1st minute
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COMMUNICATION
Most of the time, any form of communication, fax, email, air-mail
may not have been received by the intended parties, the fact is:
It is normal for a fax or e-mail not being received, un-readable or
simply went astray-- SEND YOUR MAIL AGAIN....AND PERSIST
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2nd. minute
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COMMUNICATION PROTOCOLS
Most e-business people often don't introduce themselves properly
Due to the ease of use of E-mail... they usually send an e-mail....
"I want this...this and this.....quote me your best price" -- reply to
123xyz@hottermail ... URGENT ..... or.....
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
## THEY TYPE THE ENTIRE MAIL IN CAP WHICH NO NORMAL
BUSINESS PERSON WILL DO WITH A BUSINESS LETTER ##
####################################################
Therefore....A seller or buyer, must be extremely desperate to
respond to such an e-mail.....They just simply ignore you.
And most people complained, their mail never get answered.
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3rd. minute
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THE REAL BUSINESS WORLD
Those of us, who are on the fast lane expect fast response.
But in the real world.... it does not operate like that.....
Most companies have MIS dept that controls email - mails get
checked by MIS personal at their leisure, maybe once a week.
And then, the mails get printed and "left" on a tray for dispatch.
How efficient? You have to user your own imagination.
So...Don't expect a quick reply... unless it is a one person show.
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4th. minute
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QUICK, FAST, REPLY NOW
Most businesses don't only just attend to your enquires alone.
It is not that they don't want to sell.... Most likely they have quite
a number, to attend to, plus the fact that quotation need a bit of
working with calculation to meet individual requirements.....They
don't just "pluck" a the figure out of the "thin air". And they can't
quote if your DON'T TELL them which country you are from.
Now you know another reason for the "sound of silence".
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4th. minute
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ELECTRONIC MAIL OR E-MAIL
Email is at their lowest priority of hierarchy for most world wide
SMI (small medium industries)....Simply because most boss are
50+yrs and non-computer literate....Until "junior" takes over.
Most people check their mail once in a while....Once the novelty
of being "IN" wears off....Because most businesses hardly do
any marketing via Internet. So.... they don't get much mail.....
So they check their mail "once in a blue moon".
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5th. minute
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SPOTTING THE FAKE
Business "Netdenizen" often receive mail that are out-right
bordering on being RUDE, remember...........
"quote me this...this and this...reply to 123@hottermail ...quick"
"I WANT TO BUY THIS, THIS AND THIS......QUOTE ME FAST"
You learn fast to spot the "Fake Cheap Ones" and ignore them,
especially those using @hottermail @fastermail @quickermail
"Why bother" to respond, most likely another competitor checking
prices and sending out such mail by the hundreds.
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6th. minute
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FAX IS A FORM OF ELECTRONIC MAIL
Business "Netdeizen" "THINK" e-mail is best because it is
cheap and fast. But the fact is that FAXing will bring a faster
respond.....Because, most company accept it as a "standard"
form of communication with procedures already in use for years.
Ignoring your enquiries via fax is unusual ..... unless it is "Hand
written" which is a No!, No!, until you are on more friendly terms.
Of course, a badly worded letter will end up with no response.
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7th. minute
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CHECK LIST
1. Electronic communication is never certain....Send again.
2. Take time to introduce yourself with the right "Protocol".
3. E-mail is not necessary better, if they don't get checked.
4. @hotter.mail @faster.aolmail is a bad idea for business.
5. Send again.... PERSIST, be POLITE and be PATIENT.
6. Email must have: Introduction, Name, Company, Country.
7. Visit www.malaysiaexports.com/inex51.correspondence.htm

About the Author
Tony Koh - www.malaysiaexports.com/author.htm
15 years of experience in International Export Marketing.
www.malaysiaexports.com
The site with FREE answers to International Import Export FAQ