Business Culture Insights in Belgium

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businessculture.org

Business Culture
in Belgium

http://businessculture.org/westerneurope/business-culture-in-belgium/
Last updated: 30.09.2013

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TABLE
OF
CONTENT

Business
Culture
in
Belgium
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4

Xenophobia: being a foreigner in Belgium .......................................................................................... 5

International Business .......................................................................................................................... 6

General Education ............................................................................................................................... 6

Educational standards .......................................................................................................................... 7

Cultural taboos ..................................................................................................................................... 7

Business
Communication
..........................................................................................................
8

Face-to-face communication ................................................................................................................ 8

Language Matters................................................................................................................................. 9

Business Relationships ........................................................................................................................ 10

Making contact ................................................................................................................................... 10

Personal titles ...................................................................................................................................... 11

Business
Etiquette
..................................................................................................................
12

Corporate Social Responsibility ......................................................................................................... 12

Punctuality .......................................................................................................................................... 12

Gift giving ........................................................................................................................................... 12

Business Dress Code ........................................................................................................................... 13

Bribery and corruption ....................................................................................................................... 13

Business
Meeting
Etiquette
....................................................................................................
14

Importance of Business Meeting ........................................................................................................ 14

Business Meeting planning ................................................................................................................. 14

Negotiation process ............................................................................................................................ 15

Meeting protocol ................................................................................................................................ 16

How to Run a Business Meeting ........................................................................................................ 16

Follow up letter after meeting with client ........................................................................................... 16

Business meals .................................................................................................................................... 17

Business Meeting tips.......................................................................................................................... 18

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Internship
and
placement
.......................................................................................................
19

Work experience................................................................................................................................. 19

Internship and Placement advice ....................................................................................................... 19

Social security and European health insurance ................................................................................. 19

Safety .................................................................................................................................................. 19

Do I need a visa? ................................................................................................................................ 19

Internship and placement salary ........................................................................................................ 20

Internship and placement accommodation ........................................................................................ 20

Cost
of
Living
...........................................................................................................................
21

Money and Banking ........................................................................................................................... 21

Traveling costs .................................................................................................................................... 21

Work-‐life
Balance

....................................................................................................................
22

National holidays ................................................................................................................................ 23

Working hours .................................................................................................................................... 23

Working culture .................................................................................................................................. 24

Health insurance ................................................................................................................................ 24

Social
Media
Guide
.................................................................................................................
26

Private Individuals .............................................................................................................................. 26

SMEs .................................................................................................................................................. 26

Search and Social Media Marketing for International Business ........................................................ 26

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Business
Culture
in
Belgium

This first section provides you with a very short introduction to Belgium. External links at the
end of the page provide you with more in-depth information about relevant topics.
The following video gives you an overview of the general facts:

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hP0GIBcWiD8)
Belgium is bordered by the Netherlands in the north, by Germany in the east, by Luxembourg
in the southeast, and by France in the south. Its western coast faces the English Channel and
the North Sea. It has two main rivers, the Scheldt (Schelde/Escaut) and the Meuse (Maas).
With a population of just under 10.5 million and a surface area of 30,528 km2 Belgium is,
after the Netherlands and San Marino, the most densely populated country in Europe. One
village often leads into another. Although by affiliation a predominantly Catholic country
(although this is not supported by church attendance), Belgium practices freedom of religion.
The single most significant characteristic of Belgium is the Germanic/Romance languages
linguistic divide, which cuts the country into two more or less from East to West. There is no
generally accepted explanation for this, but it was firmly established as the country emerged
from the so-called Dark Ages. Following the implementation of language laws enacted
between 1873 and 1963 French, Dutch and German have been the country’s official
languages and there are various stipulations regarding their use. At the last census, 60% of
Belgium’s inhabitants were Dutch speakers, nearly 40% French speakers and less than 1%
German speakers. In fact, it comes as a surprise to many foreigners to discover that the most
spoken language of the country is indeed Flemish (the local form of Dutch) and not French.
The landscape of Belgium is remarkably varied. It extends from the Polderland of Flanders
with its jewel-like mediaeval towns, through the Pajottenland to Brussels, onwards to the Ice
Age landscape of the Fagnes/Vennen in the east, the heathlands of the Kempen/Campine in
the north and southwards, to the exquisite valley of the Meuse and the sweeping uplands of
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the Ardennes, with much more in between. The highest elevation in the country is just below
700 meters, while much of the northern provinces are only slightly above sea level. In
geographic terms, Belgium is divided into ten provinces. These (and their populations) are
Antwerp (1,680,000), Limburg (810,000), East Flanders (1,377,000), West Flanders
(1,136,700), Vlaams-Brabant (1,037,000), Brabant Walloon (363,500), Hainaut (1,282,500),
Namur (455,500), Liège (1,028, 800) and Luxembourg (256,000), the last of these being an
entirely separate entity from the neighbouring Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The population
of Brussels the Capital is about 1 million.
The average temperature in Belgium is 9.8º C, average annual rainfall is 780 mm and the
average annual number of hours of sunshine is 1,555. Belgium’s reputation for rain is
justified, yet it often passes almost unnoticed as the climate away from the coast tends to feel
continental rather than Atlantic.
Belgium is in the time zone of UTC+1. However, during the summertime (March to October)
the clock is changed to summer time UTC+2.

Xenophobia:
being
a
foreigner
in
Belgium

According to Professor Jan Kerkhofs of Leuven University (KUL), a consensus exists in
Belgium on fundamental values. The Flemish and Walloons are closer together in their value
judgements than either the Flemish are with the Dutch or the Walloons with the French.
While there are noticeable behavioural differences between individuals and to some extent
between Communities, the Flemish often show more self-awareness than the Walloons, for
example, Belgians in general tend to be self-effacing in comparison with their neighbours,
the French or the Dutch. History has taught them to keep their own counsel and be selfreliant. This can be very perplexing for people from other cultures who, when they put a
question to someone, expect a clear answer. The Belgian tendency is to avoid an immediate
commitment and wait for the situation to evolve. In management situations, this hesitancy can
also be caused by a sense of submission to authority which, although no longer as marked as
it was thirty years ago, is still there, particularly when you get closer to the shop-floor.
A British manager of a Belgian manufacturing subsidiary quoted in Richard Hill’s book The
Art of being Belgian that: “In Belgium, there is a strong sense of hierarchy and people
working for me wouldn’t disagree with me or offer their opinions. I realised the Flemish are
quite reserved and now I work with this, instead of against it.”
This is confirmed by the experiences of many CEOs of so-called Benelux subsidiaries, who
have found out the hard way that, if you present a management decision to your Dutch
employees, they will challenge your decision and may well propose alternatives. Present the
same decision to your Belgian employees and they will say nothing but still not ‘buy in’ to it,
in other words, you will experience a covert resistance.
This reserved nature is balanced, however, by the pragmatism and ultimate common sense of
the average Belgian. People are results-oriented and very hard workers provided the employer
respects the rules. It is possible to develop a warm relationship with a Belgian, perhaps more
so in the case of the Flemish than the Walloons, but it may take time.
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With the exception of those with a compulsion for upward mobility, Belgians are essentially
very amiable and polite people. Status symbols mean very little to most of them, although
they aspire almost universally to two things, their own home (generally a house in the outer
suburbs) and a decent car.

International
Business

When doing business in a foreign country, you need to be prepared to experience things that
are different from your own culture. Without proper preparation and planning you may find
yourself experiencing culture shock which can have a negative influence on the outcome of
the business. It is understandable that, as an active business person, you can only invest a
limited amount of time into the exploration of these cultural differences.

General
Education

Belgian educational standards are generally very high in all parts of the country. University
education is the responsibility of the French and Flemish Communities. Among the larger
Belgian universities, two are governmental institutions: the French-language Université de
Liège and the Dutch-language Universiteit Gent.
The remaining four major universities are private but heavily subsidised. The Catholic
University of Louvain, founded in 1425, split into two universities in 1970. The Frenchspeaking Université Catholique de Louvain, which has approximately 17,000 students, is
located in the town of Louvain-la-Neuve; the Dutch-speaking Katholieke Universiteit Leuven,
in the Flemish city of Leuven, has about 22,500 students. The University of Brussels, founded
in 1834 on the principle of libre examen, also became two universities in the spring of 1970:
the French-speaking Université Libre de Bruxelles, with some 12,500 students; and the
Dutch-speaking Vrije Universiteit Brussel, with approximately 6,000 students.
There are also a number of other universities, as well as university-level professional and
technical schools and academies of art and music offering a higher, non-university education,
and international business management schools.
Degrees and diplomas are defined by law and are the following:
Candidature/Kandidatuur: The first cycle of study, is completed by successfully passing
approximately 10 examinations covering 380 hours of class work at the end of each year. This
is not a final diploma and represents two years of study (three in the case of medicine and
veterinary medicine).
Licence/Licentiaat: The second cycle of university study and the basic Belgian university
degree: requires, first, the successful completion of the “candidature/kandidatuur” or its
equivalent, and second, the passing of approximately 10 examinations at the end of each year
covering about 380 hours of class work. Duration: two years in most fields (three in dentistry,
law, psychology, engineering, and veterinary medicine; four in medicine).
Doctorat/Doctoraat: Represents three or four additional years of research and the presentation
of a thesis. Other third cycle programmes, such as a Licence spéciale/ bijzondere licentie may
last one or two years.
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Agrégation/Aggregatie: Represents at least three years after the “doctorat” and the
presentation of a more important thesis.
University qualifications are essential in many sectors of Belgian business and are taken very
seriously. They more or less predetermine the ‘pecking order’ in certain disciplines.
Most young Belgians are both linguistically proficient (particularly in the Flemish
Community) and computer-literate.

Educational
standards

When doing business in a foreign country it helps to have some knowledge of the language
and computer competency of your counterparts. You can then decide whether it is safe to rely
on the host speaking your language or whether it is necessary to travel with an interpreter.
Computers and electronic communications can significantly increase the pace of business
negotiations. At least some awareness of your business partner’s computer literacy may help
you adjust both your expectations and the degree to which you incorporate the appropriate
technology into your negotiations. It may help you save valuable financial resources as well
as time.
Other Issues such as transportation infrastructure
Internationally, Belgium has always been a very open society. Important communities of
second and third generation immigrants can be found in most parts of the country: Italians and
Poles in Charleroi and the old coal-mining regions of the Borinage in the south and Limburg
in the north, Arabs and Turks in inner Brussels, and an important Jewish community
associated with the diamond industry in Antwerp.
The country now provides simplified work permit procedures for immigrants from all EU
countries, including the latest member states in Central and Eastern Europe.
Belgians are not a particularly mobile people: they tend to stick to their roots. However, there
is a rapidly increasing expatriate Belgian community of business people, largely reflecting the
natural pragmatism and flexibility of the Belgian mindset: comfortable with cultural
ambiguities, linguistically skilled, modest yet knowing their own value, and disinclined to
impose their own culture on others.

Cultural
taboos

Although Belgium is a relatively open culture, there are some issues that are best avoided,
particularly at the beginning of a relationship.
Behaviours to avoid:
•
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addressing people from the outset by their first name
making extravagant physical gestures (backslapping, hugging, etc.)
talking with your hands in your pockets
pointing with the index finger
chewing gum or spitting in public

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asking personal or intimate questions

Discussion topics to avoid:
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what people earn
their political affiliations (avoid politics altogether!)
community issues (Flemish identity, Walloon dependency on Flemish bail-outs, etc.)
religion
racial minorities
dress, appearance or weight

Business
Communication

The following section focuses on the communication aspects of business practice. Issues such
as verbal and non-verbal communication are discussed with an accent on normative business
etiquette. Also included, is information about general Belgian working practices and habits
that may be relevant for business negotiations.
Miscommunication during a business encounter may have serious consequences on the
success of the deal. Whereas we may not find any problems when communicating with our
business partner in our mother country, this situation may rapidly change when negotiating
business abroad. In a foreign country you will usually come across people from different
backgrounds and thus their style of communication will also differ. Without awareness of this
issue you may experience culture shock when dealing with your business partners, cause
yourself embarrassment and consequently make your counterpart uncomfortable.
While outwardly modest on the international scene, most Belgians know their own value and
are conscious of their roots. The existence of parallel cultures, Flemish, Walloon (French) and
German in the same small country makes it particularly important to address individuals in
their language of preference. The simplest way to avoid any communication glitches is to use
English. It is also worth remembering that Belgians have a close attachment to their local
community, even at the level of the town or village. Asking where someone comes from is
rarely likely to be found intrusive.
This section will focus on the successful mastery of the initial contact that is particularly
important for creating a positive image. Verbal as well as non-verbal aspects of business
communication will be outlined.
It is particularly important to note that all commercial publicity or display material should be
presented in the language of the community concerned (though some foreign companies cheat
by publishing everything in English!).

Face-‐to-‐face
communication

Introductions may be difficult as they depend on the circumstances of a particular situation.
Generally, the best practice is to be introduced by a third party. However, in certain situations
this may not be possible. When introducing yourself, it is essential to shake hands in a firm
manner. When shaking hands with a woman, it is polite to wait for her to proffer her hand and
then squeeze it gently.
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Belgians may look to you to ‘break the ice’. Choose a general topic, avoiding issues like
language, Belgian politics, or questions about the other party’s family life. A good starting
point can be a comment on the high quality of Belgian food, beer or chocolate. Fallbacks,
depending on the interests of the other party, are football, popular music, cartoons (Belgium
has the highest ratio of successful professional cartoonists of any country in the world) or
tennis, at which the Belgians currently excel. If you are French or Dutch, avoid making jokes
at the Belgians’ expense.
As a rule, the Flemish Belgians tend to be a little more focused on the task at hand. The
difference was well expressed by a young Flemish consultant who said: “When I send an
email to a Walloon, I come straight to the point. But when my Walloon colleague emails
back, he starts by asking me how I am and did I have a good weekend?… and then he gets to
the point. And I feel angry. I ask myself, is that because of what the politicians keep telling
me, or is it simply because we are different? But, when I meet my Walloon friend, we get on
very well together and we enjoy ourselves.”
However, in their underlying value systems, all Belgians tend to share the same priorities:
conflict avoidance, attachment to one’s roots, mistrust of authority (a German journalist
married to a Flemish Belgian concluded that “the Belgian defers to any authority yet, in his
heart, he is a convinced anarchist”), and a proper appreciation of the good things in life.
Generally, the foreigner can expect an amiable, even warm, reception from Belgians in
business. The pervasive good nature of the people is well summed up by the Dutch journalist
Derk-Jan Eppink who, in his book Belgian Adventures writes: “After much reflection, I am
now convinced that a Dutchman who comes to live in Belgium will never be the same
Dutchman ever again. Belgium reforms you. Belgium deforms you – but in the nicest possible
way. So what has Belgium changed in me? Above all, Belgium has helped me to put things in
their proper perspective; to see that there is not just one universal truth, but a whole range of
different truths; to understand that no one person is always right, but that lots of people are
sometimes a little bit right”.

Language
Matters

Foreign language competence is generally typical of educated Belgians, more so in the case of
the Flemish than the French speakers. This reflects the fact that the country lies on a linguistic
fault-line and has also had to negotiate and trade with other countries in order to survive.
Most Flemish speakers you encounter in international business will have good English and
French, in addition to their mother tongue, and may also be conversant with German. French
is the second language of choice in most Flemish SMEs. Foreign language competence in the
French-speaking Community is largely limited to approximate English.
International reports show that Flanders, by teaching an average of 2.6 foreign languages per
student, is close to the top of the European league. The recent success of similar initiatives in
the French Community, with the vast majority choosing Dutch as a language of immersion, is
prompting further initiatives on foreign-language teaching at primary school level in Flanders
as well. French has officially been compulsory in primary education since September 2004.
Otherwise, the most popular second language taught in all areas of Belgium is English, which
is generally integrated into teaching programmes in Flanders from the age of 13-14.
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Thus, international negotiations in Belgium are generally conducted in English, although
French may be an option. It will rarely be necessary to use interpreters when negotiating with
Belgian business people. In fact, doing so may even be regarded as showing a lack of trust.
Provincial people, both the Flemish when speaking French and the Walloons, have no
inhibitions about addressing strangers with the familiar tu. Likewise they will use the formal
uw and vous as a sign of respect when addressing senior family members and colleagues.
The following topics are safe and suitable for discussions with your Belgian counterparts:
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•

The weather – e.g. “Nice day!”
Food and drink – e.g. “Would you like a cup of coffee?” or “Are you hungry?”
Travel – e.g. “How was the journey?” or “Did you have a pleasant flight?”
Family – e.g. “Please give my best regards to your wife”
Entertainment – e.g. “Did you see the film last night on TV?”
Holidays – e.g. “When do you plan to go on holiday?”
Music – e.g. “Do you like pop music?”
News – e.g. “Did you hear about the demonstrations in France?”
Sport, particularly football, cycling or tennis – “I see the winner was a Belgian!”
General topics – e.g. “How was your day yesterday?” or “See you on Monday.”
If you know that your partner has a particular interest – such as a hobby, studies, work, cars –
you can focus the discussion around the topic. The golden rule is not to attempt to find out too
much personal information as this might be considered an intrusion into the privacy that
Belgians value greatly.

Business
Relationships

While not as focused on this as their neighbours the French, most Belgians attach a lot of
importance to developing personal relationships, the Walloons somewhat more so than the
Flemish, although this is important for both communities.
The Walloons are particularly ‘relationship-oriented’, more so than the Flemish who tend to
be more ‘task-oriented’. The difference between the two Communities is essentially a
question of priorities: the Walloons are inclined to develop the relationship in order to
complete the task, whereas the Flemish will concentrate more on the task while at the same
time investing in the relationship.
All Belgians, however, are inclined to set a strict dividing line between business and social
matters. The private life of most Belgians is ‘off limits’ for anyone except family and close
friends.
Depending on the size of the business, it is usual practice not to consider a deal complete
until it has been acknowledged and confirmed in writing . Thus, it is crucial to ensure that all
the conditions and characteristics of a deal discussed during a meeting are included in the
written document.

Making
contact

A handshake is the usual form of greeting in Belgium, accompanied by an appropriate phrase
like ‘good day’. In a social as opposed to a business setting, women and people of the
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opposite sex may also kiss – generally three times starting with the right cheek (the left cheek
from the point of view of the person kissing): Walloon men may also kiss one another if they
are old friends. When meeting someone for the first time, the Flemish and German speakers
are likely to be more reserved than the Walloons. French speakers in the Brussels region may
also be relatively formal.
Normally, welcomes and responses will be warm without being overly intimate. In business
meetings, it is customary for a new arrival to go round the room shaking all the participants
by the hand.
The ‘intimate zone’ of most Belgians tends to be in the region of 50 cm. When meeting for
the first time, ensure steady eye contact when listening. Avoid intense eye contact as this may
be felt to be invasive.

Personal
titles

Titles and qualifications (Ingenieur, etc) are used sparingly in Belgium, without resorting to
the informality that is characteristic of the British or Americans. With the exception of
university professors and lawyers, it is not normal to address individuals by their professional
titles, in contrast to the practice in Germanic or some Nordic cultures. First names should only
be used once a relationship has been established, and preferably at the initiative of the Belgian
party. Particular attention needs to be paid to the older members of any organisation.
Remember also, that if you venture into French or Flemish, you will be confronted with the
option of using the intimate ‘you’ or the formal one. To be on the safe side, stick to the formal
method of address until your Belgian colleague indicates otherwise.

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Business
Etiquette

Attitudes and values form the basis of any culture. They reflect both the way people think and
the way they behave. Their knowledge can therefore be of significant importance if you wish
to communicate with your counterparts effectively. Ignorance of these issues can result in a
cultural barrier that may inhibit the communication process and have an adverse effect on the
success of your activities in a given country.
How important is the work-life balance for Belgians? How important is punctuality and
timekeeping? How do Belgians value fairness in business? Although seemingly unimportant,
the understanding of these issues may prove to be priceless when doing business. All too
often these issues are neglected during the preparation phase, despite their importance for
success. The following section will introduce you to the essential attitudes and values that
apply in Belgium and highlight their implications for business practice.

Corporate
Social
Responsibility

Attitudes to environmental issues have evolved rapidly in Belgium over the last 20 years, both
at the public awareness level and in terms of government intervention.
Controls on manufacturing industries are now, in some cases, considered to be almost
draconian, though the desire to maintain employment levels quite often tempers the
enthusiasm of the authorities concerned. Municipal waste management is highly organised,
with the responsibility for waste sorting falling largely on the shoulders of the individual
citizen.
With the country featuring two large rivers – the Scheldt (Schelde/Escaut) and the Meuse
(Maas) – water quality is a major issue. Contrary to the beliefs of some foreigners and the
insistence of local restaurateurs, the tap water in most parts of the country is perfectly
drinkable.

Punctuality

Belgians are generally good timekeepers, although the Flemish Belgians tend to be more
meticulous than the Walloons. Punctuality in business is generally regarded as a virtue,
although apologies for a late arrival will be accepted good-naturedly.
In the case of social events, attitudes on the right time to arrive may vary according to
community and class (as far as class can be considered a valid form of identification in this
relatively classless society).

Gift
giving

Gift giving is not normally an aspect of business relations in Belgium. If you decide that some
sort of gesture is appropriate, for example on closing a deal, make the gift a reasonably
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modest one and make sure it is logo neutral. Nothing should be given with the company logo,
or with your business card attached.
If you are offered a gift, open it right away and show your appreciation. Many of the more
traditional Belgian companies offer end-of-year gifts and these should be acknowledged.
If you have the honour of being invited into a Belgian home, by all means take a gift for the
hostess: flowers, chocolates (for which Belgium is famous), but not wine. The rules on
flowers are the same as for most other European countries – no chrysanthemums or
carnations, and no yellow flowers (yellow implies that her husband has a mistress) – and the
flowers should be sent in advance.
A handwritten note of appreciation the following day will also always be welcome.

Business
Dress
Code

It is normal to wear a jacket, not necessarily a suit, in most Belgian organisations, although
the younger high-tech companies may happily tolerate an open-neck shirt and jeans. Colour
has no particular significance, though it may be preferable to avoid looking too jazzy. The
quality of clothing is of only marginal importance in a culture that shows relatively little
class-consciousness. Apart from making sure that your shoes are reasonably smart and wellpolished, it is enough to avoid looking grubby.
Women, the younger generation in particular, may wear trousers, particularly trouser suits.
When in doubt about the dress code for a particular business event, it is advisable to be well
dressed rather than under-dressed. Uniforms, except for hygiene workers and chefs etc., are
rarely worn.
If unsure of the dress code and what to wear, it is perfectly acceptable to ask someone from
the company you are visiting. Although Belgium has one of the highest average annual
rainfalls in Western Europe, the weather is rarely a major problem. A raincoat is normally
sufficient without the addition of an umbrella.

Bribery
and
corruption

Under-the-table payments, by potential suppliers to company buyers, were not an unusual
feature of the Belgian business scene even 30 years ago, but the practice has since largely
been stamped out. In Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2012, the
country claims 16th position on the world scale with a score of 75.
In March 1999, Belgian anti-bribery legislation was completely revised. Included within this
revision was an extension of the Belgian courts’ powers regarding extraterritorial bribery.
Bribing foreign officials is a criminal offence in Belgium.

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Business
Meeting
Etiquette

Meetings are a normal feature of the Belgian business scene, either face-to-face or, with the
predominance of international activities and the emergence of virtual teams, over the
telecom/Internet network. They vary in their nature and content, but are a very common part
of organisational life.
Increasingly, meetings are team-oriented, with or without the participation of senior
management. Project team meetings may be planned at short notice and often go on longer
than the participants really want. It may be necessary to plan ahead when arranging meetings
with senior executives, as agendas tend to be booked up some time in advance.
If you are planning a sales visit to propose a product or service that you represent, be sure to
make arrangements well in advance. You may be able to arrange a meeting over lunch,
particularly if you are arriving and leaving the same day. The traditional formula of coming to
meet the chief buyer but spending a lengthy lunch with the senior manager, as still practised
in France, is dying out.
If formal presentations are planned, then the venue of meetings, who needs to attend, and any
required equipment, (e.g. PowerPoint or overhead projector), need to be arrangedin advance.
Plan to keep to time, even if the meeting overruns, and try to leave with a firm conclusion.
You may wish to submit draft minutes or a memorandum of understanding later.
Internet and video conferencing and conference calls are a regular event these days. Belgian
executives generally prefer face-to-face contact, but are rapidly adapting to the new
technologies.

Importance
of
Business
Meeting

It is good practice in Belgium to make an appointment at least a few days in advance: once
the timing has been agreed there is no need to check or reconfirm. If you later have a conflict
of priorities, explain the situation to your Belgian partner and he or she will certainly
understand and make an alternative arrangement.
The most suitable time for a business meeting is probably about 10 a.m. If the proceedings are
positive, it may lead to lunch, when the agenda can range from a continuation of the business
discussion to purely social affairs. This will help build the sense of mutual trust that is so
important to Belgians.
If you have a specific product or proposition to offer, by all means supply some background
details (price excepted) in advance. Information about the other company may well be
available on the Internet.

Business
Meeting
planning

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Being pragmatic and relatively non-hierarchical people compared with some other European
cultures, many Belgian managers can be approached directly for an appointment: this
certainly applies in the SME sector, where the younger generation of managers has abandoned
the autocratic style of its predecessors. Only occasionally will you find yourself dealing with
a secretary or personal assistant.
If confirmation is necessary, this can be done by e-mail. Normally, agendas for the meeting
will not be exchanged in advance. In fact, there may well be no formal agenda at all as many
Belgians prefer to ‘feel their way’ and leave themselves with the flexibility to work around to
a sensible compromise.
Punctuality is generally appreciated in Belgium and meetings will not normally be allowed to
run on too long. In the case of social events, plan to arrive 5-10 minutes after the time
indicated on the invitation.
Accessibility to meeting venues should not normally be a problem. The transport
infrastructure in the main cities is generally excellent and taxi services are regulated.

Negotiation
process

With a long history in import and export, Belgians tend to be skilled but sympathetic
negotiators. They have a flexible approach to forging win-win deals, hence the reputation of
the traditional Belgian compromise. It may not be the ideal solution, but everyone comes out
of it with their reputation and pride intact.
The Belgian negotiating manner, both Flemish and Walloon, is the opposite of the Dutch. It is
not their style to stick on matters of principle, although they have clear principles of their
own. Their approach is more exploratory, relationship-oriented and flexible. They have good
listening skills, but this does not automatically mean they agree with you.
Where the Dutch will insist, in project work, on respecting the original specification to the
finest detail, the Belgians will compromise intelligently in order to eliminate a problem.
Negotiation styles do not vary a lot between the different communities. The Flemish may be a
bit more direct and incisive than the Walloons, who tend to be more relationship-oriented,
while the older class of French-speaking Brussels business person (not to be confused with
the Walloons) may be rather more formal. Men and women will normally be treated as
equals, as will representatives from ethnic minorities.
The general Belgian attitude to negotiation is exploratory and initially non-committal, using
the problem-solving approach and attempting to build bridges between divergent interests.
Your counterparts will be receptive to your ideas provided they make basic sense.
The desire to find an arrangement that is satisfactory to both sides can encourage the Belgians
to develop creative solutions that are unconventional but which serve their purpose. Make
sure you allow time for this to happen. A serious mistake made by some would-be
negotiators, Anglo-Saxon in particular, is to start the meeting by saying something like “we
have to wrap this up by five as I have a plane to catch…”.
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It may make sense to send one of your senior managers to negotiate, although Belgium is
rapidly evolving from what is called an ‘ascription-based’ culture to an ‘achievement-based’
one. The closer you get to the leading-edge technologies, the younger the managers are likely
to be.
Negotiations will normally be conducted in English. At most you may find it necessary to
have a French-language interpreter present.

Meeting
protocol

Start by shaking hands, saying something like ‘good day – a pleasure to meet you’, and
presenting your business card to all involved: this may take a few minutes to conclude but is
time well invested.
You should refrain from too vigorous a handshake or physical contact such as backslapping.
Smiling suggests positive intentions but, again, should not be overdone.
Sometimes, in a meeting with many attendees, the chairperson will go round the room, with
each person introducing themselves, with their name and job title, or if external to the
organisation, the company they represent.

How
to
Run
a
Business
Meeting

When running a meeting, the most important factor to be aware of is the planning and
preparation necessary to ensure the meeting achieves its objectives.
Ensure all the required attendees are aware of the meeting, and any necessary work they may
need to do in advance. It is important to know who will be attending and what their specific
functions are.
Ensure the location is thought through, that the room has all the required facilities, and holds
enough space for the numbers likely to attend. If you are responsible for the meeting, it is
advisable to arrive early to check the room layout and ensure that enough chairs are available.
Also make sure there is a reasonable supply of good coffee as well as soft drinks.
You will most probably be able to fall back on English as the lingua franca for the occasion.
If simultaneous translation is felt to be essential, then make sure the choice of interpreter(s) is
acceptable to both sides.
It is generally accepted as courteous to allow other people to speak, and not to interrupt them
when they are speaking. It is also useful to obtain feedback after the meeting and establish
what the attendees thought of the content and what was discussed.

Follow
up
letter
after
meeting
with
client

It is advisable to send a written record of the decisions made at the meeting or a
‘memorandum of understanding’. Deadlines should be clearly stated and, if delivery of a
product or service is involved, details of specifications and price confirmed. It is essential to
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give a firm and realistic delivery date. Ask for written confirmation of acceptance, but do not
necessarily expect it unless a formal contract is involved.
Your Belgian counterparts will be impressed by prompt follow-up of actions agreed at the
meeting.

Business
meals

Most Belgians, including the Flemish, think that socialising is an important element in the
process of developing a successful business relationship. Added to this, most Belgians enjoy
good food and, almost anywhere in the country, have a range of good restaurants to choose
from.
Business meals offer a unique opportunity for partners to spend quality time together whilst
discussing business matters thoroughly, undisturbed and in an agreeable environment. Unlike
their French neighbours, Belgians will discuss such matters throughout the course of the lunch
or dinner and not just ‘between the pear and the cheese’ at the end of the meal.
Most importantly, the business meal provides a suitable occasion to develop social relations
that represent the core of the success of any business encounter in a foreign country. Although
your Belgian counterpart is not seeking to create deep social bonds, these occasions provide
the opportunity to develop trust and find out more about the other side.
Attitudes to business meals
The probability that you will be invited for a meal in a private home is low: the majority of
business meals, including dinners, are held in restaurants, pubs or cafes.
Generally, the most suitable time for a serious and fruitful business meal is lunch. Lunch in
Belgium is usually taken between 12.30 and 2.30 p.m.
Dinners are often a more sociable occasion (usually between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.), with the
accompaniment of partners on the Belgian side. Any discussion of business on such occasions
should be done discreetly.
Restaurant Etiquette
Dining etiquette in Belgium is very much the same as in most other European countries.
Common sense and general dining rules should be followed in order to cause neither
embarrassment nor annoyance. The golden rules are: making an effort to eat and drink at the
same pace as the rest of the group, not speaking with one’s mouth full, not stretching across
the table, and not waving one’s cutlery about. Again, it is good practice to follow the host’s
lead.
The general rules of restaurant etiquette are as follows:
•
•
•

Turn off your mobile phone
Keep your hands on the table
If you can, avoid leaving anything on your plate

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•

When you have finished your starter/main course, place your knife and fork at twenty to four
with the points of the fork facing upwards (placing the fork the other way indicates you are still
hungry and want a second helping)
o It is not normal to tip in Belgium. Restaurant bills already include a service charge.

Belgian cuisine is among the finest in Europe: it is difficult to find even a high street café that
fails to offer a tempting lunch known as dagsschotel/plat du jour at a very reasonable price.
Local specialities, in addition to the famous but misnamed ‘French fries’, include waterzooi (a
delicate chicken or occasionally fish stew), rabbit in beer, salade liègeoise, the tasty local
grey shrimps and, in season, mussels from Dutch Zeeland. The Belgians are also great coffee
drinkers: good quality espresso can be found almost everywhere.

Business
Meeting
tips

It may be appropriate to start a business meeting with an informal conversation, though this
should not take too long.
Ensure you bring enough business cards and information material about your company. The
ideal time to hand out background material is at the beginning of the meeting.
Negotiations and decisions are usually open and flexible. Your Belgian counterparts will
favour a win/win approach.

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Internship
and
placement

Work
experience

Seeking a placement option in Belgium is not that easy. Much time, perseverance and
initiative is required as placements are less common than in some other countries such as
Germany. The capital Brussels is an exception, as the European Commission etc. offer a lot of
possibilities.
There are three official languages in Belgium: Dutch; French; and German. Consequently,
language requirements will change depending on your location. However, in some roles
English alone may be sufficient.

Internship
and
Placement
advice

There are many practical issues relating to international placements that need to be taken care
of either by the trainee or the host company. It must be remembered to reserve enough time
for all the arrangements and the necessary formalities. The training organisations, educational
institutions and home and host organisations are able to help with the formalities.

Social
security
and
European
health
insurance

Being an EU member, your health insurance also works in Belgium. Make sure you take your
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you. However, foreign health insurance is also
recommended, as well as accident insurance and liability insurance. Having health insurance
is often obligatory for a visa application.

Safety

Most visits to Belgium are trouble-free. Belgium is relatively free of violent crime. As in all
big cities, you will find low-level street crime such as muggings, bag snatching, and pick
pocketing particularly in tourist areas. Visitors should pay attention to their personal
belongings at major train stations, like Gare du Midi/Zuidstation (South Station).
The emergency phone number in Belgium with which you will reach fire, police and
paramedics is 112.

Do
I
need
a
visa?

Depending on the country you are coming from, you might need to get a Visa before you can
work in Belgium.

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With the exception of nationals of Iceland, Monaco, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland,
all non-EU member state nationals intending to exceed a 3 months stay in Belgium will need
a visa (Schengen Type D). A foreigner coming to Belgium with the intention of working there
needs a travel document (passport) with a validity of at least one year, a recent certificate of
good conduct covering the last five years, a medical certificate by an Embassy-recognised
physician and an employment authorisation. Once the visa is issued and the foreigner arrives
in Belgium, he or she has to report to the municipal administration giving details of his or her
place of destination in order to regularise the stay.
In order to be able to work in Belgium, foreign workers must have a valid work permit. This
condition does not apply to nationals of one of the member states of the European Economic
Area (i.e. EU member states plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein), nor to certain
categories of workers.
A distinction must be made between two types of work permits. A work permit ‘A’ covers all
kinds of salaried employment and has an indefinite validity: only a limited number of
applicants qualify for this type of permit (e.g. applicants having a work permit ‘B’ and
working in Belgium for more than four years, applicants residing legally in Belgium for an
uninterrupted period of at least five years, etc.). If the foreign worker has a work permit ‘A’,
the employer does not have to apply for an employment authorization.
A work permit ‘B’ is only valid for employment by one employer and has a maximum
validity of 12 months. Whenever an employer is issued with an employment authorization,
the worker concerned is automatically eligible for a work permit ‘B’. The application has to
be made by the Belgium-based employer.

Internship
and
placement
salary

As internships are rather rare in Belgium, it is most likely that if you do find a placement, it
will not be paid. Exceptions are placements within e.g. the European commission. These are
mostly paid.

Internship
and
placement
accommodation

If you are going to Belgium for a placement, you will need to find your own accommodation.
In Brussels, rents can be quite high. In the more rural areas rents are much cheaper, but places
are harder to find.

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Cost
of
Living

Living standards are quite high in Belgium.

Money
and
Banking

All prices you see in Belgium already include VAT and service.
If you are travelling to Belgium, it is good to bring at least a few Euros with you to use until
you can get to a cash machine. Traveller’s Cheques used to be popular, however many places
don’t accept them anymore. Take your credit and/or debit card with you for purchases and
cash.
Credit cards are widely used and accepted in Belgium, VISA is the most popular card, but
MasterCard will also be accepted in most outlets. American Express and Diners Club are not
as widely accepted.
For the tourist, debit cards should be enabled on the Maestro or Cirrus network in order for
you to be able to use these in Belgium. Proton, Bancontact and Mister Cash are Belgium’s
three debit networks, but these are only available to you if you hold a Belgian bank account.
On Mondays to Fridays the majority of the banks are open from 9am to 12pm and after a
break, open again from 2pm to 4pm. Some banks are also open on Saturdays for a few hours
in the morning and some have one day a week were they have late opening after 4pm.
Belgium has the largest number of bank branches per head in the world. Furthermore,
electronic banking has become quite common within recent years. It is possible to complete
most banking transactions using an ATM or online banking application. You can even find
banks which only operate online. Major Belgian Retail Banks are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

BNP Paribas Fortis
KBC Groep
Dexia (in French & Dutch)
Citibank Belgium
ING
AXA Bank Belgium (in French & Dutch)
Argenta (in French & Dutch)

You will need your passport or identity card and a home address in Belgium in order to open
a bank account. Furthermore, if you are a student from abroad, a bank may ask for a copy of
the letter you received when registering at the Foreigner’s Registration Office of Belgium.

Traveling
costs

Most of the time all travel expenses will need to be paid by the intern him-/herself.
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Work-‐life
Balance

The historical presence of so many unwelcome foreigners, often fighting wars on what
ultimately became Belgian territory, obliged the country’s people to fall back on their own
resources. The best thing one could do in the circumstances was to keep one’s own counsel
and keep out of harm’s way.
One of the outcomes of this process was that the family became the core of Belgian social
life. The spirit of family loyalty, though startlingly absent in some cases, is still very present
today. It is evident, for example, in the disarmingly uncomplicated relationships between the
different generations: grandparents, parents, teenagers, children all mix together in an
unselfconscious way that is rarely seen in other cultures. The family offers an inner sanctum
to which few strangers have the privilege of access. That does not preclude one from asking a
Belgian how many children or brothers and sisters he/she has, nor does it inhibit your
respondent from giving you full details.
Belgians generally have a good appreciation of an effective work-life balance. They work to
live, rather than the other way round, but generally manage to enjoy the business of working.
However, being great enthusiasts for the good things in, they make sure that both work and
leisure receive equal attention. The average summer holiday entitlement is a minimum of four
weeks, and most Belgians who can afford it (or are not self-employed) make sure that they get
a break that is at least that long.
Many of them, particularly those working in strictly administrative functions, are in fact
assiduous timekeepers. It is a matter of ‘nine-to-five’, or whatever the formula may be, and
that is it! Yet they are generally hard and intelligent workers from nine to five.
Belgian organisations are aware of the business case for work-life balance, and some of them
are now introducing flexitime and related policies to ease the pressures, particularly since
many of the larger companies are located in the main cities. Belgians, with their attachment to
their local communities, often commute in to work from the countryside. Consequently, the
morning and evening rush hours around Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Liege, etc, see enormous
tailbacks of commuter road traffic, a challenge that employers are trying to address by
staggering working hours.
Home-working or teleworking is also slowly on the increase, mainly at the insistence of
employees who want more time with their families and less time lost in commuting: recent
legislation has acknowledged this reality and now makes flexible arrangements an accepted
part of the employment landscape. They suit many Belgians, but are still only occasional
practice, principally with the subsidiaries of foreign-owned multinational corporations. The
traditional rump of SME business management however, still tends to view productivity as a
matter of “bottoms on office seats”.
Belgian law fixes working hours at 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. Both limits must
be observed simultaneously. These maximum limits may be reduced by collective agreement.

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National
holidays

Belgium observes many of the traditional Catholic holidays as well as others marking
important historical events (National Day, Armistice Day, etc). Banks and shops are normally
closed on these occasions.
Most people who can afford it take a month’s vacation in July or August to coincide with the
school holidays. Many families spend their free time on the Belgian North Sea coast or in the
Ardennes, but foreign travel – either by road to the south of France or Italy, or by air to
Mediterranean destinations or even further away – is becoming increasingly popular.
If considering making a business trip to Belgium, avoid the months of July and August and
the periods around Easter and the end-of-year holidays. Travel around Belgium is largely
trouble-free, but avoid the morning and evening rush hours around the big cities.
National Belgian public holidays are the following (there are also some regional events):
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

New Year’s Day
Easter Day
Easter Monday
Labour Day
Ascension
Pentecost
National Day
Assumption
All Saints Day
Armistice Day
Christmas Day

01.01.
March/April
March/April
01.05.
May/June
May/June
21.07.
15.08.
01.11.
11.11.
25.12

Working
hours

The traditional 8.30-5.30 (sometimes 9.00-6.00) five-day working week, with an hour off for
lunch, generally still applies in most Belgian companies. Only middle-to-senior management
confronted with a crisis situation are likely to work longer hours, possibly compensating with
time off later. Generally, all levels, except possibly the very top, will respect the traditional
working hours: however management may choose to come in later than administrative staff.
This has a lot to do with the latter balancing their work with family life: by getting home by 5
p.m., they miss the rush hour and have time for their families and for leisure activities.
Managers may take work home with them.
Government and local administration offices are generally open to the public from 8.30 a.m. –
1.00 p.m. Most stores are open from 9.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. For shops, opening hours are
largely deregulated, but are limited to a maximum number of hours per week: shops are
closed one day a week, but not necessarily on Sundays. Banks are generally open from 9:00
a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
The Belgian government has adopted the EU Working Time Directive limiting individuals to
a maximum working week of 48 hours.

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Working
culture

Working practices are slowly changing with the introduction of flexitime, home working and
the like. Under EU legislation, part-time and temporary workers are protected by law: new
national legislation also now provides protection for home workers. In fact, Belgium is a
front-runner in the application of legislation assuring equal treatment in hiring, employment
and training for all persons regardless of race or origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation,
disability or age.
All organisations have to comply with legislation designed to protect the workforce in a wide
range of areas from health and safety to ensuring employees earn a basic minimum amount of
money per hour – the minimum wage.
Any private-sector organisation employing an average of 50 employees has to provide for
worker representation, while any company employing 100+ people over the year has to have a
works council (conseil d’entreprise/ondernemingsraad).
Businesses adopt their own policies, procedures and have their own cultures and values. The
best way to establish what these are is to talk to the employees and ask how the organisation
works. All companies have something unique to themselves, even if the product they produce
or sell is the same as that of others.

Health
insurance

Belgium has a compulsory healthcare system based on the social health insurance model.
Healthcare is publicly funded and mainly privately provided. Most doctors, dentists,
pharmacists and physiotherapists are self-employed and paid on a fee-for-service basis. Fees
are negotiated at the national level between the National Committee of Sickness Funds and
the provider’s representatives. Other healthcare professionals are mainly salaried. Hospitals
are mostly financed through a dual structure: a fixed prospective lump sum is allocated for
accommodation services, and a fee-for-service payment exists for medical and technical
services.
The federal government regulates and supervises all sectors of the social security system,
including health insurance. However, responsibility for almost all preventive care and health
promotion has been transferred to the Communities and Regions. The Communities are
responsible for all health promotion and preventive services except national preventative
measures: different public health policies and services are provided in the French and Flemish
Communities.
The National Institute for Sickness and Disability Insurance oversees the general organisation
of the healthcare system, transferring funds to the not-for-profit and privately managed
sickness funds. Patients have a free choice of provider, hospital and sickness fund. A
comprehensive benefits package is available to nearly everyone through compulsory health
insurance. Reimbursement by individual sickness funds depends on the nature of the service,
the legal status of the provider and the status of the insured person. A distinction is made
between those receiving standard reimbursement and those benefiting from increased
reimbursement (vulnerable social groups).
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Substitute health insurance covers most self-employed people for minor risks. Sickness funds
offer complementary health insurance to insured persons. Private for-profit insurance remains
very small in terms of market volume, but it has also risen steadily as compulsory insurance
cover has declined.

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Social
Media
Guide

Private
Individuals

According to the Internet World Stats more than 80% of the Belgium population uses the
Internet and nearly all (more than 90%) use social media of some kind. The use of social
media in Belgium has grown considerably within the last few years and Belgians are
becoming proactive in social media endeavours. New mobile technologies like smartphones
and netbooks are supporting the rapid diffusion of social media amongst the population.
With more than one million profiles from Belgium, LinkedIn is the fastest growing social
networking site in the country. However, with more than 4.5 million Belgian users, Facebook
is the most used social network. Another heavily used social network is Netlog, which has
more than one million users. The most used platforms in Belgium are:
•
•
•
•
•

Facebook
Linkedin
Netlog
Twitter
Myspace

SMEs

The use of social media in Belgium is relatively widespread. Over 70% of Belgian businesses
have a profile on at least one social media platform. However, quite often only an
organisation’s communication managers have full access to social media, and most employees
are blocked from it during working hours. Although a lot of companies use social media,
fewer than one in three have company-guidelines or a strategy on how it might best help the
business. Social media platforms can be used as valuable tools e.g. for customer acquisition or
marketing campaigns. However, nearly half of Belgium’s businesses are not currently
thinking of planning and implementing social media guidelines or strategies in order to fully
exploit its potential. It is assumed that the younger generation (generation y) will already have
and bring to the company, all the necessary skills to get the most out of social media. Thus,
more than 2/3 of all companies are not currently planning to train their employees in the use
of social media.
Further, social media activities are only monitored by a small number of companies and the
response to customer feedback is quite often neglected. If a negative comment about a
company’s service/product is posted on social media, 1/3 of companies would not react to it
and 20% would not answer openly.

Search
and
Social
Media
Marketing
for
International
Business

Learn how to use social media for business from one of Salford Business School’s latest
business management courses. The course was jointly researched by the Passport to Trade 2.0
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project team and prepared in collaboration with some of the leading digital marketing
agencies in the UK.
This Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) can help businesses and individuals to make the
best use of search and social media platforms. The course is called Search and Social Media
Marketing for International Business and is applicable to students looking for placements
abroad as well as businesses thinking about new trade links; it comprises the following
twelve topics:
How to develop a personal brand online (1/12)

•

•

Whether you are a student beginning a job search
or a business person planning a new business
venture, personal branding can make a difference.
Learn about personal branding and why it is
important for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=l9LYw0mgtn4&feature=player
_embedded
How to use Twitter (2/12)

•
•

Learn the basics of using Twitter to develop an
individual or business profile.
Remember to use hash tag #SSMMUoS to share
your learning journey on this course so far!

v=9CVY3pp91Dc&feature=playe
r_embedded
How to use Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) (3/12)

•

•

businessculture.org

Learn the principles of SEO to ensure that your
website and any social media profiles are found by
individuals searching for your name, products and
services.
These basic principles of SEO include keyword
research, on-page optimisation and off-page
optimisation.
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v=zw27cRcwtM0&feature=player
_embedded
How to use social media for international business development (4/12)

•

•

Social media networks break down the traditional
country barriers, but do you know which networks
are relevant for the country you are interested in
trading with?
Find out in this video how to identify the relevant
networks and what social media strategies you might
be able to use on these networks.

v=Bx-B56AHS4c&feature=
player_embedded
How to use Facebook (5/12)

•

•

Facebook is currently the largest social media
network in the world and it can benefit you as a
business as well as an individual.
Learn how to develop a Facebook business page and
see how other businesses use it and what strategies
work for them.

v=UmRGn-vdcO8&feature=
player_embedded
How to use YouTube (6/12)

•

•

YouTube was identified as the second largest
social network amongst younger internet users as
part of the Passport to Trade 2.0 project.
Learn how to optimise your video content in order
to reach wider audiences for your profile.

feature=player_embedded&v=G2
0OVpmTBss
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How to use LinkedIn (7/12)

•

•

LinkedIn is one of the three main professional
social networks – the others being Xing and
Viadeo which are also popular in several
European countries.
Learn how to make the most of LinkedIn for your
profile.

v=N6e_EAUQqic&feature=playe
r_embedded

How to use Google+ (8/12)
•
•

•

Google+ is the second largest social network as of
January 2013.
It is one of the fastest growing social networks and
one that has the biggest impact when it comes to
search engine results integration for anyone who
uses Google as their main search engine.
Learn how to make the most of Google+ for you
and your digital profiles.

feature=player_embedded&v=8ti
3SPHkEWw
How to use copywriting online (9/12)

•

•

Copywriting is a process of translating technical
specifications and product descriptions into
engaging and understandable customer focused
text.
Learn about the basic techniques in structuring
your online content here.

v=5f1hx_f2ONI&feature=player_
embedded
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How to stay legal on social media (10/12)

•

•

Everything and anything you do and say online
can be potentially viewed by anyone who has
internet access.
Always respect the law and familiarise yourself
with new options offered to you through a creative
commons licence which is popular online.

v=eQxDpiHsdk&feature=player_embedde
d
How to use monitoring and reporting (11/12)

•

•

Whether you are an individual or a business
spending time on social media – there has to be a
return on your engagement online.
How do you justify your engagement on social
media to your boss? Listen to the industry experts
in this area and see what you might be able to
measure in respect of your on-line engagements.

v=LbEq7jsG0jg&feature=player_
embedded

How to blog (12/12)

•

•

v=OqVjR7oI8Rs&feature=player
_embedded
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•

Blogging is a process of writing text and sharing
content with others. It can help your customers or
friends to keep in-touch regardless of social media
platforms.
Think about the voice you might want to adopt
and who your audience might be. Share your
thoughts with us by writing a blog post about this
MOOC.
Tweet us the link to your post on the
#SSMMUoS Twitter hash tag.

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Passport
to
Trade
2.0
Project
Partnership

Five Universities:
Lead partner: Salford Business School,
University of Salford, United Kingdom
Elena Vasilieva
Aleksej Heinze
Alex Fenton
URENIO research unit at Aristole University
of Thessaloniki, Greece
Christina Kakderi
Nitsa Papadopouloui
TSE Entre Research Centre
Turku School of Economics, University of Turku, Finland
Satu Aaltonen
Elisa Akola
Institute for Information System Research
University of Koblenz-Landau, Germany
Verena Hausmann
Susan P. Williams
Petra Schubert
Valahia University of Targoviste, Romania
Adriana Grigorescu
Leonardo Badea
Three Small & Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs)
Spin, Italy
Carmine Antonio Donato
Dorella De Tommaso
Technology Development & Innovation – TDI LTD
Bulgaria
Milanka Slavova
Ivan Stoychev
TIS Praha, Czech Republic
Anna Klosova
Richard Adekeye

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