How to ace your first business trip to a new country.

So, you've got the tickets, hotel booking email confirmation is printed and you're off to... (insert somewhere exciting and new)

Having made hundreds of these trips and helped well over 800 business people to plan theirs, I thought I would start off with 5 tips for a successful overseas business trip and, as with previous articles, ask anyone who wants to contribute to add their tips for "Your first business trip to a new country." in the comments below.

So,... here goes:

1). Know why you are going.

I know it sounds crazy but you would be amazed how many people don't have either a Strategy, a Plan or even a Simple List of things that you want to achieve. I suggest that you should have all three. If you want help, you can book a session with an Export Advisor here... 1-2-1 Export Advice

2). Proper Preparation Prevents...

It's easier than ever to prepare for your visit. "When I were a lad..." Research used to involve going to a library in Central London and literally going through the books. Getting your facts right is nowhere near as difficult now as the Northern line was for me then. Try a Google search with the term Filetype:pdf put in front of your search words, you'll be amazed what you can turn up.

3). Meeting the right people does happen by accident but not all that often.

Definitely identify and contact the people that you would most like to meet in advance and ask them for their help, people like helping people. I often also look up everyone on LinkedIn who is from my home country (or even my old school) who now lives and works in the place that I am going to. Try connecting with anyone who looks like they could be interesting or might have the right types of contacts for you (always add a short, simple note to your invitation). If you are travelling to a conference or trade show, consider paying the premium to stay close to the event, you are far more likely to bump into a great contact whilst staying at the Marriott next to the halls than in your airBnB in the suburbs. If, like me, you are in Scotland, could turn to organisations like Scottish Business Network or SDI for help and contacts.

4). A little knowledge goes a very long way when you're far away from home.

People will have a natural curiosity about you because you are in business but not as they know it. I recall meeting a Portuguese wood merchant at a trade show in Coventry, his stand was ridiculously busy entirely due to everyones curiosity about what might be different about a wood company from Porto. Be ready for this curiosity and have your best conversation ready. Know a little history about both countries; one of my favourite tricks is to know when in history British troops invaded any one of the 170 countries that they have (book pictured above is a great help with this.) Always learn at least couple of {Please / Thank You / Hello} words in the local language and take note of any cultural factors. (The export advisors linked to in point 1 could help with this)

5). Enjoy it, manage expectations back at HQ and, commit to coming back.

Exporting is a journey both literally, personally and as a business, enjoy it, soak it up and make new contacts and friends. It probably won't work straight away so commit to returning and be clear in what you want to achieve. It can be extraordinarily rewarding and frustrating in varying measures; when you get it right, it will transform your business.