It is important to know the different cultures, economies and the different business procedures of different countries if we would want to do business with them. Just the understanding of the financial situations of each country is not enough if we want to successfully do business with them. Knowledge is the key to every successful international business dealings. If we don't have enough knowledge about a country's culture, then our business negotiations might fail due to misunderstandings and misinterpretations. In every international business transactions, strong relationships must be developed first before we can have successful business. This means that there must be extensive research on how one culture acts and how another culture behaves during business negotiations. Relationships can only be established if the other culture feels that they are being understood and respected in their ways in business dealings.
[...] American businessmen must make sure that they will not be in a confrontational mood when doing business transactions with the Filipinos. Filipinos tend to reluctantly agree to the negotiations just to avoid giving negative feedbacks and would usually convey their resentments towards the negotiations to a between” to avoid confrontations with their direct negotiator. Philippine Business Etiquettes In business transactions, always address the Filipino business partners by their professional titles in combination with their first names such as Attorney Patrick or Doctor James. [...]
[...] DOING BUSINESS IN JAPAN Appointments When making an appointment with a Japanese business partner or a potential business partner, it is more effective to make a personal call than by sending a letter or through email. Personal calls are considered as good manners in Japan and appointments are usually made by personal calls. It is always a good practice in Japan to arrive at least 5 minutes before the scheduled appointment. Tardiness in Japan is considered as a sign of disrespect. [...]
[...] Filipinos in business transactions over dinner usually have drinks or cocktails first before dinning. The tone during the dinner meetings should be pleasant and should be as informal as possible without losing respect to one another. The attire during the dinner meetings should be appropriate to where the meeting is being held. Do not be overly dressed in a casual restaurant. Filipinos do not usually reply to RSVPs thus it is important to confirm their attendance to business meetings through personal telephone calls. [...]
[...] We have to understand that there are potential problems in communication when we are planning to do business in Asia because of the difference in communicating between cultures. We should realize this and must give effort in overcoming these potential problems. One way of overcoming the cultural difference in communication is by familiarizing ourselves with the culture and customs of our prospective business partners. It is also important that we should not assume that our efforts in communication will go smoothly and therefore we must be prepared to adjust when problems arise. [...]
[...] DOING BUSINESS IN HONG KONG The larger the Hong Kong firm, the farther in advance meetings should be scheduled. Prior to your arrival, send a list of all delegates attending, in ranking order with titles next to each name. Most likely, the Hong Kong team will be seated and awaiting your arrival. Enter the room in hierarchical order and sit across from the Hong Kong person who holds the same position of equal status to your own. Social conversation will start all meetings and should continue until your Hong Kong Chinese leader moves the talk to business. [...]
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