Business Culture in Italy

Doing course abroad introduces transnational business pot to differences in approaches to business, business etiquette and protocol. Although these whitethorn non be crucial to business proceedings they should not be dismissed as unnecessary. Cross cultural aw arness can enhance the potential of the external business psyches trip considerably. Let us look at a brief example There ar two business people each planning on doing business in Italy. Both progress to similar proposals. One ignores the possible impact of culture and concentrates their efforts on the business proposal.The other also invests time and energy in the proposal unless in addition realises that doing business in Italy is a lot various to doing business in the UK or USA. They look into the business etiquette of Italy, the way in which meetings ar conducted and negotiation styles. Nine times out of ten the latter(prenominal) of the two entrust have the advantage. They will be able to sartor their proposal a nd demeanour to gel better with the Italian way. In addition, they would delight themselves to the Italian hosts.This guide to doing business in Italy is designed as a brief introduction to areas business people should take into consideration in front travelling to Italy. Doing tele skirt circuit Etiquette Good manners and courtesy are prized qualities in Italy. When doing business in Italy ensure your conduct is always polished. There are etiquettes and protocols for m any social and business situations, however, it is important to remember that Italians rate reflection above behavioural formulas. When meeting and departing always shake hands. This is valid for two individuals and groups.After doing business in Italy for a period of time and edifice consanguinitys do not be surprised if you are embraced when being met. This indicates the relationship has reached an intimate level. When doing business in Italy you will notice that little personalised space is left between people when interacting. In addition, Italians are a tactile people. Moving away or keeping your distance may be interpreted as cold and unfriendly. If you are familiar with Italian, drug abuse the polite lei form until a relationship is established, then use the much informal tu form.When doing business in Italy, ad snip people using Signor (m) or Signora (f) followed by their surname. Dottore (m) or Dottoressa (f) is used for those who have graduated. When doing business in Italy, dress to impress. It is no coincidence that Versace, Gucci, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana are all Italian sort houses. Italians like to make an impression with their clothes. What you wear speaks volumes about the kind of person you are. Doing Business Punctuality Italians are usually relaxed around issues relating to time. Being young with a good reason will not have any negative consequences.However, deliberate lateness is considered sloppy and taking peoples time for granted is solely rude. When doin g business in Italy err on the side of caution and manoeuvre to be punctual. Doing Business Business Entertaining Hospitality plays a differentiate role in Italian business culture. Invitations to lunch and dinner are to be expected when doing business there. At such occasions a small exclusive group will usually be present. all(prenominal) attendee will have a particular interest in your visit. If you plan to host a meal, ask the most senior Italian contact who you should invite. Dining does have certain protocol in Italy.However, do not place too much emphasis on this as more time would be spent worrying about etiquette mistakes than enjoying the experience. major(ip) etiquette tips are that the most honoured guest sits at the middle of the table or on the right of the host the host always pays pass dishes to the left keep your knife in the right hand and fork in the left and do not answer phone calls at the table. Doing Business Meeting and Negotiations Italians prefer to do business with someone they know. When doing business in Italy, use contacts and networks to introduce you before proceeding to set up meetings.To fix up a meeting write, in Italian, first. Follow this up with a phone call, fax or e-mail. The best time for meetings is between 10 11 a. m. and after 3 p. m. Avoid August as most businesses will run on skeleton staff due to holidays. Negotiations can be slow. Demonstrating a sense of urgency is seen as a sign of weakness. At the beginning of a meeting avoid business and concentrate on some small talk. Topics of discussion could admit Italian culture, food, wine and football game (soccer). Italians will take away proposals and analyse them carefully. Be sure to digest as much information as possible in scripted form for them to take away.A known Italian tactic is to dramatically change demands at the eleventh hour to unsettle or bear witness the flexibility of their counterparts. Remain firm. Location Southern Europe, bordering Aus tria 430 km, France 488 km, Holy See (Vatican City) 3. 2 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 232 km, Switzerland 740 km Capital Rome Climate predominantly Mediterranean Alpine in far join hot, dry in southeastward Population 58,057,477 (July 2004 est. ) Ethnic Make-up Italian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the northwards and Albanian-Italians and Greek-Italians in the south)Religions predominately Roman Catholic with mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a growing Muslim immigrant community G overnment republic The Italian run-in Italian is the official language of Italy, and 93% of population are subjective Italian speakers. Around 50% of population speak a regional dialect as mother tongue. Many dialects are mutually hidden and thus considered by linguists as separate languages, but are not officially recognise. Friulian, one of these dialects, is spoken by 600,000 people in the north east of Italy, which is 1% of the entire populati on.Other northern minority languages include Ladin, Slovene, German, which enjoys equal recognition with Italian in the province of Alto-Adige, and French, which is legally recognised in the Alpine region of the Val dAosta. Albanian is spoken by 0. 2% of the population, mainly in the southern part of Italy, as too are Croatian and Greek. Catalan is spoken in one city, Alghero, on the island of Sardinia, by around 0. 07% of the population. On the rest of the island, Sardinian is spoken by over 1m, which comes to 1. 7% of the Italian population.