Want to make a good first impression with your international clients? Should you commence the relationship with a handshake, polite bow, or a simple nod? What steps do you need to take to go the extra mile with an international or foreign client? This updated field guide will assist you in building successful business relationships with individuals from cultures far and wide.

The Basics of International Business Etiquette 

Expanding Abroad? Avoid Culture Gaffes; Entrepreneurs Looking Overseas Often Neglect to Learn Local Business Etiquette; In Britain, a 'Scheme' Carries No Taint, (Wall Street Journal, Online Edition, Jan. 18, 2010).

International Business Meetings & Gift Giving, (International Business Center).

International Business Etiquette and Manners Guide—the International Business Center's multi-country guide and etiquette tips (scroll down for links to pages on several countries and geographic regions)

Business Etiquette and Gift-Giving Customs, (REALTOR® Magazine).

Tips for Working With Foreign Buyers, (REALTOR® Magazine).

Characteristics of Multicultural Homebuyers, (REALTOR® Magazine).

Buyers Follow Pipeline Back to the Middle East, (Purchasing, July 17, 2008). Q

Women in International Business, (AACE International Transactions, 2008).Q

Networking Etiquette Around the World: How Not to Embarrass Yourself When Networking in Another Country, (Business Credit, Sept. 2006). Q

The Art of Chinese Business Etiquette: Ancient Traditions Form the Basic of Strategy, (AFP Exchange, May 2006).  Q

Culture Clash, (Computerworld, Feb 20, 2006). Q

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Marketing & Selling to International Clients

For the most current articles on marketing and selling to international clients, check out the Global Perspectives in Real Estate Newsletter published monthly by the National Association of REALTORS®.

6 Steps to Finding the Global Buyer, (RIS Media, Aug. 25, 2011).

Foreign Buyers See Value in U.S. Real Estate, (The Global and Mail, Aug. 24, 2011).

Home Market Gets Foreign Aid, (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Aug. 24, 2011).

Surge in Wealthy European Buyers Looking for Second Homes, (Property Wire, Aug. 17, 2011).

Russia Billionaires Buy U.S. Estates as Overseas Wealth Flows to Mansions, (Bloomberg, Russia, Aug.3, 2011).

Foreign Investors Return, (REALTOR® Magazine, Dec. 2009).

How I Sold It: An International Dilemma, (REALTOR® Magazine, Nov. 2009).

Diversity is Good Business, (National Association of REALTORS®).

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REALTOR® Education & Resources

Servicing Your Multicultural Clients Toolkit, (REALTOR® Magazine).

Diversity Toolkit for REALTOR® Associations, (National Association of REALTORS®).

Diversity and Fair Housing Program, (National Association of REALTORS®).

At Home with Diversity® Certification, (National Association of REALTORS®).

Diversity Related Resources, (National Association of REALTORS®).

Certified International Property Specialist Designation (CIPS), (National Association of REALTORS®).

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Research on Your Own

To search for the most recent articles on this topic, login to NAR's ProQuest account and enter subject terms such as:

• Etiquette and International
  • Enter into ProQuest text box as SU(etiquette) AND SU(international)
• Cultural Differences and Business
  • Enter into ProQuest text box as SU(cultural differences) AND SU(business)

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eBooks & Other Resources

General Cultural Awareness & Etiquette eBooks at eBooks.realtor.org

Business Across Cultures (Kindle, Adobe eReader)

Global Color: Clues and Taboos (Adobe eReader)

The Global Etiquette Guide to Africa and the Middle East: Everything You Need to Know for Business and Travel Success (Kindle, Adobe eReader)

Multicultural Manners (Kindle, Adobe eReader)

Arabic Language eBooks at eBooks.realtor.org

Arabic on the Move: The Lively Audio Language Program for Busy People (OverDrive WMA AudioBook)

Instant Immersion Arabic (OverDrive AudioBook)

Chinese Language & Culture eBooks at eBooks.realtor.org

Chinese Business Etiquette and Culture (Kindle, Adobe eReader)

Doing Business in China (OverDrive AudioBook)

Dr. Blair's Chinese in No Time (OverDrive AudioBook)

English Language eBooks at eBooks.realtor.org

Dr. Blair's Ingles in No Time (OverDrive AudioBook)

French Language & Culture eBooks at eBooks.realtor.org

Easy French Step-by-Step (Adobe eReader)

French on the Move (OverDrive AudioBook)

German Language & Culture eBooks at eBooks.realtor.org

Instant Immersion German (OverDrive AudioBook)

Learn in Your Car German Level One (OverDrive AudioBook)

Italian Language & Culture eBooks at eBooks.realtor.org

Easy Italian Step-by-Step (Adobe eReader)

Italian Business Situations (Adobe eReader)

Japanese Language & Culture eBooks at eBooks.realtor.org

Dr. Blair's Express Lane: Japanese (OverDrive AudioBook)

Japan: Doing Business in a Unique Culture (Kindle, Adobe eReader)

Russian Language & Culture eBooks at eBooks.realtor.org

Russian: A Self Teaching Guide (Kindle, Adobe eReader)

Streetwise Russian (Adobe eReader)

Spanish Language & Culture eBooks at eBooks.realtor.org

Basic Spanish (Adobe eReader)

Global Etiquette Guide to Mexico and Latin America (Kindle, Adobe eReader)

Instant Immersion Spanish (OverDrive AudioBook)

Books, Videos, Research Reports & More

The resources below are available for loan through Information Central.  Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10.  Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.

The Culturally customized web site: customizing web sites for the global marketplace, (Chicago, IL: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2005). HF 5548.5 N63

REALTORS® reaching out to the world around us, (Columbia, MO: Center of Education and Private Enterprise, 2002). DVD 009. DVD

Effects of multicultural diversity in real estate brokerage, (Ohio: Center for Real Estate Education and Research, 2002). HF 5438 B64e

Housing opportunities in the foreign-born market, (Washington, DC: National Association of REALTOR®, 2002). HA 202 N21h

Racial and ethnic diversity: Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Whites, (Ithaca, NY: New Strategist Publications, 2002). E 184 R78

Embracing Diversity, (Cincinnati, OH: South-Western, 2001). HF 5438 R63

Selling homes in the melting pot, (College Station, TX, 2000). VT061. VIDEO

Hello! USA: everyday living for international residents and visitors, (Washington, DC: Hello! America, Inc., 1996). HF 5386 P93h

Kiss, bow, or shake hands, (Avon, MA: Adams Media Corporation, 1994). HF 5389

Do's and taboos of international trade, (New York, NY: Wiley, 1991). HF 3040 Ax7

Do's and taboos of hosting international visitors, (New York, NY: Wiley, 1990). HF 5389

Do's and taboos around the world, (Elmsford, NY: Benjamin Company, 1985). HF 5386 P22

Field Guides & More

These field guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:

Field Guide to Marketing to the Hispanic Community

Field Guide to REALTORS® and the Global Market

InfoCentral Blog

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