Note: Running Fridays in FromGregsHead.com, is a continuing series of tips brought to you by Greg Price. These run Sunday evenings during the BusinessMaker’s Radio Show on KPRC 950AM. Audio files can be found on the PKF Texas – Entrepreneur’s Playbook® page of the PKF Texas website.
Each day the world becomes smaller and smaller and the distances between countries becomes less difficult to negotiate. First and foremost, I look at myself as an American. However, as a citizen of the world, I owe it myself and my business to make sure I understand how the world operates and conducts itself on a daily basis.
Most of the European friends and business acquaintances I have met over the years would never trade places with me here in the US. The very much enjoy their world and live happily each day within their own country. Traveling around the world helps break down ethnocentricity. It allows you to broaden your horizons and take on new cultures, customs and traditions.
Instead of fearing our differences you should embrace them and look for common ground and unique differences that allow you to enrich your personal experiences. This is turn will make you’re a better business person to work with international companies.
Recently, I had the privilege of attending the Partner Power International World Meeting in Amsterdam. I met with over 125 partners and customers from PPI from all over the globe. During our time together I was stuck with our numerous common threads of life, family, and business. And as an American, I humbly deferred to our global cousins, wanting to learn more from them. The citizens of Amsterdam welcomed me as a “temporary local” and I left the country last week with a warm feeling about their history and culture.
As the sign says in the park behind the Rijksmuseum, “I Amsterdam”. I am now forever connected to the Dutch people.