Are you doing business in France? We give some tips on business etiquette.
Do you have a meeting or a first presentation with a potential new customer in France soon? Then you probably already know that it is best to take French business culture into account.
These tips will help you on your way to a successful meeting!
1. Punctuality
Being late for meetings is never really appreciated. But punctuality is very important to the French. So here's a quick tip: always be on time!
2. Think about your outfit
The French attach great importance to their appearance and their clothing. Think about what you will wear to your meeting very carefully. Make sure you don't look out of place by dressing too casually.
3. Speak your customer's language
French people are very proud of their language and appreciate it when someone makes the effort to speak to them in their language.
It may not be easy for you to speak in French, but be aware that French people often speak very little English and they will appreciate your extra effort.
4. Always address with 'vous'
In a French business context, there should be no hesitation about how to address someone. Be polite and greet everyone in a formal way. Using the informal 'tu' is not customary, so always address people with 'vous'!
Remain formal and always address the person you are speaking to as Monsieur/Madame and their surname. Only address someone by their first name if they aks you explicitly.
5. Separate business and private lives
The French very consciously choose to separate work and private spheres of life. For them, a meeting is always framed in a professional setting, so don't be too informal or friendly.
Of course, it is also not the intention to get straight to the point. Rather, build up the conversation calmly and then move on to the purpose of the meeting.
6. Be prepared
The French rarely take decisions quickly and often go through a full hierarchy to get approval.
So don't expect a decision to be made during your meeting. For the French, the meeting is primarily the moment for asking questions and gathering as much information as possible. So be well prepared and prepare strong arguments in advance for possible questions or discussion points.
Do you have a meeting in France and do you want to prepare yourself optimally?
With the help of a Squidll language coach you can optimally prepare for your meeting in France. Our coaches know all the cultural differences you need to take into account to have a successful meeting.
Curious what our coaches can do for you? Create your account on Squidll, find a language coach who matches your needs and start today!
