The presentation illustrates the work related values and different etiquette followed by the the Europeans.

1. The starting point for a
winning strategy in global
trade is a sensitive
understanding of foreign
cultures

2. BUSINESS ETIQUETTE
AND CULTURE IN
EUROPE
SUHARSH L
PESIT MBA

3. BUSINESS ETIQUETTE AND CULTURE IN EUROPE
 Work-related values
 Communication
 Giving gifts and complements
 Meaning of time
 Business meetings
 Greeting, dining and entertainment

4. FEW UNIVERSAL RULES
• Respect your opponents
• Be a good listener
• Never reveal essential
Information in the first meeting
• Be humble but assertive

5. • Foundation for all relationships is trust
• Negotiators must avoid confrontations
• Good timing is the key

6. WORK RELATED VALUES
• Work ethos or work ethic is a cultural
norm that places a positive moral value
on doing a good job.
• It is based on the belief that work has an
intrinsic value

7. The level of work ethos for each European country
can be calculated using the inhabitants' opinions
about the following five statements:
1.To fully develop your talents, you need to have a job
2.It is humiliating to receive money without having to
work for it

8. 3.People who don't work, turn lazy
4.Work is a duty towards society
5.Work should always come first, even if it means less
spare time.

11. COMMUNICATION
• In France and Germany, written communication is
desired. French lay great emphasis on
grammatically correct communication;
• Germans expect the business communication to be
precise.

12. • Typical business interactions are more effective
(and more enjoyable!) if you consider some cultural
differences such as titles and introductions,
language differences, differences in organizational
structure and philosophy.

13. GIVING GIFTS AND COMPLIMENTS
• Across Europe, business gifts
should not be too personal and
should be wrapped professionally.
• In Europe particularly, giving
compliments is a perfectly
acceptable.

14. • Compliments can be very simple- admiring
someone’s taste in office furnishings or
complimenting someone on their proficiency with
the computer or complimenting their analysis of a
situation.

15. • Many Europeans for whom English is a second
language particularly like to be complimented on
their grasp of English by Americans.
• Expressing sincere compliments is a practice that is
much more common in Europe and also effective in
developing rapport with people anywhere.

16. BUSINESS MEETINGS
• Generally more relaxed.
Introductions are never
neglected, and meetings
often start with a joke or
a “brain teaser” puzzle or
activity to get everyone
involved and thinking
together.

17. • Meetings are seldom
scheduled before 10:00 a.m.
or after 3:00 p.m, in
deference to people’s family
or social activities.
• A significant amount of
meeting time is used in
setting up ground rules,
determining the purpose
and expected outcome of
the meeting, and so forth,
especially when there are
people from several
cultures involved.

18. • People participating in meetings in Europe are
expected to be involved in the conversation, not
buried in their digital device or cell phones.
• They demonstrate interest and attentiveness to the
person speaking with their body language and by
asking relevant questions.

19. MEANING OF TIME
• Be Punctual and Use Your Time
Wisely
• Be on schedule in Scandinavia,
Germany and Austria
•In the UK, be early
•Italians or Spaniards are generally
more relaxed

20. Take Blame and Give Credit
• In the 1930s, an American named Dale Carnegie.
• By admitting fault quickly and emphatically when
you’ve made an error, you immediately take the
antagonism out of a problem, and everyone’s
focus turns more quickly to a solution rather
than fault-finding.
• Passing along credit is even more effective than
taking it for yourself.

21. GREETING
• Standard business greeting throughout
Europe
• Exception is Britain
• Italians shake hands often
• Germans may bow slightly

22. GREETING
• In France, a lighter grasp is
customary
• In Austria, be prepared for a
two-cheeked kiss after the
working relationship established
• When opposing sides from
different Western cultures reach
an agreement, shake hands

23. DINING AND ENTERTAINING
• Your European host will always
make the first toast
• Reply with a toast of thanks at
the end of the meal
• Talking business over lunch is not
a violation of etiquette in France,
Austria, Germany, UK,
Netherlands, Norway, Denmark,
Sweden, Finland, Portugal and
Spain, In the Czech ,Republic,
Italy and Greece
• Not talk business over lunch
unless your host initiates

24. DINING AND ENTERTAINING
• Dinner in Europe is usually reserved for social
entertaining
• Be on time for dinner in Norway, Sweden,
Finland, Denmark. Elsewhere, being
fashionably late is acceptable
• Do not take wine to a dinner in the
Netherlands, France or Belgium

25. CONCLUSION
Appreciating the cultural differences
and making a conscious effort to
adapt to the ways of a country is
necessary for any flourishing
business
With a little bit of advance
preparation, openness to new
experiences and a willingness to
behave with the utmost in formality,
respect and professional decorum,
you will definitely increase your
chances of success in your business
relationships in Europe

26. THANK YOU