Today the world
is a small place due to advanced technology and social media. As the world
progresses in its time we see the birth of more and more multinational businesses.
Being a global person is becoming increasingly more important because now not
only clients and customers but even teams are located remotely. In such
scenarios international business culture is as important as international
business acumen.
I have been
fortunate that I have had people of geographic diversity around me giving me an
insight into different business cultures around the world. My dad has been to
different countries of Europe, I am currently studying here in the US in one of
the most diverse cultured Universities, University of Southern California; I
have friends located in the UK and Canada too.
It is very
interesting to know about the different business cultures. I will be talking
about the countries one by one. I have not posted anything lately because compiling
this one was taxing enough! I hope it is good enough. I will be adding further
to this post though.
Australia
Australia is an island and kind off quite different in
terms of business habits since it is an isolated island.
1.
Australians are simple and updated businessmen.
They prefer business oriented presentations with tangible facts and diagrams.
During meetings they prefer eye contact.
2.
They are punctual. It is important to be on
time.
3.
They are formal and straight in their business
deals. Hence, they do not like hype and partaking. It is not very common to
handshake before/after a meeting. Women may greet with a kiss on the cheek.
4.
Emails usually have first names and they are
direct and to the point. Their formal communication also reflects the same
thing.
5.
Home visits are common in business. Gifts too
are a part of their business culture. Australians value nature.
Austria
Austria is small but one of the financially powerful
countries in the world today. It’s neat and clean customs are also reflected in
their business culture.
1.
Austrians hate gaudy people. They like apt
business attire which is not too flashy.
2.
Like Australians they too are formal
businessmen. They are direct and to the point in their business deals. Humor is
not encouraged in business meetings. Respect is mutual. Email communication is
direct too.
3.
They concentrate on long term relationships
rather than short deals. So, it is very important not to make haste during
deals.
4.
They are punctual too. Long delay or last minute
cancellation my harm business relations.
5.
They like attention to detail. University
degrees, time you have been in business are important. Translating your
business card on one side into German would be appreciated.
6.
Home visits may happen. It is good to have a
handshake with everyone present including the kids. Gifts can include
chocolates or flowers odd in number. Lilies, red carnations, chrysanthemums
should be avoided since they are funeral flowers.
Belgium
Belgium is a European country which has three major
speaking languages, Dutch, French and German. Belgian businessmen are polite,
subtle and well mannered.
1.
Hence, direct and confrontational approach is
insolent for them.
2.
Handshake is a common gesture before/after
meetings.
3.
Belgians are attached to festivals. Hence,
meetings and deals should be avoided during festivals. July and August, week
before Easter and between Christmas and New Year, meetings should be avoided.
4.
Presentations should be logical and reasonable
as opposed to just direct up to the point.
5.
Since we have Dutch and French as the two main
languages, it would be great if the business card could be translated to either
one of them and handed to them with that language side up.1.
Home visits may happen in Belgium. It is
customary to have a gift in the form of flowers or chocolates. Avoid
Chrysanthemum as they signify death. Give odd number of flowers except 13.
Canada
Canada is a country
located north of the United States of America with a pretty cold weather.
Canada has many French residents and hence, French is used in certain parts of
Canada.
1.
Canadians are more reserved and calm in nature.
It is important to keep your body language minimum.
2.
They expect firm handshakes and eye contact.
3.
They like to address people formally. Hence,
talk with the title like Mr., Mrs. Miss until they call you by your first name.
4.
Words are important during conversations so be
careful of what to say. Hence, verbal communication is very important.
5.
There is no business discussion during meals.
6.
Home visits are not often. If they do happen,
due to cold weather, wine or liquor could be an apt gift.
China
China is a super
power of Asia. Manufacturing business is huge in China and is a business hub
growing very rapidly in the world.
1.
Chinese culture is very rooted and is strictly
followed by most of the people.
2.
Chinese businessmen find gestures distracting.
Pointing a finger is rude. Personal contact too is considered inappropriate.
3.
They are formal in their deals. They like if
meetings are scheduled 2-3 months in advance and in writing. They prefer face
to face meetings.
4.
They believe in knowing more about the company.
Hence, it is great if you can send them company details before the meeting.
5.
Gift is a sensitive issue. Pens are considered
to be good gifts. Clocks, flowers and handkerchiefs are associated with
funerals. Sharp objects should be avoided as they signify you wish to severe
the relationships.
6.
They believe in luck. Four is unlucky and eight
is the luckiest.
7.
Seating during meals is a big deal. Reserved
siting is planned for the guest of honor or seniority level. Chopsticks
positioned in a bowl signify death. Dropping them is bad luck. Rubbing them
indicate poor construction or quality. If you finish all your food it means you
are still hungry. Drinking is not allowed during meals.
Denmark
Denmark is one of
the most beautiful countries in the European Union.
1.
Danish people are direct and courteous. They
expect firm handshakes and direct eye contact. If there is a woman then shake
hands of the woman first as a sign of courtesy.
2.
They are punctual and up to date. Hence, prior
appointments and punctuality are important. In case if you get later than a few
minutes into the meeting it is important to telephone and let them know
immediately.
3.
Danish people do not work in summer from June to
August due to Danes vacation.
4.
They address by professional titles. You can use
Herr (Mister), Fru (Misses) or Froken (Miss).
5.
Send an agenda before the meeting and do not
deviate from it. Be factual and organized and use charts and diagrams.
6.
Be accommodating and consult everyone before you
pass a decision.
France
France is one of
the super powers of the European Union. It is known for its art and
architecture
all over the world.
1.
French people are all lovers of art and
architecture. They love French cuisine too. Your participation would be
important in case of a conversation.
2.
They have a casual culture. They have lighter
and briefer handshakes than in other cultures along with brief eye contact.
3.
Coming up unannounced or uninvited is not a good
thing as they value their personal space and privacy.
4.
The French are open in their business. The same
trust and openness is expected from you too. This should reflect in your
actions, gestures and words. Courtesy and respect is shown by eye contact. An
attempt to speak French even if you do not know it is considered as a sign of
respect.
5.
French conversations are animated and heated.
6.
For business cards convert your card into French
and give it with the French side up.
Germany
Germany is the most powerful economic super power of
Europe. Its economy is the largest in
the EU.
1.
Germans are conservative in business. They usually
take a long time in deciding the project aspects and are detailed about work.
Hence, project may take longer than expected.
2.
Germans are very punctual. Never be late. Being
late is considered offensive and insulting. Also, humor is not encouraged during
business. They are serious in business.
3.
Sudden changes to plans are unwelcomed. Even if
sudden plan change results in profits, they do not like them.
4.
Germans have a different way of greeting.
Shaking hands before and after the meeting is mandatory. It is accompanied by a
bow or a slight nod. Failure to do so may send wrong signals. Have good eye
contact when you do that. Shake hands
with woman if they extend their hand. They greet others with “Herr” before the
title as a mark of respect. Title is very important for the Germans. Make sure
that you address them by their title.
5.
They do
not believe in admiration, compliments etc. Everything is considered normal and
smooth unless otherwise reported.
6.
Germans drink a lot. But in a business setting
drinking conservatively is suggested. You are expected to be fast and eat
plenty of food.
7.
Germans are very private about their personal
life. An unexpected phone call may be really a bad option.
8.
For a visiting card have one side translated in
German and give it to the German counterpart with German side up.
More coming up!
