Answer to Question #158591 in Marketing for saleemaslam

Question

EXERCISE: Business Etiquette

Choose a non-English speaking country.

Using the search term “business etiquette” along with the name of the country, research what expectations your chosen country has regarding conducting meetings, business attire, addressing colleagues, etc.

Draw comparisons with what you know about business etiquette commonly followed in North America.

Submit your findings in bullet point format.

Include a references page (APA format)

Answer 1

Business Etiquette

Business Etiquette in the Netherlands

Meetings

·        Meetings are conducted formally and directly.

·        Meeting are conducted face to face or over internet/telecom networks for the virtual team.

·        Meetings are team-oriented with or without the participation of senior management.

·        It may be necessary to plan with senior executives on agendas, as they seem to be booked in advance.

·        Meetings take a lot of time.

Business dressing code

·        Although style differs from one industry to another, jeans and pen-neck shirts in entertainment and IT industries, formal attire in banking.

·        Color has no particular significance, but colorful attires are common in the marketing industry.

·        Young women wear trouser suits, and it is allowed.

Addressing colleagues

·        Address your colleagues directly, straight up to the point manner; there is no beating around the bush.

·        Everyone is involved in decision making, i.e., the consensus in all activities in the company.

·        Keep it simple- address your colleagues using simple language while communicating.

·        Go straight to the business, no chit chat.

·        Know your boundaries- the people in the Netherlands like separating business and personal life.

Punctuality

·        In the Netherland, people are generally timekeepers.

·        Punctuality in the corporate world is considered a virtue; if you are unexpectedly held up, call ahead.

·        Quotations are drawn up fast and delivered as promised.

Comparison between the Netherlands and North America business etiquette

·        In the Netherlands, business take place formally while in North American deals are made formally or informally; for example, deals can be done while playing golf.

·        In the Netherlands, while addressing your colleagues should be aware of your boundaries no personal questions, while in North America, it’s common for colleagues to ask you how your family is doing.

·        In Mexico, business people can keep you waiting, and it is not considered rude, but in the Netherlands, this cannot happen.

References

Dubova, J. (2018). The adventure of living in the Netherlands and the challenge of cross-cultural communications.

Knodel, L. V. (2019). Business English: business etiquette and correspondence.

Koivulahti, L. (2019). Cultural Differences in Hiring practices-Finland, the Netherlands and Spain.