Lessons from moving my business to Italy

In France, professional relationships are built through 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 (𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨) 🤝. Meetings prioritize understanding who you're working with over what you're selling. It is not uncommon for business lunches to last two hours. Partnerships develop through consistent interaction over months, not aggressive pitching in week one. Some might find this approach inefficient, but in France it's intentional trust-building that creates more durable business relationships. Americans arrive ready to pitch, present, perform. They expect rapid relationship building, quick pivots, immediate ROI on connections. French business culture expects discussion, deliberation, and discovering mutual ground first. Trust gets earned through time and consistency, not demonstrated value propositions. 𝐀𝐝𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 Unlearning reflexes studied in business school takes patience. Resisting the urge to lead with achievements. Letting conversations develop organically rather than steering toward predetermined outcomes. Investing time understanding what others need before focusing on what you offer. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 International professionals who integrate French relationship-building with American execution develop hybrid approaches that outperform purely domestic competitors. Cultural fluency multiplies opportunities in ways language skills, alone, never could. Sometimes the fastest path to business success is intentionally slowing down to build genuine relationships first. Concerned about French business culture differences? Let us know below, so we can help! #HaveninFrance #Frenchlifestyle #BusinessinFrance #AmericansinFrane #FranceExpat #SouthernFrance #RelocatetoFrance #MovetoFrance

🌍 Thinking about expanding into Italy or working with Italian partners? Italy is a powerhouse in global business. But success there takes more than market knowledge. It requires cultural fluency, strong relationships, and knowing how trust and communication shape every deal. From time management to relationship-building and beyond, our latest guide breaks down what it really takes to do business in Italy. 👉 If your team is exploring new markets, managing international partnerships, or simply wants to sharpen its cross-cultural edge, this is a must-read. 📖 Read the full blog here: ttps://https://lnkd.in/eEXqZprc #GlobalBusiness #CrossCulturalCommunication #BusinessGrowth #InternationalBusiness #BabbelForBusiness

🇮🇹✨ Understanding Italy at Work: Between Pragmatism, Networking and Harmony While Italy is currently experiencing a very specific and positive moment in terms of talent with historically low unemployment rates, a strong dynamism in innovation, start-up creation, research and education, I had the pleasure yesterday of participating in the webinar "Working with Italians", alongside Sara Gallinari, Alix Carnot, and with the insightful testimony of Thibault Gourdin, a Frenchman living in Italy. We explored the subtleties of Italian professional culture — a fascinating topic where culture profoundly influences the way people think, decide and collaborate. Of course, it's impossible to generalise behaviour or reduce a country to stereotypes. Every individual, every company, every region has its own nuances. However, some shared cultural elements deserve to be considered to better understand the work dynamics in Italy: the emphasis on relationships, flexibility in the face of the unexpected and the importance of balancing form and substance in communication. 💡 Insight 1 – The Approach to Action: Italian Pragmatism In Italy, there is a preference for a pragmatic approach: action comes first, adjustments are made as needed, and progress is often guided by context and experience. Adaptation takes precedence over structure and flexibility is often seen as a strength. 💡 Insight 2 – The Key Role of Relationships and Networking In Italy, relationships are at the heart of business. Trust is built over time, often through networking, meetings and the quality of personal connections. Before talking business, relationships are created. Understanding this relational logic is key to forming a sustainable partnership. 💡 Insight 3 – The Approach to Conflict Conflict is generally poorly perceived in Italy: it can be seen as a rupture in relational harmony. The Italian art is to preserve the form, maintain a cordial atmosphere and navigate disagreements with elegance rather than confronting them directly. Between adaptation, humour and fine observation of local dynamics, these discussions confirmed how essential it is in an international environment to recognise and value cultural differences. This is where true intercultural intelligence lies: understanding the logic of others in order to collaborate better. A big thank you to Expat Communication, Sara Gallinari, Alix Carnot and all the participants for this lively and inspiring discussion. #interculturalmanagement #communication #italy #leadership #recruitment #crosscultural

Why we should be travel to foreign for Business ?? Foreign business tours can be necessary for several strategic, operational, and relational reasons. Face-to-face meetings build stronger, more trustworthy relationships than virtual communication.

After 15 years helping Western companies succeed in Japan, I've learned one thing: The biggest barrier isn't language. It's understanding. I was born in Japan and trained in traditional Japanese business practices. I've watched brilliant Western executives struggle—not because they lack capability, but because they don't understand our unspoken values. The most common mistake? Treating business as transactions instead of relationships. In my new comprehensive guide, I share what most business books miss: Why slow decisions lead to fast execution How to read indirect communication   The art of building consensus (nemawashi) Why hierarchy is your friend, not your enemy How to disagree without damaging relationships One key insight that changes everything: In the West: "I need to do business with this company." In Japan: "I hope to build a relationship with this person." That single difference shapes every interaction. Whether you're entering the Japanese market or working with Japanese partners, this guide offers practical wisdom from someone who has lived on both sides of the bridge. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eNqQGTSn What's been your biggest challenge in cross-cultural business? #JapaneseBusiness #CrossCulturalCommunication #InternationalBusiness #GlobalLeadership #BusinessCulture #Japan #CulturalIntelligence

After 15 years helping Western companies succeed in Japan, I've learned one thing: The biggest barrier isn't language. It's understanding. I was born in Japan and trained in traditional Japanese business practices. I've watched brilliant Western executives struggle—not because they lack capability, but because they don't understand our unspoken values. The most common mistake? Treating business as transactions instead of relationships. In my new comprehensive guide, I share what most business books miss: Why slow decisions lead to fast execution How to read indirect communication   The art of building consensus (nemawashi) Why hierarchy is your friend, not your enemy How to disagree without damaging relationships One key insight that changes everything: In the West: "I need to do business with this company." In Japan: "I hope to build a relationship with this person." That single difference shapes every interaction. Whether you're entering the Japanese market or working with Japanese partners, this guide offers practical wisdom from someone who has lived on both sides of the bridge. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/e3JiXHGj What's been your biggest challenge in cross-cultural business? #JapaneseBusiness #CrossCulturalCommunication #InternationalBusiness #GlobalLeadership #BusinessCulture #Japan #CulturalIntelligence

Understanding German Professional Culture: The Key to Real Success Most internationals struggle in German business environments because they're playing by the wrong rules. They think German small talk is about being friendly. It's not. It's about proving you're reliable, competent, and worth their time. When Germans ask about your weekend, they're not trying to bond with you. They're assessing your judgment and reliability. When they discuss the weather, it's not to fill silence. It's to gauge your practical awareness. When they bring up current events, they're testing your critical thinking, not making conversation. This changes everything about how you should approach professional relationships in Germany. Stop trying to be likeable immediately. Focus on being credible instead. Share concrete observations, not vague feelings. Talk about specific plans, not general hopes. Ask informed questions that show you've done your homework. Germans respect people they can depend on. The personal connection comes after you've established professional trust. Once you understand this, networking becomes much clearer. You're not trying to make instant friends. You're demonstrating that you're someone worth knowing in business. The relationships often deepen naturally once that foundation is solid. Are you planning to work in Germany? What's your biggest concern about professional networking there? #CareerGrowth #Germany #ProfessionalDevelopment #Networking #CulturalIntelligence

One thing I've learned in international business: communication is everything. In global business, time zones, cultures, and expectations can differ, but a clear, respectful, and timely message can solve 90% of challenges. Whether it’s about shipment schedules, specifications, or small details, transparency builds trust, and trust builds long-term partnerships. #InternationalSales #GlobalBusiness #ProfessionalGrowth #BusinessCommunication #SalesMindset

If anyone is interested in developing their skills in Business Travel, a quick thought based on my experience that might be helpful. 💬 Here are some tips for developing this skill:

Where you meet people is often more important than meeting them in person. In business, it’s not just about “networking”, it’s about strategic positioning. When you’re in the right rooms, you don’t need to overexplain your value. There’s an automatic assumption of competence. That’s why the quality of your network often depends on the quality of the spaces you show up in. Go where your presence naturally commands respect. Be intentional about the rooms you enter; they shape the opportunities that come your way. #Networking #businessrelationship #businessnetworking #businesspartnership #BusinessGrowth