"Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood."

The Stephen R. Covey quote in this title pretty much sums up what I want to communicate in this Rant: "Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood."

My last Rant expressed frustration that many have with a lack of understanding overseas companies seem to have of our marketplace. These companies troll for business in social media forums. I received many positive comments on this commentary. Here are two samples:

"Thanks for reading my mind. I especially love it when I've posted on LinkedIn a few times looking for a specific item that I already know exists and I get at least a half dozen overseas suppliers asking me for specs so they can build it for me. It drives me crazy...and no, I would never do business with them."

"I found your Rant exactly how I feel! I only buy from American suppliers and I have been ASI and PPAI for thirty years! You can't buy from the orient unless represented by an American based supplier like "XYX Company". They have most of their products made in China but I only buy from them. I have been very pleased with their products and they have received many gold medals from PPAI for their service."

There was one negative comment. I followed up and shared some dialogue with an executive of a large distributor company who took issue with my take on the language barrier. He brought up good points that are worth addressing. Here are excerpts from that conversation.

"Are you familiar with the term "Ugly American"? Has nothing to do with what you look like and everything to do with attitude. Your article on dealing with Chinese people which actually focused on their ability to speak American English is what the Ugly American title was invented for!!!"