What are International Sales?

International Sales are in their own league when it comes to how to handle certain situations.  Especially if your goods are uncommon or you are dealing with a country where corruption is even remotely an issue, let alone when it is rampant.  Going back to my ethical post a week ago, International Sales are best suited for the types of people who are either full-on Machiavelli, or are Mother Theresa.  There is no healthy in-between in this category.

Now, I am sure we have all been posed with case studies and ethical/legal dilemmas when studying how to sell internationally, but once it is put to a real-world test, it is impressive how quickly the lines can be blurred and crossed.   Always be sure to know what is the accepted practice both from your company and in the country in which you are selling.  Are you supposed to bring a gift?  Are you allowed to buy a gift?  Isn’t that bribery?  Or is it just common place business practices?  Should you look them in the eye or not?  Do you pay for dinner or do they?  These are only some of the many predicaments that you will come across in the field of international sales.  And each time you must know what path you are going down beforehand.