Do you have to meet a business partner from another country? Are you going on a business trip to Brazil soon? Then you should know about some important global business customs.

Business etiquette refers to the rules on how to behave in business situations. Those rules are not the same around the world – far from it. There can be big differences in the expected behavior across countries.

Where should you sit in a meeting? With which hand do you exchange business cards? Is it rude to interrupt people in a negotiation? Who should you shake hands with first? Will there be an agenda?

There are so many things to think about when doing business abroad!

Here at Globify, we talk a lot about global business etiquette, because it is essential for international communication and so important for your success in global business.

There are many situations and differences in global business etiquette to think about. You do not have to know about all the details of the culture, of course. However, in order to be successful when doing business internationally, you have to know about some differences. Believe me, a lot can go wrong if you do not respect the local culture in business situations.

The behavior in business situations can be very different depending on where you are in the world. That is why it is important to learn about the business customs in different countries. Adapting your behavior to the country’s business culture shows respect and makes it easier to establish a relationship.

There are many different things to consider when doing business globally. In order for your international business to be a success, you have to know about the most important cultural differences.

Especially, the communication styles are very different in different cultures and countries. In Germany, communication is rather direct, while in India, saying “no” is impolite.

Did you know that in Italy, written communication is preferred in the beginning, while in Spain it is better to build a relationship with face-to-face communication at first?

Or did you know that in India you should give and receive business cards with your right hand only?

Fortunately, some essential customs were summarized in this useful infographic. It presents the business etiquette of 14 countries in Europe, North America, Asia, and South America. You can use this information for your next business trip!

Personally, I like infographics a lot because I am a visual learner. Therefore, I find it very useful to have a clear overview of a topic. The infographic below visualizes the most important information. Take a look!

What was the most surprising thing you learned from the infographic?

Tell us by commenting below!