GIC Newsletter 7th July 2008
Get International Clients Newsletter
In This Issue: 
In This Issue: Regular Weekly Columns:
- Recent Get International Clients Blog Topics
- Foreign Trivia
- Example Of Websites With Global Business
- Q & A
- Are You Missing International Business Opportunities?
This Weeks Feature Article:
Online Marketing With Different Cultural Symbols
Recent Get International Clients Blog Topics
Recent Get International Clients Blog Topics- When To Use Testimonials To Get More International Sales
- First Step To Create Your International Lead Generation Plan
- Where To Mention Company Awards On Your Website
- Where A Hard Sell Approach Works Best
- How To Define Your International Lead And Revise It For Success
- The Place For Your USP On Your Website
- Is International Marketing On The Web Different?
Read more on www.getinternationalclients.com
Foreign Trivia
Foreign Trivia Which European country already has approximately four million surveillance cameras installed all over the country?
Send your answers to cindy@cindyking.biz with “Foreign Trivia” in the subject line.
Answer to last week’s trivia question: Which country had its first “Gay Parade” and an “Intolerance Week” recently? Bulgaria.
Feature Article
Why do different cultural symbols come into play?
- Different cultures perceive things differently.
- Different cultures have different histories and natural associations.
Different symbols can be found in images and graphic pictures. Different colors also have different meanings, or symbols in different countries.
These different cultural symbols happen through time. Sometimes we can easily understand how a symbol acquired a different meaning in a different culture. Sometimes the different meaning, or interpretation, comes from a much deeper source, difficult to identify.
Cross cultural communication is influenced by these differences in symbols.
These symbols, or symbolic meanings, will influence your web design for your localized websites. Your website needs to convey the right message.
The elements you need to review on your website are:
- Use of color throughout your website
- Color combinations
- Who is represented in your photos
- What is represented in your photos
- Any graphic symbols or icons
I cannot go through detailed examples here. But I do have two recommendations if you have a localized website, I highly recommend:
- You study the elements listed above on websites in your foreign market.
- A review of your entire online communication strategy with an appropriate native tongue person currently living in the country.
Also remember, to keep in mind these elements where differences in symbolism frequently occur, when conducting your regular international market research. You will understand your different target markets better.
There are instances where cultural blunders happen due to cultural differences in symbols. It is well worth your time to have your localized website reviewed by the right person.
This is the last article in this series. I hope you keep this series of articles in mind when creating any country-specific or culture-specific website.
Example Of Websites With Global Business
Microsoft is listed in 8th position on John Yunker’s list of best global websites for 2008.The main website here is for the American website. There is a link in the upper right hand corner to choose other country websites.This page you can choose your country website through:
- An interactive world map
- A pull down list of countries in English
- A list of world regions in English
On this same page is something we have not seen before: a pull down list with contact information by country.
With regards to the use of templates, Microsoft obviously uses two different styles. This is the same as we have seen before with the other leading global websites. One template is used for the smaller markets and one is used for the more important markets.
John Yunker researches and publishes a list of the best globalized websites.
Q And A
Q And AQuestion: What is the biggest barrier in cross-cultural negotiations?
Answer: Without a doubt it is your own mindset.
We all tend to think any barriers in cross-cultural communication and negotiation is due to something beyond ourselves.
We all come with our own cultural prejudices. We automatically assume our way of thinking, our way of doing things, is the only way or the “right” way.
When you first start in cross-cultural negotiations, your own mindset will be your biggest risk in cultural blunders.
You need to put your own ideas, thoughts and opinions in your cross-cultural communication.
You need to make a conscious effort to communicate with people from other cultures on a “prejudice-free” environment.
With practice this becomes easy and natural to do.
- If you can adapt your own mindset to receive cross-cultural communication without any of your own filters,
- If you are interested in understanding the other person,
- If you interact appropriately with the other person,
Then your communication will be successful 95% of the time.
Read more on Get International Clients.
If you have a question on how to get more international clients, leave your question at cindy@cindyking.biz .
Are You Missing International Opportunities?
Are You Missing International Opportunities? King Business Tools makes International Communication Affordable even for Small Businesses
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