| My first business meeting in a country where English | | | | because it's too hard for your hosts to think of the |
| was not the native tongue was in Germany. I was | | | | right words to say in English. A helper who knows |
| terribly nervous. I didn't know German, and no one | | | | the language will pick up on this nuance and take the |
| was with me that could speak it. I fell all over myself | | | | time to get everything on the table and make sure |
| trying to make apologies for speaking in English and | | | | you understand. |
| not knowing their language. They brushed it off as no | | | | - Do speak slowly. You need to slow it down and |
| big deal. It turns out that English is widely accepted in | | | | pause frequently so that your hosts have time to |
| Germany as the language of business and most | | | | translate in their heads. This way of speaking will feel |
| Germans are taught it as a second language | | | | unnatural, but if you don't do it they will either stop |
| throughout their early school years. | | | | you repeatedly so that they can catch up, or they'll |
| So began my journey into the new world of | | | | give up altogether and tune you out. |
| international business travel. I made many mistakes | | | | - Don't cram too much into a meeting agenda. You |
| along the way, but eventually I was able to make | | | | need to cut your expectations in half at least. It |
| these trips and hold business meetings routinely | | | | takes twice as long to exchange ideas when there |
| without all the drama. I'll spare you the learning curve | | | | are translations going on. |
| and share these international business travel Dos and | | | | - Don't be an ugly American. Keep the mindset at all |
| Don'ts with you: | | | | times that you are a guest and that their time and |
| - Do use the buddy system. It's very important to | | | | company is a gift to you. Try to learn a few phrases |
| have someone with you when you travel | | | | of their language for little things like, "thank you", |
| internationally. Making your way in an unfamiliar | | | | "pleased to meet you", "good morning", and "good |
| country can be bewildering and is more work than | | | | bye". Show an interest in their culture and history, |
| you realize. It usually takes two sets of eyes and | | | | and be respectful of their traditions and past. |
| ears to do things that you would normally do on | | | | - Do be prepared for culture shock. Total immersion |
| autopilot when you're at home. | | | | in another culture will take it's toll on you. Between |
| - Do find local help. If you can have someone meet | | | | this and the jet lag your mental energy will run out |
| you at the airport, get you settled at the hotel, help | | | | and you will crash hard the first couple nights. Don't |
| you with logistics, and join you for your meetings, | | | | be surprised if you are dying for a cheeseburger and |
| then don't pass up the opportunity. It simplifies things | | | | all you want to do at night is hide in your room. But |
| greatly. And even though English is the language of | | | | resist these urges and get out and see the world. |
| business, don't take it for granted. There are | | | | Your chances to do this are few and far between, |
| important points that will be missed in a meeting just | | | | and the memories will last you a lifetime. |