| Without a doubt the biggest barrier in | | | | view and that is where my own cultural |
| cross-cultural negotiations is:your own mindset | | | | prejudices stay. |
| We all tend to think any barriers in cross-cultural | | | | And that 90 degree turn is the one where I greet |
| communication and negotiation is due to | | | | people politely. |
| something beyond ourselves. | | | | I imagine myself in this position until the encounter |
| But we all forget that we all come to the | | | | is over. Some people say "put your best face |
| cross-cultural negotiation table with our own | | | | first". I guess I took that literally. |
| cultural prejudices. | | | | With practice this becomes easy and natural to |
| To put it in other words... | | | | do. |
| We automatically assume our way of thinking, our | | | | - If you can adapt your own mindset to receive |
| way of doing things, is the only way or the "right" | | | | cross-cultural communication without any of your |
| way. | | | | own filters, |
| So, when you first start in cross-cultural | | | | - If you are interested in understanding the other |
| negotiations, your own mindset will be your | | | | person, |
| biggest risk in cultural blunders. | | | | - If you interact appropriately with the other |
| You need to put aside your own ideas, thoughts | | | | person, |
| and opinions in your cross-cultural communication. | | | | Then your communication will be successful 95% |
| This takes a little practice... | | | | of the time. |
| Simply because these little ideas, thoughts and | | | | Are you committed to speeding up your |
| opinions have a habit of wanting to find their own | | | | international sales cycles? |
| way back. | | | | Learn how to combine cross-cultural marketing |
| You need to make a conscious effort to | | | | tools and international sales strategies for faster |
| communicate with people from other cultures on | | | | sales. |
| a "prejudice-free" environment. | | | | Join us on the International Sales Road Map. |
| I have a little technique I use that has always | | | | Would you like to develop your international |
| worked well for me. | | | | business? |
| When I am communicating with someone from a | | | | Are you a beginner at international sales and |
| different culture than mine, I imagine myself | | | | marketing? |
| turning 90 degrees from my waist up to meet | | | | Read the Beginners Guide Discover Your |
| them. | | | | International Business. |
| It is as if I keep my full cultural profile out of their | | | | |