global cif – Global Trade Show Management & Business Consulting

Trade Show Planning Made a Little Easier!

Participating in trade shows in the U.S.A. and abroad should be part of your domestic and global marketing plan for 2017. To participate in trade shows as an exhibitor will require a lot of time, planning, and internal discussions. Here are some questions you need to focus on and discuss with management.

What are the best trade shows and events for our company and products?
How can we get exhibit space in some of the leading trade shows?
Do we want to participate in domestic or international trade shows?
What are the markets we want to focus on?
What are the demographics of the event?
Will we meet the right buyers and industry leaders at the event?
What is our financial commitment for the event?
What is the timeline we need to work with?
What is the best marketing plan for our company?
Who will be on the trade show booth team?
Who will plan, design, and build our trade show booth?
How can we promote our participation through social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.)?
Is there an exhibitor checklist we can work with?
What are the rules and regulations at the trade show facility?
What are the rules and regulations of the event?

These are just some of the many questions you need to look at. I hope that this information will help you to be better prepared for your next business steps.

About Global CIF

Global CIF is an Atlanta, GA, U.S.A., based international trade show management and consulting firm. We have over 20 years of global trade show and consulting experience, reaching an extensive network in over 25 countries and 65 industries. Global CIF provides hands-on business solutions that enable companies to expand their reach. For additional information on Global CIF visit http://www.globalcif.com.

Contact:

Dirk Ebener, 5077 Dallas Highway, Suite 201, Powder Springs, GA 30127,
Phone +1 (404) 424-9598 ext. 2; info@globalcif.com

Connect with us on Social Media:

Twitter – @globalcif

Hashtags – #globalcif #tradeshowtalk #tradeshowtips

Important Intercultural Tips for the Global Marketplace

International markets offer plenty of opportunities to expand and positioning your products and services in a global marketplace. It is very important that your company is providing your sales and marketing team with the right tools to do business in these markets. Coaching your teams will help them to be business and culturally sensitive, and often avoiding a serious faux pas that will end that hard earned business relationship right then and there.

Here are some tips you should communicate and implement when looking at new market. By the way, these intercultural tips and comments definitely apply to the domestic markets as well.

Make sure that you are serious about your commitment and presenting yourself accordingly. The business world will not appreciate your lack of being serious.
The best way to gain and win respect is through your accomplishments and actual results. In many cultures, the title is the initial door opener, and after you are “in” you need to show what you are all about.
It is critical that you are on time for meetings. If you are running late, you need to call and provide timely updates about your time of arrival. About every 15 minutes is adequate.
Business values and procedures in your country are not necessarily the same in the country of your international business contact. Educate yourself about their country specific business values prior to meeting.
You are invited to a business function or dinner. Now what? How do you handle the menu and when do you order? When it gets to when to place your order, just wait until you see what your hosts has ordered. Then stay one price level below their meal. Don’t order the steak when they go for the salad.
Depending on the country you will do business in, it is always wise to stay away from drinking alcohol. When your host or business partner order drinks, it is ok to order one too. Stay with one drink for the night. You might be in situation where they are testing your social behaviors. Stay under the radar.
Business cards and correct networking skills will start a lot of valuable conversations. Have plenty of business cards with you. It will be helpful to understand the “business card” customs of the country.
By the way; a business card has two sides. You should use the back of the business card as well.
In many countries it is not acceptable for you to be on a “first name” basis with clients. You need to understand the appropriate approach. It is always wise to be very respectful and take a careful approach. Learning about the corporate hierarchy is critical.
In many cultures it is important to pay a lot of attention to the title of your counterparts and their management. Pay close attention to their internal interaction. This will help you to understand their corporate structure and who is who.
When you meet with clients from around the world, there will be different ways of learning about each other. Do not be surprised or offended when the questions seem to be rather personal.
Make sure that you ask about the dress code for meetings and business events. There are cultural differences you need to be aware of and take into consideration. It is always better to overdress.

There are plenty of resources available for your company to ensure that your team and management is prepared for the step in the global marketplace.

About Global CIF

Global CIF is an Atlanta, GA, U.S.A. based trade show management and consulting firm. We have over 20 years of global trade show and consulting experience, reaching an extensive network in over 25 countries and 65 industries. Global CIF provides hands-on business solutions that enable companies to expand their reach. For additional information on Global CIF visit http://www.globalcif.com.

Contact:

Dirk Ebener, 5077 Dallas Highway, Suite 201, Powder Springs, GA 30127, U.S.A., Phone +1 (404) 424-9598 ext. 2; info@globalcif.com.

Connect with us on Social Media:

Twitter – @globalcif

Hashtags– #globalcif

Trade Show and Business Tips for Germany

More and more companies decide to participate in overseas trade shows. It is very important that you and your team understand business practices in these overseas markets. I have selected Germany for this blog. I hope you will find some new and interesting information in my blog.

Germany hosts many of the world’s largest and leading trade shows. These events are in cities like Frankfurt, Hannover, Munich, Stuttgart, Cologne, Nürnberg, and Düsseldorf. Some of the second-tier locations are starting to impact the trade show market. These cities include Leipzig, Hamburg, and Essen.
Germany is recognized as the No. 1 location for trade shows. The reason for being in the No. 1 spot is because of the state of the art facilities, innovation presented to exhibitors and buyers, and the global reach.
The leading trade show facilities in Germany are hosting about 150 global trade shows, welcoming close to 170,000 exhibitors and approx. 10 million international buyers. Almost 20% of the exhibitors and buyers come from countries outside Europe.
There are twenty-two major trade show facilities in Germany with over 29 million square feet of exhibit space. Four of the world’s leading trade show organizers are in Germany.
Trade shows are considered one of the most important B2B platforms in Germany. Exhibitor and buyers spend almost $13 billion every year at trade shows, and the economic impact of the trade show industry is estimated at about $25 billion per year.
The U.S. Commercial Service assists companies interested in participating in trade shows in Germany. You can find more information at www.export.gov.

Here are some things you should pay attention to when you are participating in a German trade show:

Business cards are not exchanged as frequently as in the USA. When exchanging business cards in a meeting it is almost like “giving access” to the personal network and contacts. Therefore, you need to treat business cards as confidential information.
Introductions are much more formal. Most German trade shows do not issue name badges. Do not rush to the person who stops at your booth. Wait until the buyer is showing interest in your company and products. Do not address the individual by his/her first name until he/she offers you this option. Germans are very formal when it comes to addressing someone by their first name.
Business titles are very important in many countries. It is important that you address the individual with his/her academic title, and the Herr or Frau (Mr. or Mrs.) when you are in conversation with them. Focus on good eye contact with your potential client.
Business etiquette at dinners is important. Here are some quick tips to make sure you are not creating a bad first impression at a dinner function. You need to wait with taking a sip or a bite until the host starts. Always use a fork and knife when eating. That also goes for fries and pizza. It is also important to have eye contact before and after raising your glass for a toast. One last, but important tip, for the coffee lovers out there. The wonderful beverage is served after the meal and way into the middle of the night.
Dinner etiquette is important. Germans take their time when they meet for lunch or dinner. Rushing through the meal is considered very rude. Your waiter will never, ever, bring you the bill unless you ask for it. If you like to have water with your meal, you should ask for it, and it will be either sparkling or non-sparkling. Alcoholic beverages are served at any time of the day. It is not unusual to see guests having a beer in the morning hours while eating their meal. One thing to keep in mind is that a German beer will take 7 minutes to draft. Be patient!
Tipping is also handled differently in Germany. A service charge is already included in the bill. When the service is outstanding, you should leave an additional 10%, and leave it at the table or hand it to your server.

I hope that this information will help you to be better prepared for your next business steps.

About Global CIF

Contact:

Dirk Ebener, 5077 Dallas Highway, Suite 201, Powder Springs, GA 30127, U.S.A., Phone +1 (404) 424-9598 ext. 2; info@globalcif.com.

Connect with us on Social Media:

Twitter – @globalcif

Hashtags – #Global CIF,

Tags – #networking, #startups, #entrepreneurs, #international business

Global Marketplace Networking Group

Global CIF, an Atlanta-based international consulting and trade show management company, is launching a global networking group. If you are looking for new global markets, products, and services, finding potential leads, or would like to share your experiences about the growing global marketplace, then this is the right meeting for you to attend.

Metro Atlanta is home to over 3,000 international companies, employing over 160,000 people. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, companies in Georgia exported nearly $39.4 billion in goods and services to 211 countries and territories in 2014.

Doing business overseas requires a solid understanding of international business etiquette and manners. Your company needs to be trained in cross-cultural communication. Global markets continue to expand and bring everyone closer. One of the critical elements of a successful business outcome may be the appreciation and respect for regional, country, and cultural differences. You need to be aware of cultural diversity and intercultural communication. Make sure that your company understands international business etiquette and has the resources to utilize their knowledge during international travels and overseas assignments.

At the Global Marketplace Networking events you will meet new business contacts from across Metro Atlanta who have an interest in global business. ss contacts from across Metro Atlanta who have an interest in global business. They will represent some of these industry segments:

Business Development – Coaching – Chamber of Commerce – Consulting Distribution Management – Education – Entrepreneurship – Food – Import/Export Lighting Industry – Merchandising – Telecommunication – Trade Shows

Starting in February, we will select and present one “Featured Product” at every “Global Marketplace Networking” event. We want to introduce products and services that are unique and interesting. The selected company will be able to present one featured product.

If you know of great products, contact us and recommend the company and their products. We will review and choose the “Featured Product” of the month. We will provide the platform for the company to present their products and marketing information. Contact us at info@globalcif.com for additional information.

GLOBAL CIF CONTINUES TO EXPAND THE WORKSHOP SERIES TO PREPARE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS FOR DOMESTIC AND GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES.

Global CIF has just released the August to October schedule for the “Domestic and Global Trade Show and Business Training” workshops. The workshops are specially designed to help business owners to develop an understanding of opportunities at trade shows, developing new business models, as well as implementing successful procedures and opportunities for domestic and international business growth.

The workshop series offers small business owners 90-minute training and content with an experienced global business expert. The small group setting events will allow small business owners to ask questions on a variety of topics ranging from how to select the right trade show, to successfully implementing social media and networking activities in their business.

“Business owners have to know how to choose the best marketing platform for their business expansion,” says Dirk Ebener, CEO of Global CIF. “The monthly workshops will cover a lot of important topics, including networking, cross-cultural information, developing sales channels, and social media training.”

Workshop participants can choose to attend any of the below workshops:

August 10 – How to use social media for trade shows and your business.
August 24 – Developing new sales channels – Expanding sales and finding new platforms to increase your Rolodex.
September 14 – Successful trade show planning and management.
October 12 – Do’s and Don’ts of domestic and international business activities.

Additional workshop topics for September and October of 2015 will be posted in the next couple of weeks. The ninety-minute workshops will take place in Marietta and have limited seating.

About Global CIF

The “Domestic and Global Trade Show and Business Training” workshops are being presented and organized by Global CIF which provides consulting and event management solutions for domestic and international companies. With an extensive network in more than 25 countries and 60 industries, Global CIF provides hands-on business solutions that enable companies to expand their reach. For additional information on Global CIF visit http://www.globalcif.com.

Media Contact:
Dirk Ebener, 3600 Dallas Highway, Suite 230-161, Marietta, GA, 30064; Phone +1 (404) 735-5646; dirkebener@globalcif.com