Discussion Topic

Scenario: A business group from another country has offered to purchase a franchise of Sandwich Blitz. Dalman and Lei are very interested and quite excited for this opportunity for their business to enter the competitive international marketplace. A meeting has been arranged between Dalman, Lei, and three representatives from the business group to discuss the details of the proposed franchise. Dalman and Lei have agreed to travel to the business group's country for the meeting. They realize that this is a very important meeting because it involves networking with key individuals who will heavily influence the outcome of this attempt to expand the business. They also realize that the values and norms in the other country could possibly be very different from their own.

For the purposes of this Discussion, choose a country other than your own and conduct an online search to learn about the cultural norms, business and meeting practices, and values in the country that you select. (Cite your outside sources.)

Prior to the meeting, what are some things that Dalman and Lei need to know about the other country and the business group so that they can establish and maintain a good rapport and make the best of this opportunity to expand Sandwich Blitz into the international marketplace? Include information about greeting rituals and nonverbal behavior as they apply to the protocol for Dalman and Lei's meeting with the group.