Читать книгу Going Abroad 2014 - Waldemar A. Pfoertsch - Страница 25

People make a decision within about 30 seconds when meeting someone new. This first impression is made only once but is remembered for a long time. For this reason it is important to be particularly prepared for the first meeting.

Prepare as much as you can before the meeting and go in with self-confidence. In addition to generally educating yourself about the country and culture, have a very good knowledge of the business partner you are visiting. Browsing through the company website, speaking with colleagues and others who have similar experiences, are all good ways to educate yourself. Try to identify key values of the partner and note where you share values. Find out exactly who you will be meeting and what position he/she holds. You should also know about the needs of your business partners and what they are hoping to accomplish. Be prepared for possible questions and be able to discuss examples of previous similar solutions to certain problems. Having a prepared list of questions you wish to be answered will also make the meeting more effective.

Business cards are a good way to remember and be remembered. In fact, these cards are an essential part of business in many cultures, and not having one to present will make the meeting very awkward.

Tips on actual behavior in the meeting in regards to non-verbal language, dress code, cultural customs, etc. will be covered in detail in a later chapter.