def get_external_name(data_dict):
    """
    Generic method to return external name for a recipe, menu etc.
    If external name is not present or set to null, returns name.
    """
    if 'externalName' in data_dict and data_dict['externalName'] is not None:
        return data_dict['externalName']
    else:
        if 'name' in data_dict:
            return data_dict['name']
    return None