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Join Our Mailing List
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Save the Dates!
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Training Seminars in Houston, Texas
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April 20, 2010
The Professional Assistant: Protocol & Diplomacy for Taking Care of Your Boss in the Global Arena
April 22, 2010
The Protocol Advantage: Protocol & Diplomacy for Today's Global Business Leader
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| Chinese banks find their credit in high demand |
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Quote of the Month
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Ljubljana, 6 January (STA) – Delo, Slovenian newspaper, “… leading politicians have recently been bombarding the Slovenian public with the importance of the concept of business diplomacy as if this realisation was some kind of major achievement. It is no such thing, it is simply a much needed coming to senses.”
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"Whenever you get an opportunity to be decent, polite, kind...don't miss it you'll never get that moment back."
Ben Kingsley |
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The United Nations website has much useful information but one of my favorite sections is the UN Cyberschoolbus Country-at-a- Glance which provides you with just that, a glimpse of quick facts on UN member countries.
United Nations Cyber Schoolbus
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| National Day: a country’s holiday celebrating the day a country gained independence, was founded or in the case of a monarchy it may celebrate the birth of the chief of state—the King of Thailand, the Queen of the United Kingdom or the Emperor of Japan for example.
Embassies and consulates of a country celebrating a “National Day” will often host a celebration: a reception or some type of cultural activity. Participation at these events is a useful and enjoyable way to show your support of a country you may be doing business with and a good opportunity to build on your relationship.
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Garza Protocol Associates can...
- provide a speaker for your meeting or group. Go to Presentations for more information.
- conduct a customized training seminar to address your industry needs. See Training for details.
- act as your in-house office of protocol and provide consulting services on everything from developing your own Distinguished Visitors Program to organizing a trade mission.
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Happy New Year!
This is one of my favorite times of the year, a new beginning, a time for reflection and for planning and anticipating what the new year will bring. It is a good time to look at the business plan that you wrote a year ago. Is your company on track?
One of our core beliefs at Garza Protocol Associates is that business is personal. Relationships are key. Looking back over the last year I would like to personally thank our clients, vendors and friends for your support in 2009. As we look forward, we are calling 2010 the “year of the relationship.” In today’s global economy more companies and organizations are realizing that long-term success is based on the strength of relationships. Some companies have “Relationship Managers” and talk about “Relationship Capital.” Yet too few companies have an actual strategy or plan for developing their relationships with these invaluable assets: clients, suppliers, employees, shareholders, media, government, etc. Throughout the year we will be sharing protocol and diplomacy strategies that you can use to manage, build and maintain relationships across cultures whether you are managing a global team, selling your product abroad, participating on an international trade mission or meeting with an international client.
Another thing I love about the New Year in the international arena is that if you have a misstep and find you need another fresh start before next January, there’s always Chinese New Year, Norouz—Persian New Year, Losar—Tibetan New Year, Rosh Hashana—Jewish New Year...
Here’s to fresh starts with best wishes for a happy and prosperous 2010!
Sonia Garza-Monarchi
President
Garza Protocol Associates, LLC
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“Do this…
I called DirecTV with a service question and was asked "Can I call you Sonia?"
—Do ask how someone should be addressed. In the U.S. it is common to address most people by their first names with some exceptions—more formal situations or individuals with titles. However, in many countries around the world this is considered rude. Instead wait until you are invited to use someone’s first name or ask, “How do you prefer to be addressed?” or “How should I address you?”
..not that”
On an Oprah show featuring international celebrities, Ali Wentworth got a private polo lesson from Argentinean polo star and fashion icon, Nacho Figueres. Upon meeting him she commented, "So Nacho is usually a snack in America, but you are a whole meal."
--Don't joke about people's names. "Nacho," short for "Ignacio," is a common name in Spanish-speaking countries. The interview was meant to be light-hearted and fun with no ill intent, and was taken as such by the predominantly U.S. audience. However, if this had been a global business encounter, it would not have been the most appropriate start to a business relationship.
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The World Next Door
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In honor of India’s Republic Day learn more about the tastes of India. Originally from Mumbai, Suneeta Vaswani is a renowned cookbook author, instructor and traveler. She has been educating the world on the culinary delights and great variety of Indian food for over 30 years. Visit her site http://www.suneetavaswani.com to order her newest cookbook or print her recipe of the month. If you prefer someone else to do the cooking visit one of the many fine Indian restaurants in most major cities.
If you are in Washington, DC, visit the Australian Embassy for a look at incredible Aboriginal and contemporary art from the land down under (check hours at www.usa.embassy.gov.au). If you are in Texas, come to Houston and see the largest collection of Aboriginal fine art in the U.S. at Booker-Lowe Gallery (www.bookerlowegallery.com), owned by Nana Booker, Honorary Consul of Australia. You too can own a piece of Australia’s great history filled with color and beauty!
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| 2009 in Review - Cultural Connections...or Collisions? |
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In 2009, we saw the Obama administration make solid attempts to use protocol and diplomacy to further U.S. interests around the world and enhance the country’s image abroad. We also saw politicians, celebrities and John and Jane Does everywhere making cultural connections or causing cultural collisions. Learn from others' mistakes go to 2009 in Review for photos and opinions on these top protocol headlines:
· President Barack Obama’s Inauguration
· President and Mrs. Obama Visit Queen Elizabeth
· President Obama Bows, Part I
· President Obama Bows, Part II
· President Obama’s First State Dinner
· Kanye West and Serena Williams Behaving Badly
· John and Jane Doe, The Ugly Americans
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| Country Focus |
Being prepared to do business internationally means knowing something about the country and the people you will be working with. To help you do your homework, beginning in February, we will focus on one country each month. We will provide a list of web and other resources as well as highlighting some of the protocol aspects you should consider when doing business in the that country.
The amount of preparation needed for global encounters varies depending on the situation. For a 15-minute courtesy visit with a foreign government official reading the official's bio, knowing where the country is, what the major industries are as well as some basic cultural customs may be sufficient. An ongoing trade negotiation will require more than looking at a few websites. Follow the media for stories on that country and the industry, talk to people who have lived and worked there, research various sources and have your staff prepare your own in-depth country profile. It should include an overview of the country’s history, government and economy as well as a more thorough cultural report. Include a brief summary of your business history or relationship with that country so that you can document progress on an ongoing basis.
Below are a few basic resources that anyone working internationally should be familiar with:
https://www.cia.gov/
The CIA World Factbook - includes background information on the country, list of Chiefs of State/heads of government, and more.
www.state.gov
U.S. Department of State - contains Background Notes on countries and regions of the world, Travel Advisories and Warnings and other information of interest. Go to A –Z Country listing at bottom of the page.
The BBC country profiles include an overview, key facts, information on the country's leaders and media, a map and photo of the flag. You can also access a timeline with a chronology of key events.
The more prepared you and your team are the greater success you will have. For a country report template, additional list of resources, to schedule a training program or to submit a country recommendation contact us at info@garzaprotocol.com.
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| Garza Protocol Associates, LLC |
Garza Protocol Associates, LLC is a consulting and training company that applies protocol and diplomacy to help businesses and organizations successfully conduct business in the international arena. We develop customized corporate diplomacy strategies, conduct training seminars and manage international visits and events. In the international arena, business is personal, which is why we provide today's business executive with the tools to become tomorrow's global leader—the Executive Diplomat. |
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Garza Protocol Associates, LLC
P.O. Box 131684
Houston, TX 77219-1684
713.863.8896
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