-Every country has a unique characteristic. In the United States we have to learn each other cultures. Language is a barrier and the cultural differences, too. So, whether we are trying to come here and sell or whether we are trying to invest in foreign country we have to learn a lot about people, market, and understand cultural differences. The good example is Japan. The Japanese sometimes they say Yeap, but they really mean No. So, if you are negotiating with a Japanese they might say Yes to you because all the are really doing is listening to you. Sometimes that sort of cultural differences may be really important in business negotiation. Whatever they are we can overcome just by knowing them-explaines Myron A. Brilliant, Senior Vice President for International Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce asked about the cultural differences between Poland and the United States.
Selected Fields of Cooperation Between Poland and U.S.
The Global Business archiceture is the making right now. New economic organizations and programs like SelectUSA are the symbols of a change. They try to achive their goals also by promoting success stories. Inglot company can serve as one of the best expamples. The firm, well-known not only in Poland, is just rebulding its structure, warehouses, etc. They are ready and prepared for the next step which is e-commerce and collaboration in franchising system and the other companies. The U.S. was the country numer 26. in their expansion list so they had a lot of experience from Asia or South America. Having entred the U.S. market they had to fullfill the FDA requirements, but it went quite smooth. The real barrier was a good place for retail, especially for flagship store. -Customers are the center of each business-empasized Zbigniew Inglot, Ph.D., chairman of the board of directors in Inglot Ltd.
For many Polish companies the main obstacle in enetering a foreign market is still a mental barrier. During the panel Select USA: Promoting Investement and Trade in the U.S. (The U.S.-Poland Business Summit Warsaw 2012) was told a story about young lady, a fashion designer, who opened her internet shop one year ago, and after a six month of operating sold her first collection in the U.S.-neither in Poland, nor in Europe.
America is neither too far, nor too big. Now only 61 % of Polish companies is active abroad. There are instruments to help Polish firms in operating overseas, and foreign investors establish their businesses in Poland. One of them is SelectUSA program. It is a first federal program, created by president B. Obama, to promote direct investment in the U.S. This effort is primarily done at a local level. They provide a lot of sevices that could be helpful to a Polish firm. At a first stage they can introduce a firm to a economic development organization, trade association or cluster. They can also act as an ombudsman for a Polish firm seeking how to invest in the U.S. This may come up in many different ways. They can help in interpreting FDA regulations and complying to any other U.S. regulations. They also help with making the visa application process smoother. The United States is open for business.
The world is shrinking and competition is getting fiercer. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the other American organizations create opportunities. They want to overcome all the barriers to promote direct investemts in the U.S. They help in learning the rules. Willingness to take the risk is nowadays a critical attribute. Poland is a part of EU so when a U.S. company thinks about its strategy considers its European part, too.
Maya M. Kowalczyk
Read also: https://business-relations.pl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1068:build-your-business-in-the-united-states&catid=62:ameryka-ponocna&Itemid=94