How can you build relationships with international partners despite communication style differences?

Building relationships with international partners is crucial for successful import/export operations, but it can also be challenging due to communication style differences. How can you overcome these barriers and establish trust and rapport with your counterparts? Here are some tips to help you navigate the cultural nuances and avoid misunderstandings.

1 Understand your own style

Before you interact with someone from a different culture, you need to be aware of your own communication style and preferences. Do you tend to be direct or indirect, formal or informal, explicit or implicit, task-oriented or relationship-oriented, high-context or low-context? These dimensions can affect how you express yourself, interpret messages, give feedback, negotiate, and resolve conflicts. By knowing your own style, you can adjust it to suit the situation and the audience.

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2 Research the other culture

The next step is to learn as much as you can about the communication style of the culture you are dealing with. You can use online resources, books, podcasts, or courses to gain some insights into the values, norms, expectations, and etiquette of your partners. You can also ask them directly about their preferences and practices, or seek advice from someone who has experience working with them. By doing your homework, you can avoid making assumptions, stereotypes, or faux pas that could damage the relationship.

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Dr.-Ing. Joao Carlos Oliveira Lopes

✅ 23.000 Followers ✅Deputy Head Sales at ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions
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Language is key-factor do building good business togehter. English is a good tool to exchance information. When you come to local customers and organisation many time the contact person can´t speak good english or 100% dont speak english. To be dependent from a dealer to translate you the discussion sometimes dont get sucessfull. A have examples where the contact person translate exact the oposite to my boss. I have also situations where I could speak the language and didnt understood between the lines. At end the game is betweeen you sales guy and the dealer locally.

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3 Adapt your style

Once you have a good understanding of both your own and the other culture's communication style, you can adapt your style accordingly. This does not mean that you have to change your personality or compromise your integrity, but rather that you have to be flexible and respectful of the differences. For example, you may need to be more or less direct, formal, explicit, or relational depending on the context and the person. You may also need to use different modes of communication, such as email, phone, video, or face-to-face, depending on the level of trust and the complexity of the message.

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4 Check for understanding

One of the most important skills for effective cross-cultural communication is to check for understanding. This means that you have to verify that both you and your partner have the same interpretation of what was said or written. You can do this by asking open-ended questions, paraphrasing, summarizing, or confirming key points. You can also ask for feedback, clarification, or examples to make sure that nothing is lost in translation. By checking for understanding, you can prevent confusion, errors, or conflicts that could harm the relationship.

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5 Be patient and curious

Finally, you have to be patient and curious when communicating with international partners. You have to accept that there may be some delays, misunderstandings, or mistakes along the way, and that you may have to repeat or explain yourself more than usual. You also have to be open-minded and willing to learn from the other culture, and appreciate the diversity and richness that it brings. By being patient and curious, you can build rapport and trust with your partners, and enjoy the benefits of cross-cultural collaboration.

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Dr.-Ing. Joao Carlos Oliveira Lopes

✅ 23.000 Followers ✅Deputy Head Sales at ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions
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I make a event in Germany since 18 years. My technical team in Germany at the beginn didnt understood my Latin customers. Why ? One good edcuated german technican understood in his language in the first time. My latim customers took 3 small explanations to understand the same. Today the aplication team understand this situation and they has enough patient and time to come to the point.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Dr.-Ing. Joao Carlos Oliveira Lopes

✅ 23.000 Followers ✅Deputy Head Sales at ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions
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Since 20 years I search for partners for your local organisation and also for direct business with the headquarter in Germany (countries that you dont have own organisation). I never found one business partner without a extern reference from other companies, other dealers from my company, friends. Asking companies in linkedin to represent you has 0% sucess in all my cases. A dealer from country A knows someone in country B and give the contact. Then works.

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How can you build relationships with international partners despite communication style differences?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Understand your own style

2 Research the other culture

3 Adapt your style

4 Check for understanding

5 Be patient and curious

6 Here’s what else to consider

Import/Export Operations

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How can you build relationships with international partners despite communication style differences?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Understand your own style

2 Research the other culture

3 Adapt your style

4 Check for understanding

5 Be patient and curious

6 Here’s what else to consider

Import/Export Operations

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