Whether it’s overseas interviews, international networking, meetings, or simply proving your corporate worth and delivering great results while you’re abroad, as well as everything in between, I think we can all agree that business travel requires a great deal more preparation than any of us typically give it!

I’m sure you’re already aware that preparation is everything in business. You’ve also probably already heard the phrase, “Fail to prepare and you prepare to fail!”.

There’s a lot of truth in that statement!

Despite this, there are occasions for most of us when proper preparation simply slips through the net, and we end up paying the corporate price for it!

Of course, some occasions require more preparation than others, an interview, a new client perhaps, or simply making a great impression on the new CEO, these are easy to remember they demand preparation.

Preparing for Business Travel on the other hand, sometimes lacks the same enthusiasm.

But what are we actually talking about here?

Well I’m not talking about logistics like your flight and hotel, albeit important! There is so much more to prepare for than that.

I’m talking about culture, language, safety, business etiquette abroad and ensuring you can deliver results while your away from home! These are the forgotten things that must be taken into consideration before you set foot on that plane!

New business in a foreign country can be both a great challenge and a great opportunity.

That’s why we’re sharing this useful article with you, on how to best prepare yourself for your business trip abroad.

Enjoy!… and remember to let us know what you think in the comments below!

MAXIMIZE YOUR TIME SPENT OVERSEAS. PROPER PREPARATION BEFORE YOUR DEPARTURE WILL NOT ONLY MAKE YOUR BUSINESS TRIP A SAFE ONE BUT MORE PRODUCTIVE. 

Besides personal safety, you also will want to prepare for your foreign business encounters. After all, you want to get maximum value for the time that is spent abroad. This means you have to be open to different values, behaviours and ways of doing business.

 

Lack of familiarity with the business practices and social customs of another country can weaken your position or prevent you from accomplishing your goals. 

 

Without a doubt there is nothing like a face-to-face meeting with a client or customer. But even the most minor mistakes can cost you time, money and opportunity. Here are seven tips to help you make the necessary adjustments for a business trip abroad.

Seek information on the culture.

Invest some time in learning about the history, culture and customs of the countries to be visited, says Thomas. Attend cross-cultural seminars or training. Read books about that country.

Brush up on the differences in negotiating styles, attitudes towards punctuality, gift-giving customs, and the proper use of names and titles (understand the importance of rank and know who the decision makers are when conducting business). 

Take the Japanese, for instance, who consider it rude to be late for a business meeting but acceptable for a social occasion. In Latin countries, being late for a business meeting is more tolerable. In the Middle East it is commonplace to engage in small talk before conducting business.

The French and the British have different views about discussing business during meals, Thomas says. “Do you talk about business during dinner or do you wait until after you have eaten your meal? The slightest things can really offend people,” she says.

Learn protocol and etiquette practices.

Study the general protocol and etiquette of the country or countries you’re visiting. Understanding in advance how to greet your counterparts and manage appointments will be most helpful.

Check normal work days and business hours. In the Middle East, for example, the workweek is Saturday to Thursday. It is not uncommon in many countries for lunch to last two to four hours.

Also take into account foreign holidays. Business manners, religious customs, dietary practices, humour and acceptable dress vary widely from country to country.

Misunderstandings over gestures and body language can cause you more than embarrassment but can lead to business complications, says Thomas. For instance, the okay sign (thumb and index fingers forming a circle with the other fingers pointing upward) is commonly used in the US. But it means zero in France and Thomas says it is a vulgar gesture in Brazil and the Philippines (like giving the middle finger is here in the States).

She recommends finding a local person from the host country whom you can openly talk to and learn about customs. Or a international communication expert who can give you the low-down on the customs of the country.

Learn the native tongue.

Business associates will appreciate any sincere attempt. Study the language or hire a translator, especially if the persons you are meeting with do not speak English or are uncomfortable speaking it.

You can learn a foreign language on the go using various mobile apps, podcasts or systems. Or invest in a language course in advance, ideally one you can continue while travelling abroad. Check out our courses here!

Some colleges or universities in your area may offer traditional classroom instruction or immersion programs. Other options are audio language lessons, software programs, and online courses (Trust Native Launching an Online Course Very Soon!).

There may even be subtle differences in the same language, cautions Thomas. “Certain words in English that we use freely could have different meanings outside the US.” She cites a situation between American and British businessmen. “During the meeting the Americans said, ‘let’s table’ this, hoping to end the discussion, but the Brits kept on talking. The Americans took this as utter disregard and stormed out, not knowing that in England the expression ‘let’s table it’ means to put it on the table for discussion.”

Check travel advisories.

Governments issue advisories about safety concerns that may affect travel to a particular country or region. Travel advisories are released for various reasons, including terrorism, natural disasters, political unrest, wars, health emergencies, and outbreaks of violent crimes against tourists. Check to see if the advisory applies to the entire country or certain areas.

Have a backup plan in case something does go wrong. Find out whether your home country has an embassy or consulate in the place you are visiting and how they can help in the event that you need them.

Protect yourself.

Kaufman recommends getting travel insurance. With most insurers you can get a yearlong policy as opposed to a trip-by-trip basis. Insurance companies are there to help you out in a crisis such as medical evacuations.

Keep in mind that different destinations pose different risks; incorporate that into your strategy for choosing business travel insurance. Do your research. Travel insurance may not cover you in all countries and in all circumstances. Most policies do not cover acts of war, riots or civil disorder. Find out what exclusions apply.

Check with your health plan carrier to see if you need to get another policy to cover medical costs for an injury or sudden illness abroad, says Thomas. What if you need to be airlifted by helicopter and taken to the hospital, are you still covered? Look into the large travel insurance companies.

Plan to stay connected.

A plug or adapter may be needed to charge notebooks, cell phones, and PDAs while overseas. Also, contact your cell phone provider before you leave to find out about international options for business trips, says Kaufman. You may be able to get a temporary plan while you are visiting another country. To make an international call from your cell phone, your carrier network must be compatible with that country. Your phone also must be technically capable of making international calls.

Other options are to use Skype on your laptop or a Skype iPhone app to make international calls. You also can rent a cell phone in airport malls around the world from companies such as TripTel or online from sites such as Cellularabroad.com.

If you are traveling to a foreign destination for more than a week or two, consider buying a local phone, suggests Kaufman. You can use that phone for making calls within the host country and it may prove to be less expensive. “Some business travelers also use local SIM cards because it makes communications by mobile phones a lot easier.”

Source: Carolyn M. Brown – inc.com

Now that you’ve taken all that in, we want to hear from you, how do YOU prepare for a business trip? Do you consider these points already?

Have you ever had a problem while travelling or difficulty with cultural differences in business? Maybe some nationalities are easier or harder to connect with than others?

Feel free to tell us your story and share your experiences with us here!

Best,

Team Trust Native

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