Doing Business with Sweden

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Doing Business with Sweden

• Prepared by
• Kathryn

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Business Culture in Sweden

• Most Swedish businessmen would be surprised if
  they were told that their business culture
  differs greatly from the international norm.
• Management is based on the idea that the
  individual is willing and able to do a good job.
• Swedish businessesmen try to solve problems in an
  informal and practical way.

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Travel Facts

• An average June day in Sweden can have 17, 19, or
  24 hours of daylight.
• The time difference between New York and Sweden
  is 6 hours later.
• You do not need a visa to travel to Sweden.

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• Most Swedes have a working knowledge of English.
• Some of the holidays in Sweden include
• 1 January New Years Day
• 6 January Epiphany
• 1 May May Day
• 6 June National Day/ Liberation Day
• 24-25 December Christmas
• 31 December New Years Day

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Business Expectations

• The handshake is the standard greeting for men
  and women.
• Use a formal form of address when greeting or
  making introductions.
• Punctuality is important in both business and
  social functions.

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• In general, Swedes do not use many gestures and
  have quiet natures.
• Acceptable conversation topics include
• Sports
• Sightseeing
• Travel
• Politics
• Inappropriate topics include
• Personal topics
• Complaints about how things are run

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Etiquette

• If you are invited to a Swedish home
• Toasts before a meal.
• Dining Style.
• Giving gifts.
• After dinner.

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REFERENCES

• Business Culture in Sweden. http//www.sverigetur
  ism.se/smorgasbord/smorgasbord/industry/business/c
  ulture.html, Retrieved November 21, 2006.
• Etiquette, Cultural Dos and Taboos, Country
  Watch. http//www.countrywatch.mccd.edu/cw_topic.a
  spx?typetextvcountry165topicCLETQ, Retrieved
  November 17, 2006.
• Janette S. Martin, Linnian H. Chaney. Global
  Business Etiquette, A Guide to International
  Communication and Customs. Praeger Publishers,
  2006.
• Travel Facts. http//www.geographia.com/sweden/tr
  avelfacrts.html, Retrieved November 21, 2006.

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Swedish Dessert
Chocolate Balls
Christmas Cookies
Ginger Thins