21 Definitions Of International Business

Cross-Cultural Twitter Interviews

One things that has surprised me over the last few years since I started this blog, is the number of different definitions people use for “international business”. You can read about how I use the term “international business” here.  I’m not saying that it is right and others are wrong. This is simply how I understand the term.  It is important to know what your definition is and how this compares to the definition other people are using.

Why are there different definitions? I think there are differences in the definition of “international business” because some people have different understandings of “business”. For some people throwing a bottle in the ocean equates to “international business”. People don’t always seem to appreciate the two way side of business.

This is why I like to ask this question during my Cross-Cultural Twitter Interviews. It’s always interesting to widen your understanding of how others see the world.

Here are some of the definitions of “international business” I received on Twitter with the 140 character limitation.

What Is International Business?

1. International business ismuch more complex than people realize. Trouble is, people ‘do’ it the way they do it at home! - @deborahswallow
2. International business is Global trade – @ohh_la_la
3. International business is important for growth & needs to be done in a manner that’s inclusive of all cultures represented by Ur business partners – @HoeferleConsult
4. International business is basic principles of business blending with the various organizational and national cultural perspectives – @dkiernan
5. International business is the exchange of goods, services & knowledge by dealing with & understanding differences in cultures – @transdomo
6. International business is challenging but enlightening (if you listen and learn from your mistakes)- @culturematters
7. International business is our day to day environment. Every business might be seen with an international bias: conversing and trading values with someone who has a different culture, even if from a different company. – @tdebaillon
8. International business is challenging and fun….also transactions between two or more countries. – @DR4Ward
9. International business isengaging with emerging markets. These days that’s where capital & real purchasing power are – @XCulture
10. International business is thinking beyond your borders. – @jackyan
11. International business is the future. I think international business will more greatly affect all business in the future, even at the local level. – @CotterHUE
12. International business is building relationships online – @wisequeenWhat Is Your Definition of International Business?Which definition do you like most?
    • Do you have a favorite?
    • Does one stand out and resonate with you?
    • Do you have another one to add?

    Please share your definitions below.

13. International business is the next “new” local; we are all more connected than ever before, through media, through culture – @DoreenatDMS
14. International business is about learning to play by a new set of rules. Each country has its own way of doing things – @pocketcultures
15. International business is a key vehicle to global harmony; more job opportunities, collaboration, way to freedom – @psitutor
16. International business is trade interactions with the aim to bring profit and prosperity to nations, companies and individuals. – @culturalrealms
17. International networking is bringing the world together closer into one community – @mintblogger
18. International business is trading over the borders. I have imported tea and computer stuff, e.g. 3.5″ floppy disks – @lyceum
19. International business is always #crosscultural… and coming to an economy near you. – @SeanJamesOliver
20. International business is changing the dynamics of int’l relations & how people view the world & all those who live in it – @DavidComp
21. International business is simply the way business is nowadays! So many people work cross-culturally without realizing it – @CateBrubaker

What Is Your Definition of International Business?

Which definition do you like most?

• Do you have a favorite?
• Does one stand out and resonate with you?
• Do you have another one to add?

Please share your definitions below.

Tagged as: analysis, business, business partners, catebrubaker, cindy king, cindyking, cotterhue, cross cultural marketing, cross-cultural, culturalrealms, culture, culture definition, culturematters, davidcomp, deborahswallow, definition, definition of culture, definitions, dkiernan, doreenatdms, dr4ward, global trade, globalization, hoeferleconsult, international, International Business, International Sales, jackyan, lyceum, management, marketing, matthewbennett, mintblogger, ohhlala, pocketcultures, psiutor, seanjamesoliver, tdebaillon, transdomo, twitter, xculture