Business System in Slovakia

8/4/2019 Business System in Slovakia

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BUSINESS SYSTEM IN SLOVAKIA


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OVERVIEW

SLOVAK BUSINESS CULTUREMEETING & GREETINGCOMMUNICATION

MEETINGS & NEGOTIATIONS,WORKING PRACTISE IN SLOVAKIA STRUCTURE AND HIERARCHY IN SLOVAK COMPANIES

WORKING RELATIONSHIP IN SLOVAKIA BUSINESS PRACTICES

From Martins


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S LOVAK B USINESS C ULTURE

The Slovak business environments have in recentyears experienced significant changes as theeconomic system of the country transformed from

centrally governed economy to free marketeconomy. It has also had effect on thedisintegration of the former economic formationof all socialist countries in Europe and division of Czechoslovakia in 1993. All this had and still

continues to have direct effect on the businessculture of this rather a small country whosespecific and characteristic features could besummarised as follows:


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M EETING & G REETING

Greetings are warm but not effusive. Thenormal greeting is a handshake, direct eyecontact and the appropriate greeting forthe time of day: either "dobry den" forhello, "dobr rano" for good morning or"dobr popoludnie" for good afternoon. and"dobru noc" for good evening


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C O MMUNI CA TI O N

When conversing, people generallymaintain a shoulder length's

distance between them. On thewhole Slovaks are not tactile peopleand one should avoid touching andthe like. Eye contact is considered toindicate that you are serious,trustworthy, and polite.


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M EETINGS & N EG O TI A TI O NS

When doing business in Slovakia meetings aregenerally chaired by the most senior delegate whosets the agenda, the content, and the tempo.While attention and eye contact should be given toall attending, the most senior figure is the keyperson to concentrate on as they are either thedecision maker or the door to the decision maker.

Although many people do speak English it may benecessary to arrange for an interpreter. Whendoing business in Slovakia written documentsshould ideally be translated into Slovak anddistributed to all present.


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W O RKING PR AC TI C ES IN S L OVA KI A

Appointments should be arranged in advance andpunctuality is valued. As there can sometimes bedifficulties in obtaining an answer to a fax ortelephone, it is advisable to also send a letter toconfirm any planned meetings. However, the useof Internet as a means of businesscommunication is continuously increasing.Office working hours are usually between 9:00am and 6:00 pm. July and August are the holidaymonths so many businesses close for an extendedperiod of time.


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S TRU C TURE A ND HIER A R C HY IN S L OVA K CO MP A NIES

Due to a top- down managementtradition, employees are notaccustomed to openly expressingtheir ideas and opinions to those of higher rank. Employees thereforeexpect to receive instructions fromthe top and are not comfortablequestioning superiors.


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W O RKING REL A TI O NSHIPS IN S L OVA KI A

It is essential to develop goodpersonal relationships and establishrespect and credibility before doingbusiness with Slovaks.Understanding the Slovakcommunication style is crucial tointeracting successfully with Slovakpeople. Communication is direct yetdiplomatic with sensitive information

being delivered subtly


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T HANKS FOR LISTENING

CEMAL GUMUS

Documents

Business System in Slovakia