How NOT to do Business in the U.S.
There is always something of a clash in cultures when businesses (or individuals) choose to hang out their shingle on a foreign shore. Besides sometimes dramatic differences in laws, procedures, etc., there are often significant differences in cultural norms. Sometimes good, sometimes not-so-good. It is always helpful to acclimate yourself to how business is done in a particular culture.
Some cultures have quirks that other cultures do not... which may be perfectly acceptable in their native culture, but not in the one they are doing business with. For instance, some cultures may practically glorify dishonesty and unethical business practices as the mark of a good businessman, while the culture of other countries decries and rejects such behavior.
If you want to fail at doing business in the U.S., or be blacklisted and/or gain a very bad reputation, follow the following practices:
1) Ask for information or pricing from vendors, and then disappear without a word. This is one of my personal pet peeves, and I simply won't do business with anyone that does this. It's unprofessional and unethical in this country, and represents exceptionally poor business manners. Businesses that engage in this passive-aggressive behavior often find themselves blacklisted by major vendors. Be professional and courteous... even a "No, thank you" is better than radio silence when a vendor follows up with you.
2) Constantly try to haggle or negotiate lower prices. This is right up near the top, if not THE top, of annoying business behaviors and will cause other businesses to stop doing business with you. Yes, we understand that this is perfectly reasonable and even traditional to do in other cultures... but not here. Vendors offer quality products and services for a fair price. Use them, don't use them, but don't keep asking them to lower their price. In the U.S. this behavior is extremely offensive and insulting.
3) Constantly delay payment. It simply isn't good business practice to enter into an agreement, and then delay payment. It's unethical and dishonest. It really doesn't matter what your reasons are... if you cash flow is that "iffy" then don't make the commitment in the first place, but don't hang vendors out to dry when they have kept their end of the agreement. This is considered extremely poor business behavior here in the U.S.
Not very complicated. Mean what you say, and say what you mean. Be timely. Respond to *ALL* communications that come your way. It's not that hard.
Some cultures have quirks that other cultures do not... which may be perfectly acceptable in their native culture, but not in the one they are doing business with. For instance, some cultures may practically glorify dishonesty and unethical business practices as the mark of a good businessman, while the culture of other countries decries and rejects such behavior.
If you want to fail at doing business in the U.S., or be blacklisted and/or gain a very bad reputation, follow the following practices:
1) Ask for information or pricing from vendors, and then disappear without a word. This is one of my personal pet peeves, and I simply won't do business with anyone that does this. It's unprofessional and unethical in this country, and represents exceptionally poor business manners. Businesses that engage in this passive-aggressive behavior often find themselves blacklisted by major vendors. Be professional and courteous... even a "No, thank you" is better than radio silence when a vendor follows up with you.
2) Constantly try to haggle or negotiate lower prices. This is right up near the top, if not THE top, of annoying business behaviors and will cause other businesses to stop doing business with you. Yes, we understand that this is perfectly reasonable and even traditional to do in other cultures... but not here. Vendors offer quality products and services for a fair price. Use them, don't use them, but don't keep asking them to lower their price. In the U.S. this behavior is extremely offensive and insulting.
3) Constantly delay payment. It simply isn't good business practice to enter into an agreement, and then delay payment. It's unethical and dishonest. It really doesn't matter what your reasons are... if you cash flow is that "iffy" then don't make the commitment in the first place, but don't hang vendors out to dry when they have kept their end of the agreement. This is considered extremely poor business behavior here in the U.S.
Not very complicated. Mean what you say, and say what you mean. Be timely. Respond to *ALL* communications that come your way. It's not that hard.
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