Foreign partner — who he is, what it is important to know about the first meeting, how to build a relationship and other useful information

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Switzerland
Introduction

In Switzerland, categories such as status, rank, and position are still of great importance. Therefore, certain formalities must be observed when communicating with business partners from Switzerland. This applies in particular to the forms of address accepted in oral and written communication.

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United States
Preferred Topics

Americans are usually happy to talk about professional topics related to their work.

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Check yourself before you sit down at the negotiating table

Checklist «8 mistakes»

WHO THIS PROJECT IS FOR

Entrepreneurs

For those who develop business contacts with foreign partners

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Students
and educators

For those interested in the topic of cross-cultural differences

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Personnel of organizations

For those involved in the development of cooperation programs with foreign countries

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How to make communication with a foreign partner effective? Cultural profiles of countries — in the public domain

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

During the greeting

In a number of cultures a firm Russian handshake is not accepted, for example, in India and Iraq. How should you greet your partner?

When contacting

It can be difficult to determine where on a business card is the first name and last name, and when it is possible to switch to "you".

Giving a business card

What language should the business card be in? What is important to remember when passing it on?

Starting conversation

What topics are considered dangerous? And what is the best way to engage in conversation?

Manners

Pauses in conversation, loud expressive speech, violent gesticulation? What is common in my partner's culture?

The answers to these and many other questions can be found on this site:

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ARTICLES ON BUSINESS CULTURE

Why are decisions made quickly in some cultures and over weeks in others? What lies behind a partner's silence — or their unexpected “yes”? Our articles offer observations and practical advice for working with foreign partners.

2024/07/27

Humor in business communication

Let's talk about humor in business communication.

It's a universal category, but definitely culturally specific. Both in the East and the West people love to make jokes and laugh at them. A good sense of humour is an admired quality in many cultures, even if the type of humor may vary. Just see how different it can be:

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Check yourself before you sit down at the negotiating table

Checklist «8 mistakes»

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