In many ways Latvians have a similar professional mentality to Germans. However, they themselves are likely to emphasize their Scandinavian roots. Ultimately, Latvian culture is very individual, despite or perhaps even because of the numerous influences of various occupying powers in the past. You will notice a strong sense of Latvian national pride. Their metropolis […]
Working in Brazil without coming across the famous ›jeitinho‹ is practically impossible. The word derives from ›dar um jeito‹, which translates as ›finding a way‹, with the added suffix ›inho‹ making it into a diminutive. The expression means that for almost everything there is a way (out). Even when this is not entirely legal, one […]
Romanians communicate in great detail. Their statements in meetings and negotiations are often long and complex; their response to questions is just as extensive. However, from the perspective of some foreign business people, often only a small part of the answer seems to actually relate to the original question. At the same time, foreign managers […]
The engineer had really been looking forward to his expatriate assignment to China. He had read several books on the Chinese mentality and tried to pick up some Mandarin. Yet, even months after his arrival in Peking he had the feeling that he had not got one step further in the Chinese subsidiary of his […]
The most important rule when dealing with Czech business partners is to be aware of the state of the personal relationship at all times. In the Czech Republic, the relationship level is the most important level. A good personal relationship with a business partner always counts for much more than a joint project. In order […]
In Poland, how you communicate trumps what you communicate – in social as well as economic life – which means that harmonious social relations have top priority. In order to establish the personal relations that are essential for success with Polish business partners, you should make sure that you inquire about their family, make small […]
Although very small in terms of surface area, Rwanda is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa and is home to an amazing variety of landscapes. In 1994, the country experienced one of the most terrible genocides in the world through the escalation of ethnic-social differences in society. To this day, political, economic […]
The Italian expression “la bella figura” translates to “cut a good figure” and refers to a person’s personal presence, fashionable clothes, a well-groomed appearance, good manners, and overall positive self-expression. The desire to cut a good figure in Italy is not only reserved for rich, successful and famous personalities. Regardless of social class, age, income […]
Tradition and a societal system – these are the corner stones that mark the community spirit of the countries belonging to the Arabian cultural milieu. The center is the Islamic family – values that are important in family-life and society apply just as well in business-life. Therefore generosity, mutual care and respect are virtues that […]
Business lunches, which usually take place in restaurants, are instrumental in the creation of a good partnership atmosphere in Polish business culture. It should be borne in mind especially that ›It’s not what you say, but how you say it.‹ Among the first topics of discussion will be subjects which allow you to get to […]
Let’s take a look at the human resources department of a traditional German company that attaches great importance to good dealings with its personnel at all levels and lives up to this. One sunny morning, a young French engineer, graduate of a so-called French “elite university”, two representatives of the technical department and the HR […]
In East African countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and Malawi, it is essential to allow sufficient time to get projects off the ground. In order to establish a certain basis of trust, it is not unusual to talk extensively about personal matters with potential business partners. Family is very important in East […]
