Don’t Give Green Hats in China

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Did you know that giving a man a green hat in China means that he’s a cuckold or that using your BlackBerry at the dining table is considered rude almost everywhere? Little things can make a big difference when interacting with other cultures.

“The rules and practices of protocol provide a framework for facilitating communication, navigating barriers and building productive trade relationships across cultural lines.”

International protocol training and consulting firm Garza Protocol Associates will offer two day-long business diplomacy seminars in Houston. Learn the do’s and don’ts of international business with The Professional Assistant: Protocol and Diplomacy for Taking Care of Your Boss in the Global Arena on April 20 and The Protocol Advantage: Protocol and Diplomacy for the Global Business Leader on April 22. The seminars provide a unique opportunity for individuals or teams from businesses, local and state governments, and nonprofits to get training normally available only in large corporations or the federal government.

“Outside of multinational corporations, few businesses have the highly specialized expertise to train their staff on international protocol issues that impact global business,” said Garza Protocol Associates founder Sonia Garza-Monarchi. “A mistake can be costly, that’s why this hands-on training and review of cross-cultural best practices is so important for anyone serious about doing business in the international market.”

Garza-Monarchi was the City of Houston’s chief protocol officer under four mayors, participating in trade missions and handling thousands of dignitary visits and events involving chiefs of state, heads of government, royalty and ambassadors. Since launching Garza Protocol Associates in 2004, she has provided training and consulting to clients including Wal-Mart Stores, Marathon Oil, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas-Houston, National Lieutenant Governors’ Association and others. She served as president of Protocol & Diplomacy International-Protocol Officers Association.

“It’s a mistake to think that protocol is just ceremonial. In today’s global arena, protocol and commerce work hand-in-hand,” Garza-Monarchi emphasized. “The rules and practices of protocol provide a framework for facilitating communication, navigating barriers and building productive trade relationships across cultural lines.” Both seminars will be held at the Magnolia Hotel, 1100 Texas Ave. Registration information is available online at www.garzaprotocol.com.

Garza Protocol Associates helps corporations, government agencies and non-profit organizations successfully conduct business in the global arena. We bring more than 20 years of experience in international protocol to bear on behalf of clients seeking strategic corporate diplomacy planning, distinguished visitor programs, intercultural communication training, and management of international events. www.garzaprotocol.com.