How To Get Your Computer To Read Foreign Characters
September 30, 2008 by 
cindy
Quick answers to…
Your Frequently Asked Questions
This is part of a series to answer the questions readers leave on my blog and business directory.
If you have a question you would like to have answered, related to international business development, cross-cultural marketing or international sales communication, simply leave a comment here below and I will get back to you.
Today’s question is:
How can you get your computer to read non-Latin foreign language characters?
Sometimes it is the smallest of things that get us stumped in international business development.
This is understandable. It is often the first time you have to do so many unfamiliar things.
Are Foreign Languages Stumping Your International Business Expansion?
If this is your first time targeting a foreign country, expect small hurdles to pop up unexpectedly.
Internet lets us do a lot of online research. And as you dig further into your international research, you will want to research in foreign languages.
Some people are surprised when they first try to read certain foreign languages on their computer screens.
If this is the first time looking at non-Latin characters on your computer you will probably not be able to read anything.
Latin characters are the abc alphabet.
People refer to different “character sets” and this is sometimes abbreviated to “char sets”.
Don’t worry…
This is just a small technical hurdle. It is easy enough to fix.
Different Character Sets In Foreign Languages
When you research a country with a different alphabet or “character set”, or a non-Latin based language, you might not be able to get anywhere.
The problem is often closer to home than you realize.
- Your own computer settings.
You simply need to set the parameters on your own computer to “read” these different languages.
Using Your Keyboard To Type Different Characters
But before you jump in to correct your computer settings to read different character sets, let’s think this through a little.
- What happens when you get beyond this initial stage of reading non-Latin languages on your computer?
You might want to “write” a page or two for your own website.
- How can you write in a a different character set on your computer, with your current keyboard?
Your first attempts might give your readers a series of “?”, “/” and “-”s.
- Do you need to write something in this language and want everyone else to see it clearly?
Set Your Computer For Foreign Communication
When you go in to change your computer settings to read different character sets…
why don’t you also take a couple of minutes to make the changes to write in different character sets as well.
You simply need to make a few easy adjustments to your computer settings.
Before making the changes, ask yourself if you need to enable your computer to:
- Read and view different character sets?
- Put up pages on your own website that will look good to all of your readers?
You can follow easy how-to instructions here:
More Useful Resources To Get International Clients
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Key International ResourcesFind more information here to help you expand your business into foreign markets |
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Free Translation ToolsAre you facing language barriers? |
| 2.5 |
How Do You Create An International Marketing Blog?
Quick answers to…
Your Frequently Asked Questions
This is part of a series to answer the questions readers leave on my blog and business directory.
If you have a question you would like to have answered, related to international business development, cross-cultural marketing or international sales communication, simply leave a comment here below and I will get back to you.
Today’s question is:
What are the first steps in creating an international marketing blog?
This is an interesting question that came in last week.
Before creating a business blog for international audiences, be sure to thoroughly do your groundwork. This will get you on the right track from the start.
Identify Your International Business
There are two things you have to determine right from the start.
You need to identify which kind of international business your company is able to do at present. You need to know why you want to create an international marketing blog. Read more here:
You then need to clearly identify which type of marketing you will be using. Again read this to help you clarify your direction:
Identify Your Audience
Once you know where your business lies, you then need to research your target market’s needs.
You need to determine whether
- You write one blog to target one broad international audience, or
- You use cross cultural marketing skills to target one specific country and culture at a time.
The Right Communication Platform
A blog is a great business marketing tool in many countries.
But it may not work well in the country you are targeting.
Have a look at the different Cultural Web Tools in the link below. These web tools are categorized by different cultural behaviors.
Is a blog an appropriate vehicle in your target market?
Easy With The Right Ground Work
The answers to these questions gives you the information you need to identify the right answers to your next set of questions:
- Which language you should use
- How often you need to write
- Who should write the blog
- What to write about
- How to inspire interaction
Pimp Your International Marketing Blog
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Guide To Cultural Web Tools• How can you tweak your web site to improve your cross-cultural communication?Lots of tools here. |
Read The Whole Story
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This is part of the Get International Clients Business Guide 4 Build Your International Marketing Strategy Be sure to check out the other useful tips to build your international marketing strategy |
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And this is also part of the Get International Clients Business Guide 2 Plan Your International Sales Road Map Be sure to check out the other useful tips to plan your international sales. |
Need Help?
Need instructions?
Need to see where this fits in?
Still confused? Review your answers in the first Core Business Guide
Simply click on one of the 8 different color coded boxes immediately below to access other core business guides.
| 3.6 (1 person) |
Get International Clients Sunday Blog Carnival #21
September 28, 2008 by cindy
Welcome to the September 14th, 2008 edition of the Get International Clients Sunday Blog Carnival.
Last Weeks Most Popular Sunday Blog Carnival Article
Last weeks copywriting article, How to destroy sales rapport real fast! received 21% of the votes, making Anya Portnik our winner. Gook Luck to this weeks entries.
Chris Garret presents What Are Your Constraints posted at ChrisG - Authority Blogger saying “every organization has - at any given point in time - at least one constraint which limits the system’s performance relative to its goal”
Alec Satin present 6 Lessons on Leadership from Captain Bligh posted at Making Project Management Better saying “While out and out mutiny may be rare on project teams, lackluster performance and disconnects between the project manager and the team happen more often than they need to. Observing some of the actions and attitudes of the cold, hard Captain William Bligh can provide you with a measure to use against your own behavior as a project manager.”
John Hayden presents 7 Ways To Revitalize Your Non-Profit (Even In A Recession) posted at Corporate Dollar saying “What should non-profits do during periods of economic worries? The same thing that Mark Phelps did when he broke his wrist in 2007: Focus on the basics.”
Cade Krueger presents How To Find A Lead Through A Business Opportunity Or MLM posted at Write To Right.
Wei Liang presents Lesson 6: Google Page Rank posted at ABloggerBlog.com, saying, “The rumor out on the net is that Google will be changing PS’s over this weekend. A very useful lesson focusing on what Google Page Rank (PR) is all about, how important it is and what are the tips to increase PR.”
Todd Goldfarb presents THE SHIFT Really Is Happening! posted at We The Change saying “To me, what this film is documenting is the very thing that can bring transcending and fundamental changes in the world. More than EVER, we need to spread awareness of this message…get involved in it…and encourage our friends, families, colleagues to join in.”
Helene Zemel presents Formulating a Marketing Plan for your At Home Business posted at Work at Home Mom and Dad, saying, “Whether you have a brick and mortar store, an online store or business, have purchased a franchise, own a business creating crafts and handmade items, or your business is an MLM or network marketing company, it is important to create a marketing plan.”
James Paden presents This Post is Guaranteed to Boost your Conversion Rates posted at Xemion Design Factory saying “A year ago, I was an unbeliever. The idea that something on your site could influence me to buy or not buy was hogwash. No stupid seal or testimonial was going to change my mind. Let me tell you, if you’re not doing everything you can to boost the conversion rate of your website - you’re either losing your money or losing your client’s money (and your client should probably fire you). Over the last year, my eyes have been opened and I’ve begun to realize how much power I have over website visitors to squash their fears and nudge them toward making larger purchases. ”
Sid Savara presents More Important than Money - Paying Myself First With My Time posted at SidSavara saying “Though I pay myself first with regards to my investments for the future, one of the areas where I used to constantly pay myself last is my time; my life.”
Sue Clark presents Lighthouses For Sale - The Hidden Cost posted at Lighthouse News saying “Peace and privacy on an island in the middle of nowhere. Waves crashing outside your windows. The cry of seagulls. A tall tower symbolizing hope, strength and safety. What could be more perfect? A lot of people have the dream of living in a lighthouse. Almost as many search for a job as a lighthouse keeper. Can you buy a lighthouse home of your dreams? Well, yes. Is it truly the home of your dreams? Well, maybe not.”
Muhammad Siyab presents Juggling Blogging and Real-Life - Some Tips on Time Management posted at Putting Blogs First saying “Bloggers don’t have only their blogs to manage. They have work, school, or a family to manage too, and it can be difficult to juggle all of these jobs successfully and effectively. Time management is essential, for bloggers (Or any professional, for that matter) to succeed.”
Guilherme Zühlke O’Connor presents Win problogger book and help the blogosphere posted at Zo’C saying “Chris garret has just launched a blogging survey and if you answer it you can win his new book, coauthored with Darren Rowse ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income.”
StopForwarding.Us posted StopForwarding.Us posted at StopForwarding.Us saying “How it works: 1. Fill out and submit the form below with the spammer’s name and email address. 2. The spammer will receive this anonymous email. 3. The spammer will recognize the error of their ways and stop emailing unsolicited jokes, chain letters and urban myths to everyone in their address book.”
Rebecca Leaman posted How to Learn More about Your Website Audience posted at Wild Apricot saying “Are the people who are visiting your website really the audience that you’re trying to target? The more you know about your website visitors, the better you can tailor your content to attract the audience you want to reach — but for nonprofits and associations with a limited budget, market research can be a tough challenge.“
Easton Ellsworth presents Free Guide: How to Improve Your Blog Commenting Skills posted at Visionary Blogging saying “I’ve published a free step-by-step guide on how to become a better blog commentator, based on my three-plus years of making an average of approximately 20-30 blog comments per week around the Web.”
Connie Bensen presents Community Building is Happening Worldwide posted at Connie Bensen saying “Recently I asked for help in defining ‘community building’ for Wikipedia. There are some good ideas coming in. Please add your thoughts.”
That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of Get International Clients using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.
Technorati tags: get international clients, blog carnival.
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Week 39 In Review
September 27, 2008 by cindy
Want to know what else I have been up to this week?
Here is a list of the thoughts, ideas, requests and articles I published this past week.
On Get International Clients
As usual, the Sunday Blog Carnival starts off this week:
Guide 1 - Discover Your International Business
Guide 2 - Plan Your International Road Map
Guide 3 - Design Your International Visibility
Guide 7 - Run Your International Sales Strategy
On Cindy King .biz
This is where I share more of my personal opinions, experiences and frustrations… on anything cross-cultural and on international business.
Uniquely Cindy
The weekend’s links to marketing articles and book review:
Cross-Cultural Communication
International Business Development
- Aligning Your Questions To Build Your International Business
- Plans With Adaptability, Flexibility And Agility
International Content Creation
International Web Marketing
… and what have you been up to this week?
Let me know if you have come across anything interesting on the vaste subject of international business development on the web.
| 2.5 |
Why Should You Want International Clients?
September 26, 2008 by cindy
Quick answers to…
Your Frequently Asked Questions
This is part of a series to answer the questions readers leave on my blog and business directory.
If you have a question you would like to have answered, related to international business development, cross-cultural marketing or international sales communication, simply leave a comment here below and I will get back to you.
Today’s question is:
Why should you want international clients?
This was an interesting question that came up several times recently.
There are those who are totally driven by the idea of creating a worldwide company. And then there are others who need reasons.
I’ll only give you one observation here.
It often appears to me that companies only really appreciate the value of international clients when the going gets very tough in their domestic markets.
This is something I have experienced first hand on several occasions, within different companies. The classic scenario I have noted is:
International sales were needed to make a product range profitable. Until then international sales were considered icing on the cake.
A product unexpectedly lost money on domestic sales and it was the international sales profits that saved the day.
This gave everyone time to respond and make better decisions.
But there is one big hitch…
- International sales can only really save you from a bad domestic economy if you have the international sales structure and international business intelligence already in place.
Most people think of the prestigious aspect to be able to identify themselves with an international company.
But the real value is in learning how your products are used and appreciated in other cultures. This knowledge and skill also helps you to get better at what you do best back home.
Different cultures will always have a different take on your products and services. If you fully understand this for all of the different countries you sell to, you can actually improve your own sales pitch, your sales processes and strategies in all of the countries you sell to.
It’s not only the extra clients and money you can get for your business. It’s also about what the extra markets out there can teach you about your business.
And yes, once you have acquired these stronger business skills, you are more capable of identifying additional international business opportunities you would not see otherwise.
International business spreads your risk out across a broader base and it helps you improve your business skills for your domestic market.
Need More Inspiration?
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Guide 6 - Analyze Your International Viability• Do you want to know your chances of success?• Do you want to know how to improve your chances of international success? |
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Guide 7 - Run With Your International Sales Strategy• Do you need help setting up your international sales strategy? • Do you want to know what to say to your foreign prospects to get the sale? |
More From Cindy
Interested in reading more on my personal opinions and experiences with cultural communication and international sales?
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Read the whole story
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This is part of the Get International Clients Business Guide 1 Discover Your International Business Be sure to check out the other useful tips to discover your international business. |
Need Help?
Need instructions?
Need to see where this fits in?
Still confused? Review your answers in the first Core Business Guide
Simply click on one of the 8 different color coded boxes immediately below to access other core business guides.
| 3.2 |
Finding Foreign Search Engines
Quick answers to…
Your Frequently Asked Questions
This is part of a series to answer the questions readers leave on my blog and business directory.
If you have a question you would like to have answered, related to international business development, cross-cultural marketing or international sales communication, simply leave a comment here below and I will get back to you.
Today’s question is:
Where can I find a list of the top foreign search engines for each country I am targeting?
As usual, Google is a good place to start.
When you search for “leading international search engines” you find:
This website gives you all you need to get started.
I think this question actually highlights the barriers we can put up all by ourselves.
The internet is a everyone’s communication tool. It is easy to find factual information for all cultures online. And this question is about facts.
International business is different from what we are used to in our domestic markets. The good business skills you already have to operate in your domestic market will help you in your international markets.
Don’t remain stuck…
Both Google and the telephone will get you over just about any hurdle you come across.
Getting back to your question…
Use the Search Engine Colossus to look up the leading search engines for each of the countries you are targeting. Select as many of search engines as you need to cover a large percentage of your market.
Many international search engines actually use Google’s search algorithms. But not all of them. In some countries, the leading search engines have nothing to do with Google.
Now…
Even if the foreign search engines use Google’s search algorithms you will probably still get better results if you actually register your website with the local country search engines.
At least… this definitely used to be the case.
But Google is improving its international searches. There may be a time in the future when you will not necessarily find any extra benefit from taking the time for foreign submissions.
Even if it is useful to do so today.
If you are actively targeting a specific country, take the time to look up the leading search engines.
Here is what you need to:
- Register your website with the foreign search engine
- Get your website spidered by the foreign search engine
- Get your website associated with your foreign keywords
For each country you are targeting. The submission process may be different.
You need to put in the appropriate information in the forms. Don’t worry, it is not complicated…
But, do not simply have anyone in your company fill out the forms. Be sure to have your web marketing person involved.
It is a good idea to do a preliminary research to note the details required and then think about how you want to fill them in. For example, to decide who your key contact person should be.
Some countries require you to have at least one page on your website in their foreign language. You will need to do this before filling in the submission form. So take a few minutes to review the process.
A little time spent registering your website with foreign search engines increases your international visibility.
Read More On Search Engine Submissions
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Foreign Search Engine Guide• How easy is it to set up an international website? Read about your international communication platform options. |
More To Plan Your International Business Development
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Guide 2 - Plan Your International Sales Road Map |
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How Can I Get Information On My Foreign Markets?
September 24, 2008 by cindy
Quick answers to…
Your Frequently Asked Questions
This is part of a series to answer the questions readers leave on my blog and business directory.
If you have a question you would like to have answered, related to international business development, cross-cultural marketing or international sales communication, simply leave a comment here below and I will get back to you.
Today’s question is:
How can I get information on my market in different countries?
Use the same guerrilla tactics you could use in your domestic market.
Identify relevant:
- Websites
- Blogs
- Online forums
- Magazines
- Books
- Trade shows
- Events
Don’t forget to use the free online translation tools to help you in your market research.
Aim for places where you can pick up people’s opinions. Listen to what is said in your foreign market. Facts and figures can easily be misleading if you are interpreting them from a different cultural vantage.
Your international market research will go slower than in your domestic market. This is the one difference you will find. But don’t try to speed this up. This process will give you the time to adapt your own mindset.
I strongly advise mixing your online research with some research by phone. Call appropriate people who live in your foreign market.
Aim for more feedback from real people than online research data. This human touch will give you a valuable insights on where to look next.
Above all else, keep active in your research. Keep at it. Even if you make one phone call a day, or every couple of days.
The key is to cross reference your research.
Some call this multi-dimensional research. You need to hear from people with different viewpoints on your market. This gives you a much better understanding. It also eliminates any cross-cultural misunderstandings.
Read More About International Market Research
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International Market Research GuideInternational market research is easy, find out more here. |
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Plan Your Foreign Language Content
September 23, 2008 by cindy
Culture customized content builds stronger connections in your international markets.
But, what do you do when you want to use culture customized content for stronger international presence, and…
…your international development budget is small?
…your company wants to be cautious?
How do you reconcile this with everything you think you need:
- A full foreign language website
- Complete selection of foreign language marketing materials
- An international sales force
Well, instead of looking at how your current business communicates with your domestic market…
How about starting at the other end?
Let’s look at what happens when you start with your culture customized content.
Plan The Content You Need To Translate
When you plan the content you need to translate, you usually realize that you will need to update your content within a relatively short period of time.
Why is this?
Simply because…
When you first start to communicate with a foreign market, you do not know it well enough to write your most effective communication.
Even if you hire outside companies to tell you what your message should be, you will only really find out what your market needs once you start direct communication yourself.
Now, if you know you will need to change your communication in a short period of time, how do you start?
One Product In One Language
It is standard practice in international business development to start off with one product to one country. This is the easiest way for companies to learn how to adapt to new markets specifically and international business in general.
This also makes it a lot easier for you to plan:
- The content you need to translate
- Time lines and guidelines for future strategy
- Future actions to extend your reach
- Other key parameters you need
Plan For Your Future Content
Your first foreign language content will probably be based on some of your existing content.
You will want to use this to develop culture customized content. This culture customized content creates stronger connections in your new foreign markets. And…
Because you need to have your own market feedback from your new target country, you will need to modify your first translations.
Many companies do not plan for this change in content. After all the translations were an investment, and they want a return on it before sinking more money into translations.
Some companies will change their international message later on. If they realize their message is not effective.
Many larger companies simply let their international sales team pick up the extra responsibility of correcting the “wrong” messages in their written communication.
This mistake is very common in large American companies, eager to keep control on their brand while selling abroad.
There is a very simple solution to getting your message right for your international markets:
- Start small.
- Plan for change.
- Stimulate feedback to learn more about YOUR foreign markets
- Adapt your message to the culture you are communicating with
Planning for your future content right from the start will both save you extra translation costs and give you a foreign sales message with a bang.
Evaluate The Best Marketing Channels
Imagine you know:
- Precisely what you want to communicate now,
- What information you want to get back from your foreign markets,
- And what you want to communicate later?
Well then…
Now you can determine the right international marketing channel to use to communicate this content.
Of course, you will also need to get feedback from your target markets to verify the marketing channels they want you to use to communicate with them.
This means adding a few more criteria for you to get feedback on.
When you get
- The right message,
- Sent to your foreign markets on the right marketing channel,
…you have the base of a good international marketing strategy.
Choose The Communication Platforms You Need
Now you know:
- What you want to communicate.
- How you want to communicate your message.
Your communication platform needs are usually very easy to identify now.
In addition, the content planning you did earlier will tell you what you need to plan for in the future.
Added Bonus
And one of the other questions most companies struggle with:
- Which communication platform should you use for your foreign language content?
- Your domestic website with country-specific sub categories or sub domains
- An international website
- Localized websites
Well, you now have something to go on to answer this question. Of course, there are other criteria to look at, but this gives you the criteria covering your foreign content needs.
Read the whole story
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This is part of the Get International Clients Business Guide 3 Design Your International Visibility Be sure to check out the other useful tips to design your international visibility. |
More On Culture Customized Content
Once your initial translations bring in some feedback and you have enough country-specific business intelligence, you will want to create a message adapted to your specific foreign market.
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Culture Customized Content Guide• What is the secret to effective international business development?Find out here. |
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How Can I Prepare For My First Cross-Cultural Negotiation?
September 22, 2008 by cindy
Quick answers to…
Your Frequently Asked Questions
This is part of a series to answer the questions readers leave on my blog and business directory.
If you have a question you would like to have answered, related to international business development, cross-cultural marketing or international sales communication, simply leave a comment here below and I will get back to you.
Today’s question is:
What advice can you give me to prepare for my first cross cultural negotiation?
Of course, it is important to go into your negotiation with the right mindset.
- Open your own cultural responses up to meet another culture.
But do not be so focused on the cross-cultural aspect of your negotiation so much that you forget your basic preparation.
Like all negotiations, preparation is important.
You need to know exactly:
- Where you stand in your negotiation process,
- What your aims are,
- What exactly is on the table,
- …and what is not.
Prior preparation can also be critical if there are any cross-cultural communication differences.
When you know the extent to which you can negotiate and are fully prepared, you will be able to pace yourself if there are any differences.
So, how do you prepare for your first cross-cultural negotiation?
You need to prepare both the broad outlines and key details.
Most people remember to prepare for the key details. After all, these are important to the negotiation process. You know what details you need.
You should also ask yourself if there are other details that might be important from another cultural perspective. But don’t get too caught up in this. Blunders do not usually happen due to lack of preparation here.
They can happen if you forget to prepare..
Your broad outlines too.
This is where your own natural assumptions might lead you to miss something.
Here are a few questions to brainstorm:
- Why are you there in the first place?
- What is the one thing you want to get out of this negotiation?
- What are your limits?
Knowing your limits and the broad outlines will help you to navigate any cultural differences more effectively should you find that you are not on the same boat.
Winging it rarely works in cross-cultural negotiations. You must stay focused. Your basic preparation is essential.
With regards to other cross-cultural aspect, a few key questions to the right person prior to your meeting is all you need before the meeting.
You will also be interested in reading what to do during your meeting:
This is part of the…
Cross-Cultural Negotiation Business Guide
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Cross-Cultural Negotiation Guide• Would you like an easy guide to keep you away from the big first time blunders? |
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Guide 7 - Run With Your International Sales Strategy• Do you need help setting up your international sales strategy? |
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Get International Clients Sunday Blog Carnival #20
September 21, 2008 by cindy
Welcome to the September 14th, 2008 edition of the Get International Clients Sunday Blog Carnival.
Last Weeks Most Popular Sunday Blog Carnival Article
Last weeks copywriting article, Can your Virtual Assistant blog and website be one and the same? received 20% of the votes, making him our winner. Gook Luck to this weeks entries.
International Business
Hans presents 10 Strategies to Create Valuable Content Based on Existing Material posted at