Whether you’re moving to Europe for business or you’re a European who wants to improve your business etiquette, there are several things you should know. These tips will help you feel more comfortable and confident in the world of business.
Handshakes
Using the right business etiquette is a key to successful international business relationships. Whether you’re meeting a new client or working on a trade mission, it’s important to understand how the culture of the destination you’re visiting influences business greetings.
In European countries, the handshake is the accepted form of greeting. You’ll want to keep your eyes on the person you’re shaking hands with. This is important, since your eyes can tell a lot about a person. Keeping eye contact will also show that you’re confident.
In Europe, women usually extend their hands first. In some countries, a firm handshake is required. In others, a light handshake is acceptable. You can use your left hand for the handshake, but you’ll want to leave your right hand free.
In some European countries, men may kiss a female business associate on the cheek. You’ll be expected to do this if you are meeting a woman for the first time. It’s considered rude if you don’t.
Greetings in the language of the person you’re meeting
Greetings in Europe vary from region to region and trends change. For instance, the same word can have different meanings in northern Germany and southern Italy. Also, different countries may use a greeting that is appropriate in one region but unsuitable in another.
For example, in France, men will kiss female business associates on the cheek. However, this is only appropriate in an intimate situation, or if the person being kissed is a very close friend.
For a more formal greeting, the Germans say Guten Tag, a more polite version of the same phrase. It’s often used when meeting someone for the first time. It can be used in job interviews, too.
A similar phrase, but shorter, is Tschussi. It’s a little more formal than Tschuss, and is said by women when meeting other women.
The Germans have many more ways to greet people than the ‘hello’, ‘bye-bye’ and ‘goodbye’. For example, they have the ‘what’s up’, ‘how’s it going’ and ‘where’s it going’.
Arriving on time for business meetings
Getting there on time is an important part of business. However, it’s more than just showing up. Being on time shows respect for other people’s time. It also helps you to make a good first impression. This can be especially true if you’re meeting with a foreign colleague.
When it comes to getting there on time, European countries have a plethora of options. For example, you can choose to take a plane or train or even travel by road. The best option is to plan ahead. If you have to drive, allow for traffic and be prepared to spend a little extra time en route. If you’re flying, don’t be surprised if your flight is delayed or postponed.
It’s also a good idea to give yourself a few minutes to get to the venue. It’s not a bad idea to call in advance if you know you’ll be late. That way, you won’t be disappointed and can reschedule your meeting.
COVID-19 impact on the global business etiquette training market
During the first half of this year, the global business etiquette training market has seen a rapid acceleration in digital transformation. As an increasing number of people are depending on online platforms for information, media consumption pattern has changed. The increase in the number of consumers at home has also impacted the media consumption pattern. This has resulted in the short-term boost in spending in certain categories. In addition, consumer behavior is changing due to lockdowns and restrictions.
The impact of COVID-19 is far reaching. It is affecting the corporate learning and corporate L&D markets, as well as the consumer markets. For example, travel, apparel, restaurants, and out-of-home entertainment have all been negatively affected. And 43% of organizations have had their training budgets negatively impacted. Despite this, 51% of organizations are still trying to migrate their face-to-face classroom training to other formats. Moreover, the survey suggests that old barriers have been brushed aside under the pressure of constant disruption.