When traveling overseas for business, try these tips
As a business traveler, you will likely meet and work with people from various places. Sometimes that requires making or closing a deal in another country. Plus, as technology expands, so does the possibility of making connections with a business in another country.
While this is great for business, it can be a challenge if you are required to travel to a country where you don’t speak the language. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can use to help you make communicate effectively and make the most out of your travels.
Keep notes on your phone
Having the address of your accommodation and business meeting in your phone is always a good idea, regardless of where you are traveling. If the address is complicated and uses foreign words, have a detailed note in your smartphone and include directions, if possible. Show the note to your cab or ride-share driver when you arrive.
You can do this without having to rely on your cell service, which may be spotty, depending on where you are. I make a note before every trip of where I’m going and I try to download any ride share apps that may be relevant ahead of time.
Download translation apps
Apps such as Google Translate will translate text simply by placing your camera over it. There are other apps that you can use to type out what you want to say and it will translate for you. You can even speak to your app and it will translate.
If you can’t get an app or your phone to load and need to point something out quickly, you can always use the emoji on your phone. I have a friend who has pictures of common things such as a police officer, hospital, airplane, etc., saved in her notes app.
This can save valuable time in case of an emergency.
Know where to go
If you need to communicate in English, look for young professionals, who typically speak English. The tourism or information center in an airport is a good place to stop for assistance (and also for maps of the city, which I always recommend getting).
If you are not near the airport, stopping in a hotel is another option where people are more likely to speak English.
Take a photo of your hotel or Airbnb place
Having photos of your hotel and nearby street signs on your smartphone can help you if you can’t remember the address. They also come in handy as visual aids when trying to get directions from a local person on the street. If you are worried about the person knowing where you are staying, show a photo of a street sign instead or nearby landmark.
Ask a hotel staff member to highlight on your map the hotel location and the place where you will be working. If you get lost, consult the map or ask someone for help and point to the location.
Learn a few words
Learning a few words in French, for instance, while working in Paris will not only help you get by, it may also impress your colleagues. A few key phrases and greetings in the host country language will help show that you respect the culture.
As an ice breaker when meeting someone during a business meeting, I like to ask if I’m correctly pronouncing a certain word or phrase. Usually, people open up when they know they can be of assistance and that you are trying to learn something about their culture.
It’s also a great idea to have the businessperson you’re dealing with order for you when having a business lunch or dinner. Not only does it make it easier on you, it shows that you trust the person to make a good choice and that you are open-minded and willing to try the local cuisine.
Avoid committing faux pas
Finally, learn what isn’t culturally acceptable. Things such as pointing, rubbing your nose or laughing loudly may be offensive.
Also, find out which customs are common and even expected. For instance, in Japan, gift giving is ingrained in the culture. You may receive a beautifully wrapped gift from a businessperson and you can reciprocate by bringing something from your home country. If you receive a gift, graciously thank the giver and put it to the side. Unlike in the West, gifts are opened in private later, Trip Savvy notes.
Knowing what to avoid is polite, of course, and it can help you make a better impression with the people you are meeting.
John DiScala runs the Johnny Jet travel website and has visited close to 100 countries.