Segment 19 - Getting Back to Business for International Success – Website Localization: Done Right!

In last week’s segment we discussed some good reasons why a company would want to go global and localize their content for a broader audience. While it may be easy to say that one should avoid this or that, or one should do this or that; it is just not always simple...

Segment 18 - Getting Back to Business for International Success – Website Localization: Going Global

“We are ready to go global" said the voice at the other end of the phone. This phrase is “music” to every localization agency’s ears (well, except the “Hello” part – that part would be tailored to the actual recipient of the call – in this case it is me)...

Segment 17 - To Tip or Not to Tip - Avoid an International Incident!

In this segment, I want to explore a slightly different topic than the normal translation across borders topics discussed in this blog series. Oh don’t worry; I’ll continue to give professional advice and personal experiences relating to best practices in business and international topics in later blog posts. However today, I’d like to discuss the “art” or “faux pas” of tipping, while not exactly a topic of international business or globalization, attitudes about tipping are critical to most people who navigate around the world, albeit for personal or business travels...

Segment 16- Getting Back to Business for International Success - Chinese Markets Part 2 

In the last segment, we began a discussion around the classic 4 P’s of product marketing to understand how Western businesses can more successfully expand their market share in the Chinese Markets? 

We looked at the first two P’s: Product and Promotion. Two key take-aways were:

1. Do your homework. Know which languages your Chinese markets speak and read, and localize your product and marketing initiatives accordingly.  Focus on the local aspects and benefits of your product.

2. Understand the value of relationships within the Asian society, and leverage regional social media and blogging platforms – in the local language. Narrow in on local promotional platforms to disseminate information about your product.

This segment, I'll continue with Pricing, Placement and Position as it relates to the global Chinese markets. But before we jump in, I want to share a little story...

Segment 15 - Getting Back to Business for International Success - Chinese Markets  

On February 5th, I started receiving emails from business associates in Asia, stating that they would be unavailable from the 8th through the 18th.  A few days later, I started seeing commercials for Chinese cultural documentaries and specials on TV.  

Later over that weekend, I was speaking with my mother and she said that she would be very busy in the upcoming weeks due to several Chinese banquets and parties over the period (she’s not Chinese either)…then it dawned on me, it’s the season for Chinese New Year...