Company profile – European Direct

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 1726.

Entertaining at home

Gift-giving

Smoking

Business cards

Greetings and polite conversation

Timing

Read these notes on US business protocol. How does each piece of advice compare with the situation in your country?

US business protocol

• You must arrive at business meetings on time. Only a 15-minute delay because of traffic problems is allowed.

• You must shake hands during introductions.

• You don't have to make a lot of small talk. Americans like to get down to business quickly.

• You mustn't ask about a businesswoman's marital status. It is considered rude.

• You don't have to exchange business cards unless there is a reason to get in contact later.

• You mustn't smoke in many public spaces. Most businesses, cabs and many restaurants nowadays have a no-smoking policy.

• Business gifts shouldn't be given until after the business negotiations are over.

• You mustn't give an expensive business gift. It may cause embarrassment.

• You should write a short thank you note to your host and hostess if you are entertained at their home. You don't have to give a gift but flowers or wine are appreciated.

From Do's and taboos around the world, edited by Roger E Axtell

2.26. Read this article about a publishing company. Choose the correct word from А, В or С to fill each gap.

European Direct produces a wide range of business books and the company (1) ___ at least ten new books every year. It has offices all over Europe, in (2) ___ the major capital cities. The MD of the company, Shelley Purvis, says that European Direct (3) ___ a lot of repeat business from customers and good customer loyalty. But analysts (4) ___ still concerned (5) ___ European Direct's business strategy. Some say it is old-fashioned and the company should change (6) ___ focus. They say that it is not (7) ___ profitable business and that it needs to cut costs and increase profits. They (8) ___ say that European Direct should set (9) ___ a website for sales and that it (10) ___ to sell their books to students (11) ___ not just to businesspeople. Shelley Purvis says that European Direct is (12) ___ a management consultant to help them to focus the business.