Doing Business Globally
Adopted from an article by Carolyn Larkin, Carlson Learning Company's Partner in Japan.

Working globally takes more than enthusiasm. You don't just wake up and say, "Gee, I think I'll do business in Europe, Asia or South America today." It's important to raise your cultural awareness. An excellent way to get started is to seek out business in a country where you have some knowledge of the language or the culture, either through family relationships or from having been there before... Even taking a foreign language in school can give you a head start. Any early exposure may spark your passion.

But, you have a responsibility to learn as much as you can about that country and its people. If you don't you may be lucky enough to get some business but you know so little about the culture and what's going on that you feel, "I don't ever want to work here again. These people are rude and unfriendly. They're not as analytical (or empathic, or responsive) as I want them to be." You may decide it was the worst experience you've ever had and you were foolish to get involved. But it's an unfair evaluation because you never did the prep work.

So, how do you prepare? Take responsibility for developing your own global mindset. One of the best, most inexpensive ways is to use the World Wide Web. Use it to learn about the history, the economics and the culture of a country. Use it to dialogue with people living there. Other options include attending cross-cultural training. Join the International Federation of Training and Development Organisation and participate in international conferences, meet people and see products from other countries. Learn a new language... Go to foreign films, read books on other cultures, attend lectures, and use cross-cultural assimilation videos. Talk to expatriates about their experiences.

While any of these ideas are an excellent base for individual development, be prepared to make a commitment to continuous learning. It's key to any international business success. You need to be adept at your own business and insightful enough to offer ideas that transfer to another culture. And the only way to do that, is by developing your global sensitivity. It takes work, but the rewards are enormous.