Gift giving is common, especially during the first business travel. However, you must be aware of how to properly give or receive an appreciation token. Remember to hand out or accept the gift with both hands. Asians may not open the gift in your presence, but this does not mean that they are not appreciative of your gesture. In addition, it will also help if you do research about the country you are visiting, as there are gift traditions that must be followed. For example, giving a wrapped clock in Hong Kong signifies death and mourning and could spell disaster in your business deal.
Avoid using slang and idiomatic expressions during meeting presentations. It is better to go straight to the point to ensure that your audience fully understands you. Keep in mind that verbal presentation is important and it will help if you speak at a moderate speed. Make sure to also communicate in correct grammatical English while repeating key discussion points for emphasis. Giving out printed copies of your presentation will also help your audience in comprehension. If you are doing a business trip in an Asian country where English is not a primary language, hire the services of an experienced and professional interpreter.
Making a good first impression to your prospective business partners is significant. You might have come prepared for a presentation, but if you fail their first impression, you will have to impress them more. Keep in mind that your audience, just like you, values their time and that the scheduled meeting should start and end on time. Be punctual and stick to your discussion timelines, but make sure that you are not leaving out important points with ample time for discussing audience feedback. Pause and check if your audience can still follow you.
If you are meeting these people for the first time, it is good to engage in small talk. This is a good way to break the ice during business conferences. You have to be careful not to talk about sensitive topics. Talking about religion and politics is a big no when you're on a business travel trip.
