Partner and I Were Intending to Conduct

¶ … partner and I were intending to conduct a business trip to a foreign country, planning ahead of time would be necessary in order to conduct that trip in the most effective way and achieve the best results. The more important the business matter, the more crucial it is that energy and time be absorbed into the planning.

This is particularly so since we would need to make a positive impression on our foreign hosts, and there are, therefore, cultural mannerisms and nuances that we need to understand as well as how to relate to our foreign business associates in the best possible manner.

Planning for the business trip might, conceivably, involve research on three planes: firstly, research into the company or companies themselves (or, in other words, into the objective of one's mission); secondly, into the general aspects of the country as a whole so that we are able to navigate the country as independently and as safely as possible; and, thirdly, into the cultural mannerisms and nuances of the country so that we are enabled to make a positive impression.

Questions that we would set for ourselves include the following:

How are we going to get there? How are we going to travel around that country?

Where will we stay?

What is the exchange rate? Where will we exchange our money?

Are there any cultural nuances that we should be aware of before we travel, and if so what are they? Are there any specific dangers in the country? If so which? And what is the best way to prevent them?

Are there are any customs or laws that we should be aware of?

Meetings and reservations will have to be confirmed, and, if visiting an unstable country, it is recommended to contact representatives of the foreign Embassy or Consulate of our country ahead of time so as to tell them of our plans.

I would also prioritize our itinerary in terms of objectives that we would most wish to accomplish. Doing so is essential since this would enable us to utilize our time and energy in the best direction and to the optimum impact. I can then align our tasks, strategies, and goals towards the objectives of the trip, and prefigure a budget that would meet those needs. The trip revolves around essential business concerns; clarifying our objectives is an important step in making sure that we achieve them, and this is, particularly, important if the trip is costly.

Consulting with experts -- such as the local Chambers of Commerce or specific business associations ahead of time will enable us to extricate more profit from the trip. As wise traveler, I would also confirm the meetings and reservations ahead of time, and establish a task list of all that I hope to achieve in this foreign country. This might include meeting prospective customers, seeking out prospective markets, making ourselves acquainted with important legalistics, obtaining information on competitors and on marketing and distribution strategies (if necessary) in this foreign country. Plotting a list would remind us of the necessary facts that we have to absorb our attention on once we get there.