International Business Etiquette and Manners
International business relationships are an essential part of any company that is looking to expand or become competitive in an international market. Certain rules of etiquette should be followed to make sure these professional relationships are maintained and continue to flourish.
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Dress
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It's best to be conservatively dressed when meeting with international business partners. This shows respect and consideration for the people you are meeting with, and gives the impression that your company should be taken seriously. While offices in the U.S. may accept more casual attire from employees, it's best to wear a suit (for men and women) when doing a business deal with someone from another country.
Building Relationships
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Even before you meet with potential business partners in person, you may interact with them over the phone, via live webinars, or through email. It's important to build and establish a relationship with international clients, while maintaining a professional image. This lets international businesspeople know that you are concerned about the integrity that comes with doing business. Americans are one of the only groups of people that are immediately ready to "talk business," so keep this in mind when interacting with professionals from another country.
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Handshake
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The handshake is an integral part of any business deal. Individuals from different countries shake hands in different ways, and it's up to you to be prepared for this before your in-person meeting. People from the U.S. usually smile and make eye contact when shaking hands, and give "two quick pumps" as a firm and professional gesture. However, individuals from the Middle East may shake your hand throughout the entire greeting--taking your hand away during this time is considered rude. Germans only give one pump when shaking hands, so two pumps may be looked at as strange, and will dictate that you haven't taken time to learn about the culture.
Titles
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When you are conducting business deals with someone from another country, you should listen for the way everyone is addressed so that you can use the right titles. While U.S. businesspeople often use each other's first names when addressing one another, this is not the norm in other countries. In Latin American and Asian countries, it's best to use a person's title or last name when addressing them, even after you've been doing business with them for a while.
Business Cards
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Make sure your business cards are presented in a respectful fashion. If you are presenting business cards to professionals from China, Hong Kong or Japan, it is good manners to give the card with both hands. Also, it's always best to take a good look at any cards that are given to you before putting them away.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit handshake image by Du...¡an Zidar from Fotolia.com
