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Corporate English Classes & Business Etiquette Rules Around the World

Corporate English Classes & Business Etiquette

Corporate English classes can provide essential training that may have gone unnoticed. When businesses expand their companies to new countries in foreign markets, one can logically conclude that language training is required. After all, how can you be successful in a new country when your employees don't speak the language? Every foreign or domestic business, has identified the need for exceptional customer service and go to great lengths to ensure their customers have an excellent experience with representatives. But without offering corporate language training for employees, would business owners be made aware of proper phone and business etiquette around the world when expanding business into new countries? While it is possible, you may be wondering:

 

Is There Really Such a Difference of Phone and Business Etiquette in Different Countries?

 

International Business Etiquette rules and corporate English classesThe short answer is yes. The long answer is, would you consider these things rude in a business meeting?

 

 

 

 

1. Business Etiquette in Italy & Egypt

Italians don't like to chit-chat on the phone which is made clear by answering the phone with "pronto" - which just means quickly. This kind of greeting can come off as rude to those in the United States and especially those in Egypt- who have been known to exchange pleasantries for 5-10 minutes before starting the actual conversation. To Italians, flexibility in business is essential as rigid rules and formalities are unimportant. Knowing your market and how your customers want to conduct business is a skill that can come with corporate English classes and language training for companies. In both Italian and Egyptian markets, building personal relationships with business partners and customers is vital to success, just be mindful of how you are approaching that end.

 

2. Business Etiquette in the United States & China

corporate English classes for companies to learn phone etiquetteIn the United States it is incredibly rude to interrupt a business meeting for a personal phone call. Phones are expected to be silent during meetings, and if someone forgets to turn the ringer off they should expect glares and even a conversation about etiquette after the meeting. The situation could not be more contrasted with business meetings in China, where it is acceptable to answer personal calls even during meetings. The custom is so foreign that it feels weird writing it out, let alone practicing it in real life. The patience found in Chinese approach to business was summed up by etiquette expert Lisa Grotts who explained that:

 

“relationships first need to be nurtured in order to do business. When you rush into the decision-making process, that’s when the problems begin. Not everyone’s country is in a hurry like America.”

 

3. Business Etiquette in South Africa & Germany

Germany is a country of formality even in business. It is common and polite to use Her/Frau Smith (Mr/Mrs Smith) in business versus someone's first name. With a respect for efficiency, hierarchy and authority, don't expect to speak or be asked to speak if you don't hold a senior position. The German attitude could not be more different than the South African attitude to business, which is conducted at a slow and methodical pace. South Africans seem to emphasize interpersonal relationship building in business more than other cultures. So much so, that being asked "what was it like growing up for you?" is not uncommon in the workplace.

 

How Can Corporate English Classes Help With International Business Etiquette?

 

It is clear that different countries and cultures have starkly different approaches to work. Where some are more rigid and authoritative, others are relaxed and more personal. One of the biggest keys to deliver excellent customer service is communication and corporate English classes can help there. When you expand into other countries, you have to be mindful that acceptable customs and ways of communicating may not be tolerated everywhere you go. English corporate training online can help ease the transition and train employees to grow accustomed to a new way of communicating. Corporate language training online can help grow your employees as you grow your business.

 

 

Offered in Spanish, PortugueseArabicRussianChineseHaitian Creole and Vietnamese, our highly engaging In-Person English classes and interactive English classes online with live native-speaking teachers are easy to access from wherever you are. We offer Real-Time Small Group and Private Lessons. Take our  free Online ESL Placement Test or register for one of our upcoming  online English Language courses.

 

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For more information contact our Language Training Department:
Phone: (617) 731-3700
Email: training@languageconnections.com

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