Making Cultural Differences Work in Your Business
Advancements in technology have made the world so much smaller, don't you think? We used to be separated by mountains and oceans, color and culture.But now on the highways and byways of the internet, we're but a
single mouse click away. Think about this for a moment. You and I may be thousands of miles away at opposite ends of the globe, but on the net, we may as well be sitting across a coffee table.The internet's really one huge melting pot of people, ideas, culture. Just take a look at any forum or message board and you'll see what I mean. So if you're going to be doing business on the internet, you should
consider that your business will be open to the world, and you're going to be serving customers from the West Coast to the Far East, and everywhere in between.I know many of us have this idea about starting small, and so we start out thinking we'll only be dealing with local or domestic customers, the people in our neighborhoods, our city, our country.
So the issues of cultural and business differences were not something we spent too much time worrying about.Sure, as a start-up, the bulk of your business may initially come from
your local marketplace, and your customers are likely people who speak like you, live near you and do business the same way you do yours.But hey, wait a minute, take a good look around your community and chances are you'll see a pretty diverse group of people. Unless, of course, you live in some place like the South Pole where the only other person in your neighborhood is... well, yourself!Running a business on the internet is not quite the same as operating a small retail shop at your local shopping mall. On the internet, you are for all intents and purposes opening your business to the world. Like it or not.
And when that happens, it's important to note some points about international business.
- Not every one speaks English. While it's impossible to give a simplistic figure for how many people in the world speak English, estimates put the percentage of people whose mother tongue is English at 7% of the world's population. The percentage of the world's population who speak English as a second language is estimated at 30%. A quick bit of math here tells us that over half the people we come across in our business dealings may not even speak English.
- When dealing with people from vastly different cultural backgrounds and business practices, it's best to remain patient and polite at all times. It never hurts to pepper your communication with 'thank you's' and 'please's'. Common courtesy can go a long way in customer relations.
- Keep your language simple at all times.
No jargon, no fancy sentence structures please. Just say what you mean as clearly and as simply as possible. The objective is to be understood, not to win the Nobel Prize for creative communication.
- In times when it's not clear to you what the other party means, it's best to seek clarification. Paraphrasing can be quite handy in confirming your understanding of what the other person means - simply rephrase what you think is being said with a simple question at the end asking if you've understood right.
- If you're on the phone, speak slowly and clearly. It's entirely okay to repeat, paraphrase, and ask.
Make allowances for the other party to do the same as well. Misunderstandings can be costly in terms of time and money, so save yourself the inconvenience and profit margin.
- Not everyone is in your time zone, so do allow for slight delays in terms of timing. If you're planning something in real time (such as an online event), find a time that's convenient to all or at least the majority. For example, if you're planning to call someone in another part of the world, it's good customer service not to plan to call someone at some unearthly hour. So there, we're all set to hit the international business scene. And when the going gets tough, it helps to remember three things:
- someone somewhere is having or has had a similar experience,
- it's all part and parcel of business,
- once you get the hang of working around cultural differences, you can only get better.
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Kit Lum publishes Go Get Global Ezine which features advertising and web design services, and business and cultural resources to help small and home-based businesses profit from growing globally. Get more FREE tips like these at http://www.Go-GetGlobal.comHottest New Trend in Wedding and Party Favors
(ContentDesk) August 16, 2005 -- We have found the most fun and high quality wedding and party favors that make party and wedding planning a breeze. These adorable eye pillows have a pocket filled with themed products for every occasion.
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Interval: Limbo or Renewal?
Q. "I hate my job. I'm considering starting a business?and I really want to move to a warmer climate. Arizona sounds good! But it's the holiday season. I'll start the process on New Year's Day."A.
The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas often gets dismissed as dead time. It's a happy, limbo-like state, where you can enjoy the present, knowing the future will be on your doorstep soon enough.If you're drowning in year-end deadlines and family festivals, you may feel too overwhelmed to consider your own future. However, people who accomplish successful transitions refuse to be derailed. They may take extra breaks but they assign a minimum number of minutes per day to work on their long-term goals.And they gain leverage by putting their subconscious minds to work for them, even while they're attending a party.How does this happen?Let's say you allocate fifteen minutes a day to your Number One long-term goal. Maybe you add a weekly power surge by calling a coach or mentor.
Interval: Limbo or Renewal?
Party > Interval: Limbo or Renewal?
Red Hat Society Tea Party at the San Francisco Zoo, July 24, 2004
The Strutting Peacocks, an Red Hat Society Chapter, will be throwing a Red Hat Society Tea Party on July 24th at the San Francisco Zoo. The Strutting Peacocks and guests will mingle with the resident live peacocks at the San Francisco Zoo. The catering services at the zoo have graciously agreed to create a tea service for the Red Hats, something that is not normally on their menu. Over 100 Red Hatters have registered to dress in their purple outfits and red hats to meet, eat, play games, win prizes, and celebrate the birthday of the Queen Peacock, Amber-Leigh. Saturday July 24, 200410 AM
Zoo opensNoon - 1 PM
High Tea in the Lorikeet Meadow Tent1 PM - 4 PM
Games, Prizes, Zoo Tour 5 PM
Zoo closesFor more information about this event, please visit www.thestruttingpeacocks.com/birthdayzoo.htmThe Red Hat Society provides fun social opportunities for mature women.
Inspired...
Red Hat Society Tea Party at the San Francisco Zoo, July 24, 2004
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New Upscale Dinner Social Gay Club Launched
Washington, D.C. (ContentDesk) March 29, 2004 - Circleinthecity -The Alternative Social Network
is proud to announce it's Washington, DC launch of a new way for busy professional gay men to meet, network, and socialize. Circleinthecity is the premiere networking and dinner club company providing busy professional gay men opportunities to meet, socialize and network in the Capitol city's best restaurants and lounges, today announces plans to host the grand opening party at Dupont Circle's Caf? Savino in April The founders describe CITC as "a new concept, providing gay men a place to meet in a relaxed atmosphere and comfortable environment, while enjoying fine dining," They added, "Functions will be arranged for small groups composed of six or eight compatible clients drawn from a client pool listings.
Client pools will be selectively determined from the results of personal interviews, helping ensure a pleasant and rewarding experience for all. Circle In The City is...
Party > New Upscale Dinner Social Gay Club Launched
Making Cultural Differences Work in Your Business
Advancements in technology have made the world so much smaller, don't you think? We used to be separated by mountains and oceans, color and culture.But now on the highways and byways of the internet, we're but a
single mouse click away. Think about this for a moment. You and I may be thousands of miles away at opposite ends of the globe, but on the net, we may as well be sitting across a coffee table.The internet's really one huge melting pot of people, ideas, culture. Just take a look at any forum or message board and you'll see what I mean. So if you're going to be doing business on the internet, you should
consider that your business will be open to the world, and you're going to be serving customers from the West Coast to the Far East, and everywhere in between.I know many of us have this idea about starting small, and so we start out thinking we'll only be dealing with local or domestic customers, the people in our neighborhoods, our city, our country.
So...
Making Cultural Differences Work in Your Business
Party > Making Cultural Differences Work in Your Business
Why Didn?t I Think of That?
California surfer Michael Marrin is starting to see the green with his patented invention. Now partygoers don't have to worry about misplacing their cup and spreading germs? all they have to do is use Etch-IT Party Cups!
Etch-it party cups are instant, fun and pen-less. To use, simply peel the cover then etch your name or cool design. Viola! Every cup becomes an individual master piece & the user will never lose their drink again. The specially formulated "magic wax" coating on every etch-it party cup name tag is guaranteed not to smear or stain like when writing on cups with marking pens.
With Etch-it Party Cups Partiers will liven up an event by etching pictures or catchy slogans such as "Hi. I'm single." "Take Me Home" etc. Party Host report they save money and have less to clean up because of fewer abandoned drinks. Marrin's innovation hit the retail shelves of party, liquor and internet stores around 24 months ago. Over 3 million cups have been sold to date.
Why Didn?t I Think of That?
Party > Why Didn?t I Think of That?
Help create a better future for you and your family, financially AND environmentally
(ContentDesk) June 13, 2004 -- When we think of fundraising for good causes most of us think about attending garden parties, Church bazaars or simply standing on a corner shaking a tin can. The local mobilisation of volunteers is a wonderful and time-honoured way of funding good causes. Permaworld Foundation is building on these traditional forms of fund-raising by utilising modern technology and effectively inviting the world to ?join the garden party' and help make a positive contribution to the health of our planet. Permaworld Foundation members are promoting sustainable living by helping to plant trees and save the rain forest. They are saving dolphins and whales as well as protecting the oceans they live in.
And, their efforts are starting to make a real impact around the world! Since joining Permaworld I have made lots of new friends worldwide as well as learning a lot about people and our earth. I know my contribution makes a big difference as well as providing a little...
Help create a better future for you and your family, financially AND environmentally
Party > Help create a better future for you and your family, financially AND environmentally
Party Making Cultural Differences Work in Your Business
Florida's First Striptease Fitness Dance Company Celebrates Their Two-Year Anniversary with the Grand Opening of a New Sexy Studio
Orlando, FL (ContentDesk) March 27, 2006 - Gemini Edge Productions Inc. is the proud producer of Stripping Slim Fitness, Florida's hottest new way to get fit. Stripping Slim Fitness offers the sexiest way to get to slim with striptease/dance and pole dancing classes. Recently in the last year popular celebrities such as Terry Hatcher, Pamela Anderson, and Kelly Ripa have caught on to the striptease craze, and woman all of the world have decided to try. With the gaining popularity of the pole...
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Party > Florida's First Striptease Fitness Dance Company Celebrates Their Two-Year Anniversary with the Grand Opening of a New Sexy Studio
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