The world is shrinking. With globalization and the spread of the Internet, you can just as easily communicate with someone in a different country as easy as you would with someone in your own city. Add social networking to the equation and you have the recipe for a global network.

I advise any entrepreneur to reach out to others that are located in foreign countries. This is especially true if you plan on selling your product or service in another country. You not only gain a friend, but you are also developing a valuable resource and potential partner in the host country.

Here is a little bit of advice when beginning. As an entrepreneur, it is instinctive to want to tell your story and immediately try to capitalize upon opportunity. Please remember, these people are from other countries and, as such, they may operate by a different set of standards. Also, you may be the person they see as a representative of your own country. Take the time to genuinely learn about the person, their family, friends, culture, and environment. Naturally they will engage in questioning you as well. Answer their questions, but make sure they know the emphasis is on them. You will begin to build a solid rapport and start to understand their customs and mannerisms. The converse will also happen. They will learn about your customs and mannerisms.

After you get a general rapport built, then begin to explore their economy and the opportunities. All countries have the basic needs for food, clothing, utilities, housing, education, communication, and transportation. But, countries develop at different paces and down different paths. By collaborating, you may be able to start something brand new in your own country that is standard practice in the host country of your contact. If this is the case, they can easily provide you with a wealth of knowledge of how to implement, market, and sell the product or service. The same can be true in exchange. You may learn of a great need in your contact’s country that you can help them to capitalize on due to the fact that it is common place in your own country.

If you are fortunate enough to develop an opportunity with your contact, you already have a native of the host country on the ground. I have started and operated businesses in other countries and having a native of the host country on your side is practically priceless. They can help you navigate all the bureaucratic red tape. Some countries require that the business be owned, at least in part, by a native. Your contact can easily fit the bill.

In this ever shrinking world, I am simply suggesting that you reach out to other corners of the world and begin to build relationships. At the minimum, you broaden your cultural horizons. At best, you build a relationship into a rewarding friendship and make each other some money along the way.

At this time, I would like to introduce two individuals from other countries that have made positive impacts on my life and expanded my own cultural horizons. Reach out to them and introduce yourselves. They are both very pleasant individuals.

Cristian Dorobantescu is from Romanina and operates the blog, Small Business Entrepreneur blog.

Henrik Edberg is from Sweden and operates the blog, The Positivity Blog.

As I said, they are both dynamic, positive, and pleasant individuals and they are an asset to know. I also invite anyone to reach out and introduce yourself to me, regardless of country, language, or background. I am always on the look out for positive, vibrant people who can add value to my own life. And I will return the favor. Now get out there and globalize.