Interculturality and business in Germany, France, US, Russia, China and Mexico

Interculturality  and business in Germany, France, US, Russia, China and Mexico:

We have always to take into consideration the different cultures in the world because they are same important and no one is above other. This fact affects different situations in life and, of course doing business.

International business is full of difficulties. Not just the ones related with trade or different legal requirements to comply, but the negotiation between people having different codes and ways to achieve agreements.

Most of the time, we forget that doing business in Spain is quite different than doing it in Germany or in Japan. Moreover, we imagine that countries of Latin America use to negotiate the same way just because they are neighbors. In example, Chinese and Japanese are for business quite different. Chinese chairman is not the decision maker (it is the vice chairman) although you must show great respect for him during the negotiation. Japanese negotiate in teams because each one has a different specialty.

These are some tips to help you to negotiate properly in different cultures:

Germany:

-          Show the solidity of your company and product

-          Give technical info

-          Context your product in their market

-          Give a delivery date and meet it

France:

-          Show the innovation of your product

-          Demonstrate style

-          Don´t try to be early friendly

-          Be prepared to an intellectual discussion

US:

-          You can use humor

-          Do a hard sell

-          Put your cards on the table from the beginning

-          Use numbers

Russia:

-          Negotiate as a chess player because they do so

-          Don´t change your ideas during the meeting

-          Be firm but kind

-          Conversation is appreciated

China:

-          Be patient, they are

-          Be aware of their rules at meetings

-          Be prudent

-          Don´t interrupt when they talk

Mexico:

-          Open the meeting with a friendly talk

-          Mexican leader will be the spokes man, so talk to him

-          Don´t discuss details when the leader is in this meeting

-          Be  credible

After that, of course, make differences between each of your partners because all of us have our own rules. But one universal rule: RESPECT AND LOVE YOUR CLIENTS ANYWHERE.