All businesses are becoming global in nature. The emerging (and in some cases emerged) markets in Asia cannot be ignored or neglected from either a supplier or customer basis. This means you will have to go there, sometime, for the good of your business.
You will have a ball.
It is a long ways, and it takes a long time to get there, but once you do, you will enjoy it. The places and the things to see are amazing. However the best part is the people. The opportunity to spend time with the people should not be missed. The culture and the food are amazing. Be adventuresome and sample them all.
If you want to go a long ways toward either entertaining, or amazing your associates in Asia, use chopsticks. If you are poor with them you will be entertaining. If you are reasonably good with chopsticks they will be very interested in you.
I enjoy sushi as well as most other Asian cuisine, and as such have learned to use chopsticks relatively well. During dinners I was usually presented with a “western” fork, but always opted for chopsticks. My choice and dexterity were always a great ice breaker and opening subject for dinner conversation.
While there, enjoy the local food. You can get hamburgers and steaks anywhere, but eating the local dishes with the local dining implements should be part of the agenda. It will also help in establishing business relationships with your associates in Asia.
Eating like the locals seems to always be a good ice breaker. Once you get used to the chopsticks and sushi, be sure to try sashimi with wasabe and soy sauce. Some of the best sushi and sashimi that I have had is in Taiwan from Japanese chef of course!
Steve….I suspect some people (not Tex Dex)missed the allegory in your blog. Sadly, many US companies will dig into the sushi and other delights on offer in Asia without having a clue about the nature of the business environment there. So they fail. Badly. The chopsticks are just the beginning.
Steve, I’m contracting with our previous IP phone developer/manufacturer. While in Taipei, there are many different things to see and do, but well over crowded in the city. My business there is usually ‘hit-n-run’, although, they love my American assertiveness and drive in this industry, and many now follow my decisions and opinions – thus leading to promotions from the executive management team. Penang is beautiful, and the team at the factory follow my business views/actions as well. My wife and I are now entertaining moving to Penang (Batu Ferringhi) – and they have some good golf courses and surf there too.