Are you developing or expanding into international markets or operations?

When businesses develop or expand into international markets they face a number of issues, such as:

• logistics & exporting procedures
• local taxation & legislation (approvals)
• marketing & distribution approach
• finance & money matters
• overseas operations structure

……. and so on. With proper expertise most of the issues can be handled effectively. However, there is also the resource element that needs careful consideration. In overseas operations there exist additional issues that do not exist in domestic situations. People do not speak the same language, and even if they do they think and act differently. It is often said that the British and Americans do not speak the same language, even though both speak English – what is really being referred to here are cultural differences.

Both the language and the cultural issues need to be tackled if businesses are to be successful in developing or expanding business in international markets, or setting up operations, whether subsidiaries or alliances with international businesses. Some of the tasks, issues or competencies that may need to be explored further are:

• Understanding drivers to cross-cultural differences
• Understanding diverse values, perceptions, world views, behaviour & business practices
• Exploring principles of expression, interaction rules and communication styles
• Etiquette & misunderstanding prevention
• Understanding different ways of problems-solving, decision-taking and conflict resolution
• Multicultural management approaches
• Eastern & Western business styles / values
• Intercultural negotiations strategies
• Cross-cultural competencies
• Managing in multi-cultural environments
• International ethics
• Technology Transfer management
• Transcultural negotiations & meetings
• Organisational culture and geographical culture

   

  For details on how this may relate to your organisation's objectives or needs, you may need to refer to an intercultural management specialist. For more information you may wish to contact us.

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