(Newswire.net — November 8, 2019) — Business etiquette refers to the behavior that’s considered appropriate in a professional setting. You are more likely to make a great impression on the people that you encounter if you decide to maintain a professional approach.
Values and attitudes are the foundations responsible for driving behavior that can give you a clue into the thought patterns of other people as well as what they consider to be of great importance. Understanding those small details could mean the difference between a successful partnership in business or failure.
Here are some basic tips to consider following when you do business in the Czech Republic
Greetings should be inclusive of direct eye contact and a firm handshake. A weak handshake conveys weakness and no making direct contact could be taken to mean that you aren’t being totally honest.
Always remain standing until you are invited to sit because there could be a seat that’s specifically reserved for you.
Business appointments are usually mandatory and you need to make them in advance.
Being punctual for all meetings is taken very seriously.
Business is hierarchical whereby the top of the company holds the decision-making power.
Initial meetings are usually scheduled as introductions to get to know one another better and establish trust with the Czech associates. The initial meeting is likely to be with a middle manager as opposed to the actual decision maker. You can and should expect a bit of small talk and getting-to-know-you conversation before getting down to business.
Avoid scheduling meetings in August since most businesses will be closed or on Friday afternoons because many Czech usually leave for their country cottages after taking lunch.
Czechs are generally non-confrontational and usually take the indirect approach when it comes to business dealings. When negotiating, Czechs usually offer what they expect to receive and don’t often make counter-offers.
Business is done slowly, which means that you must be patient and not appear ruffled by the strict protocol adherence.
Always maintain direct eye contact when speaking.
Avoid removing your suit jacket unless the highest-ranking Czech does it first.
Presentations should be detailed, accurate, and simple. If necessary, it can be a good idea to have figures and charts backing up your claims.
Address your letters to the company as opposed to specific individuals. This ensures that letters are never held up in case the persons they are addressed to are away from the office.
Gifts should be opened immediately after receiving them.
Taxation is complex, as it is in any nation – see more here at VATGlobal.
Always refuse second helpings when dining the first time they are offered. Wait for your hostess or host to insist before accepting graciously.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
It is a concept whereby companies integrate environmental as well as social concerns into business operations along with their interactions with stakeholders including investors, shareholders, public authorities, consumers, employees, non-governmental organizations, as well as suppliers voluntarily.
Punctuality
It is important to be punctual since arriving late for business meetings doesn’t paint a good picture of you. Czech business society is growing increasingly more tolerant, but only to a particular extent; A 15-minute delay might be acceptable, but it is better to be prompt.
Gifting
Business people generally don’t expect gifts during the first meeting, but certain small gifts such as a souvenir from the visiting business partner’s country are generally acceptable. Equivalents from the Czech Republic would include Czech crystal, Becherovka herbal liqueur, wooden toys, hand painted Christmas decorations, bijouterie, and beer.
Expensive gifts are generally frowned upon and the vast majority of companies have a ceiling on the value of acceptable gifts. In case a gift’s value is higher than that ceiling, it should either be rejected or reported to senior management.
If you are ever invited to dinner in your host’s home and wish to make a gift of flowers, it is best to avoid calla lilies since they are associated with funerals.
Business Dress Code
Your appearance matters a lot in the Czech business community. It is thus important to choose conservative business attire and steer clear of bright colors if you will be attending a business meeting, if you would like to be taken seriously.
Tidiness and cleanliness are mandatory. The dress code can be less formal during normal office hours. Appropriate business wear for a man is a dark colored suit while women should try wearing something likewise formal and avoid anything likely to be considered provocative. Female managers prefer wearing suits. There’s a saying that how you dress shows how much you respect your business partner.
Large organizations usually have a set dress code for employees. However, there are usually no dress codes in small and medium-sized companies unless the employees are required to wear uniforms. So, people usually wear business casual attire unless they have to attend important meetings.
Corruption and Bribery
Corruption and bribery aren’t necessarily acceptable but are still prevalent in the global business environment. Both foreign and Czech business people often use bribery as a tool for securing business contracts or cutting through bureaucratic red tape, when looking to start new businesses or secure government contracts. Both government and business entities strongly deny bribery and corruption claims, but they are still prevalent.
The Czech Republic is ranked 54th in the 2012 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index with a score of 49. The index charts corruption levels in 176 countries all over the globe.