mankini-boys

Are you new to working abroad? Travelling to a foreign country for the first time for business?

Getting it right when working overseas is critical; but what do you do if you have little or no international exposure?

You run the danger of too much exposure, Borat-mankini-style!

Working internationally requires a very different skill-set to working domestically.  What works well for you in your home country may count against you when working abroad. 

The key to working internationally is to scrap any perception that ‘the way we do things at home’ is the only valid norm when working elsewhere. 

It’s natural to view the business approaches you’ve traditionally relied on - indeed been trained in, as ‘the right way’ but the sooner you appreciate these approaches may not go down well on international platforms, the more likely you are to succeed in your new global ventures.

Remember it is only the right way in the right context! This advice is key, if not golden, – keep it at the heart of everything you do.  

To enhance this, we have pulled together some tips, so simple and solid that anyone can apply them immediately, to further increase your chances of international success.


#1 Open Your Eyes and Start to Observe.


#2 Ask Lots of Questions.


#3 Allow For More Time & Be Patient.


#4 Embrace Uncertainty.


#5 Be Prepared and Go Early.


#6 Build Your Intercultural Skills.

 


Above all, have fun.  Intercultural exchanges are exciting, eye-opening opportunities, which enable you to increase your skill base and learn from others. The more you travel, the greater your cultural skill base; enabling you to navigate any situation – no matter how complex.


Photo by Tom Henry on Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)