What Mistakes Are You Making That Could Cost You That Big Deal?
The business world in the 21st century is a very different place than it was fifty, thirty or even ten years ago. The advent of Internet, the innovations in software that have made meeting with a business associate half a world away without ever leaving your desk means that the language of business is more international and culturally diverse than ever before.
A few questions for you. Do you know why you should never ask a British person what he or she does for a living? Do you know why a man should never put a Chinese colleague’s business card in his wallet? The answer may very well be no, but either gaffe, and many others like it can ruin a business relationship before it has truly begun.
Understanding the cultural differences between yourself and those you do business with from another country is essential. Even other regions of your own country can have strange customs and sensibilities you may not quite comprehend, and accidentally offend someone without ever realizing that you did anything wrong.
But what on Earth are you supposed to do? Spend hours trolling through Wikipedia in an effort to understand the culture and customs of every new person you encounter? Not necessarily. Finding a great tutor or coach can help, and it need not cost you a fortune.
Taking the time and making the effort to understand the culture of others will not only improve your standing in the business community, but the rest of your life as well. Finally gaining an insight into the lives of others can make all the difference when it comes to interpersonal relationships of all kinds.
To find out why you should never put a Chinese businessman’s card in your wallet, and get many more insights into international understanding please visit http://www.jayspeyerer.com/
