Tips On Doing Business In The US
When you make a plan before gathering all the facts, it will fail. A good plan is what you make after gathering all the data and acquiring all the important information. A lot of people think that a good idea is all they need to succeed in life. But executing a good idea is what’s tough, and you will have to work on it. Once you know every relevant thing, only then you should start making a plan. And if your plan is based on facts, executing it won’t be very difficult.
Doing Business in the US:
Making a huge decision in life should not be an impulsive act. It will help you only when it is well thought out. Sometimes, people miss out on the most obvious factors and end up creating problems for themselves. For instance, every big company knows how important it is for them to succeed in the US. But if they enter the American market without doing research about it first, their good idea will not be beneficial for them. It is also worth remembering that the US is a very popular place for businesses, which is why you will have to face high competition there.
Various factors come into play to make a company successful. They not only have to win the hearts of their target audience, but also connect with their employees and investors. They will have to understand the native business culture so they can compete with other companies properly. You will have to learn all about the business culture before you can begin to work in the US.
Tips on Doing Business in the US:
You may have watched various American movies and TV shows, but that doesn’t make you an expert on US culture. For starters, America has fifty states, and all of them have their unique customs. But there’s a difference between the everyday culture and customs and the business etiquettes. Until you learn the latter, you won’t be able to impress your host and win their trust. Here are some tips on doing business in the US:
- Fixed Duties:
In America, employees prefer to do their job and go home. They won’t handle any extra work just because it needs to get done. If you expect them to share responsibilities, then that’s your fault. If you want to keep them happy, then the best way is to give each of them their separate duties. You can rely on them to do their jobs properly if no additional tasks are assigned to them.
- Laws:
State laws vary all over the US, and if you keep this in mind, you won’t run into any trouble. But if you treat America as one nation legally, you will run into problems. Learn about the state laws regarding businesses so you can follow them easily.
- Greetings:
Whenever you meet someone that you want to have an ongoing professional relationship with, shake hands with them. It is important that your handshake is firm. A weak handshake will be considered passive. Get out of your seat to greet someone who is already standing. Parting greetings are also very important in the US business culture. Americans say things like ‘how are you?’ or ‘it’s nice to meet you’ when they greet someone. You should also adopt this habit.
- Be Polite, but Avoid Making Jokes:
Regardless of what you have seen on the TV shows, Americans don’t like making or hearing jokes during business meetings. They prefer to stay serious when discussing work. But that does not mean that you can get aggressive during meetings. Politeness is valued highly in the American culture, so use phrases like ‘thank you’ and ‘excuse me’ frequently. Unlike a few other countries, small talk is very important in the US. Silence during meetings is not appreciated, which is why you can engage in small talk instead, to break the ice.
- Be Consistent:
The American public and businesspeople can change their minds in an instant. If they need something from you today, they will get in touch with you. But don’t expect them to become loyal to you. Whenever they find a better option, they will pick that. This is why it is important to be consistent with your work quality. If you continue to deliver good results every time, it will be easier for people to trust you.
- Adaptability:
Although there is always an agenda for the meetings in the US, there is no fixed schedule. Once the discussion starts, everyone can participate and present their own ideas. The American business culture adapts to change. The flexibility opens the doors of success for US companies.
- Working Hours & Leaves:
If you are used to the European work schedule, then the biggest adjustment you will have to make will be with the long working hours. Not only do the Americans work longer, but they also take fewer vacation days. So, once you start your business in the US, you must prepare yourself for a lot of hard work.
Once you have decided on the state you want to start your company in, you should learn about its culture and laws. When you are sure that you have enough information, only then you should proceed with your plan. This will help you in becoming successful in the competitive market of the US. Learn from the experiences of others and listen to the stories of successful businesspeople. By following their lead, you will become successful too.
