Business Etiquette: Western Europe

BUSINESS ETIQUETTE AROUND THE WORLD Western Europe Even the smallest details make a difference when it comes to going global. Despite its tiny size, Europe is the secondmost populous continent after Asia. Sweden United Kingdom Germany With such close proximity, Western European countries have many similarities when it comes to business etiquette. Take note of these guidelines... France GENERAL RULES OF ETIQUETTE Shake hands with each person both as you arrive and leave. Gifts are not normally exchanged. If they are, it's towards the end of the business negotiation. Punctuality is very important, and meetings should be scheduled well in advance. English is a commonly spoken language for business, but an effort to speak the local language is appreciated. This is especially true in. Hello France Business etiquette in France is based on professionalism and a perceived sense of sophistication. WHEN IN FRANCE. The French are proud of their history, culture, and language. Speaking French well will earn you respect. Banjour Eloquence in speech and writing will be considered reflections of your intelligence. Humor does not always translate; it's better to be wellspoken than witty. If your pronunciation is les than perfect, use French for greetings, goodbyes, and other occasional phrases. Otherwise, stick to English. GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS H.. CONFIDENTAL Businesses tend to have Personal business is Socializing across these hierarchical lines is a rigid hierarchy with authoritarian styles of leadership. kept strictly separate unusual. from business. United Fingdom The UK consists of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. So don't assume everyone is "English" or "British"! DIPLOMACY Diplomacy is very important, as being too direct is often equated with being confrontational and potentially offensive. Personal space and privacy should always be respected. The English in particular tend to be reserved and might (at first) seem overly formal. Business protocols are almost always observed. However, a good team atmosphere is highly valued, and managers will often try to establish close relationships to their team members BUSINESS STRUCTURE OFTEN VARIES BY COMPANY In most companies, decisionmaking power Older companies tend to be more Experience is valued more than pure formal and hierarchical, whereas comes from a Board of newer companies tend to do away with many traditional layers of management. academics. Directors. Germany Germans believe in precision and directness. When it comes to business, they value hard facts and won't deflect the truth. UNDERSTAND THAT.. Nein. This direct speech can often come off as arrogance. Criticism is also given more freely than praíse; correcting behavior is considered a social duty. ESTABLISHING RANK AND THE RIGHT CREDENTIALS nUnwill be a key component of your success during business negotiations nUnUn Before a meeting, confirm your credibility by sending profiles of your company, yourself, etc., to your German associates. A first meeting is usually not for business, but for the evaluation and compatibility of a potential business partner. Germans prize education, so be sure to use everyone's correct title. When in doubt, use a person's highest title. If you can't speak on a subject with authority, it's best not to comment. METICULOUS ORGANIZATION and indepth preparation are major characteristics of German corporate culture. APPROVED Longterm planning is expected, so the decision making process will be slow. Employees expect to be given detailed instructions, but will carry them out without supervision. Once a decision has been made and put into writing, it is expected to be carried out without question. Sweden Sweden is a socialist country, and this emphasis on equality is present in many aspects of business. Open, direct communication between managers and employees is expected. Decision making is often made with consensus from the whole team. This means decisions are often made slowly, but they will be implemented QUICKLY. A HEALTHY WORKLIFE BALANCE is considered a crucial part of the business environment. Flexible work hours are common. Business dress is often casual. Sweden has one of the most extensive social security systems in the world. They also have the highest 48% percentage of working women in the world Though the business atmosphere seems relaxed, Sweden is also one of the most productive countries in the world! In Conclusion HAVING A SOLID UNDERSTANDING OF A COUNTRY'S CULTURE WILL GREATLY INFLUEN HOW YOU DO BUSINESS THERE. IT WILL LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR YOUR RELATIONS WITH YOUR BUSIN ESS PARTNERS AND YOUR FUTURE INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS! Sources: http://www.internations.org/guide/all http://www.ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette/cultural_etiquette.htm http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/businesswithothercountries.html http://www.tollfreeforwarding.com/blog/lostintranslation6waystoloseaninternationalcustomer/ TollFreeForwarding. BUSINESS WITHOUT BORDIRS om 0000