Business culture related to Protocol and Soft Diplomacy .pptx

Business culture on Protocol and Soft Diplomacy

1. BUSSINESS CULTURES AROUND THE WORLD

2. Business culture in France

3. France is one of the most modern and highly-developed countries in the world, with one of the largest economies, and is a leader among European nations. While France continues to be proud of its rich history and independence, French leaders are increasingly seeking to tie the future of France to the continued development of the European Union France has a surface area of over 550,000 km 2 (215,000 miles 2 ), including overseas territories . This makes it the largest country in Western Europe.

4. About 84% of the French population is Roman Catholic. In addition, 8% are Muslim (mainly North African immigrants), 2% are Protestant, and 1% is Jewish, while 4% are unaffiliated with any religion or church. The church and State have been separate since 1905

5. France is a diverse country, this is due to its large geographic area and regional differences as well as being a consequence of immigration resulting from France’s colonial past. The French are not very tolerant of foreigners . Wearing of a full head covering veil in public is banned by law whether you are French or not French passion for uniqueness and freedom of opinion , both in society and in business.

6. One aspect of French culture that has a major influence on business in France is the country’s attention to rules and regulations . The French have a low tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity, which, for those wishing to conduct business there, is significant in that they are reluctant to take risks . The French are very proud of their independence and culture . For successful business liaisons, it is important to be aware of their cultural distinctions. The French flag has three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red. This became the flag during the French Revolution

7. Marianne is a symbol of the French Republic. She is an allegorical figure of liberty and the Republic and first appeared at the time of the French Revolution. She was represented in several different modes, depending on whether the aim was to emphasize her revolutionary nature or her “wisdom” and she appears on everyday articles such as postage stamps and coins

8. Gender does not play a major role in French organizations and businesswomen including foreign women on business in France are as well respected as their male counterparts. Women are more readily accepted in management positions in the major cities than in the provinces .

9. In France there are a number of issues that are considered inappropriate and that you should be aware of in order to avoid insulting your French counterparts and showing disrespect for their views and values: Don’t start a conversation in English, try to speak French even if your language knowledge is limited, you will increase your chances of a positive business meeting. Don’t ask “how much is your salary?” Do not shake hands if you are exchanging ‘la bise ’ – the kiss on the cheek, which is done at least twice.

10. Do not address anyone with “ tu ” – which is the informal term for ‘you’ use “ vous ” instead. Try not to call or meet anyone during their lunch break 12 till 2pm – unless you have been invited for a lunch meeting. Typical discussion topics do not include your wealth – showing off your wealth is considered bad taste. French organizations are very hierarchical and communications across these lines can be a time consuming process, if you want to speak to the manager, speak to them directly. Chewing gum in public is considered vulgar. Keep your hands out of your pockets when in public.

11. It is extremely bad manners to ask a French individual about his political leanings or how he voted. You can enquire however about the political system or public opinion about political leaders. Do not criticize Napoleon, since he represents a part of the French spirit. Refrain from using any standard conversation openers such as, ‘What do you do?’ Politeness is very important. Any rudeness will not be easily forgotten or forgiven.

12. Studying French history, politics, and other aspects of the culture will be an advantage for you in conversation with the French. Be prepared to answer questions about your own country, especially regarding its history and political matters. There is rarely a moment of silence, except when the topic under discussion has been exhausted, and nothing new has been introduced. Welcome topics of conversation include: food/praising French cuisine, art, music, and philosophy, sports and current events/history of France (but only if you know what you’re talking about especially with regard to Napoleon) – French people love talking about food so this should be an easy subject if you have to choose one.

13. Non-Verbal Communication Because of their Latin background, the French, express themselves with more gestures and more emphasis than for example the Irish or British. Give business cards to the receptionist or secretary upon arrival at an office and to each person you meet subsequently. Print cards in English or French, preferably both. Include your academic degree and/or title, as the French place great importance on these

14. The French in general are typically conservative when it comes to body language. People tend to have smaller personal space and are happy to stand within arms length when speaking to one another. The personal space also varies between those living in the country (preferring more distance) to those in larger cities (happy with smaller distances) who tend to use the Metro and crowded places more often

15. In France men tend to stand up, or at least indicate a move to do so, whenever a superior in terms of rank makes an entrance. This is a sign of respect and an opportunity to show your good posture Eye contact is important to show your trustworthiness and interest in the meeting, constant eye contact such as staring is considered inappropriate, especially during a first business meeting. Smiling has no impact in communicating a greeting or as a sign of agreement.

16. The use of last name terms and relevant titles must be made until you have been specifically invited to use first name terms Where names and titles are unknown you should use ‘Monsieur’ or ‘Madame’. When you are addressing people as Monsieur, Madame or Mademoiselle In France it is vital to ensure that you make appointments for both business and social occasions . It is not acceptable in France to ‘drop in’ on someone unannounced and such conduct will be taken as an act of rudeness

17. Punctuality is treated quite casually in France, there are some regional differences, the further South you go the more casual the approach to time is. The French themselves have a very relaxed attitude when attending appointments themselves, so do not be surprised to find your French colleague arriving fairly late. The French consider this a prerogative, so do not expect any apologies. Staying late at the office is common, especially for individuals in more senior positions.

18. Gift-giving among business associates is not common practice in France. To express appreciation to a French business contact, it may be better to host a special event or dinner than to give a business gift. Business gifts are usually not exchanged at the first meeting . Give a good quality gift or none at all Gifts are expected for social events , especially as a thank-you after a dinner party . Give candy, macaroons, cakes and flowers . A gift should be of high quality and beautifully wrapped .

19. If you are invited to a French home, consider it a rare honor Bring flowers, quality chocolates or liqueur for the host, and present your gift before the entertaining proceeds. Flowers should be sent in advance on the day of the dinner (popular in Paris) so that the hostess has time to arrange them

20. In accordance with the old European tradition, a bouquet should have an odd number of flowers, but never seven or thirteen. On Labour Day (May 1) the French give lily-of-the-valley. Red roses are not reserved for lovers in France, but do imply a familiarity that business associates are unlikely to achieve. Carnations are associated with bad luck or bad will. Chrysanthemums are used for funerals, and are placed on graves on All Saints Day (November 1).

21. Quality and conservative suits and accessories are recommended. Men should wear dark suits, particularly during the winter and when visiting the north. You’ll notice that men’s suits made in France are cut differently. I n France, executives usually do not loosen their ties or take off their jackets while at the office, or in restaurants. Never be the first to shed your jacket

22. When you receive an invitation stating “informal” dress, don’t assume you’ll be welcome in a t-shirt and jeans. For a social gathering, informal usually means tastefully coordinated clothes , sometimes including a jacket and tie for men. An invitation stating “formal” dress usually means formal evening wear, which is very dressy and involves a tuxedo for men and evening dress for women. On the street, jeans and sneakers can be acceptable leisurewear, although this kind of clothing is often reserved for the gym or the beach.

23. When scheduling your meetings, remember that with five weeks of vacation to which they are entitled by law, many French employees take several weeks off in the summer. Some companies even close operations for the entire month of August. A lot of offices are being practically deserted during Christmas and Easter school closings. Best time to schedule meetings is considered to be in the late morning or mid-afternoon – usually 11:00 am or 3:30 pm. Ensure that you make appointments for both business and social occasions , with at least 2 weeks notice

24. In France, meetings are held to discuss issues , not to make decisions . The French view formal surroundings as appropriate for meetings and don’t hold meetings in bars or cafes Business meals are common practice and usually conducted in restaurants rather than cafes. Because of their love of food, French like to concentrate on a discussion of the dishes during your meal. If you need to discuss business matters, wait until the desert is served

25. Lunches are not considered appropriate for spouses, but they are welcome to attend business dinners The seating arrangements are also important with the most senior person being seated at the head of the table and the second most senior person to their left and third most senior to their right

26. Business culture in UK

27. UK can be described as a multi-faith society, although a majority of 59% classed themselves as Christians. The second most prevalent religion is Muslim which is practiced by approximately 5% of the population. Foreigners often find conversations in the UK to be shorter and about general topics such as the weather, which is always popular and often used as an “icebreaker”.

28. Business partners may find that their UK counterparts may even be too polite. People in the UK do not normally criticize or openly complain in public T he United Kingdom has a generally open culture, there are some behaviors and topics that are best avoided, particularly at the beginning of a relationship: · greeting strangers with a kiss · gestures such as backslapping and hugging strangers · spiting in public · asking personal or intimate questions such as “How much money do you earn?” or “Why did you divorce?”

29. Discussion topics to avoid: The historical conflict in Northern Ireland Religion (especially if you are in Northern Ireland, Glasgow or Liverpool) The monarchy and the Royal Family Partisan politics The European Union, ‘Brussels’ and the Euro The Middle East Personal questions about a person’s background, religion, occupation. Class and the class system Race and immigration Age Children Appearance or weight Money (“How much do you earn?”) Crime Criticism or complaints in general

30. A handshake is the typical greeting for a new introduction and should not be expected at subsequent meetings. For example, colleagues don’t shake hands every day at work. People tend to be more open and friendly outside of London and in the North in particular; in fact, there is still a north-south divide in terms of cultural openness in the UK . UK, an agreement will not normally be final and complete until a written contract has been formally signed and witnessed

31. The British are seen as an emotionally neutral nation Open or emotional communities ???? Closed people ???

32. Increasingly, with the influence of North American popular culture, self-disclosure and the sharing of private and personal information is considered to be a form of bonding. The death of the Princess of Wales in 1997 marked an unprecedented moment in British culture, where people felt compelled to share their outpouring of grief in public . The London 2012 Olympic Games also went a long way towards changing foreign perceptions of British culture and demonstrating the warmth and welcoming nature of the British public

33. Britain usually address each other informally in day-to-day communications using their first names. This is the result of increasingly flat organizational structures and the encouragement of a friendly working environment which is intended to facilitate better team work the British value time-keeping for business arrangements. If you set up a meeting for two o’clock, your counterparts will arrive on time or just before

34. Gift giving is not a usual part of British business etiquette Large range of suitable gifts to choose from: company greeting cards, pens, books, diaries, alcohol, flowers, souvenirs from the visitors’ country or invitations to a cultural event etc. dinner or a party at the home of one of your business colleagues, it is normal to bring a bottle of wine and possibly a small gift such as flowers or chocolates. When giving flowers beware that red roses (which signify romantic intentions) and white lilies (which express grief and are used for funerals) are best avoided.

35. It is advisable to be overdressed rather than risk making a poor impression . Denim is not normally acceptable for professional business meetings Good practice to make meeting appointments at least a few days in advance Most suitable time to arrange a business meeting is probably about 10am

36. Advisable to send a senior manager to discuss business issues in the UK rather than a junior employee T raditional greeting among British managers is a light but firm handshake accompanied by a polite greeting Probably the most famous national dish is Fish & Chips

37. In Scotland, a very traditional dish would be boiled Haggis served with mashed potatoes and turnips; and in Wales you would find Cawl , a rich stew made with Welsh lamb, leeks, potatoes and carrots. Generally, every region has its own specialty dishes

38. Negotiations are usually open and flexible and the British will favor a collaborative win/win approach to agreements. Remember to respect people’s personal space and always maintain a respectful distance. Do make direct eye contact with your British business partner, but use some discretion so as not to stare and be considered impolite or rude.

39. Business culture in Greece

40. The Greek people are known for their friendliness and openness to meeting new people and doing business with them. In general, physical contact and maintaining eye contact is important; and has been measured as the strongest in Europe. They like having discussions on cultural and historical topics. It is advisable to avoid bringing up issues concerning Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Cyprus or politics

41. Greek is the official language spoken by nearly 11 million inhabitants in Greece. English is widely spoken and is taught in schools from the first grade of primary school through to university Personal networks may open doors and solve problems that would otherwise be very difficult to resolve. It is advisable that you get to know your Greek colleagues and clients well, by showing interest in their lifestyle and joining in their social activities. Being a family-oriented culture, the Greek business community is characterized by small, family-owned companies

42. The use of titles may become less formal with and it is common to address someone by their first name Punctuality is not particularly important for Greeks. They tend to be late for appointments Gift giving in Greece is seen as a kind gesture. Greeks like to exchange gifts for Christmas, birthdays, and name days When invited over for dinner to a Greek home, flowers, sweets or a bottle of wine or liquor are the gifts most frequently offered.

43. There is no specific dress code. However, it is advisable to dress conservatively in business meetings, a dark colored suit for men and professional outfit for women A cceptable to just wear a shirt with trousers and in most cases to not wear a tie (Summer)

44. Meetings are expected to have a set agenda that outlines most of the issues to be discussed; however, the flexibility of the Greek attitude means that items that are not specifically on the agenda can still be introduced for discussion during the meeting Appointments and all information about meetings must be confirmed in writing by fax or email. An agenda is rarely sent out in advance

45. When meeting, Greeks usually smile and shake hands while maintaining eye contact. When leaving, you should say goodbye to each person, individually. Business meals should be used mainly to cement personal ties. In Greece it is usual to discuss business over a meal in a restaurant

46. I t is common for the Greek counterpart to offer coffee, either in the office or at a local coffee shop. Meals are always accompanied by Retsina or other Greek wines. Lunch often starts at 2pm and dinner from 8pm onwards, with meals lasting two or three hours

47. Business culture in Sweden

48. Although Sweden represents a generally open culture, there do exist some issues that are best avoided, particularly at the beginning of a relationship. Swedes avoid arguing, especially with visitors. If a discussion appears to be turning into an argument, do not be offended if a Swede abruptly changes the subject. Do not use a lot of superlatives when speaking. The marks of rank or status are disliked. Do not get too personal. Topics like family, income and personal background should be avoided. Swedes are very proud of their society, so it is wise not to criticize their way of life, welfare system, economy, government or culture. Racist or sexist jokes are not tolerated.

49. Swedes are tend to speak only when they have something important to say in other words, there is no necessity to speak if you do not really have anything to contribute. Swedes tend to call people by their first names regardless of their status Swedes keep their body language and hand gestures to a minimum,

50. The Swedes on average know the English language well and so it should be no problem to get by with English You should not make any invitations or engagements too lightly Swedes are known for their democratic culture in decision making and discussing issues in a thorough way and at length . Swedish communication style is direct and open. It is useful to get directly to the point in order to avoid wasting time

51. Swedes do not use much body language in their communication. When talking with a Swede, make sure to maintain eye contact . Sweden, as in Finland and Denmark, punctuality is very important both when doing business and making social engagements. It follows that you should never be late. E xchanging gifts is not common W hen you are invited to a dinner, flowers, liquor, wine, cake, or chocolates are appreciated by the hostess. Chrysanthemums, white lilies, red roses or orchids should be avoided as they are associated with other occasions

52. Sweden is one of the European countries where a casual dress code is the most popular in the work place Meetings are expected to commence at the agreed time, and will normally start and end with a handshake Do not expect people to work over weekends, holidays, or vacations, since these times are usually very precious to Swedes Lunch is the most common mealtime during which to conduct business negotiations in Sweden. Longer and socially more intimate dinners offer a good opportunity to get to know your business partners and to develop relationships that in the long run

53. Dinner is usually served from 6 p.m. to 7:30 pm in Swedish homes. At weekends, dinner parties often start at 8 o’clock. The traditional Swedish dinner has four courses: fish, meat, salad, and dessert. Drinks served with dinner are usually regional beers or wine.

54. Swedish cuisine is similar to that of Denmark and Norway in being traditionally simple and satisfying Tipping is rarely expected in Sweden In Sweden, businesswomen are equal to men and as a result they have more opportunities and latitude than in some other countries

55. Business culture in Italy

56. Italians are very pleasant with foreigners, probably because Italy is a favorite place for tourists who are often captivated by the country’s history, natural beauty and culture. Italian society has been facing racial issues precipitated by the growth of large immigrant communities Some illegal, from nearby areas in the Balkans (Albania, etc.) and north African countries as well as from Oriental countries (Chinese, Indian, Philippine communities are growing in many large Italian cities)

57. Women . The presence of women in technical and business positions is increasing, although it is still relatively unusual to find them in the highest position of an organization. Only 38% of Italian women under 65 are in the labour market – one of the lowest percentages in Western Europe Sense of humour . Italians are generally not easily offended and you can criticize them and joke with them indeed, your sense of humour may well be appreciated by Italians

58. M ovies, sport, arts, travel, fashion etc. can be good topics for discussion. Hand gestures and personal contacts are a feature of Italian conversations Eye contact is vital because it is considered to be a sign of interest, openness and frankness. On the other hand, looking away is not appropriate and would send negative signals Italian business cards normally contain all important business information including: contact details, business position, education degree and/or professional titles

59. A verage language competence level of Italians is below EU standards, especially among the older generation Questions about you, your family and your personal interests are all possible topics of conversation Italians like to do business on a face-to-face basis rather than by phone, fax or e-mail. If you don’t speak Italian, you should indicate this clearly in your letter, e-mail or fax, indicating the language you feel more confident speaking. Often, Italian businessmen do not speak English and they are prepared to use the services of a professional translator

60. Punctuality is not a priority for Italians. Be patient and be prepared for some delay when you start working with a new Italian partner Work plans are often not taken too strictly, so that some flexibility can be built into a deadline When invited for a family lunch or dinner (see Entertaining), small presents can be given in an informal way as typically such an invitation would indicate a high level of familiarity. Pastries , chocolates or flowers are appropriate on such occasions. Never give an even number of flowers (especially roses)

61. Dress and presentation plays an important role in Italian culture. Fashionable style is considered a sign of wealthy social status and success. Milan is one of the Wold’s four main centres of fashion Prada, Marni , Max Mara, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana . Missoni and Gucci are just some high fashion Italian brands.

62. S afest practice when organizing and attending meetings in Italy is to ‘act local’; your business partner will appreciate your cultural sensitivity Italians, like most south European people, are relationship-oriented. They usually prefer to establish direct relationships, even superficially, before “getting down” to business.

63. Meetings are often organized in the company offices after 10.00 am or in the early afternoon (3.00 pm) It is common that business meetings end with an invitation to eat out A break for lunch during a meeting might feature simple sandwiches or possibly a single dish in a restaurant (e.g., pasta, or salad, or cheese, etc.).

64. Usually, lunch begins after 1.00 p.m. Dinner time is around 8.00 p.m. In southern regions, especially during the summer, dinner time is delayed until 9 p.m. and even 10 p.m. A moderate consumption of wine during the meal is considered a way to socialize . Italian etiquette, the host always pays the bill. The tip is included in the bill but it can be appropriate to leave an additional tip, often about 5% of the total amount

65. Italy is characterized by a wonderful and very rich variety of regional cooking: dishes like “tortellini” and “lasagna” (Emilia Romagna), “pasta al pesto” (Liguria), “pizza Napoletana ” (Campania), “polenta” ( Lombardia ) and a large variety of fresh pasta. Southern Regions and Islands present a rich variety of delicious dishes based on fish, vegetables, olive oil, cheeses and cakes. White wine, in Italian “vino bianco ” is typically served with fish and salad and red wine, in Italian “vino rosso ” is served with meat, cheese and vegetables. Sweeter wines, such as “ moscato ” or “ passito ”, can be served with dessert.