• this world is not my home

There are a lot of potential pitfalls when moving to a new country and trying to do business. Let's start naming some that we have found, and when possible, giving ideas for dealing with the problems.

I'll start.

Language. You have to take time to learn the local language. You don't have to achieve perfect fluency, but you will want to learn enough to show honor and respect to your host culture. English has developed into a de facto universal language of business in many (most?) places in the world, but that does not mean we can avoid learning the language of our new culture, at least not if we want to have the goodwill of our new friends and partners.

My advice: take some time, find a good book or two and make a local friend. Language classes at a local school are also a good idea, if you have the money and time available. Any time you spend focusing on this at the beginning you will make up later in increased efficiency and better relationships. I consider this the equivalent of sharpening your tools before beginning a job. A dull axe may be able to do the job, but one with a clean, fresh hone will do it better.

Even before you learn the language, you ought to learn the rules and the visual cues of communication. My first presentation to a Japanese audience through a translator illustrates the point. I gave my presentation with my normal "in your face" style. At the end of the presentation I was told by my host that my forthright mannerism had embarrassed the audience and made them feel uncomfortable because I had tried to catch their eye.  That was a no-no I failed to recognize on time.