Guidelines for business etiquette

Executive Planet provides valuable tips on business etiquette, customs and protocol for doing business worldwide.

Essential business culture guides for the international traveller:

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Brazil

Canada

Chile

China

Colombia

Costa Rica

Czech Republic

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hong Kong

India

Indonesia

Iran

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Jamaica

Japan

Jordan

Malaysia

Mexico

Netherlands

Norway

Paraguay

Peru

Phillippines

Poland

Portugal

Russia

Saudi Arabia

Singapore

South Africa

South Korea

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Taiwan

Thailand

Turkey

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

United States

Yemen

Cultural Quick Tip

Cultural Quick Tip is provided courtesy of Culture Coach.

Ask Open Ended Questions

When we function in a foreign language, we have a tendency to say yes when we are asked a question, even if we don’t understand what was asked. This is even true when we are asked “Do you understand?” The next time you are interacting cross culturally, ask an open-ended question such as “Can you tell me what you need to do next?” instead of “Do you understand?” If the person is unable to answer what they need to do, then you know that you need to explain further.

The Executive Planet™ guides to doing business worldwide each contain the following articles:

Let’s Make a Deal – negotiating tactics, the value of connections, recommended business card style and content, business card protocol, sitting and presenting yourself in meetings, language for brochures and promotional material, pace of business, preferred presentation styles, final agreements, thinking styles, adherance to company policy, and more business culture info . . .

Prosperous Entertaining – typical mealtimes throughout the day, best venues for business entertaining, punctuality for social events, dinner table seating etiquette, mealtime etiquette, importance of alcohol, toasting, guidelines for hosting a banquet/social event, what foods should be served/avoided, accepting and declining invitations, and more business etiquette info. . .

Appointment Alert! – typical vacation times, recommended apppointment times, length of the lunch hour, signals that indicate beginning or end of an appointment, best arrival time (early, late, right on time), and more on business culture info. . .

Gift Giving – recommended gifts, gifts to avoid, good and bad colours for wrapping paper, how to present a gift to individuals and groups, guidelines for receiving gifts, and more on business etiquette info. . .

First Name or Title? – using titles such as ‘Doctor’, naming conventions to avoid, when to use first names, and more business etiquette info. . .

Public Behaviour – how to greet strangers and introduce yourself, the rules for men shaking hands with women, acceptable demeanor, rules for eye contact, gestures/sayings to avoid, and more on business culture info. . .

Business Dress – is dress modest, conservative, etc., specific dress requirements for men and women, what visitors should wear to social functions, and more on business etiquette info. . .

Conversation – welcome and unwelcome topics of conversation, the role of compliments, the tone of voice to be used, whether your hosts are physical or more reserved, and more on business culture info. .

Executive Planet