Manners of the Shoe Throughout the World

You have no doubt been to a house where you are asked to remove your shoes at the door. Now you are traveling to an unfamiliar country to engage in critical negotiations for your business. How do you know what to do? Here are a few general rules for different regions.

  • Most Arabic-speaking countries have a cultural inclination to believe that feet are unclean. You should remove your shoes when entering a Mosque, and usually most private houses. Do not show the soles of your shoes while crossing your legs and talking to a business partner, this can be taken as an insult. Don’t make jokes about hitting somebody with a shoe, unless you mean to upset them. Washing your feet a couple times a day is the norm, so if you know you will be somewhere without your shoes, you should bear this rule of hygiene in mind.
  • You should remove your shoes in most public places (aside from commercial buildings) in Japan. You are not supposed to use your outdoor shoes inside a gym and should have a separate pair or plan to rent them if needed.
  • In East-Central European countries like Poland and Bulgaria as well as Nordic countries like Norway, you will be expected to take off your shoes before you enter anyone’s home.
  • You should not wear shoes into an Indian home, or a place of worship. You will sometimes be asked to take off your shoes at historical sites. Sikh places of worship will provide a station for washing your bare feet before entering.
  • No matter where you are, you should take off your shoes if they are wet or dirty before you go into someone’s house.

Of course, when in doubt, ask your host, or look around.

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Rough Guide for American Doing Business in Europe

While the many cultures of Europe have played a significant role in the development of American culture, going to Europe to do business is still different than doing business in the United States. It is important to keep these differences in mind while working in Europe:

  • While a person’s nationality or ethnicity may be a matter of public curiosity in the U.S., many of Europe’s cultures consider it to be rude and intrusive to inquire about the origin of a person’s last name, their appearance, or other features of their ethnic group among acquaintances. Keep these questions to yourself until you know your host very well, if you ever ask at all.
  • As is the case everywhere, first impressions are important. Europeans often value a neat and professional appearance more than Americans. Be sure to select clean, pressed clothing that fits properly and is appropriate for the occasion when going to work with Europeans, and wear presentable shoes. Take cues from your business associates about the degree of formality you should aspire to in your dress.
  • Manners matter. This is not true just in Europe, but elsewhere as well. Use proper titles unless asked to use first names. Introduce yourself, and avoid taking a gruff or aggressive tone.
  • Communicate clearly. It is especially important to think about how you communicate if you are speaking English in a country where that is not the principal language. Do not use a lot of slang, and be sure to avoid speaking rapidly or slurring words together as you will confuse your listeners. Show consideration towards your host by learning a few words of their language, but do not pretend to have greater mastery of it than you do.
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Securing Foreign Customers

It is an exciting step for a business when international ties come in to play. Whether it is just trying to attract foreign customers locally or whether the business is actually doing contracts abroad, international expansion means growth.

Due to language barriers and cultural differences, more research is required. The benefit though, is that you as a business owner or manager have expanded your customer pool and made a huge step towards growth.

As you move forward with this new business venture, take time to find out as much as you can about the people, language, and culture. While translators are available, people really do prefer one-on-one rather than working through a mediator. Often times there are programs online or instructional CDs from the library to help you learn the language. Even taking a night course in the language at a local community college is helpful.

If this international relationship has a large impact on your business, seriously consider investing some time in taking a trip abroad. It is one thing to read about a far away place in a book, and another to go there and experience daily life.

Once you feel comfortable with at least conversational dialogue and customs, do a little research on advertising. Some populations do not rely on the internet as heavily as Americans do. Find out what media resources appeal to your specific clientele. For example, your foreign customers may respond better to television or radio ads rather than advertisements in the Yellow Pages of a phone book or web sites. Do not waste time and money on advertising that will not attract or even reach your customers.

Also take time to learn social etiquette for the particular country you are involved with. What is appropriate and what is not? Learn what greetings and what questions are best to ask to display politeness. Learn table manners, so if business is conducted over a meal, you can give an impressive showing.

The more you know and can use your knowledge of other cultures and languages, the better ability you will have of securing your foreign customers.

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Kokichi Mikimoto: Inventor of the Cultured Pearl

In the world of fine jewelry, Kokichi Mikimoto is a well known name. He’s best known for his fabulous pearl jewelry, including necklaces and bracelets. His jewelry is world-renowned and has received international acclaim as a top jewelry brand. Let’s take a look at the man behind the pearls.

Mikimoto is one of the best known jewelry brands in the world. The man behind the jewelry, Mr. Kockichi Mikimoto is said to have invented the cultured pearl industry. It is his innovative and pioneering approach that brings us many of the modern techniques surrounding pearls, including the cultivating of the pearls and selling to the general public.

Mr. Mikimoto was born in 1858 in Toba City, Japan. His family ran a noodle company, but Kokichi took a liking to oysters early on. He began raising his own oysters in 1888, and even received a patent for the process in the 1890s. For the next 20 years, he practiced and perfected the art of cultivating pearls.

The result of his hard work was incredible gems. Kokichi was able to open a new market for cultured pearls and introduce the world to a new kind of industry. His efforts led to one of the most successful and respected jewelry brands in the world. Mikimoto pearls are known across the globe for their stunning beauty and quality. If you are fortunate enough to wear Mikimoto pearls, you are truly among an elite group.

Mikimoto pearls are part of a great line of investment jewelry. This jewelry is not for those who want to play dress up. Rather, the Mikimoto brand is known for style and grace. A Mikimoto pearl will last for many years and outlive most any fashion trend. The world owes a big thank you to Kokichi Mikimoto and his efforts to bring the cultured pearl to market.

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How to Deal with Clients, Locally, Nationally and Overseas

If you are competing in a global environment, you will need to know how to deal with clients, locally nationally and overseas. On any given day, you may communicate face-to-face, by phone or email with clients from all over the world. Navigating business etiquette can be tricky, but it is worth your time and effort. Just one ill-timed communication can be costly.

Prepare to Deal with Clients, Locally, Nationally and Overseas

Do plenty of research on your client’s business and international etiquette. Pay attention to communication and how different cultures conduct business. If your in the United States, your local and national clients will value direct communication that includes a clear, concise message. A client in New Jersey is just as likely to value strong eye contact and a firm handshake as a client in California. Overseas clients from India or Korea value a less direct, more diplomatic approach. Your Japanese clients may greet you with a bow as opposed to a handshake and want to exchange business cards before conducting business.

Observe Your Local, National and Overseas Clients

Corporate America rewards professionals for taking risks but this does not always apply overseas. You may need to learn more about hierarchy of leadership before you approach clients from other countries. Take time to observe how decisions are made at your international client’s company. Some cultures rely on group consensus that privileges age while others defer to youth. Remember that within every culture you find people who do not conform to cultural standards. Learn a few basic phrases of your clients” native country. Your attempts to bridge the divide will impress your client.

Remember the code of business varies by culture. Your approach may be vastly different from that of your client. When you focus on what you have in common with your local, national and overseas clients, you will be more equipped to build mutually beneficial relationships.

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Dealing with Different Types of Clients

When dealing with different types of clients one should always keep in mind who these people are, where they are from and what type of client they can be. This means a professional business person has to be very good at getting that correct first impression of the client. There are several different types out there that every professional business person needs to know about. If dealing with clients that are international or overseas then learning different cultural standards is the best way to go. Try out the language if it is possible; just a few phrases to let the client know that dealing with them as a person is a number one priority.

Local clients can be easier to hook and ultimately keep. Knowing the area and its patrons is the best way to get that local client. Have in mind the place the client comes from and get acquainted. There are some clients that can be so detail oriented that it is difficult to have them see the whole picture. So try going large detail by large detail, but having the focus remain on the ultimate objective instead of wandering to far afield.

From passive-aggressive to overly independent; clients come in all shapes and sizes. A little bit of empathy goes a very long way, even in professional settings. Always keep in mind the particular way a specific client likes to do things. Once a master at reading people and the way they can be, it will be easy to face a client and know exactly what they want and need. Although pleasing everyone all the time is near impossible in the business world one can come as close to it as ever.

Dealing with different types of clients is all in the initial reading them. This is a handy and essential tool to have in any business around the world.

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