0816_TOEFL-Test-and-Score-Manual-1997

272 ● 201 Great Ideas for Your Small Business
For example, Americans often complain that Japanese businesspeople
do not look them in the eye. But the Japanese consider looking directly at
someone to be a sign of disrespect, according to Acuff.
“Some countries, like China, have a strong need for harmony,” he said.
“So although a person may agree to do something, they may not comply
with the terms of the agreement.”
He said Americans are often frustrated when foreigners have a totally
different concept of time. Americans, Germans, Swiss, and Australians tend
to be prompt and expect meetings to begin on time. But Latin Americans,
for instance, usually begin meetings a half-hour after the appointed time
and can’t understand why their American guests are so agitated.
Another common problem: Americans prefer to have about three
feet of space around them. Yet Latin Americans and Middle Easterners
often embrace their business associates, which can seem weird to many
American men.
Learn as much as you can about a country before you book your plane
ticket. You’ll save money and time by being a savvy traveler.
Here are some tips:
• Before visiting a foreign country, talk to people who have done business
there. Listen to their experiences and learn from them.
• Meet with people from the country you plan to visit. Ask them what
they like and don’t like about doing business with Americans.
• Do your homework. Learn as much as you can about the culture and
customs of the country you are planning to visit.
GREAT
Translate Your Marketing Materials
In the 1970s, Chevrolet made a legendary cultural faux
IDEA
pas when it decided to market the Chevy Nova in
Mexico. The family car was a big hit in the United States, but the Mexican
advertising campaign was a joke. “No va” in Spanish means “no go.” Who
wants to buy a car that doesn’t go anywhere?