International Sales

There is often friction in cross-cultural communication.  The differences in cultures become evident.  When you do not make the effort to put these differences aside you can have an unfruitful conversation.

The problem is… if this is a sales conversation, you can lose your international sales.

It Is About Differences In People

Sales is a people job.  In ordinary circumstances people can burn you out.  When you meet another culture, people can potentially burn you out even faster.  It is all about the friction due to the differences between two people.

Other factors also come into play.  In addition to obvious cultural differences, the two people might have two different expected outcomes for a conversation.  This is added friction.

Take An Active Role

There is some good news.  You can directly influence half of the equation.  You have control over your own reactions.  The friction is caused by the differences between two people… and this includes yourself.

You can decide not to remain upset about having to deal with such different people.

• You can decide to forgive them.
• You can decide to put aside the barriers that would normally stop you from proceeding your conversation… at least temporarily.
• You can decide to continue to take the conversation forward while adapting yourself to the other person.

It Helps The Other Person Too

There is another good thing about taking an active role in making the first step towards more meaningful conversation.

Your proactive and positive outlook towards your obvious goal will be noticed by the other person.  This can help him get beyond his barriers.

Sometimes the other person will continue to forge his differences.  This is OK.  It probably means that he feels you do not understand him.  And it opens the door to further conversation.  It’s easy to ask for further clarifications and a real understanding between different cultures.

The Tipping Point Towards Successful Communication

And what is the tipping point that opens cross-cultural communication?

• Forgiveness for the cultural differences we encounter that raise barriers within ourselves.
• Followed by a certain acceptance to get beyond these differences to create a dialog.

The path to develop good cross-cultural communication skills is a path of personal development.

• Some people find it hard to forgive. These are often people who have personal issues of their own self-perception and will need longer to adapt.
• Some people think that this step of acceptance is an all out definitive acceptance.  But it does not have to be.  In international business you can go through a first step of acceptance that does not influence your personal values.

Forgiveness has two positive benefits:

• It is liberating for your own personal well-being.  You get rid of your negative emotions and you can move on.
• It can get your more international sales by creating meaningful conversations.

Read more on International Sales in these articles:
- Do Not Give Up Too Soon On Your International Business
- When Businesses Waste Time To Get International Sales
- Do You Have A Clear Vision Of How To Get International Sales?
- Improve Your International Sales Skills For Your Competitive Advantage
- Cross-Cultural Strategy In Sales Negotiation
- What Makes A Good International Sales Specialist
- What Is An International Business Development Executive?
- Emotion Buttons For International Sales
- The Job Of An International Sales Specialist
- White Papers For International Lead Generation
- What Is An International Sales Specialist?
- Learning International Skills From A Course Or A Book
- Up-Sell Expectations Across Cultures

And read even more in the…
Get International Clients International Sales Road Map

Discover Your International Business • Do you want to know how to develop your business abroad? Click here to find out how.

Cross-Culture Sales • Would you like to get more cross-cultural sales? Find out here.

Cross-Cultural Negotiation • Would you like an easy guide to keep you away from the big first time blunders? Find it here.

Cultural Web Tools • How can you connect faster with your international clients? Learn how to adapt your cultural web tools.

Copyright Cindy King 2006-2010 - International Business Blog

Forgive And Get More International Sales