2. Business Culture in Sweden
Most Swedish businessmen would be
surprised if they were told that their business
culture differs greatly from the international
norm.
Management is based on the idea that the
individual is willing and able to do a good job.
Swedish businessesmen try to solve problems
in an informal and practical way.
3. Travel Facts
An average June day in Sweden can have 17,
19, or 24 hours of daylight.
The time difference between New York and
Sweden is 6 hours later.
You do not need a visa to travel to Sweden.
4.
Most Swedes have a working knowledge of
English.
Some of the holidays in Sweden include:
1 January
6 January
1 May
6 June
24-25 December
31 December
New Year’s Day
Epiphany
May Day
National Day/ Liberation Day
Christmas
New Year’s Day
5. Business Expectations
The handshake is the standard greeting for
men and women.
Use a formal form of address when greeting or
making introductions.
Punctuality is important in both business and
social functions.
6.
In general, Swedes do not use many gestures
and have quiet natures.
Acceptable conversation topics include:
Sports
Sightseeing
Travel
Politics
Inappropriate topics include:
Personal topics
Complaints about how things are run
7. Etiquette
If you are invited to a Swedish home:
Toasts before a meal.
Dining Style.
Giving gifts.
After dinner.
8.
REFERENCES
Business Culture in Sweden.
http://www.sverigeturism.se/smorgasbord/smorgasbord/i
ndustry/business/culture.html, Retrieved November 21,
2006.
“Etiquette, Cultural Dos and Taboos,” Country Watch.
http://www.countrywatch.mccd.edu/cw_topic.aspx?
type=text&vcountry=165&topic=CLETQ, Retrieved
November 17, 2006.
Janette S. Martin, Linnian H. Chaney. Global Business
Etiquette, A Guide to International Communication and
Customs. Praeger Publishers, 2006.
Travel Facts.
http://www.geographia.com/sweden/travelfacrts.html,
Retrieved November 21, 2006.
This presentation cover
Business culture
Traveling to
Business Expectations
Etiquette
A Swedish manager will tend to think of himself as a coach rather than a commander, and delegates tasks frequently
Even if it means bypassing one or more layers of executives.
Swedish employees often report to more than one manager.
Business wear in conservative with suits for both men and women.
Makeup and jewelry is minimal.
Casual dress is very similar to the U.S. except that shorts are worn only for hiking or jogging.
You can see the sun at Midnight in certain cities.
An average January day can have 6-7 hours of daylight.
The time difference between California and Sweden is 9 hours later.
You can pass freely between the Netherland or Dutch states.
Smoking is generally restricted to designated areas and outside.
It is always nice to learn some key phrases in the national language.
Do you speak English
Hello
Good day
Good night
Yes
No
Excuse me
Where is the restroom
Thank you
Please
Help
Banks, most museums, and stores are closed on these dates.
Waving when greeting another person from a distance is acceptable, but shouting is considered impolite.
Business cards are typically exchanged at initial meetings.
Such as Mr., Mrs., President, or Your Honor.
You must be invited to move to a first name basis.
In business, titles are used more in writing then in conversation
Eye contact should be maintained during a conversation
Avoid standing too close during conversations.
Organization is preferred over chaos.
One should conform to the standard of the country they are in.
Conversation
Especially skiing
Especially about Sweden
Criticisms of other peoples or systems should always be avoided.
Invitation
Stand quietly outside the doorway to the entrance of the House until you are invited in.
When in inside the house remove shoes and wait again until you are asked to sit down.
When you are sitting wait for the host’s invitation to start eating.
Toasts
Impolite to drink before the host has given a toast.
Say “Skal” after toast.
This is a custom from the Vikings. They would drink mead out of their enemy’s skulls.
Dinning Style.
Typically continental.
Fork steadfastly held in the left hand and the knife held in the right.
Keep wrists on the table.
Gifts
Invited to dinner bring wrapped gift:
flowers
Liqueurs
Wine
Liquor
Fine chocolates
Business gifts only after a relationship has been developed.
Gifts include desk accessories or books.
After dinner.
You should leave around 10 or 11 P.M. ( Your host will not usually ask you to leave).
