Having been raised on different continents, I learned from a young age the significance of being mindful of cultural nuances and the ever-important aspect of assimilation. In the business world, this could not be more profound.
I was working in China several years ago when a US-based client was looking to partner with a Chinese company in Shanghai. One of my conditions for representing him was that he would follow the protocols that I laid out for him. The most important was to avoid business talk in the first meeting with his potential partners unless they do so first. The Chinese feel the need to first build a connection, respect and a sense of understanding prior to delving into business.
