BRAND AMBASSADOR OF INDIA

As a businessperson, you are a brand ambassador of both your company & your country. It helps to remember that your foreign counterparts are constantly scrutinizing your behavior and comments; be careful about what you say and how you say it.

When discussing India in cross-border business settings, pay special attention to your remarks as your business associates will perceive them very differently from the way your fellow countrymen. Often, I have noticed that a common trap is discussions related to politics, as business is always influenced by the political reforms. For example, if you are a staunch supporter of a political party or feel negatively about the current leadership, never debate about it when conducting international business. The same applies for the other problems faced by a developing India i.e. lack of infrastructure, poverty and corruption.

When talking about your country, focus on passing fair yet optimistic comments as any negativity, no matter how true, will leave your foreign counterparts uncomfortable about doing business or further investing in India. If your business partners pass remarks against your country, smoothly steer the conversation to neutral topics e.g. its rich heritage, splendid places to see, the economic progress witnessed in the past decade and its academic institutions which have produced world-class scientists, engineers & entrepreneurs. To hone your ability to defend India as a true intellectual, update your knowledge by seeking information from credible sources and focus on building an unbiased perspective. Stand up for India!