How can salespeople communicate effectively with people from different cultures?

Individuals are either low context (direct) or high context (indirect) in their preferred style of communication. When communicating in an high contextual way, there typically needs to be a high level of social contextual understanding by the listener which they may not have if they are from a different culture or if you are working with multiple cultures all at the same time. In these circumstances a low context approach may be more appropriate to ensure the message is explicit, clear and direct and does not require social contextual knowledge to understand the message.

This is great input- and it exemplifies how essential cultural intelligence (CQ) is in order to engage at this level of relational agility across cultures. This section of the article lists a daunting number of behaviors, values and perspectives that can lead to misunderstanding and confusion. For example, respect is communicated differently across cultures and expressions of respect can even be contradictory amongst colleagues in the same room. A colleague comfortable with Western norms may believe eye-contact is an essential expression of respect while those from some Asian cultures may feel it is deeply disrespectful to look you in the eye. Articles like this one are a great start to help us to build greater awareness and CQ.

Before sales person approach a potential customer or client from a different culture, must do some research on their history, culture, traditional & modern art etc from diferent sources. I prefer video formats. From my experience, if you go to new market, best is to find some local, informal guides (like cab driver or hotel staff) on the spot, soon as you land and go for somewhere out. Take day or two to explore place, ordinary ppl and everyday life. Be nice, super friendly and highly polite and you will unlock all locks & hearts

Yes, use clear and simple language. Also be mindful not to YELL without realizing. Lots of people don’t realize that this happens more often than not. Check yourself.

In my experience, building rapport with your customer is very crucial in the selling process. As this would allow you to build a relationship that would develop a feeling of trust. This trust would allow you to act as a consultant to the customer not just a traditional sales person, here you're showing the customer that you're seeking a "win-win" situation not just looking for achieving your target.

While taking feedback you should focus on both sides, yourself and the customer. Regarding your side you should take feedback on your way and communication style. You should also take feedback on the customer what works and doesn't work with them, their values, concepts, personalities and preferences. This would allow you to improve your communication style and therefore approaching the customer.

Investigate beforehand. Prior to visit, or a talk with customer from different culture, investigate, read, Google, ask, etc, about their do and donts of that culture to avoid crucial mistakes

Selling is persuading, convincing, enthusing, rationalising, justifying and asking for the business. Work out what the cultural norms along the following lines: 1) Dominant Communication style 2) Their approach to Leadership 3) How do they manage/plan for risk and/or innovation 4) Who are their top performers and why? 5) Do they see trust as something earned or something lost? How do they wish for it to be repaired should it be broken

1. Estudar a cultura: Pesquise e compreenda a cultura do cliente, incluindo valores, normas e costumes. 2. Adaptar a linguagem: Evite gírias, metáforas ou humor que possam ser mal interpretados. Use uma linguagem clara e direta. 3. Esteja ciente de gestos e etiqueta: Compreenda os gestos e comportamentos aceitáveis na cultura do cliente para evitar mal-entendidos. 4. Pratique a escuta ativa: Demonstre interesse genuíno e ou?a atentamente as necessidades e preocupa??es do cliente. 5. Seja flexível: Esteja disposto a ajustar sua abordagem de vendas com base nas preferências e expectativas culturais do cliente.