition is concerned.)

Third, respect the people and the country, because when you have respect for them, they give that back to you. (This follows on ALL fronts, business, culture, tradition and the people themselves.)

Fourth, be eager to learn...people in other countries live their lives differently from us, and do business a bit differently too, so observe, and utilize everything you learn. (One can never learn enough, especially from those so different from us in many ways, and so much like us in others!)

Fifth, and this is a given, and I'm sure you do this anyway....ENJOY the partnership itself...exchanging news, tricks of the trade, tips to bettering your business...and just interacting with those you are partnered with.

And last but not least....GREAT communication with everyone concerned!

And good luck! :)

Answer 2

The essentials needed to working with overseas business partners or to modifty your relationship with them are: Communication, Language, and a secure comprehension of your achievements.

Communication is the most obvious, reliable, and expensive essential to developed stronger connections with your business partners. Having actual conversations by means of telephone and emails provides 'human voice' interactions with your partners. However, both parties will have to agree to be available and to meet at a specific times and dates which may not go according to plan. So, be prepared for time zones conflictions, and inconveniences, since you won't be working on the same 9 to 5 shifts as your colleagues. Emails are a good source for gathering and sending information fast. Time zones are not an issue here; the only issue is that the average person only checks his/her inbox whenever it's convinient for them. That's not something a business persona would like, especially if you are a buyer. A solution for this is: both parties have a device that’s not only excluding the barrier of time zones but also have the information at hand, literally. I suggest a Cell Phone that can send and receive emails. Everyone has a cell phone, especially if you’re in business. It is an important essential that you and overseas partners have a phone that is capable to have this feature and service. You can send messages to your partner, leave a voicemail, maybe even videos and it's always a few buttons away. No unnecessary inconveniences. Just make sure you have a reliable network.

If your business partner speaks very little English or none at all, this may be difficult. Should he learn your language or should you learn his? From first hand experience I know what it is like to have a business supplier who speaks little English. It can be irritating at times. However he is excellent in providing information in emails. This can work for you too. If language is a problem, try writing it down! When dealing with cultures this is always a best idea also.

Lastly, embracing a secure comprehension of your achievements is always ideal. This can be followed through with communications - but it does always feel good if you know that your partners are on the same level as you are. Promote asking questions, sending emails, and every now and again, have a meeting. Whether it's online or in live meeting there have been a lot of products that support this - such as Microsoft.

I hope this helps you to achieve your goal. Keep in mind that your partners are human beings and grew up in an entirely different society from you. It won't be "fool-proof" and naturally, there will be all sorts of misunderstandings. When giving a presentation maybe do a quick run through with someone an hour before the event. Do some research, and always mean what you say.

Answer 3

First a person must unlearn most of what they think or assume, and then learn some new things. By that a person must stop actiing like an American, and especially a typical American business person. Do not get personal but be personable. Take the time to learn some intimate details of the country, region, and culture. Be sincere. don't devulge all you've learned. Don't sound like a talking tour book, find something out of the ordinary. Don't just talk business. Don't ask for business at least until the fourth meeting or conversation. Show respect. Be quiet if need be. Basically stop being the obnoxious self indulgent American business person and take the time to learn who and where you are dealing with. Honestly. Sincerely. Once a trust has been created and 3 or 4 meetings or conversations have taken place then ask for something small. At least smaller than you might like. then build upon that. Business relationships should be for the long haul anyway. Not the quick kill. Slow down. Many cultures while appearing hectic are actually much slower than Americas. But don't be condesending. Don't speak to the person you're dealing with as if they are ignorant or deaf or dumb. Chances are they know a lot more than you do and they probably speak 3, 4, 5, or more languages fluently. Be patient. Be considerate. Forget what you learned in business school. Forget what you learned on the school yard or in your neighborhood. Become the culture and place you want to do business with. Genuinely.

Answer 4

Take the time to learn some intimate details of the country, region, and culture. Be sincere. don't devulge all you've learned. Don't sound like a talking tour book, find something out of the ordinary. Don't just talk business. Don't ask for business at least until the fourth meeting or conversation. Show respect. Be quiet if need be. Basically stop being the obnoxious self indulgent American business person and take the time to learn who and where you are dealing with. Honestly. Sincerely. Once a trust has been created and 3 or 4 meetings or conversations have taken place then ask for something small. At least smaller than you might like. then build upon that. Business relationships should be for the long haul anyway. Not the quick kill. Slow down. Many cultures while appearing hectic are actually much slower than Americas. But don't be condesending. Don't speak to the person you're dealing with as if they are ignorant or deaf or dumb. Chances are they know a lot more than you do and they probably speak 3, 4, 5, or more languages fluently. Be patient. Be considerate. Forget what you learned in business school. Forget what you learned on the school yard or in your neighborhood. Become the culture and place you want to do business with.

Answer 5

Do not get personal but be personable. Take the time to learn some intimate details of the country, region, and culture. Be sincere. don't devulge all you've learned. Don't sound like a talking tour book, find something out of the ordinary. Don't just talk business. Don't ask for business at least until the fourth meeting or conversation. Show respect. Be quiet if need be. Basically stop being the obnoxious self indulgent American business person and take the time to learn who and where you are dealing with. Honestly. Sincerely. Once a trust has been created and 3 or 4 meetings or conversations have taken place then ask for something small. At least smaller than you might like. then build upon that. Business relationships should be for the long haul anyway. Not the quick kill. Slow down. Many cultures while appearing hectic are actually much slower than Americas. But don't be condesending. Don't speak to the person you're dealing with as if they are ignorant or deaf or dumb. Chances are they know a lot more than you do and they probably speak 3, 4, 5, or more languages fluently. Be patient. Be considerate. Forget what you learned in business school. Forget what you learned on the school yard or in your neighborhood. Become the culture and place you want to do business with.

Answer 6

Be sincere. don't devulge all you've learned. Don't sound like a talking tour book, find something out of the ordinary. Don't just talk business. Don't ask for business at least until the fourth meeting or conversation. Show respect. Be quiet if need be. Basically stop being the obnoxious self indulgent American business person and take the time to learn who and where you are dealing with. Honestly. Sincerely. Once a trust has been created and 3 or 4 meetings or conversations have taken place then ask for something small. At least smaller than you might like. then build upon that. Business relationships should be for the long haul anyway. Not the quick kill. Slow down. Many cultures while appearing hectic are actually much slower than Americas. But don't be condesending. Don't speak to the person you're dealing with as if they are ignorant or deaf or dumb. Chances are they know a lot more than you do and they probably speak 3, 4, 5, or more languages fluently. Be patient. Be considerate. Forget what you learned in business school. Forget what you learned on the school yard or in your neighborhood. Become the culture and place you want to do business with.

Answer 7

Don't just talk business. Don't ask for business at least until the fourth meeting or conversation. Show respect. Be quiet if need be. Basically stop being the obnoxious self indulgent American business person and take the time to learn who and where you are dealing with. Honestly. Sincerely. Once a trust has been created and 3 or 4 meetings or conversations have taken place then ask for something small. At least smaller than you might like. then build upon that. Business relationships should be for the long haul anyway. Not the quick kill. Slow down. Many cultures while appearing hectic are actually much slower than Americas. But don't be condesending. Don't speak to the person you're dealing with as if they are ignorant or deaf or dumb. Chances are they know a lot more than you do and they probably speak 3, 4, 5, or more languages fluently. Be patient. Be considerate. Forget what you learned in business school. Forget what you learned on the school yard or in your neighborhood. Become the culture and place you want to do business with. Genuinely.

Answer 8

Communication is the most obvious, reliable, and expensive essential to developed stronger connections with your business partners. Having actual conversations by means of telephone and emails provides 'human voice' interactions with your partners. However, both parties will have to agree to be available and to meet at a specific times and dates which may not go according to plan. So, be prepared for time zones conflictions, and inconveniences, since you won't be working on the same 9 to 5 shifts as your colleagues. Emails are a good source for gathering and sending information fast. Time zones are not an issue here; the only issue is that the average person only checks his/her inbox whenever it's convinient for them. That's not something a business persona would like, especially if you are a buyer. A solution for this is: both parties have a device that’s not only excluding the barrier of time zones but also have the information at hand, literally. I suggest a Cell Phone that can send and receive emails. Everyone has a cell phone, especially if you’re in business. It is an important essential that you and overseas partners have a phone that is capable to have this feature and service. You can send messages to your partner, leave a voicemail, maybe even videos and it's always a few buttons away. No unnecessary inconveniences. Just make sure you have a reliable network.

Answer 9

Two simple key factors are essential in developing business partners overseas. The first one is to understand the countries culture and customs. With every business partner, there has to be a good positive relationship in order for the business to prosper. If one partner is unhappy, there will be a likelihood that the company would leave and do business with someone else. This is why understanding a person's culture is essential. You have a better understanding of your partner, and can find ways that will help you and your business partner.

The Second factor in any business regardless if it is overseas or not is the relationship aspect. Networking has become a major role in business. A business is nothing without its customers and the relationship between the two is what keeps them happy. With these 2 Essential factors, a business can go very far in life.

Answer 10

When you talk about connections, it means linking with your partners that can start with simple communications over the phone or via the internet. Not all places have the same business manners. For you to have an idea, I suggest that it would be best if you have some information about the place you're visiting and the culture of the people in that place. You can read a book about the place, you can make a research through the internet or you can interview some people who come from the same place where you are going and find out. That way you'll have a grasp of how you are supposed to deal with the people that you're going to meet. understanding the foreign culture will go a long way in cultivating any business relationship, especially if your an American. This can directly translate to the bottom line or give you preference over your American competitors, since many times Americans are presumed to be extremely arrogant. Always, always, always, learn how to say at least, "Hello" and "Thank you" when working with people from a foreign country. Understanding a foreign business partners point of view from not only their specific and immediate business goals, but also from a cultural stand point will show your respect for them as a business partner, and not just as a customer or supplier.

Answer 11

I'd like to learn the essentials to develop stronger connections with my business partners overseas. What steps can I take and what do I need to know to reach across cultures and foster deeper relationships?