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Sweden-Today's Vikings
Text: Complied by Nisan Danisman from www.executiveplanet.com
Although the warlike Vikings were the ancestors of modern Swedes, today Sweden is a peaceful nation, a symbol of understanding and cooperation. Sweden has been a member of the EU since 1995. However, the official currency is the Krona, not the Euro. Since Sweden entered the EU, trade with Turkey has increased by 50%. Here are some tips on doing business in Sweden.
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Tips on making appointments
Make appointments two weeks in advance. Be punctual at all times. It is not acceptable to be fashionably late to dinners.
Do not expect people to work over weekends. Swedish businesspeople will take work home with them in the evening. You may call a Swedish colleague at home, assuming that you have their phone number and the matter simply cannot wait.
Avoid scheduling meetings in June, July, August, as well as late February through early March. These are very popular times for Swedes to go on holiday.
Tips on making conversation
Do not ask personal questions or be offended if they do not inquire about your family, work, and so forth. Swedes avoid arguing over sensitive topics, especially with visitors. If a discussion of this kind begins, don't be offended if a Swede abruptly puts it to a stop. Swedes accept silence with ease, so don't try fill in pauses in the conversation.
There is a great deal of pride in local regions. Visitors should not praise one area over another. Scandinavians appreciate knowledge of the differences among the people of Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
Avoid criticizing the Swedish government, economy or culture. Topics to avoid include the Olaf Palme assassination, personal background, the high cost of living in Scandinavia as well as rank and status.
Tips on making deals
Most Swedes speak and understand English, so it is not necessary to have your business cards translated into Swedish. Titles and education on your business card are not important.
The Swedes are very detail-oriented. Make sure your first meeting and your proposal are meticulously planned and logically organized. Since time needs to be carefully managed, plan your meeting well in advance. Several meetings may be necessary. Facts and figures are crucial.
Do not show emotion during negotiations. Speak in a calm, controlled tone of voice. Appearing reserved or even slightly shy can leave a positive impression.
Swedes emphasize the content of a presentation and not its colourfulness or flashy appearance. Swedish presentations are short, concise and easy to understand.
You may be surprised to learn that decision making falls to the lower parts of the hierarchy where there is an emphasis on teamwork and compromise. Do not put all of your efforts into ingratiating yourself with top-level executives.
Tips on business entertaining
Business lunches or dinners are more common than breakfast meetings, but this is usually not the time to make business decisions. Avoid talking shop unless your Swedish colleague brings up the subject.
Swedes pause for a coffee break at around 10:00 a.m. and again at 4:00 p.m.
Meals at an associate's home can be either relaxed or formal. Ask how you should dress. Bring nice shoes for the party but avoid high heels as Swedes often have good wooden floors in their houses. Invitations will be sent out weeks in advance.
No-smoking sections in restaurants are still a rarity. Waitstaff may be summoned by making eye contact. Waving or calling their names is very impolite. Tips are generally included in the total price; nevertheless, waiters usually expect an additional 10%. Taxi drivers also require a 10% tip.
Tips on how to behave in public
Keep emotions to a minimum; cool, calm, and matter of fact is the preferred way. Speak in a subdued tone of voice as Swedes are a generally quiet people.
Keep body language and hand gestures to a minimum and respect personal space.
Always wait to be introduced to strangers. If this doesn't happen, go around the room, shaking hands and telling your name to each person. Shake hands with everyone individually in a group when being introduced and when departing.
Kissing is not common as a greeting, even between people who know each other well. Shake hands to greet and say goodbye to people. With the exception of the handshake, Swedes do not like physical contact with anyone.
A toss of the head means, 'come here.'
If you touch the produce in food markets, you have to buy it.
İsveç Sweden Sweden-Today's Vikings İsveç-Vikingler'in çocukları
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