The Culture of Business Meetings Around the World

During the course of your career, you may be called upon to travel internationally for business meetings. Before boarding your plane, be a smart traveler and do whatever you can to learn what the customs about business meetings are in the country of your destination. Talking to colleagues who have met the client or traveled in the country you’re headed to can make a big difference; but if a personal account is not available, you’ll need to do a little research. Here are some business-related customs around the world you may not be aware of; knowing these might mean the difference between a successful outing and one in which the client is displeased, or worse, insulted through a gesture you may not have known was the wrong one.

Women account for almost half of all business travelers and must be particularly careful to observe proper protocol in other countries. This may mean a range of behaviors from dressing to meet cultural modesty standards when traveling in the Middle East, or avoiding brightly-colored outfits in Asian countries, to attending business meetings only if accompanied by a local male associate who will act as a “host” or point of entry to the meeting in countries such as Russia, China, or the United Arab Emirates. Choosing the right local business connection who can introduce you to the proper people or help deflect personal questions is vital to a female traveler’s success in some countries. If your company does not already have someone in your destination country you can work with, inquire at that country’s American embassy before you travel about any restrictions on women business travelers.

You should never rush to close a deal overseas; other cultures often focus on building a relationship over time, which may take days or even weeks. You may be invited to social events by your host as another means to build trust and a good relationship; although it is generally considered rude to refuse hospitality, you should avoid alcohol or drink only sparingly in order to avoid any untoward incidents. Gifts may be exchanged as part of this trust-building period; you should work with a local contact, if possible, to find out what is appropriate.

By using local contacts and prudent research beforehand, smart business travelers will avoid any breaches of protocol and will leave the client with a good impression of themselves and of the company.

Photo by Cytonn Photography on Unsplash