Gone Global
- Gone Global
Why expanding overseas is your ticket to new markets, new ideas, and a world of adventure. - My Awakening
How an entrepreneur from Singapore opened my eyes to what I have to do to remain competitive in Springfield. - An On-The-Ground Look At Asian Competition
You can't avoid Asia's gazelles by staying home. They're intending to compete right here. - How to Calculate Political Risk
Prepared to lose it all? No? Read on… - The Shape of Things to Come
- How I Did It: Howard Dahl, President and CEO, Amity Technology
Negotiating with commissars. Bartering for payment. Surviving the crash of the ruble. - How To Get Started
From dealing with red tape to protecting patents to getting paid… - How to Be a Local, Anywhere
If you’re a leader, lead. When my company explores a new market, I’m the first one off the plane. - Building a Global Network
Who you need to know and how to find them. - How I’m Adjusting to the European Market
Sometimes, it’s just a matter of size. - Six Ways to Open an Office Overseas
Meet the man who's tried them all. - …And One Way to Do Without
This international sales team is deskless and happy. - Fully Committed
Let others proceed gingerly. Bülent Çelebi has set up an American-style company in Turkey, where he enjoys advantages his competition can only dream of. - The World is Not Enough
Bülent Çelebi is a worldly guy, having lived in Turkey, Hong Kong, and the U.S. before returning to Istanbul to establish AirTies--which has a supply chain as global as its founder. Here's how Çelebi assembles his product, a wireless router. - Where to Go for Help
- Podcast: Where Opportunity Knocks
The world may indeed be your oyster. But not all countries are friendly to American entrepreneurs. Staff writer Max Chafkin highlights the best and worst. - Podcast: How to Get Started
The global economy may offer a world of new opportunities, but it also means dealing with red tape, foreign currencies, and confusing local tax laws. Where do you begin? Senior writer Stephanie Clifford explains.
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Pat McGovern's Tips for Business Travelers
Published April 2007
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COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLEMake Packing a Reflex Action
As much as possible, I pack the same items in the same way for each trip. I can pack my bags for a two-week trip in five minutes.
Get Briefed
I prepare a briefing book with the latest economic and business information on countries I am about to visit. I cull most of the information from the Internet.
Stick to Top Business Hotels
I'm perfectly happy to fly business class on commercial airlines. But when it comes to lodging, I seek out the best international hotels. Their business centers are a great resource; they usually have well-equipped health clubs; and their prestige tells the locals I'm going first-class.
Arrive Early
For first-time visits, I like to arrive in a country on Saturday and spend the weekend wandering around observing people's behavior. I gain a sense of the pace and the culture: how fast people walk, how they gesture when they talk, what they wear, what they read. It puts me in sync for my Monday meetings.
Bear Gifts
In Asia, Latin America, and Africa it's good form to present your host with a gift. It needn't be lavish: a book about the city you live in, an engraved paperweight, or a silver business card holder will do just fine.
Practice Humility
In many cultures it's considered impolite to boast about yourself or your company's accomplishments. However, talking about your children and asking about those of your hosts is a great way to bond. Also, work in references to your philanthropic activities. It suggests you will share your success with local worthy causes.
