Norway in Scandinavia
Norwegians are as a rule punctual and take their business seriously. Going to a formal meeting with a Norwegian businessman, try never to be late. In case, you can not arrive on time, you must telephone and do your best to give details on the cause. A formal meeting would begin with common introductions and only then you proceed on to the subject. Address people by their first name followed by their surname. Norwegians are strong on equality, so everyone is included and given an opportunity to express oneself. They will make a summary of a meeting and try to reach certain conclusions or agreements. It is not recommended, however, to make business appointments from February to March and from July to August. This time of the year is reserved for annual holidays. Companies pay their employees for a vacation up to five weeks. Offices are open on regular working days from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, with half-an-hour lunch break. Norwegian business dress-code is casual, in a way: men would wear conservative suits, but women - tailored dresses or trouser suits. Little jewelry and accessories or none at all. Safe topics of conversation are about history, culture and politics. Try not to speak about family or one’s background, expensive living in Norway, and avoid criticizing Norwegians themselves.
Trilingual Belgium
The small country with dense population that speaks Dutch, French, and German as their main languages, including English for business, is prosperous and attractive to foreign investors. Linguistically, Belgium is divided into two halves, with Dutch and French predominating. It is vital to speak the respective language of the linguistic territory. Brussels is the EU capital and it hosts NATO headquarters as well. As the biggest exporter per capita in the EU, it prospers and is open for business challenges. Doing business in Belgium means that you will be expected to be punctual. Your first appointment there can be socially oriented to get to know each other before setting down to business. Business hours are from 8:30 a.m-5:30 p.m. on business days, with to 60 minutes’ lunch-break. Business people take their annual leave from July to August. Offices are closed during the traditional Catholic holidays, state and regional holidays. Businessmen are rather conservative, both in their behavior and manner of dressing. A dress-sense is very important, from formal dress required in invitations, especially in Brussels, up to smart casual. The way people dress, can tell about their professional level and social status. It is common to address friends by their first names and business people in English, using Mr., Mrs., etc. if you do not speak Dutch or French. Belgians love socializing and intelligent conversations, but personal subjects are discouraged. It is safe to talk about art, local food and beer, as well as sport, but to avoid history and politics. Gifts are not common in Belgian business world.
Middle East and Turkey
Businesspeople in Turkey speak reasonably good English beside Arabic, Greek, French, German, and Russian. They finally get down to business, after being engaged in tea drinking and talking. Business is critical and taken personally similar to a long-lasting relationship. To succeed, you need a good business proposal. Oral and visual communication is essential. It is recommended to hire an interpreter before scheduling a business meeting. Appointments should be made in advance, and all conclusions and agreements re-confirmed by telephone or e-mail. The locals expect their foreign counterparts arrive precisely on time. Be patient with deadlines and do not pressure, as decision making is very slow. Business dresses is strictly conservative for both men and women, but remember never to enter a mosque with shoes. Address a man only by his first name and add “bey” and a woman by her first name and “hanim”. Use a professional title before the first name. Although business days are from Monday to Friday, Turkey has many Islamic holidays. Turks smoke a lot in public places. Gifts are not common in their business etiquette, except when invited to a home for dinner.
References
Dray, P. (2012). Essential Business Culture Guides for the International Traveler: Belgium. Retrieved from http://www.executiveplanet.com/index.php?title=Belgium
Essential Business Culture Guides for the International Traveler: Norway. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.executiveplanet.com/index.php?title=Norway
Payne, N. (2012). Essential Business Culture Guides for the International Traveler: Turkey. Retrieved from http://www.executiveplanet.com/index.php?title=Turkey
