If your work involves dealing with people from different countries, it helps to be aware of important differences between cultures. Making an effort to be knowledgeable about (and respect) differences will help you make a good impression and reduce your chances of committing a cultural faux pas. It’s worth spending half an hour or so online to learn about a new culture before your first meeting. It needn’t be all that in-depth, but it’s worth understanding how business collaboration styles might differ from your own.

LANGUAGE, VOICE AND BODY LANGUAGE
If English isn’t the first language of the people you are meeting, be careful to:
- Use clear, straightforward English and accessible vocabulary
- Avoid idioms
- Be succinct
- Leave pauses to allow people to take in what you’re saying
- Be patient and avoid interrupting when people are trying to find the right words.

Even if everyone is speaking English, don’t assume they’re using words in the same way. 'Yes,’ for example, might mean 'definitely’ but could also mean 'I’ll consider it.’ The way people use their voice also varies by culture. A raised voice might signal aggression in the US, but in Latin America it might instead indicate passion for the topic. Body language, such as posture, facial expressions or hand waving, can be subtle or extremely obvious. Don’t confuse a lack of expressiveness for a lack of enthusiasm, and be aware that your own body language may have a big influence on how others think and react. This is particularly true if you’re meeting face to face.

CONFLICT AND EMOTIONS
When conflicts arise, addressing them openly may be entirely appropriate in the US or Europe. In Japan and China, though, arguments tend to be dealt with discreetly - possibly through written channels - to avoid confrontation and embarrassment. Similarly, asking about or expressing emotions, or discussing personal matters, is considered acceptable in some cultures but frowned upon in others. As such, take care to know the cultural norms and sense your audience before wearing your heart on your sleeve. Be careful if conversations turn to topics such as gender, sexuality, religion or politics. Attitudes may differ considerably from the people you normally talk to, so don’t make any assumptions.
 
DECISIONS AND VALIDITY
Within the context of meetings, the way decisions are made may also be different from what you’re used to. The boss’s opinion might dominate the conversation until the required consensus is reached, or everyone might be asked their point of view and the decision made via a majority vote. The factors that are taken into consideration are another variable. Measurement and logical argument are considered paramount in some cultures; seniority, personal experience, intuition and historical perspectives hold more sway in others.
 
RELATIONSHIPS
If you’re lucky enough to travel abroad for business, there are some additional considerations to be aware of. In some cultures, people prefer to establish relationships through social activity early in a collaboration, rather than letting them develop over time. This may mean, for example, that you’re expected to have a relaxing meal - or multiple rounds of drinks - with business partners before getting down to business.
 
TIMING
Timekeeping for virtual meetings is more consistent across cultures, but it can vary much more when it comes to in-person meetings. If you’re doing business in Ghana or Nigeria, for instance, you might hear locals use the phrase 'African time.’ This refers to a generally looser adherence to schedules, versus the strict, clock-bound pace of things in Western countries. If you’re used to meetings starting promptly and finishing on time, try to go with the flow if schedules end up being more fluid.
 
DRESS CODE
When visiting another country, it’s important to consider how you dress. Be careful not to cause unintentional offense by your clothing or how you use your body to express yourself. In some parts of the world, it is illegal to wear revealing clothing or display affection in public, such as holding hands or kissing.

See also Cultural Differences Related To The Body.