Answer to Question #158316 in Management for saleemaslam

Question

EXERCISE: Business Etiquette

Choose a non-English speaking country.

Using the search term “business etiquette” along with the name of the country, research what expectations your chosen country has regarding conducting meetings, business attire, addressing colleagues, etc.

Draw comparisons with what you know about business etiquette commonly followed in North America.

Submit your findings in bullet point format.

Include a references page (APA format)

Answer 1

 BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

 It is a set of rules that govern the way people interact with one another in business, with customers, suppliers, with inside or outside bodies. It is all about conveying the right image and behaving appropriately.

Business etiquette in Norway

Meeting and Greeting

• Shake hands with everyone present--men, women, and children--at a business or social meeting. Shake hands again when leaving.
• When introduced, address the other by both first and last name, that is Mr. John Lund.
• Norwegians do not use the phrases "Pleased to meet you" or "How are you?" They find these to be surface formalities with no real meaning.

Body Language

• There is little personal touching except between relatives and close friends.
• Do not stand close to a Norwegian, back slap, or put your arm around anyone.

Corporate Culture

• Norwegians take punctuality for business meetings very seriously and expect that you will likewise; call if you will be more than five minutes late.
• Management style is similar to the participative management style in the United States, and employees asked opinions.
• The consensus is a high priority, but the boss makes the final decisions.

Dining and Entertainment

• Norwegians insist on punctuality for social occasions. 7:00 p.m. means 7:00 p.m.
• Business lunches are to discuss business, but business dinners are mostly social. Business can also be discussed, but allow the host to open the discussion.
• For a formal toast, look into the person's eyes being toasted and give a slight nod, then say Skål. Before putting your glass down, meet the other person's eyes and nod.
• Dinners are generally long with three courses and much conversation. It is impolite to leave immediately after dinner.
• It is polite to finish everything on your plate. Norwegians do not like to waste food but don't overstuff yourself.

Dress

• The dress is conservative. For business, men should wear sports jackets, ties or suits. Women should wear suits, dresses or dress pants.

Gifts

• When invited to someone's home, always bring a small gift for the hostess. Give flowers, chocolates, wine, pastries, liquor (costly in Norway). Do not give: carnations, a bouquet of only white flowers, like lilies (funeral only), wreath (even at Christmas--for funerals only).
• Gifts usually are not exchanged at business meetings, but small gifts may be appropriate at the successful conclusion of negotiations.

Business etiquette in North America in comparison to Norway

• Americans greet with a firm handshake while making eye contact, as the same goes for people in Norway.
• Punctuality is essential, based on the notion that you waste both time and money if you are late as Norwegians.
• There is a wide range of dress codes in the United States, depending on the region, the industry, position, and the individual company’s policies, unlike Norwegians, where the dress is conservative. For business, men should wear sports jackets, ties or suits. Women should wear suits, dresses or dress pants.

References

Ann, S.Z. (August 18, 2017)

Ash. (2019, July 11)

Bosrock, M. M. (1997). Put your best foot forward, Asia: A fearless guide to international communication and behavior.