Cindy King's International Business Blog » job titles

What Is An International Business Development Executive?

Cindy King — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 23:00:18 +0000

A reader recently asked what the difference is between an International Business Development Executive and an International Sales Executive.

The answer can seem simple to many readers. For many companies they are one and the same. Some companies feel that the job title International Business Development Executive is more palatable than a job title with “Sales” in it.

The Job Scope

Some people can argue that an International Business Development Executive spends his time to:

Create strategic alliances on a broad level
Initiate strategic relationships with third parties
Look for new business opportunities

While the International Sales Executive:

Looks for more immediate sales opportunities
Follows up sales leads

And in large companies there are usually two distinct job functions. Small companies, however, usually have one person to cover the global sales function.

You see, both job functions are sales functions. They are revenue generating job functions.

The Job Function

The job functions of an International Business Development Executive can vary from one company to the next. You see, how an International Business Development Executive spends his days depends on his company’s current international business situation and where they want to go.

A business can:

Sell from their local offices to clients abroad
Have foreign offices with foreign sales representatives
Work with international sales agents
Have foreign distributors
Operate foreign franchises
Rely on international joint ventures

And the International Business Development Executive will work within the corresponding development strategies.

Broad Responsibilities When Working Abroad

This reader’s question came up because no matter what the job title and size of the company, the International Business Development Executive and the International Sales Executive have the same role.

It comes with the territory.

Working abroad.
Resources are usually limited.
Companies need all sources of international business intelligence.

Even when a company tries to separate or limit responsibilities, the person in the field has the direct contact with that market. Good team work will get you more international sales, not rigid hierarchy.

Improve Sales Appeal

But the question of International Business Development Executive or International Sales Specialist brings up the issue of cultural perception. And what job title will get you more international sales.

For example, it is easy to imagine that a foreign company selling to a North American market will usually need to re-vamp job titles to be taken seriously.

There are distinct cultural responses to the word “sales” in many cultures.

The best way to find out what title you need is to look at the other job titles in the country you are targeting.

Remember, international sales appeal is not all about your job title. It is often more about:

How your company positions itself
How you are introduced
How you introduce yourself
Your reason for approaching your international client

In many cultures, it is the combination of this information that will create the right response in your international client.

What about you?

Do you have any specific questions related to international sales professions?
Do you have any other insights to share?
What do you like about international sales jobs?

Please leave your comments below.

Get International Clients – Business Guides On Sales

Differences In Copywriting Job Titles In French

Cindy King — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 23:00:27 +0000

Cross-Cultural Living

I just published an article on Job Titles For Different Cultures on Get International Clients. And you know how coincidences happen? A French magazine in my mail box had a wonderful example of different job definitions for the same job title.

Job Function Confusion

The French magazine was quoting salaries for web professionals. And as a copywriter, I looked up the French equivalent.

Well, to be truthful, I was half expecting this job function not even to be be listed.

A year ago, I only knew one French person who could understand what copywriting was. And it got worse. No one around me could comprehend the value of good web writing for a website. It was all about the image. The design.

Things are changing here. Slowly.

And guess what?

I actually found a job title equivalent for web copywriter.

“Responsable editorial web”

Great!

But I did end with a good chuckle.

This job function was listed under Webmaster. And of all the salaries quoted, the webmaster was the lowest.

Well, what can I say.

Opportunities! Opportunities! Opportunities!

Opportunities for everyone that actually gets it.

Yes, it is sad that French companies expect their former computer programmers to write their websites and get results. But companies cannot invest indefinitely in websites that do not bring in results… no matter what their culture is.

In fact, earlier this year I heard rumblings from dissatisfied webmasters here in France. Former IT professionals, who did not appreciate being held accountable for something they are not trained for. Web copywriting and marketing.

And at the same time I was reading articles in American press about how companies were desperate for Geek Marketers. Professionals with strong skills in both marketing and the technical side of web marketing.

Ever since my first stay in France I have heard that France is 20 years behind the United States in certain practices.

Let’s hope it does not take them 20 years to realize that marketers need to be involved in setting up a website. And that good copywriting has a direct link to increased online sales.

I must say that as a big fan of Eugene Schwartz, it is very interesting to watch a market go:

From total lack of knowledge
To understanding there is a need
To waking up to the solution

And yes, some people know they need good copywriting skills if they want results online. But this also leaves another problem.

This is where the French market in general is today. I cannot wait for the next stage to happen. Where they actively seek out professional copywriters to fix their woes.

My Little Contribution

There are very few places to learn French copywriting skills here in France. Why? You need to know two things:

To the French everything is in the culture, the design, the visuals, the prestige, the awards, the appearance. It really is almost as if, how a website looks and is perceived is more important than the results. And that is no exaggeration.

The French are embarrassed to talk about money. And good copywriting brings in money. No exaggerations either.

This is why I wrote a short basic course in French earlier this year. In response to a number of people asking me for guidance. My business is in English. This was just a friendly gesture to a few people who approached me.

And without any promotion, people have been finding the email course and signing up… which reminds me, I need to go and update it.

Well, I can tell from the responses in my mail box, that market awareness about the value of copywriting is stirring. Good news for me.

I enjoy critiquing copy. There is still much for me to learn too.

And copywriting skills need practice. So, I’m forming a small group of French writers, where I’ll be leading the critiques of French copy.

If you are French and interested… and ready to write French copy and commit to meeting regularly by phone, send me an email at cindy@cindyking.biz

My clients looking for French web copywriters will be happy!

Brush up your international skills…
Read more on Cross-Cultural Living:

Use these skills in your international tactics on the…
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Step 5 – Connect With Your International Markets

Connect…
• With culture customized content
• With trust and empathy
• With strong cross-cultural communication

International Business Success Basics

• Do you feel at a loss with regards to dealing with international business? This guide gives you the background information you need right from the start.