Category Archives: Develop Clients Abroad
Word of Mouth Marketing–Key to Reaching Emerging Market Consumers
The booming markets of China, India and other emerging economies may make you salivate. However, research shows that the buying patterns of emerging-market consumers differ from those of more experienced consumers. This means that to grab and hold their attention, … Continue reading
Market “Made in America” to Attract Chinese Consumers
ABC News reports that exports from America to China have increased 542% in the past ten years–in large part because Chinese consumers are seeking “Made in America” products. According to this report, the sheer prestige of American labels drives sales … Continue reading
How Foreign Accents Can Impact Business Results
Foreign accents make a bigger (and more negative) impact than previously thought, new research from the University of Chicago shows. A recent study proves that listeners subconsciously mistrust messages received from people with foreign accents–and the mistrust grows with heavier … Continue reading
Knowing how another culture thinks = Payoff
Sitting in Lufthansa’s business lounge at the Frankfurt airport yesterday, I couldn’t help but overhear my neighbors: tables and tables of business folks, all speaking different languages, and using Frankfurt as a gateway to far flung destinations. And so, it … Continue reading
How one Memphis architecture firm developed Chinese business (and you can, too)
Memphis architecture firm JMGR Inc. probably never expected to be doing so much business in China. As The Commercial Appeal describes, it all started when JMGR hired Kai Wang, a Chinese architect wanting to learn American hospital design methods. A … Continue reading
Learn from FarmVille’s International Social Media Success
California-based game developer, Zynga, knows that sometimes the simplest concept can be the most effective. Of the 400 million Facebook users, an estimated 75 million of those play social media games developed by Zynga monthly, with FarmVille’s being the most … Continue reading
The Cost of Business Gaffes across Cultures
Cross cultural business gaffes aren’t just embarrassing. They can be expensive, too. The Wall Street Journal explores the financial cost of such cross cultural mistakes in “Expanding Abroad? Avoid Cultural Gaffes” (1-19-10 by Emily Maltby), showing how the lack of … Continue reading
Respond to Your Clients Values: Lessons from Mary Kay in China
Mary Kay is the quintessential, American, direct-sales success—and, against odds, it has taken that success to China. The company faced roadblocks, including Chinese laws that forbade direct sales (until the law changed in 2006) and Chinese consumers’ lack of interest … Continue reading
Tap into Your Clients’ National Pride
How proud are your foreign clients of their native country? Quoting a recent poll from the Reputation Institute, The Economist reports that, out of the 33 countries surveyed, Australian citizens ranked highest in their trust, admiration, respect and pride in … Continue reading
Global Client Customization, Nokia-style
Leave it to High Tech to teach us how to meet client needs. Cell phone giant Nokia doesn’t want to be known as a cell phone company anymore–even though it dominates more of the global cell phone market than the … Continue reading