A Visual Guide to International Business Etiquette [Infographic]

Download Now: Free Marketing Plan Template
Leslie Ye
Leslie Ye

Updated:

Published:

international_flags.jpg

This post originally appeared on HubSpot's Sales Blog. To read more content like this, subscribe to Sales.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do … especially if you want the Romans to buy what you’re selling.

Almost three-quarters of the world’s spending power is outside the U.S., and exports total 13.8% of the U.S.'s national GDP. The year 2014 was resurgent for internatoinal business travel, with a 6% increase in number of trips taken and 8.9% increase in amount of money spent -- a whopping $35.6 billion gain.

If it turns out these trends are here to stay and your company decides to open an office beyond U.S. borders or liaise with international partners, you might just find yourself in an overseas business meeting.

Every country’s unique culture translates into different conventions for how business should be conducted. If you should find yourself across the pond (or in any other country), understanding different customs is essential to getting your relationship started off on the right foot. If you’re in Italy, for example, you should only give flowers in even numbers -- and never give any gift in a quantity of 17. And in Argentina, don't be surprised if business meetings run late into the night.

This infographic from WD Storage outlines dos and don’ts of business conduct in seven countries. Make sure to bookmark this page if you're traveling internationally on business any time in the near future. (And check out this blog post for a more in-depth guide to international business etiquette.)

international-business-etiquette

get the free hubspot crm

Topics: Company Culture

Related Articles

Outline your company's marketing strategy in one simple, coherent plan.

    The weekly email to help take your career to the next level. No fluff, only first-hand expert advice & useful marketing trends.

    Must enter a valid email

    We're committed to your privacy. HubSpot uses the information you provide to us to contact you about our relevant content, products, and services. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information, check out our privacy policy.

    This form is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.