BEATING the Millennium bug is not the only thing needed to prepare for the next millennium, says Percy Institute of International Protocol principal Louise Percy.
“The rules of domestic and international business protocol and etiquette are evolving and in constant change,” Ms Percy said.
“Competition is no longer only local or from the eastern states.
“With the rapidly changing global marketplace offered by business opportunities on the internet, the standards of business behaviour are now measured by established international standards.”
Business News columnist Mal Bryce equates the growing boom in electronic commerce to be as big an issue for companies as Y2K.
He said companies not prepared for the e-commerce boom risked becoming uncompetitive.
Ms Percy said her company was just one of many micro and small businesses increasingly exporting and even training via the Internet.
“Appreciation of cross-cultural awareness and international business etiquette are vital components in successfully negotiating with prospective and existing international clients,” she said.
“I sell more of my books via the internet than I do through one of Australia’s largest booksellers and most of my international purchasers take advantage of my offer to email me questions on various aspects of the book.
“So my ‘netiquette’ must be international to allow for the cultural differences between us,” she said.