Our “Protocolumn” blogs offer insights into conducting business internationally while utilizing cross-cultural strategies, international protocol, and cultural etiquette. Guest columnists are welcome based on our criteria or invitation. Cross-over blogs covering professional presence, business etiquette, and corporate protocol are posted on our companion website at GloriaPetersen.com.
Tips for Interacting with People of High Rank and Dignitaries
Has the casualness of our society created confusion as to the proper way to address dignitaries and/or individuals who hold high positions? Why should you know this? If you are doing or planning to do business internationally, adhering to a country-specific order of...
Potential Business Opportunities for Global Business
Guest Columnist: … Mike Wynne, president, International Management Consulting Associates (IMCA) | United States population is 325 million persons while the number of consumers in the rest of the world is almost 7 BILLION. Further, our nation’s annual economic growth was only about 1.2 percent this past year. So, why does that matter? Any business with such a low annual growth rate may be on its way to disappear. What things we should do when conducting business in another country? Develop . . .
Holiday Greetings Around the World
When I say Merry Christmas and you respond with your preferred season’s greeting (e.g., Happy Hanukkah), we are good! It is a wonderful way to share our holiday preference and at the same time honor the season.
Trying to be politically correct can cause awkward moments. It is simply impossible to know the beliefs of everyone we greet during this special time of the year. It is also unfair to
Global Do’s and Taboos
When traveling abroad, there are international meeting protocol do’s and taboos. One of the most common mistakes people who travel abroad for meetings make is the disregard for local body language, posture, facial expressions and gestures. Some are appropriate in one country but offensive in another. For example, the OK sign gesture …
Developing Social Intelligence Through Cross-Cultural Mentoring
The influx of people from different cultures into a company is a workplace concern around the world. For reasons of personal comfort, individuals tend to segregate themselves from people who speak a different language or are just different. Hence you have several pockets of cultural groups working but rarely socializing with each other because . . .
Arranging for Interpreters: “The Invisible People”
Unless you have an excellent command of a particular language, an interpreter is your bridge to meaningful communication with an international client or partner. Highly trained professional interpreters translate orally for speakers of different languages, thus becoming the voice of the speaker, whether host or guest. This is extremely important when traveling and attending conventions and trade shows abroad. Never assume . . .
Food Taboos Around the World are Powerful!
If a person realizes after the fact that he or she has eaten a taboo food (e.g., soup with bacon bits or a beef stock), they may actually become depressed with guilt or feel physically ill. While it is a challenge to be sensitive to every food preference or restriction, vegetarian-based foods are the safest. The problem of food taboos usually centers around meat-based dishes. Most cultures view the dining experience as a time-honored ritual for
Preparing for International Visitors: Briefings and DeBriefings
To ensure that a visit from a client or associate from another country is a smooth and productive exchange, gather and document as much information as possible by preparing a pre-meeting briefing containing important visitor information, and a post-meeting debriefing for
Traveling Abroad? “Eat Whatever They Put in Front of You!”
Guest Columnist: Peter Faur, President, RightPoint Communications … In the international business class I took as part of my MBA, the instructor gave the following advice: “If you’re ever doing business abroad, and you’re having dinner with clients or customers, eat at least a bit of whatever they put in front of you, no matter how ghastly it seems.” He worked for a far-flung, multinational company, and he told stories of eating duck feet, jelled
The Flag is a Symbol of the People: Display Correctly!
A flag is a symbol of people—whether a nation, a city, or a corporation. A national flag is often displayed along with other flags at meetings, banquets, and other corporate (or international) events. It sends a strong message that you value and respect your guests (or visitors). Consequently, it is important to learn how
Embracing Cultural Differences For Greater Business Success
Guest Columnist: Doug Bruhnke, President/CEO, Growth Nation
Do you know business people who don’t have a strong sensibility about cultural differences, and the impact they have on business dealings? If you do, they are probably the “I’ll-do-it-my-way ugly Americans” (or whatever their nationality) who are good fodder for stories of global business opportunities lost. Often these
How We Judge People of Other Countries and How They Judge Us
Guest Columnist: Charlyne Blatcher Martin, M.A.
Many of us grew up with the Christian teaching that warns us to not judge others. Yet, judging others, especially those from other countries, has seeped into our individual and collective consciousness. Surprise. We are being judged by the very ones we are scrutinizing. While it appears
International Protocol and Etiquette Tips
by Horst Kniesel, Advisory Board Member and former First Vice President at JP Morgan Chase Bank
As part of my job working for a prominent American bank, I was required to travel frequently to many countries in Western Europe, including England, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, Greece, Ireland, Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands. In fact,
The Japanese Way of Tea
Popularly known as the Japanese tea ceremony, CHANOYU, the Way of Tea, is a spiritual discipline based on integrating the principles of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility into one’s everyday life through the simple act of making and sharing a bowl of tea. Harmony is the oneness of host and guest, of the interplay of the
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