1. There should be brief but direct eye contact with the leader or senior person of the delegation. This should be long enough to show respect, but short enough that it does not create any discomfort. In this manner, don’t be nervous, and go with instinct—it is not all that different from the same gut approach that applies in the United States.

2. Respect the personal space of the other persons. Handshakes should be made with a medium to light grip – people often joke about Americans and their crushing handshakes, and their propensity to hug and kiss and grope. There is no reason to fall into such a stereotype.

3. You should always have business cards with you for presentation. If you do not have a business card with you, it could well be interpreted that you are not an important person (and that is not an impression you wish to give). When you receive a business card, you should receive it with your right hand (particularly with Japanese individuals) or preferably with both hands and, in any event, you should then hold it in both hands and look at it for at least 10 seconds, to indicate that you are reading it and showing proper deference to the person who has presented it to you. Even if it is in another language, and you can’t understand it, this is an important sign of respect.

4. Forget about any old impressions you once might have had about differences between men and women in business in Asia, and especially in China! If you are meeting a delegation representing a business from the East that is a mixed group of men and women, the senior person could very well be a woman, so do not make any assumptions. When in doubt, it is appropriate to make a very slight bow of your head to the group in general, and allow them or their interpreter to make the subsequent introductions. They will probably introduce the leader first. To show respect, try to follow the leader as to when to sit, stand, eat and drink. This is about respect-it is not a sign of groveling or subservience. Such signs of respect may well achieve more in business negotiations than being hardheaded or aggressive.

Microfinance is a fancy word for providing small loans, savings, insurance, and training to people living in poverty. Opportunity International is a global organization that is providing microfinance to entrepreneurs in developing countries. By providing support, people are able to build businesses, support their families, create jobs and eventually end the cycle of poverty. As the loan is paid back, the money is loaned out again, thus changing the lives of many people.

Opportunity International focuses on the needs of women since the majority of people living in extreme poverty are women and children. In many underdeveloped countries, women are not allowed to pursue an education, hold a job, or own property. To help combat this problem, Opportunity International gives the majority of loans to women.

Many women-owned, small business companies in the United States who have an interest in globalization are supporting the work of Opportunity International. Rapport International, a translation and interpretation company based in metrowest Boston, MA has partnered with the “coffee club” to help support microfinance around the world. Rapport Intl. is one of the leaders in quality translation and interpretation services and has a strong interest in supporting women entrepreneurs.

For more information on this charity and ways to get involved, please visit opportunity.org.