Rohit Varshney

Business Communication

Introduction

Since 1922, Ireland has been partitioned between two political entities:

The Republic of Ireland, formed as the Irish Free State on 6 December 1922, a sovereign state that covers five-sixths of the island. Its capital is Dublin.

Northern Ireland, established on 3 May 1921, a part of the UK that covers the remaining portion of the island. Its capital is Belfast.

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Rohit Varshney

Country Climate

Ireland, as a whole, experiences a lack of temperature extremes compared to other areas of similar latitudes. Summers are generally warm and winters are mild. There is a regional variation, with inland areas being cooler in winter and warmer in summer than their coastal counterparts.

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Highest mean annual temperature 11.0 °C (51.8 °F) Valentia Observatory

Lowest mean annual temperature 8.9 °C (48.0 °F) Knock Airport

Highest temperature 26.0 °C (78.8 °F) Athy and Cavan

Lowest temperature −9.8 °C (14.4 °F) Katesbridge

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Population

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Religion composition

Roman Catholic 86.8%No Religion 4.4%Church Of Ireland 3.0%Islam 0.8%,Presbyterian 0.6%Orthodox 0.5%Methodist 0.3%, Other 2.1% (2006).

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Major language spoken

English is the most commonly used language, with 94% of the population calling it their mother tounge.

Irish, the first official language of the state, is spoken by 10%; with 9% calling it their mother tongue.

Irish is the main language of the Gaeltacht regions, where 91,862 people live. Shelta and Ulster Scots are also spoken by small communities.

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GDP per Capita

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Major Imports

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Imports…Ireland’s major imports are: data

processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles and clothing.

Ireland’s main import partners are: European Union members (UK, Germany, Netherlands), United States and China

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Major Exports

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Exports…Agriculture (agro-food and drink, cattle,

beef, and dairy product) accounts for 46% of GDP, about 80% of exports. Ireland is also a major exporter of zinc, lead and alumina.

Ireland is also a major exporter of zinc, lead and alumina. Main export partners are European Union (United Kingdom and Belgium) and United States.

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Rohit Varshney

GreetingAcceptable public conductThe handshake is the preferred greeting. Men should refrain from being too

physically demonstrative with women. It is the custom to shake hands at the

beginning and end of a meeting. It is acceptable for visitors to introduce

themselves in social situations.

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'How are you?' is a popular casual greeting. When speaking to an Irish person, keep an

arm's length distance from the person. Maintaining personal space is important in this culture.

Don't break eye contact with an Irish person when he or she is talking to you.

Touching, patting or hugging other men in public are considered socially unacceptable.

It is common for men to open doors for women, as well as employees for bosses and youth for elders.

Men should refrain from winking at women or making any personal comments.

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Business Etiquette and Protocol in Ireland

Business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday with an hour for lunch.

It's quite usual still for companies to close completely for lunch between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. during which time the phone will not be answered.

For the business traveler, the best time to visit is from September through May, since the tourist season is very hectic during June, July and August.

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Avoid scheduling visits around Christmas and Easter, since many executives will be on vacation during these periods.

Understand that the Irish have more of a casual attitude toward time.

In some cases, if you are a few minutes late to a meeting, it will be overlooked.

In other instances, however, your late arrival may cause you to be perceived as a careless, unreliable businessperson--particularly if you are foreign.

On the other hand, if you find yourself waiting for your Irish counterparts to arrive, remain patient and accommodating.

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Welcome topics of conversation

The Irish are enthusiastic conversationalists and debaters.

A wide range of topics may be open to discussion, including religion and politics.

The Irish find arguments and opinionated conversation entertaining.

Sport is a common topic of conversation in Ireland and the Irish tend to be receptive to sporting analogies.

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Addressing and Gesture

In conversation, the Irish tend to move on quickly to a first-name basis.

Terms such as 'sir' and 'madam' are rarely used.

Among even relatively new acquaintances, first names are used both in personal greetings and business correspondence.

Professional titles are not prominent in Irish business culture, and are usually dismissed as pretentious

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Manners

It is customary for guests to bring a bottle of wine or chocolates for their hosts.

Bear in mind that your thoughtful choice is considered more important than the actual cost of the gift.

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Food Habit and table manners

Visiting a HomeIf you are invited to an Irish home be on time

(chances are food has been cooked and being late could spoil it)

Bring a box of good chocolates, a good bottle of wine for to the host.

Offer to help with clearing the dishes after a meal.

Table manners are relatively relaxed and informal.

The more formal the occasion, the stricter the protocol. When in doubt, watch what others are doing.

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Table manners are Continental, i.e. the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.

If you are invited out for a drink, don't bring up the subject of business unless your host does so.

Irish food is quite traditional--meat and two veg--still reigns.

The country has some wonderful seafood--oysters and salmon are a specialty especially in coastal areas, where you'll often find festivals to market the seasons for these

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Business

It is appropriate to present a business card at an introduction

However, there is a lot of superficiality in the early stages. Don't expect wild promises to come true!

A good way of getting to know people is to meet for coffee in a good hotel

Business entertainment is commonly conducted in restaurants.

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Business dinners are usually considered more of a social occasion and a good way to develop relationships.

Family is everything. Many businesses are family owned and family run.

Promotion is often given to family members first above other employees, regardless of skills and experience.

So check who's related to whom when you meet them and be careful of sisters, cousins and third cousins twice removed who will pop out of the woodwork when you least expect them!

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Cynicism is an important part of the national character

A great deal of cynicism is directed at people who seem too wealthy or powerful. In this culture, there is greater respect for the 'underdog.'

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More TipsDiscussions of personal life may often

come in during business negotiations.For example, if a family member of a

business acquaintance dies, you will be expected to attend the funeral or at least send in your condolences. If you do not, you will be remembered negatively for not doing so.

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Rohit Varshney

The Irish find it difficult to say 'no', so if they don't say 'yes' straight away, they usually mean 'no.'

Irish women are still struggling for increased salary and positions of authority.

Tipping is customary for taxi travel, hairdressers and restaurants in Ireland, but not elsewhere. As a rule, 10% of the entire bill cost should do it.

Irish do not like or trust people who appear to give excessive praise.

Because of Ireland's agricultural heritage and reliance on farming as its main GDP, as well as tourism, great respect is given to farmers.

The farmers are still the major landowners in the country and given the phenomenal rise in land prices, are now amongst the richest socio-economic groups in the country.

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Entertaining for business success

The troubles of the day--and the world--are generally sorted out over a pint.

it is almost acceptable to get drunk in Irish culture

Office Conversation on Monday mornings will invariably include the discussion of how much alcohol was consumed over the weekend and the state of the ensuing hangover.

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The Irish are extremely hospitable and often pick up the tab automatically when they invite people out to dinner.

However, don't assume they will!!!

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Rohit Varshney