Doing business in the USA is different to doing business in the Europe, Asia or Africa. These tips will help you to export successfully to the USA, helping you to understand the differences between the US and your market.
1. Language
Be careful as they do not use English in the same way as the English do. Get any literature read by a native speaker and listen to the differences they can make life very complicated.
2. Business culture
The business culture is very strict, they expect perfection and hard work whereas as here we are pleased by it.
3. Legal
State laws vary, you are not dealing with one nation legally. This impacts on Intellectual Property and also disputes.
4. Insurance
Insurance is very expensive so Product liability or Professional Indemnity cover will start with 7.200$ before the risk has been identified and quoted. This will impact on the final profit you can make there.
5.Humour
Do not use humour in business meetings – you may enjoy some of the quirky American comedy shows but this is outside of the work place be careful you may seem flippant, unreliable not serious minded.
6. Regional variations
From a marketing perspective again this vast country has many different regional characteristics, be prepared to modify your collateral accordingly.
7. Religion
They take religion seriously in America.
8. Security
Security issues after 9/11 the US has tightened all security processes for cargo and this increases the need to get the paperwork right. Again this can impact on your margins if you haven’t allowed for this in your price.
9. Time
They tend to only take 2 weeks holiday a year this leads to intolerance of our more generous system if they want to get something done.
10. Irony
They don’t always get irony! As a nation we use this style of communication and humour but it is difficult for some countries to understand.
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