Simple Communication Help You Set Up Respectful Global Relationships

If you haven’t communicated with a client or colleague in another country recently, chances are you will do so soon. Technology and our global economy have shrunk our geographical boundaries. Developing a global customer-centered approach to communication is essential for establishing respectful and productive working relationships.
This can be particularly challenging for those in the United States, where we are so used to seeing ourselves as the center of the world that we don’t even realize we have that attitude.
If you are from the United States (or any country), here are eight simple things you can do in your initial communications with clients and colleagues in other countries to demonstrate you have a customer-centered viewpoint.
Spell words the way your client does. You can look up spelling differences on the Internet (e.g. American English and British English differences). Or you can watch how your client spells words. In the UK, words ending in “ize” are spelled “ise,” words with the letter “z” are usually spelled with “s,” and words ending in “or” are spelled “our” (e.g. organisation, recognise, analyse, flavour, and colour).
Use at least some words in your client’s language. You can easily look up how to translate “Good Day” into any language and it is much appreciated by your client.
Use your client’s colloquialisms. When using English, pay attention to your client’s use of the language. For example, when communicating with colleagues in the UK, try using “brilliant” instead of “wonderful” or “great.”
End your communication with “Kind Regards” or “Best Regards.” In the United States, we tend to be more informal, ending with “Thanks” and sometimes no valediction at all. Wait to make sure your client is comfortable with the informal endings before using them.
Set meeting times using your client’s time zone. If your client is in Madrid, you can use a time zone converter to find out what 7:00 am your time is in Madrid. Set your meeting using Madrid time, not your own. Don’t expect your client to have to do the work to convert to your time zone.
Format times the way your client does. Many countries use a 24 hour clock. If so, set a 2:00 pm conference call with a client for 14:00.
Format dates the way your client does. Many countries format the calendar with the date before the month. For example: 21 August 2011
Offer to schedule conference calls at times most convenient for your client. You might need to get up at 5:00 am, but you will score big points with them.
In the long run, the true test will be the quality of your ongoing interactions. But these simple and easy to do things go a long way to demonstrate you are adapting to your client, rather than expecting them to adapt to you, and help you set the stage for developing strong, productive relationships within the global workplace.