2. WHAT RESEARCH SHOULD BE DONE PRIOR TO
VISITING BRAZIL, GREECE, AND INDIA?
Plan a good itinerary
Seek general information and etiquette about the
country
Try to learn some of the local language and
protocols
Ensure you have all necessary contact information
for business partners
Research importance of time in individual countries
3. CONT’D
Research gender roles in countries travelling to
Research acceptance of power
Research appropriate dress
Participate in cultural awareness training
4. GUIDELINES AND EXPECTATIONS
The purposes of a job description is to outline expectations of the
employee:
To determine the proper classification or grade level for a
position
To describe skills, knowledge, and abilities for recruitment
To develop hiring specifications
To design and restructure jobs
To provide effective employee training and development
To serve as a basis for performance expectations
To communicate duties and responsibilities of a position to the
employee
A results-oriented description explains why functions are performed
and allows you to more effectively manage the objectives of the
position; it also helps the International Mohawk Corporations to
evaluate the position more quickly and effectively.
8. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
Language: Greek and English
Major Religion: Greek Orthodox
Climate: winters are mild and rainy, with
temperatures sometimes dropping to freezing point,
especially in the north. Summers are long and dry,
with extremes of 37°C (99°F), making the yearly
mean temperature about 17°C (63°F). For those not
overly fond of the heat, the mountainous areas offer
some respite as they receive more rain in summer,
and even snow in winter
9. CULTURAL DIMENSIONS
Collective Society
Respect hierarchy
Conservative business suits in dark colours is
preferred.
Greeks are proud of their cultural heritage and their
contribution to world civilization.
Trust is more important to Greek business people
than expertise, qualifications and performance
Avoid any conversation about politics
10. GREETING ETIQUETTE
Shake hands firmly, smile, and maintain direct eye
contact.
Don’t expect to follow an agenda – meetings are
often for expressing personal opinion and to inform
Business is conducted with well acquainted people
The first meeting will likely be getting to know one
another
11. MEETING ETIQUETTE
Punctuality for business meetings is particularly
important for foreigners in Greece
The Greeks can be fairly laidback and as such
meetings can be arranged at short notice.
It is best to do so over the phone and to confirm in
writing (fax or email).
Business dinners are social occasions, follow your
hosts lead as to whether or not the business should
be discussed at dinner
12. MEETING ETIQUETTE (CON’T)
Quite often it is not until the third meeting that business
is actually conducted
During the first meeting your Greek business colleagues will
want to get to know something about you as a person
The second meeting is used to develop trust and mutual
respect
By the third meeting, business may begin
Be prepared for lots of questions, many people talking at
once and interruptions.
Your knowledge and experience and demand proof. You
will be expected to bargain, and bargain hard.
13. IMPROPER BUSINESS ETIQUETTE
Using red ink or any non-blue ink may be
inappropriate in many situation. Some Greeks may
connect ink colour in their mind with politics, so a
person writing in red ink may be seen as a
communist.
Nodding your head “yes” is not polite; say “yes”
instead.
The “O.K “sign is a rude gesture; thumbs up means
O.K.
Bad gift ideas-inexpensive wines, knives, sharp
objects
16. CULTURAL DIMENSIONS
Collective society
Believe in hierarchy
Building up trust and long term relationships with
your business partner is important
Conflicts are avoided in private and work life
One will take responsibility
Showing respect to the elderly is important
17. GREETING ETIQUETTE
First name should be used but titles are important.
Firm handshake is expected with strong eye
contact.
Never assume you could make a quick exit.
18. MEETING ETIQUETTE
Conservative European dress code is the norm for
all meetings
If late to a meeting you should always call the
company and advise them.
Meetings can be long so be prepared for small talk
before getting down to business.
Business cards should be exchanged at the start of
the meeting
If you are expecting an urgent call it is wise to
inform your contact in advance
19. PROPER BUSINESS ETIQUETTE
Standing a foot apart is what is required
Gentle touch on the arm, hand or shoulder is
necessary
Brazilians prefer face to face meeting
Considered unacceptable to interrupt someone
when speaking
Plan a meeting 2-3 weeks in advance
20. IMPROPER BUSINESS ETIQUETTE
Never start into business discussions before your
host does.
Giving a gift is not required at a first business
meeting.
Avoid having conversation about
Argentina, politics, and religion.
Don’t interrupt people while they are talking
Don’t wear purple to a meeting as it associated with
death.
21.
22. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
Language: over 22 major dialects
Hindi and English are the two major business
languages
Major Religion:
Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, Judaism, and
Christians
Climate: 4 seasons (Spring, Summer, Moonsoon
and Winter)
23. CULTURAL DIMENSIONS
Hierarchy based culture
Greet the eldest or most senior person first.
Collective Society
Country is composed of a multicultural
backgrounds, therefore business is customized to
suit every culture.
When leaving a meeting, each person must be bid
farewell individually
24. CULTURAL DIMENSIONS (CON’T)
Indian names vary upon religion, social class, and
region of the country.
Do not give frangipani or white flowers as they are
used at funerals.
Yellow, green and red are lucky colours, so try to
use them to wrap gifts.
25. GREETING ETIQUETTE
Title should be respected and acknowledged when
addressing a person
Religion, education and social class all influence
greetings in India.
Men may shake hands with other men
26. GREETING ETIQUETTE (CON’T)
women may shake hands with other women
seldom handshakes between men and women
because of religious beliefs.
Always present your business card with your right
hand, so the recipient may read the card as it is
handed to them.
27. MEETING ETIQUETTE
For business men should wear suits and ties
Women should wear conservative pant suits
For women, a salwar-suit is also acceptable for
business dress.
28. MEETING ETIQUETE
Make appointments by letter, at least one month
and preferably two months in advance.
confirm your appointment as it may be cancelled at
short notice.
Meetings will start with a great deal of getting-toknow-you talk.
29. PROPER BUSINESS ETIQUETTE
Although Indians are not always punctual themselves,
they expect foreigners to arrive close to the
appointment
Business is conducted in outside facilities separated
from the company headquarters.
Decisions are reached by the person with the most
authority.
30. PROPER BUSINESS ETIQUETTE(CON’T)
In general, Indians prefer to have long-standing
personal relationships prior to doing business.
Decisions are reached by the person with the most
authority.
Decision making is a slow process.
Indians prefer to do business with those they know.
Relationships are built upon mutual trust and
respect.
31. IMPROPER BUSINESS ETIQUETTE
Putting your hands on your hips is rude
Touching someone with your foot is rude, as is
pointing your foot
A hearty handshake isn't what it seems in some
Eastern cultures where it's seen as a sign of
aggression.
Avoid telling Indians that you do not want to eat
with your hands. If they are not using cutlery when
eating, they expect you to do the same.
Editor's Notes
Account manager for Brazil
Brazil is a collective society, works as a unit and exchange for loyalty. Brazil reflects is a society that believein hierarchy. In companies there is one boss who takes complete responsibility.
In Brazil, status symbols shows power in order to indicate social position.When leaving, give a firm handshake which can take up to 10 minutes.
In Brazil,European dress code is the norm for all meetings It is important to build up trustworthness and long lasting relationships. Business cards should be exchanged at the start of the meetings.
It is important to plan a meeting 2-3 weeks in advance. Brazilians prefer a face-to face meetings.
Notrequired to give a gift at first meeting. Avoidhaving conversation about Argentina, politics, and religion.In a business meeting, do not wear purple or give purple flowers as it associated with death.
