Doing Business In - International Franchise Association

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Chapter 8: Business Travel
• Business Customs
• Travel Advisory
• Visa Requirements
• Telecommunications
• Transportation
• Language
• Health
• Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays
• Temporary Entry of Materials and Personal Belongings
• Web Resources
Business Customs Return to top
Because Prague is a small, tightly knit city, word-of-mouth reputation is extremely
important, and news about you -- good or bad -- will spread quickly. Czechs are more
reserved than Americans, and will be nervous about a typical American "let's get down
to business" approach. Start slowly by building a few good relationships. Let your new
Czech friends introduce you to their contacts, and soon you will have a good business
network. An attempt to take the city by storm with a flurry of quick meetings and barrage
of e-mails is more likely to arouse suspicion than business. Czechs prefer to get to
know you -- to learn about your background and your company, and then, if they are
comfortable with you, get down to deal-making around the dessert course, or even at a
follow-up meeting. Most Czechs want to build long-term, two-way business
relationships, and will be put off by too much emphasis on an immediate sale.
Czechs do not smile as a social signal of greeting, as Americans, Britons, and many
other Westerners do, but only when they are amused or pleased. This can create a
false impression that Czechs are cold or unfriendly. Czechs are a more formal people
than are Americans, and a serious demeanor is regarded as a sign of respect for the
visitor and the business being transacted.
The business custom is to be punctual - even early - for appointments and
engagements. It is best to start arranging meetings several weeks before you visit, as
Czechs are reluctant to arrange impromptu meetings at the last minute.
Czechs dress more formally than their American counterparts preferring dark business
suits and ties, and often vests. While a blazer or sports jacket is sometimes acceptable,
Czechs find "American casual" a turn-off.
Business partners do not usually call each other by their first names, and Czechs may
be offended if their foreign visitors address them by their first names without first being
invited to do so. It may take several meetings to establish a sense of rapport and a
more relaxed attitude.