Why communication is so important when selling to a global
market
Copyright © 2003 Anita Karlson Henssler
Today it is easier than ever to start and run a global business.
Our advances technology has made the world shrink into one
manageable market.
You can sell your product to customers in Bangkok as easily as
to costumers in Florida. All you need is a good product and the
willingness to work hard for your idea. Today it is easier than
ever to start and run a global business.
Running a global business successfully means you have to be
crystal clear in your communication. Communication is defined as
sharing information with others. You have to inform the public
about your business and your product. And you have to do this in
such a way that people will end up buying your product.
So whether or not your business is going to succeed depends on
how good you are communicating. You have to make sure your
potential customers understand what you are talking about and what
your business is all about.
If you want to succeed in selling your product in a foreign
country you have to be aware of the cultural, politic, linguistic
and social situations in your targeted country. You have to make
sure your information is presented in a correct and suitable way
for the foreign market.
To be able to share your information with your potential
customers and prospects you have to speak their language. The best
way of doing this is to actually inform them in their own language
- using anecdotes and terminology they are accustomed to. This
gives them a feeling of security and familiarity, and they are more
likely to trust you and buy from you instead of your
competitor.
Did you for instance know that in Japan the colour white
represents mourning? So if you are selling party gifts to Japan
make sure you don't wrap them in white paper! The examples of
businesses not succeeding because of such cultural
misunderstandings are many. Make sure you don't make this
mistake!
This means you might have to adapt your communication strategy.
The sales letter that works at home might not bring any sales in a
foreign market. Have a look at your web page, your brochures, your
information leaflets etc. Is this information presented in a
suitable way for the foreign market?
If you fail in bringing your message across - your business will
also fail. If you can't excite the people about your product - if
you can't get them to trust you - you will not be making any
sales.
So make sure your business will be a success and get your
information ready for the foreign market!
Anita Karlson Henssler is working as a freelance
translator.
Visit her web page PolarTextfor more information
about the advantages of preparing your information for the foreign
market.