Monaco Business Etiquette
Monaco's main industries include agriculture, cosmetics and tourism, so as a result the country does business with professionals from various parts of the world. A degree of formality is expected when conducting business in Monaco.
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Scheduling an Appointment
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It is proper etiquette to schedule business meetings in Monaco at least two weeks ahead of time. It's best not to arrange to have professional meetings in July or August, since this is the time many Monegasque businesspeople take their vacations.
Punctuality
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Punctuality is highly regarded as a sign of respect in Monaco. If a businessperson will be late for any reason, proper etiquette suggests calling as soon as possible with an explanation.
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Language
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If a professional who is not from Monaco doesn't speak French (the official language of the country), it is appropriate to apologize for this and to bring a translator to meetings if possible. However, learning a few basic French phrases will give the impression that a long-term business relationship is desired.
Business Cards
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Business cards should be exchanged at the start of a meeting; it is acceptable to make the cards a little larger than usual for businesspeople in Monaco. It is a nice gesture to translate one side of the card into French, although this is not required.
Business Meetings
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When entering a business meeting, it is best to wait to be told where to sit by a Monegasque professional. Debates are part of meetings; a heated debate is a sign of intellect. However, overly persuasive behavior or "hard selling" can be viewed negatively.
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References
- Photo Credit monaco flag button image by Andrey Zyk from Fotolia.com
