The European and Asian business world is founded on quality. That isn’t to say ours isn’t, but there is much more emphasis on it over there. From the quality of your suit, to your manners and observance of local cultures. All these things will be studied and either marked for, or against you.

For example, doing business in Italy, you would be marked down for not having a stylish suit or quality business cards. Style and quality is everything there, and the outward display of it permeates every facet of their society. France is much the same on a more conservative level. Style and quality count for a lot so turning up to a meeting in an off the shelf suit isn’t going to win you any friends. You would have to work very hard to convince either the Italian or French of the quality of you or your company like that.

Russia on the other hand couldn’t care less. They are interested in doing deals and making money. They are much less interested in you, what you wear or the quality of your business cards. Here what you have, and what you can provide them is paramount as far as they are concerned. Even though there is a hunger for money, and doing deals, it will take forever to get one signed. A relic of their communist past is the monolithic bureaucracy which not only stifles their government but most of their older more established businesses. New money or companies are less constrained by this though.

Doing business in the Middle East isn’t an inviting prospect for a lot of businesses. The relative instability of the region (mainly caused by us), makes this a shifting foundation for any deal. The almost universal prevalence of Islam is something that has to be taken very seriously and observed strictly by any visitor if they want to even be considered as business partners. It has its own rules that need to be observed and treated with respect to get anywhere with the people. Learn the culture and demonstrate respect for it and the region has some of the friendliest and most hospitable people in the world.

As you can see, doing business internationally isn’t just a case of grabbing a passport and buying an airline ticket. Research has to be done so you can get started on the right foot before you can make a success of any foreign visit.

Realtors are the people who sell our houses and broker real estate. Depending on where you live they can also be referred to as real estate broker or agents. Realtors are different to real estate agents though. A realtor is a real estate agent plus is a member of the National Association of Realtors. This is the largest association of real estate agents in the world. To become a realtor you must start out as a real estate agent and preferably work as one for a couple of years to gain experience. There is a real estate course to attend, then an exam afterward to test your competency. Once qualified you can then apply for a license in your state.

After a couple of years of experience, if you want to progress to become a realtor you will need to take the renewal real estate course and then the broker exam. Once you pass this you can become a licensed broker. Now would be the time to apply to the National Association of Realtors in your state. If accepted you will be able to use the word Realtor and its trademark in your name.

The day to day duties of a real estate agent and realtor are much the same. They both revolve around helping vendors sell properties and buyers purchase them. It is a profession that needs a lot of time and dedication to make it work, but is open to all if you are prepared to put in this work. You will need to be good with people and not backwards in coming forwards. Buying and selling property is as much about the people involved as in the properties themselves. As a realtor business cards are an essential tool. You will be in contact constantly with vendors and buyers, so they will need your details to hand at all times. Unusually for a business card, it should contain your cell number too as you will spend a lot of time out of the office.

It perhaps isn’t the best time in the world to become a realtor, real estate agent, or anything to do with property. However this economic gloom isn’t going to last forever and if you can make it now, you can make it any time. As a qualified realtor you will most likely be self employed, so it’s all down to you. More realtors fail in their first year than any other career, so research, knowledge and experience is essential if you are to survive. The licensing aspect of the career actually works in your favour. As well as ensuring your competency, it also limits the competition in your state

If you do survive then you have the makings of a successful and rewarding career where you will spend some of your time making dreams come true. The other ninety nine percent of your time will be meeting people, advertising your services, holding open houses and handing out business cards!