Negotiating skills are a critical component of business success, and cultural differences in negotiation methods can create significant challenges. This is particularly true when it comes to cross-border transactions. In the Middle East, for example, business negotiations are heavily influenced by cultural and religious traditions, making it essential to understand the nuances of local customs and traditions.

In Israel, negotiations tend to be direct and assertive, which can be perceived as confrontational by some cultures. Israelis value honesty and transparency in business dealings, and they tend to view small talk and pleasantries as a waste of time. Additionally, Israelis often view negotiation as a collaborative process rather than a win-lose proposition.In Startup: Confidential, we have a chance to see how US executives view Israeli founder negotiation methods as we watch Purple Giant set up shop in Israel and hear about their experiences. The episode explores the challenges faced by Purple Giant as they navigate the cultural differences between Israeli and American business practices.

Overall, understanding cultural differences in negotiation methods is crucial in any business negotiation, especially in cross-border transactions. In the Middle East and specifically in Israel, negotiations require a deep understanding of local customs, traditions, and communication styles.

In Startup: Confidential, we get an inside look at the challenges faced by Purple Giant as they establish themselves in Israel and how they adapt to the unique cultural differences in Israeli business practices.

Nimrod Vromen is also the author of Prompting Happiness - a book about the pursuit of happiness in the age of artificial intelligence (now on Amazon).

Jordan is managing partner of Global Upscale, an international marketing and design firm, which produced this series.