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Friday, July 23, 2010

Facts and Statistics

Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Poland, Romania, and Moldova in the west and Russia in the east

Capital: Kyiv (Kiev)

Climate: temperate continental; Mediterranean only on the southern Crimean coast; precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest in west and north, lesser in east and southeast; winters vary from cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland; summers are warm across the greater part of the country, hot in the south

Population: 46,299,862 (July 2007 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: Ukrainian 77.8%, Russian 17.3%, Belarusian 0.6%, Moldovan 0.5%, Crimean Tatar 0.5%, Bulgarian 0.4%, Hungarian 0.3%, Romanian 0.3%, Polish 0.3%, Jewish 0.2%, other 1.8% (2001 census)

Religions: Ukrainian Orthodox - Kyiv Patriarchate 19%, Orthodox (no particular jurisdiction) 16%, Ukrainian Orthodox - Moscow Patriarchate 9%, Ukrainian Greek Catholic 6%, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox 1.7%, Protestant, Jewish, none 38% (2004 est.)

Language in Ukraine

Ukrainian is the official state language; it is a language of the East Slavic subgroup of the Slavic languages. The language shares some vocabulary with the languages of the neighbouring Slavic nations, most notably with Belarusian, Polish, Russian and Slovak.

The Ukrainian language traces its origins to the Old East Slavic language of early medieval state of Kievan Rus'. In its earlier stages it was called Ruthenian. The language has persisted despite several periods of bans and/or discouragement throughout centuries as it has always nevertheless maintained a sufficient base among the people of Ukraine, its folklore songs, itinerant musicians, and prominent authors.

Ukrainian Society and Culture

The People

Ukrainians are of Slavic origin. About 75% of the population is ethnic Ukrainian. The largest minority group is the Russians at about 20%. Belarussians, Bulgarians, Poles, Hungarians and Romanians make up the other major minority groups.

Religion

Approximately 40% of the population in the Ukraine describe themselves as atheist. Of those that do adhere to some form of religion, 37% belong to one of the three major orthodox denominations present in the country. There are also a significant and growing number of Jews, Protestants and Muslims.

Despite the large numbers describing themselves are atheist, Ukrainians are extremely superstitious. If you do something that they believe can cause harm such as sitting on stone steps, someone will undoubtedly tell you that you risk doing great harm to yourself as a result of your actions. Superstitions are derived from folk wisdom in rural communities.

Fatalistic

Ukrainians live in a country where everyday life is often unpredictable and unstable and they have learned to adapt to constantly changing rules and laws. The influences of the Russian Orthodox Church plus a long history of turbulent economic times, unstable governments, and adverse climatic conditions produce a rather fatalistic approach towards life.

Generosity

Ukrainians are extremely generous and hospitable. All social occasions include food. Visitors are always offered something to eat as well as a beverage. It is considered the height of rudeness to eat in front of another person and not offer them something.

Etiquette and Customs

Meeting and Greeting

- The typical greeting is a warm, firm handshake, maintaining direct eye contact, and repeating your name.
- When female friends meet, they kiss on the cheek three times, starting with the left and then alternating, while close male friends may pat each other on the back and hug.
- Ukrainian names are comprised of:
> First name, which is the person’s given name.
> Middle name, which is a patronymic or a version of the father’s first name formed by adding "-vich" or "-ovich" for a male and "-avna", "-ovna", or "ivna" for a female. The son of Alexi would have a patronymic of Alexivich while the daughter’s patronymic would be Alexivina.
>Last name, which is the family or surname.
- In formal situations, people use all three names.
- Friends and close acquaintances may refer to each other by their first name and patronymic.

Gift Giving Etiquette

- Ukrainians exchange gifts with family and close friends on birthdays and the Orthodox Christmas.
- ‘Name days’ (birth date of the saint after whom a person was named) are also celebrated rather than birthdays by some.
- Gifts need not be expensive. It is the act of giving the gift that is important, since it symbolises friendship.
- If you are invited to a Ukrainian’s home for a meal it is polite to bring something; cake, flowers, or a bottle of imported liquor.
- Flowers should only be given in odd numbers and avoid yellow flowers.
- Gifts are generally not opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

- Table manners are generally casual.
- The more formal the occasion, the stricter the protocol.
- When in doubt, watch what others are doing and emulate their behaviour.
- Table manners are Continental, i.e. hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
- Do not begin eating until the host invites you to start.
- Always keep your hands visible when eating. Keep your wrists resting on the edge of the table.
- The oldest or most honoured guest is served first.
- Try everything. Refusing a dish is considered very rude.
- You will often be urged to take second helpings.
- Toasting is part of the culture and generally occurs whenever three or more people share a meal.
- Ukrainians are suspicious of people who do not drink. Having said that, it is better to offer a medical condition as an excuse rather than starting to drink and failing to keep pace with your Ukrainian counterparts.
- A common toast is "za vashe zdorovya", which means "to your health".
- The host gives the first toast, usually to the guest of honor, who may return the toast later in the meal.
- Most toasts are given with vodka. You need not finish the glass, but you must take a sip.
- Do not clink your glass with others during a toast if you are not drinking an alcoholic beverage.
- Glasses are filled no more than two-thirds full.
- Never refill your own glass.
- Do not pour wine backhanded.
- An open bottle must be finished.
- Empty bottles are not left on the table. They are immediately removed.

Business Etiquette and Protocol

Meeting and Greeting

- Ukrainian businesspeople are generally less formal than in many other countries.
- Shake hands with everyone upon arriving and leaving.
- Handshakes are quite firm.
- Maintain eye contact during the greeting.
- It is common to repeat your name while shaking hands.
- Academic and professional titles are commonly used with the surname.
- If someone does not have an academic or professional title, use the honorific "Pan" for a man and "Pani" for a woman with the surname.
- Most business colleagues refer to each other by first name and patronymic. (Middle name which is a version of the father’s first name formed by adding "-vich" or "-ovich" for a male and "-avna", "-ovna", or "ivna" for a female.)
- When using someone's complete name, including the patronymic, the honorific title is not used.
- The way someone is addressed often depends upon the situation. Titles and surnames are used in meetings and may give way to first names or diminutives in social situations.
- Business cards are exchanged without ritual.
- Have one side of your business card translated into Ukrainian.
- Include advanced university degrees on your business card.
- Present your card so the Ukrainian side faces the recipient.
- If someone does not have a business card, note the information in your appointment book or portfolio.

Communication Style

Although direct communication is valued in the Ukraine, there is also an emphasis placed on delivering information in a sensitive manner. Often, the level of the relationship will determine how direct someone is. Obviously the newer a relationship, the more cautious people will be. Once a relationship has developed, people will then feel more comfortable speaking frankly.

Business Meetings

Meeting schedules are not very rigid in the Ukraine. There may be an agenda, but it serves as a guideline for the discussion and acts as a springboard to other related business ideas. As relationships are highly important in this culture, there may be some time in the meeting devoted to non-business discussions. Engage in small talk and wait for the other party to change the subject to business.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Business Card Etiquette

When doing business abroad it is important to understand the local culture. Culture includes areas such as a country's norms, values, behaviours, food, architecture, fashion and art. However, one area of culture that is important for the international business person is etiquette.

Understanding business etiquette allows you to feel comfortable in your dealings with foreign friends, colleagues, customers or clients. Knowing what to do and say in the right places will help build trust and open lines of communication.

One aspect of etiquette that is of great importance internationally is the exchanging of business cards.

Unlike in North America or Europe where the business card has little meaning other than a convenient form of capturing essential personal details, in other parts of the world the business card has very different meanings.

For example, in Japan the business card is viewed as a representation of the owner. Therefore proper business etiquette demands one treats the business card with respect and honour.

Below we have provided you with a few examples of international business card exchange etiquette that may help you on your business trips abroad.

General Business Card Etiquette Tips

. Business cards are an internationally recognised means of presenting personal contact details, so ensure you have a plentiful supply.
. Demonstrating good business etiquette is merely a means of presenting yourself as best you can. Failure to adhere to foreign business etiquette does not always have disastrous consequences.
. When travelling abroad for business it is advisable to have one side of your business card translated into the appropriate language.
. Business cards are generally exchanged at the beginning of or at the end of an initial meeting.
. Good business etiquette requires you present the card so the recipient's language is face up.
. Make a point of studying any business card, commenting on it and clarifying information before putting it away.

Business Card Etiquette in China

. Have one side of your business card translated into Chinese using simplified Chinese characters that are printed in gold ink since gold is an auspicious colour.
. Ensure the translation is carried out into the appropriate Chinese dialect, i.e. Cantonese or Mandarin.
. Your business card should include your title. If your company is the oldest or largest in your country, that fact should be highlighted on your card.
. Hold the card in both hands when offering it.
. Never write on someone's card unless so directed.

Business Card Etiquette in India

. If you have a university degree or any honour, put it on your business card.
. Always use the right hand to give and receive business cards.
. Business cards need not be translated into Hindi as English is widely spoken within the business community.

Business Card Etiquette in Japan

. Business cards are exchanged with great ceremony.
. Invest in quality cards.
. Always keep your business cards in pristine condition.
. Treat the business card you receive as you would the person.
. Make sure your business card includes your title. The Japanese place emphasis on status and hierarchy.
. Business cards are always received with two hands but can be given with only one.
. During a meeting, place the business cards on the table in front of you in the order people are seated.
. When the meeting is over, put the business cards in a business card case or a portfolio.

Business Card Etiquette in the UK

. Business card etiquette is relaxed in the UK and involves little ceremony.
. It is not considered bad etiquette to keep cards in a pocket.
. Business cards should be kept clean and presentable.
. Do not feel obliged to hand out a business card to everyone you meet as it is not expected.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Facts and Statistics

Location: Central Europe, eastern Alps bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Austria and Croatia

Capital: Ljubljana

Climate: Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east

Population: 2,009,245 (July 2007 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: Slovene 83.1%, Serb 2%, Croat 1.8%, Bosniak 1.1%, other or unspecified 12% (2002 census)

Religions: Catholic 57.8%, Muslim 2.4%, Orthodox 2.3%, other Christian 0.9%, unaffiliated 3.5%, other or unspecified 23%, none 10.1% (2002 census)

Government: parliamentary republic

Language in Slovenia

Slovene or Slovenian is an Indo-European language that belongs to the family of South Slavic languages. It is spoken by approximately 2 million speakers worldwide, naturally the majority of whom live in Slovenia. Slovene is one of the few languages to have preserved the dual grammatical number from Proto-Indo-European. Also, Slovene and Slovak are the two modern Slavic languages whose names for themselves literally mean "Slavic". Slovene is one of the official languages of the European Union.

Although the country is relatively small, there are over 32 different dialects spoken, which can be grouped into 7 larger dialect segments. The diversity in language is due to the influences of neighbouring countries as well as the mountainous nature of the country, which has led to isolated language development.

Slovenian People, Society and Culture

The Role of Religion

Over half the population is Roman Catholic, although there are approximately 38 religious groups or sects officially registered within Slovenia. The Office for Religious Communities maintains a list of active religious communities. There are a large number of Evangelical Lutherans residing near the Hungarian border. Those who call themselves Catholic are very heterogeneous, with very few adhering to all the precepts of the church. In fact, the majority are quite selective in what aspects they follow and often combine their religious beliefs with secular beliefs.

Despite the secularism of many people, many public holidays are also religious in nature.

The Family

The family is at the centre of the social structure. However, over time this is changing. Only a decade ago, one could find several generations living together; nowadays not only are young people moving away but families are splitting due to a move to urban centres. Nonetheless, the family itself remains strong.

Slovenians sense of “home” is also very strong. As a rule, when they are not working, they embark on home based activities such as gardening projects (a visitor will notice that having flowers around the house is something of an art form in cities) or renovation. They see their home and its surroundings as an extension of themselves. People take care to sweep their paths and ensure that the streets remain free of litter and parks are well-maintained.

A Polycentric Culture

Slovenia has a polycentric culture. This means people will go out of their way to change their natural behaviour to mirror that of the person with whom they are interacting. So for example, Slovenians are naturally indirect communicators but can moderate their behaviour when dealing with people who come from cultures where more direct communication is the norm.

This ease of adaptation makes Slovenes easy to work with, although it also makes it somewhat difficult to know exactly what to expect when dealing with people since some may be more adept at moderating their behaviour than others.

Culture, Customs and Etiquette

Meeting and Greeting

  • Greetings are initially quote formal and reserved.
  • When meeting someone for the first time the most common greeting a handshake and a welcoming smile.
  • It is customary to maintain eye contact during the greeting process.
  • Close friends and family may kiss twice on the cheek.
  • First names are only used among close friends and family.
  • Others are addressed using the honorific titles “Gospa” (Madam), “Gospodièna” (Miss), or “Gospod” (Sir).
  • Do not use a person’s first name until invited to do so as this is considered rude and presumptuous.

Gift Giving Etiquette

  • Slovenians exchange gifts with family and close friends at Christmas and birthdays.
  • Members of the Orthodox Church may also celebrate their name day (birth date of the saint after whom they are named).
  • This is a culture where it is the thought that counts so thecost of the gift is not important.
  • If invited to dinner at a Slovene’s house, it is considered good manners to bring flowers to the hostess and a bottle of wine to the host.
  • Gifts should be nicely wrapped; there are no real colour prohibitions.
  • Gifts are usually opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

  • If you are invited to a Slovenian’s house:
  • Arrive on time or within 5 minutes of the stipulated time as this demonstrates respect for your hosts.
  • Dress conservatively and in clothes you might wear to the office.
  • It is common to remove your shoes at the door. Most hosts will offer slippers to guests to wear.
  • Slovenians tend to separate their business and personal lives. Therefore, it is a good idea to refrain from initiating business discussions in social situations.
  • Expect to be offered some form of refreshments, even if you have not been specifically invited to a meal.
  • It is common for the host to accompany guests to their car when they leave.

Business Protocol in Slovenia

Culture Slovenia

  • Meeting people
  • Slovenians are somewhat reserved and may not initially appear friendly to people from informal cultures.
  • This reserve disappears rapidly once they a relationship is built.
  • Shake hands at the beginning and end of meetings. It is customary to shake hands with women first.
  • Handshakes should be firm and confident.
  • Maintain direct eye contact during the greeting.
  • Professional or academic titles are commonly used with the surname as they denote personal achievement.
  • If someone does not have a professional or academic title, use the honorific titles “Gospa” (Madam) or “Gospod” (Sir) with the surname.
  • There is an emerging trend to move quickly to the use of first names. However, it is a good idea to wait until your Slovenian colleague recommends using his/her first name.
  • Business cards are exchanged without formal ritual after introductions.
  • It is a nice touch to have one side of your card translated into Slovenian.

Communication Style

Slovenians are egalitarian, yet interestingly their natural communication style tends to be indirect. However, at the same time their polycentricity means they are willing to adapt their communication style to the person with whom they are conversing.

They prefer to communicate indirectly with people whom they do not know well. This can be demonstrated by offering vague, roundabout, or non-committed explanations rather than offer a negative response. They tend to prefer non-confrontational business dealings when possible. This means that even when giving a straightforward response, they will generally proceed cautiously rather than hurt another person’s feelings.

Business decisions are often based on personal sentiments about the other person. Therefore, it is a good idea to spend time in relationship building.

Slovenians admire modesty and humility in business associates. They dislike people who boast about their accomplishments and achievements.

Slovenians are naturally soft-spoken and do not raise their voices when conversing. They are also polite, courteous, and respectful of others. They do not interrupt a speaker, preferring to wait for their turn to enter the conversation. They are very tolerant of differences and view it as rude behaviour to publicly criticize or complain about people.

Although Slovenians have a good sense of humour, they do not always understand self-deprecating humour. Be cautious when teasing others, as such behaviour may be interpreted as putting them down.

Business Meetings

Meetings typically start after a brief period of social chit chat. Make sure this is not rushed as it is all part of the relationship building process. Although not a relationship-driven culture in the classic sense, Slovenes prefer to do business with those they know and trust. When meeting with a company for the first time, this period of social interchange may be somewhat extended so that your Slovene colleagues get the opportunity to learn something about you as a person and make judgments about your character.

Expect your Slovene business colleagues to be somewhat reserved and formal initially. It may take several meetings to establish a sense of rapport and relaxed attitude between people. The Slovene business culture is a mix of German efficiency and Italian gusto for life; however, this second attribute is not always readily apparent. It takes time for Slovenes to shed their reserve, although they generally do, especially after a few glasses of wine.

Business decision-making processes are often based on hierarchy, and many decisions are still reached at the highest echelons of the company. Final decisions tend to be translated into comprehensive action plans that are followed explicitly.

When meeting with peers or in teams, Slovenes’ egalitarianism is apparent. The hierarchy is relatively flat. Although the team leader is considered to be the expert, all members are deemed to have something to contribute. With a culture based on tolerance, disagreements are based on different interpretation of information. Actual decisions may be based more on personal viewpoints than concrete facts.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Facts and Statistics

Location: Between Finland and Norway in Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak.

Capital: Stockholm.

Climate: temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north.

Population: 9,031,088 (July 2007 est.).

Ethnic Make-up: indigenous population: Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks.

Religions: Lutheran 87%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 13%.

Language in Sweden

The official language of Sweden is Swedish and it is spoken by the majority of individuals living in Sweden. One of two key minority languages is Saami, which is spoken in the Northern regions of Sweden and finally Finnish. There are also a number of Romanies in Sweden who speak in Romani.

Swedish is not only the official language of Sweden. It is also one of the official languages of Finland.

Influences on the Swedish language have come primarily from Latin, German and Danish.

Swedish Culture and Society

Lutheran

The Church of Sweden professes the Lutheran branch of Christianity and it has a membership of almost 7 million people; making it the largest Lutheran Church globally. Although over 75% of Swedish citizens are members of the church, only 2% regularly attend church services.

The Ethnic Make-up of Sweden

The indigenous population of Sweden is comprised of Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities. Foreign-born or first-generation immigrants are typically of Finnish, Danish, Norwegian, Greek and Turkish ethnicity.

The Culture of Sweden

One of the key characteristics of Swedish culture is that Swedes are egalitarian in nature, humble and find boasting absolutely unacceptable. In many ways, Swedes prefer to listen to others as opposed to ensuring that their own voice is heard.

When speaking, Swedes speak softly and calmly. It is rare that you were witness a Swede demonstrating anger or strong emotion in public.

Map of Sweden

In terms, Swedes rarely take hospitality or kindness for granted and as such, they will give often give thanks. Failing to say thank you for something is perceived negatively in Sweden.

Behaviours in Sweden are strongly balanced towards ‘lagom’ or, ‘everything in moderation’. Excess, flashiness and boasting are abhorred in Sweden and individuals strive towards the middle way. As an example, work hard and play hard are not common concepts in Sweden. People work hard but not too hard, they go out and enjoy themselves, but without participating in anything extreme.

Due to the strong leaning towards egalitarianism in Sweden, competition is not encouraged and children are not raised to believe that they are any more special than any other child.

The Family

The family in Sweden is extremely important and as such, the rights of children are well protected.

The rights afforded to Swedish families to ensure that they are able to adquately care for their children are some of the best rights in the world. An overview of these rights is as follows:

. Either the mother or father is entitled to be absent from work until their child reaches 18 months old.
. Either parent has the right to reduce their workload by 25% until their child reaches 8 years old (and is formally ready for school).
. A parental allowance is paid for 480 days, which is intended for both parents. Sixty of these days must be used by the ‘minority’ parents. For this reason, this element of the allowance is often known as ‘Daddy’s months’.
. You have the right to up to 60 days off per year to care for a sick child.
. A number of people in Sweden however, challenge the degree to which these rights are truly positive as statistics suggest that women often fall way behind their male colleague in respect to position in pay.
. Anyone travelling to Sweden will notice the family friendly environment of most resturants and other such establishments. Even trains have a toy and play area!

The Role of Hospitality

Although Sweden is a largely egalitarian and relaxed environment, hospitality and eating arrangements are often a formal affair.

It is more common for guests to be invited to a Swede’s home for coffee and cake as opposed to a meal, but, if you are invited for a meal then ensure that you:

. Are punctual as it is considered extremely impolite if you are rude. In the same essence, do not arrive too early. It is not an uncommon event in Sweden for guests to sit in the car until the last minute or walk around the block until the expected time of arrival has arrived!
. Dress smartly as to otherwise would be considered disrespectful to the hosts.
. Do not ask to see the rest of the house as Swedes are general very private and it is likely that the only room (other than the dining / sitting room) that they would expect you to go to would be the bathroom.
. When eating, keep your hands in full view, with your wrists on top of the table.
. The European eating etiquette should be adhered to in respect to knife in the right hand and fork in the left.
. Do not start eating until the hostess has started.
. Do not take the last helping from a plate.
. Finish everything on your plate as it is considered rude to leave any food uneaten.
. Do not offer a toast to anyone more senior to you in age. When offering a toast then lift your glass and nod at everyone present looking from those seated on your right to those seated on your left before taking a sip. You should then nod again before replacing your glass on the table.
. It is important that you do not discuss business at the table as Swedes try to distinguish between home and work.
. During formal events, the guest seated on the left of the hostess typically stands to make a speech during the sweet, to thank her on behalf of the whole group.
. Always write or call to thank the host / hostess within a few days of attending the dinner.

Etiquette in Sweden

Meeting and Greeting

Business Personnel in Sweden are typically fairly reserved and as such it is important that all dealings are formal and serious until it is deemed acceptable by the respective Swedish personnel to allow events to become more relaxed.

Key suggestions are as follows:

. Ensure that, maintaining eye contact coupled with a firm handshake, you shake hands with all attendees on both arrival and departure.
. Ensure that you address your hosts with either their professional title or their honorific title and their surname - Mr. - Herr or Mrs. – Fru.
. Younger people are likely to move more quickly to a first name basis than older people.
. Personal space is important in Sweden and as such it is recommended that you maintain an awareness of someone’s personal space and that you do not invade it. Avoid any unnecessary touching.

Gift Giving Etiquette

. If you are invited to a Swede’s home then it is suggested that you take the same type of gift as you would give in the UK e.g. a bouquet of flowers or, a box of chocolates.
. If you choose to give flowers, then ensure that the bouquet does not include white lilies or chrysanthemums. The reason for this being that both types of flowers are typically given at funerals.
. Since Sweden is such a child centred country, it is always recommended that you take gives for any children who may be part of the family who you are visiting.
. If you are personally given a gift, then it is custom to open it upon receipt.

Business Cards

There are no particular protocols for the exchanging of business cards in Sweden.

What to Wear?

Business wear in Sweden is conservative. As such, we advise the following:

. Men should wear good quality suits with silk ties and shirts.
. Women should wear conservative business dresses or a suit.
. Due to the egalitarian values of Sweden, it is strongly recommended that you do not wear anything flashy. Even senior directors or executives do not dress any more elaborately than average employees. As such, avoid ostentatious or, obvious jewellery.

Business Meetings

. Ensure that you give at least two weeks notice if you are arranging a meeting in Sweden.
. Months to avoid if possible, include June, July, August and then late February through to early March as most Swedes will be on holiday during these periods. As with the UK, most Swedes are also absent during the Christmas period.
. Punctuality is absolutely essential. If you are late, then this will reflect very badly on you and will be viewed as discourteous.
. Swedes rarely engage in small talk at the start of a meeting. Instead, people will move directly to the topics at hand.
. Meetings are typically governed by an agenda which is distributed to individuals prior to the meeting. There is very little talk outside of the agenda topics.
. Although most meetings are managed by a particular person, all individuals are expected to contribute.
. Swedish business personnel are extremely detail focused and as such any presentations should be well prepared with supporting, accurate and relevant data. Be assured that your hosts will pay a great deal of attention to the detail.
. Swedes rarely make decisions during initial meetings and as such, the first meeting that you have with your hosts is likely to be fairly general and low key.
. Swedes are direct communicators and as such, "Saying what you mean and meaning what you say" is both practiced and expected.
. ‘Awkward silences’ are rarely seen as awkward in Sweden and as such, Swedes do not rush to fill conversation silences.
. If you are trying to sell something then try to tone down the use of emphasis or superlatives as it is very rare that a Swede will over elaborate during a conversation – even if they are trying to sell something. Failure to adhere to this could result in your delivery being viewed as insincere.

Negotiating

. It is essential that you are cool and controlled during negotiations and that you do not demonstrate any emotion as this will be perceived negatively.
. Additionally, always bear in mind that the egalitarian nature of Sweden means that decisions and consensus are made across teams. As such endearing yourself to the most senior executives and directors will be of no avail.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Facts and Statistics

Location: Central Europe, south of Poland and sharing borders with Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Ukraine

Capital: Bratislava

Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters

Population: 5,447,502 (July 2007 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: Slovak 85.8%, Hungarian 9.7%, Roma 1.7%, Ruthenian/Ukrainian 1%, other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census)

Religions: Roman Catholic 68.9%, Protestant 10.8%, Greek Catholic 4.1%, other or unspecified 3.2%, none 13% (2001 census)

Government: parliamentary democracy

Language in Slovakia

The Slovak language, sometimes referred to as "Slovakian", is an Indo-European language belonging to the West Slavic languages (together with Czech, Polish, Kashubian and Sorbian). Slovak is mutually intelligible with Czech.

Slovak, as a written language, did not exist until the end of the 18th Century, when Anton Bernolak, a Roman Catholic priest set about to create a Slovak literary language. He based his creation on the Western Slovakian dialect and produced a phonetic spelling (one that is written as it is pronounced).

Bernolak published his new language in his "Grammatica Slavica" in 1790. The language was further developed in 1843, when an agreement on the codification of Slovak as a written language was made. This was led by Ludovit Stur, who now chose the Central dialect as the basis, believing it to be the purest form.

Slovak People, Society and Culture

The People

The people of Slovakia descend from the Slavic peoples who settled around the Danube river basin in the 6th and 7th centuries. Traditionally, Slovaks were what could be termed the “peasant class.” Their links to the earth and land still remain to this day. Under communism some industrialization was undertaken and today Slovak society includes both elements of folk traditions and modern society. The political transformations of 1989 brought new freedoms that have considerably widened the societal outlook of the populace, yet many of the cultural movements are still in their infancy and consequently a large part of the elderly population is still rural and dependant on agriculture.

On January 1, 1993 Slovakia became an independent nation-state, recognized by the United Nations and its member states. Although some aspects of the society already had a unique national character, namely the language, many of the customs, laws and conventions were still deeply influenced by past rulers: Czechs, Hungarians and the Austrian Habsburgs.

The Family

The family is the centre of the social structure. It, together with close friends, forms the basis of financial and emotional support. Obligation to the family is a person’s number one priority.

A Spa Culture

Slovakia has a large number of natural curative springs as well as extensive deposits of high-quality healing peat and mud. Throughout the ages people have taken advantage of these resources to cure a variety of diseases and ailments. The country has more than 1,160 registered mineral and thermal springs. Even Marcus Aurelius´ Roman legions tried out the thermal water, and several of the better-known spas are visited every year by people from many countries.

A Private People

Slovaks value their privacy. It takes a while for them to open up to and trust new people. As a result they can seem overly formal and reserved. They are not exuberant and are not given to emotional displays. Once you develop a personal relationship Slovaks will start to open up. Although always polite, they seldom move to a first-name basis with people outside their extended family or very close friends.

Etiquette and Customs in Slovakia

Culture Slovakia

Meeting and Greeting

- Greetings are warm but not effusive.
- The most common greeting will be a handshake, direct eye contact and the relevant greeting for the time of day: "dobré rano" (good morning), "dobré popoludne" (good afternoon), and "dobru noc" (good evening). The informal greeting "ahoj" (hi) is often used among friends.
- People are generally introduced by the honorific titles "Pan" (Mr.) or "Pani" (Mrs.) and their surname.
- Close friends may refer to each other using the honorific title and first names.
- Always wait to be invited before using someone’s first name.

Gift Giving Etiquette

- If you are invited to a Slovak’s home, take wine, flowers or good quality chocolates for the hostess.
- If giving flowers, do so in odd numbers, except for 13, which is considered unlucky.
- Do not give chrysanthemums or calla lilies and do not wrap flowers in purple ribbon, as these are traditions reserved for funerals.
- Gifts are usually opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

Slovaks generally entertain in pubs or taverns (called "pivnice"), wine bars (called "vinárne"), restaurants and sometimes in their homes. The home is considered private and only family and close friends are generally invited to visit.

If you are invited to a Slovak's house:

- Remove your shoes at the door.
- Arrive on time - punctuality is appreciated.
- Dress well, i.e. like you are going to work, as this shows respect for your hosts.
- Try not to discuss business in social situations unless your host brings up the topic.
- Reciprocating any hospitality you receive goes towards strengthening a relationship.
- Table manners are rather formal in Slovakia.
- Table manners are Continental, i.e. hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
- Wait for the host to say "do brou chut" before you begin eating.
- The napkin remains folded next to the plate. It is not unfolded and put on your lap.
- To refuse the first offer of a second helping is polite; wait until the hostess insists before accepting more.
- The most common toast is "naz dravie" (to your health).
- It is imperative that you look the person who is being toasted in the eye.

Business Etiquette and Protocol

Meeting and Greeting

- Slovak businesspeople initially take a formal and distant approach to people in business. Be prepared for a seemingly cold reception at first.
- This approach is however changing and a younger generation becomes more involved in business. They are more willing to dispense of protocol and a slightly less level of formality will be used.
- It is best to let your colleagues determine the level of formality used.
- Handshakes should be firm and confident.
- Include the appropriate greeting for the time of day (see above).
- Wait for a woman to extend her hand.
- Academic and professional titles are commonly used in business situations; if the person does not have such a title, the honorific titles “Pan” or “Pani” and the surname are used.
- First names are rarely used until a personal relationship has developed, and even then they are seldom used in business.
- Wait to be invited before moving to first names.
- Business cards are exchanged without formal ritual.
- It is a nice touch to have one side of your card translated into Slovak.
- Include any advanced university degrees on your business card.
- If your company has been in business for more than 20 years, include its founding date on your card as well.

Communication Style

While direct communication is valued in Slovakia, there is also an emphasis placed on finessing what is being said so that information is delivered in a sensitive way. Often, the level of the relationship will determine how direct someone is. For newly established and more formal relationships, a great deal of emphasis will be placed on diplomacy. But once a relationship has passed through the initial phases, people feel more comfortable speaking frankly with each other.

Since tradition is valued, it is often helpful to give a bit of historical background or context before starting a meeting or new program. Slovaks do not need a tremendous amount of background information to feel comfortable proceeding with a transaction, although they do require some information and may ask questions until they feel comfortable and are able to proceed satisfactorily. Body language, body posture and tonal delivery are important enhancements to the verbal message, adding emphasis or additional meaning to the words.

Business Meetings

Organisational cultures differ widely in Slovakia, but generally meetings are conducted by the most senior person present who sets the agenda, the content, and the pace. The purpose is usually to communicate information and decisions that have already been made rather than to brainstorm or discuss. Employees may be called on to corroborate or clarify facts and statistics, but will not usually be asked to collaborate.

Meeting schedules are not very rigid in Slovakia. There may be an agenda, but it serves as a guideline for the discussion and acts as a springboard to other related business ideas. As relationships are highly important in this culture, there may be some time in the meeting devoted to non-business discussions. Time is not considered more important than completing a meeting satisfactorily, so meetings will go on until they come to a natural ending.

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