International Negotiations are a minefield. Often people believe that:

  1. International deals will happen automatically if the correct government policies and structures are in place.
  2. The successful strategies we use in meetings and negotiating on the domestic scene can apply to international settings.
  3. Others’ perceptions and stereotyping of us won’t be allowed to affect the negotiations
  4. Everyone likes to get down to business and focus on the end game: a legally binding contract.
  5. The ‘rules of engagement’ are the same all over the world

 But it just ain’t so …