In the modern era of globalization, the entire world is connected in countless ways. A gamer in Japan can play an online video game with someone in America whenever they want, a freelance worker in Spain can collaborate with peers overseas in a virtual workplace using cloud-based tools, and an entrepreneur in France can sell her wares online to a global audience. The world seems to be shrinking with each passing day.

With this global interconnectedness comes the need for mindfulness of other cultures, and it may not come easily. In some cases, you may need to break down the barriers built up by centuries of cultural oppression and discrimination, which may seem like an insurmountable task on the surface.

But there are small steps you can take towards mindfulness, on both a business and personal level. If you own a internationally reaching online business, make sure your website is accessible to a variety of audiences. If you’re traveling as a tourist, on business, or to work abroad, educate yourself about cultural expectations and customs prior to your visit.

While there may still be roadblocks in your way, including the rise of fascism in some areas, you can make a positive impact on our global society by simply being more mindful of your words and actions.

Globalization Tools for Business Owners

The internet that connects the globe give marketers and business owners innovative tools to bring consumers and goods ever closer to one another. There are also countless networks that connect groups of like-minded people, including social media.

It is within those smaller networks that business owners have the greatest reach. By appealing to audiences across numerous forms of social media, you’ll have the opportunity to reach more customers across the globe. But that’s only a small part of a bigger overall picture; your website also needs to appeal to as many visitors as possible if you want to achieve business success on a large scale.

There are numerous mistakes you can make when updating your website to reach a global audience. One of the greatest is a lack of professional translations. There are roughly 7,000 languages spoken throughout the globe, so you can’t rely on an English-only site if you hope to connect with customers across the world. Make sure to hire a professional translator for the job to avoid mistranslation, poorly written text, or unintentionally causing offense.

Another mistake to avoid is lacking a mobile-friendly site. Mobile users drive approximately 60 percent of e-commerce traffic — a number that business owners should not ignore if they want to grow and thrive. Fortunately, most modern website builders feature a mobile-friendly version in order to streamline the website-building process.

How Globalization and Fintech Open the World to Travelers

Once you have attracted a global audience to your website, you’ll need to ensure that customers can pay for goods using their preferred currency. That’s where financial technology, or fintech, comes in to play. Put simply, fintech falls under the umbrella of electronic payments, but the technology has expanded far beyond wire transfers and the use of ATMs. PayPal and other forms of electronic payment apps have fintech to thank for their existence.  

Fintech plays an integral role in the realm of global commerce. According to RemitFinder, about 25 percent of all global goods are exported to another country. In 2017, the U.S. alone exported more than $2.21 trillion worth of goods and services. The use of fintech means that payments for those exported goods can be sent from anywhere at the touch of a button.

An influx of global exports means that more people than ever are traveling overseas to conduct business, which greatly benefits the travel industry. Those business travelers can use fintech to finalize sales as well as pay for their travel needs, from flights and meals to hotel rooms and rental cars.

But business travelers aren’t the only group that benefits from fintech. Tourists, volunteers, and those traveling abroad on a work visa can also make and receive secure payments with help from fintech. Travellers of all stripes can benefit from the tools offered by fintech innovators.

Considerations When Working Abroad

No matter the reason for global travel, you need to be mindful of local customs and overall culture. Fortunately, a little research about your host country goes a long way when you plan to spend any length of time overseas.  

Some cultural expectations may seem small, but they make a big difference when it comes to respect and acceptance. For example, in Japan, handing money to someone is considered rude. Instead, place it on a tray. And in the Philippines, if you dine in someone’s home, leave some food on the plate at the culmination of the meal so that your host knows that you had enough to eat. An empty plate is a sign that you’re still hungry.

When working abroad, you’ll have ample time to acclimate yourself to local language and customs, more so than a business traveler or a typical tourist visiting with a short-stay visa. Overseas workers run the gamut from English teachers and aid workers to healthcare professionals, including nurses. There is a worldwide shortage of nurses in many developing countries, and these professionals must always cultivate mindfulness in order to better connect with patients and colleagues.

As you can see, the bright side of globalization is that it connects us all, from small business owners to those working abroad. By being mindful of local cultures and working to adhere to local customs, you can help make the world a little smaller.