7 Tips for Optimizing International Business Communication

Lifeboy

Internationalization is one of the top issues of the start-up scene. These days, for a company to be successful, they have to expand past the limits of their domestic market to reach audiences around the world. This global communication, however, can pose communication challenges. 99designs is the largest online marketplace for graphic design. We connect more than one million global designer with clients from around the world. Established in Australia and with headquarters in Oakland, California, we have offices in Berlin, Brazil and Japan. But it gets even deeper than that: the team in our Berlin office is comprised of people from seven different countries. astronauts with space time heads Sometimes international communication feels like you’re talking to someone in outer space.

By Feeder for 99designs. Because of this, our everyday work is full of both internal and external communication challenges: Languages ​​A variety of different languages ​​makes exchanging ideas with colleagues, designers and customers a tricky endeavor. Content on our websites and in our marketing materials requires intensive translation work (Google translate just doesn’t cut it). Time zones and distances In a global company, well-organized communication is essential. Working in background remove service multiple offices across large geographical distances and time zones makes it difficult to find meeting times, let alone maintain a consistent corporate culture. Cultural Backgrounds Language is only one part of communication, culturally-rooted behavior is the other. Europeans can be reluctant to make big moves, and repeatedly rethink decisions, whereas in the US, everything is bold, fast and optimistic.



The Japanese on the other hand, tend towards extreme politeness and modesty. Legislation Laws regarding privacy, copyright and usage rights, trademark rights, etc. vary across nations (and even states) and can complicate corporate communications. A 1-to-1 acquisition of campaigns and content in all countries is almost always excluded. Having a company based on the internet means you don’t have to limit your business by geographical boarders, but you’ll face a whole new set of communications challenges. Based on experience, here are our 7 tips for optimizing international business communication.