7 Best Practices For Global Business Communications – Forbes – business – Google News
As communication technologies become steadily more comprehensive and intuitive, companies looking to expand globally in 2014 will have fewer logistical problems reaching out to other nations.
The benefits could be vast. Think about the potential advantages for your firm as you read about the following best practices.
Global expansion can create several advantages for B2B companies. Working with businesses in other nations can help your company perceive your industry and markets differently; it will likely inform your decisions in the future.
Some of your company’s functions may be more effectively performed overseas by outsourcing at least part of the work, or collaborating with foreign entities. Certain other nations offer breaking innovations and publications on topics which that might involve your business. These are resources that domestic companies can easily miss out on.
Expanding into new markets overseas can mean great things for B2C companies as well. Foreign customers and clients can be major brand influencers across the globe.
For example, if your latest gadget impresses techie customers in Japan or Germany, that can have a huge effect on the credibility of your product in other nations. Similarly, if your fashion brand sells in Paris or Milan, you’re golden almost anywhere else.
Foreign loyalty and customer feedback can also make for more feedback that has a great impact and may inform future choices in marketing and manufacturing. More access to new customers means more leads, conversions, and revenue.
There are billions of people on Earth beyond the hundreds of millions you can reach domestically. Opening your company to those possibilities could could have an astonishing effect on your bottom line.
3. Market targeting
Communication can be significantly different when you work with people in other cultures. Whether your company is targeting other firms or potential consumers, it’s important to understand their needs and values.
4. Etiquette and netiquette
Individuals at companies in other overseas locales have immensely different expectations for greetings and farewells, proper conduct in business meetings, and other situations. Knowing how to say hello, who speaks first, and what to leave behind can be critical.
Some cultures expect a gift to be brought to a hosted conference or meeting, while others might view this practice as tawdry. Similarly, some cultures think nothing of consuming a substantial amount of alcohol during a business dinner, while others wouldn’t so much as touch a glass of wine.
Knowing the level of conservative behavior expected when visiting or entertaining individuals from another culture is very important. Working with customers and clients in international locations via the Web can require the same adherence to etiquette.
You should seriously research how to converse and politely interact with foreign customers or clients before making any contact, whether in person or online.
5. Colloquialisms
Did you know that in other countries, a cell phone is referred to as a “hand phone”? It can be extremely useful to know which words and phrases to use in business so your foreign audience will easily understand you and feel you’re reaching out and making an effort.
It’s vital to understand how different levels of conversation are interpreted by individuals in other cultures as well. Sometimes businesspeople in other countries will interpret everything literally and regard a brainstorming moment or off-the-cuff proposal as something close to a concrete agreement.
Understanding what’s popular in Japan, Spain, France, or wherever you’ll be doing business is important when communicating. Is Instagram widely used where they are, or will you reach more traffic with Twitter?
Does your target audience spend more time on mobile devices, or would traditional laptop and PC browsing be more customary? Maintaining a clear view of the latest news and views in the nation where you’re conducting business will keep your conversations and marketing efforts on point. Your audience will appreciate your efforts to adapt to their mental territory.
7. Technological tools
Modern international commerce has been made much easier by mobile devices, Wi-Fi Internet access, and affordable deals on airfare. Businesses that are ready to expand fully to a global scale should implement the following tools to step up their global game:
- Chat translators. Many apps are available online and within formats such as Facebook to enable text chat to be translated with each transmission. This facilitates cross-language communication by allowing you to read and type while your foreign collaborator is doing the same. These chat features are typically more widely accepted for B2B than B2C, but appropriateness is ultimately set by the cultural norms most familiar to your audience.
- Static bilingual websites. With one click on an icon, your website can switch from English to Spanish, Japanese, French, or any other language you choose. A talented developer can make this possible, and there are plugins available for this purpose on some CMS platforms. With translated web content. not only can your global partners or customers read and understand your material, but you have made the respectful gesture of translating it for them; this builds rapport and loyalty.
- Online meeting space. While in-person visits are appropriate at times, especially for B2B companies, meeting online is a great way to get everyone in one place without the expense and time commitments of air travel. While VoIP and Video chat programs are a fabulous way to meet up online with friends and family, online meeting platforms such as ClickMeeting offer unmatched features, such as desktop sharing for a show-don’t-tell approach and interactive learning experiences. Webinars that broadcast to multiple listeners or viewers at once are supported by software options like these.
- Mobile finesse. Because global companies are always on the move, having an effective mobile presence and a responsive website are keys to success in international commerce. Offering your clients, customers, or collaborators a one-click wonder of translatable, real-time information will give your company a reputation for professionalism. Customers appreciate a mobile-responsive site or app through which to buy online or otherwise interact with your brand.
Your mobile flexibility will also increase shareability of your content across blogs and social-media platforms. In the B2B sphere, mobile accessibility is especially pertinent, particularly in app form, to ensure that affiliates have a secured login to your site or other relevant access from anywhere in the world.
Consider the above tools and tactics when you’re cultivating a global presence for your business. Respecting your audience and modernizing your experience with the latest technological support will bring your company the most advanced communication opportunities online.
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