Business setting

Attitudes and values form the basis of any culture. They reflect the ways people think and behave. Knowledge of these can be of significant importance if you wish to communicate with your counterparts effectively. Ignorance of these issues can put up a cultural barrier that may inhibit the communication process, and have a negative effect on the success of your activities in a country.

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Proper Swedish business etiquette is essential to gain new partners and clients in Sweden’s business community.

In Sweden, proper etiquette is valued on a personal as well as business level. Since, Swedes prefer to keep separate their business life and personal life. And avoid using any superlatives as this can be interpreted as a sign of insincerity.

The notions of equality and consensus are also very common in business meetings. Make sure that everyone participates in the decision and that no direct confrontations occur. as Swedes value direct communication.

Most Swedish business people have good English skills and so interpreters are rarely needed.

Preparing yourself and understanding this most elegant culture will allow you to travel with ease, execute successful business transactions and build long-term beneficial relationships.

In Sweden business meeting are very important and serious. So, Swedes get directly to the topics at the hand during the meeting and English language are commonly used in a meeting.

Maintain eye contact while talking with someone, and always use titles until told otherwise and show due respect older Swedes by using the full title and surname. In addition, keep a general and low-key attitude at the first meeting.

During conversations, Swedes are comfortable with silence as they consider the subject under discussion. There is no need to fill these silences with idle chatter. It is also vital that foreigners not suggest that one region of Sweden is better than another as Swedes are very loyal to their home regions.

Swedes do not appreciate wasting time. The chair of the meeting should take care that it keeps to time without hurrying and sticks to the agenda. Everyone should have an opportunity to express their opinion.

Greet all participants with firm handshakes and direct eye contact both on arrival and departure.

Lunch is the most common mealtime during which to conduct business negotiations in Sweden. Longer and socially more intimate dinners offer a good opportunity to get to know your business partners and to develop relationships that in the long run are always an important underpinning for your subsequent business encounters.

Business meeting are always in a meeting room, which is different from the UAE, because most business meetings in the UAE is done over dinner or lunch.

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Being on time is important not only in business life but in social life as well.

Always be punctual, and if by chance you are going to be late, promptly notify your Swedish colleagues. If you are going to be more than 30 minutes late, offer your colleague the option to reschedule.

All the same it is important to avoid being too early as they may create a situation of distress for your Swedish colleague.

You should make the arrangements for your business meetings in good time. Making the appointment at least two weeks in advance is recommended. Changes at the last minute are not appreciated. When a meeting is organized in Sweden it is common to receive a confirmation in advance.

Meeting should never be scheduled before 9:00a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. Also avoid scheduling important meetings from June through August, as many Swedes vacations during these summer months.

Important to know for North Americans is that in Sweden the dates are written in the following way: the day first, then the month, then the year [e.g. October 21, 2012, is written 21.10.12.].

#Culture