Corporate business etiquette in Australia

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If you ask an Australian whether or not they think that there is a 'business culture' in Australia, they will probably tell you 'no.'  Sure, we do not have the 'handing over a business card protocol' of the Japanese or the formal nature of 'Yes Sir' of America, but Australia does have some interesting idiosyncracies that for a newcomer, can be quite strange!

This article will reveal some observations made by people who have contacted us at Newcomers Network and provide you with some links to other information resources.  It is a general interest article that we hope gives you some good tips - but if you would like some professional advice, please contact an expert!

Newcomer observations - when you first meet people

• first names are used almost all the time
• people talk slower (or faster, depending on where you are from)
• conversation is hard to understand as words are often 'cut off' before the end and they tend to run together - for instance 'whatdayamean' rather than 'what do you mean'
• timing can be 'flexible' - for instance in the Northern Territory, 2:00pm could be anywhere from 2:00pm to 3:00pm but in a large city, you may be expected to arrive at 2:00pm (make sure you allow enough time to find the meeting place so that you are not just at the address by 2:00pm but at the meeting point)
• appointment times can be 'delayed' - many people obtain a mobile phone number and ring before the allotted time to say that they have been 'delayed' and will be there soon
  
• you are expected to look people in the eye during business meetings
• you can take notes on paper during a meeting
• you should turn off your mobile phone during a meeting (as soon as all guests have arrived)
• Powerpoint presentations are okay but use sparingly unless requested
• men are expected to wear dark neat suits (in Melbourne) but different clothing styles may be used depending on the industry, the location of the meeting, the nature of the discussion (it is alright to ask questions about appropriate dress)
  
• women who wear red suits can be considered 'aggressive'
• not everyone feels comfortable shaking a woman's hand....so be ready to offer it but do not feel as if you must shake everyone's hand
• men are expected to shake hands firmly but not hard
• women are perceived as more professional if they wear light make up/cosmetics
• if you have invited someone out for coffee or lunch, it is appropriate for you to pay unless you are work colleagues and you may have agreed to all pay for your own refreshments.  Have cash notes and coin available so that you can pay your 'share' amount and allow for a small tip (a tip is not always required)
  
• during an executive style meeting with many people present, it is a good idea to watch and listen during the first part and then make a short and meaningful statement at an appropriate time - this may have more impact that stating your position at the beginning when you do not have additional details about the topic.  This 'waiting' technique can also be considered less 'aggressive'
• it is better to 'over' dress than 'under' dress.  Even if you are not as 'well off' as someone else, you are expected to dress to a similar standard to the person you are meeting with
• dress more conservatively when dealing with government representatives
• smiling and looking at the person's face is encouraged on greeting and it is appropriate to introduce yourself as 'Hello, I am Sue Vitnell, it is nice to meet you too xxxxx'
• business clothing should be clean, not covered in fluff or dandruff, shoes polished and in good repair
• men are expected to shave each day and keep their beard, moustache, nose, eyebrow and ear hairs neatly trimmed
• seeing or reading glasses should be kept clean
• boasting about achievements is not appropriate unless you have been asked to state what you have done in the past
• it is better to start by asking questions....and then the person will ask questions back to you
• personal information can be discussed - but only reveal what you are happy to have 'passed on' to someone else
• it is a good idea, particularly if you are male, to have a major sporting team that you barrack for (either Australian Rules Football or Rugby) - preferably one based in the location where you are living (barracking for the Sydney Swans in Melbourne doesn't always go down too well!)
• be familiar with basic popular culture - whilst you may not be a regular viewer or consumer of regular media, it is important to be aware of general topics of discussion and have viewed at least one episode of regularly discussed television programs
• do not try and discuss topics with which you are not familiar.  Pretending to know a lot about something when you have just read some basic information is not a good idea.  International guests that do this are often ridiculed
• only make promises that you intend to keep

How to handle business transactions, negotiate and work together are three other interesting topics....with a lot more to learn, so we won't cover that in this article.

Links of interest

Business Travelogue (reports for many locations)
http://www.businesstravelogue.com/BusinessReports.html

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (several categories of information)
http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/australia/index.html

Etiquette by Patsy Rowe - has written various books on the topic
http://www.etiquette.com.au

Executive Planet
http://www.executiveplanet.com/business-etiquette/Australia.html (includes basic outlines)

'Starting a business in Australia'
http://www.newcomersnetwork.com/mel/oursay/ouradvice/sab.php

General economic data related to 'Why invest in Australia' may be useful from a 'context' point of view http://www.newcomersnetwork.com/mel/oursay/expertadvice/wiia.php
http://www.investaustralia.gov.au/flash/flash_technology/index.html?id=r3007

By far the most useful resource, which I would encourage you to purchase and have available, is Sally White's Book 'Understanding Australia - a guide for international students'?ISBN 0521541999 published by Cambridge University Press in November 2003.  103 pages of easy to read and understand information about the Australian way of life.  It has only one chapter on International Students but it really does put so many issues into 'perspective' and is ideal for people with English as a second language (informative and not insulting!!!)? You can purchase this book (AUD$24.95 less a 5% discount) via our bookshop.

If you would like to be referred to a cultural trainer/business etiquette expert, please contact us.

I sincerely hope that this article has been useful to you.

Sue Vitnell BBus AIMM
Founder
Newcomers Network
suevitnell@newcomersnetwork.com

> other business related pages on the Newcomers Network website include:

> articles:
Networking Groups - regularly updated
Migrate to Australia - migrating, migration, emigrate, emigrating, emigration, immigrate, immigrating, immigration - for intending migrants - regularly updated
Starting a business in australia - your own business or a new office for your international company, April 2004
all written by Sue Vitnell, Founder, Newcomers Network
Business in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia - facts, figures, information, statistics, industries, manufacturing, biotechnology, ICT, innovation and more, May 2004
written by Mark Pearce, Media Manager, Invest Victoria
How to make an excellent first impression, January 2004
written by Paddy Spruce, Award Winning Speaker, Integrity Learning
Victoria: A Demographic Overview, December 2003
written by Faye Spiteri, Senior Consultant, Cultural Perspectives
Why invest in Australia? - a property discussion, October and December 2003
prepared by PRDnationwide Research
Virtual Assistance in the real world, July 2003
written by Kathie Thomas, Director and Founder of A Clayton's Secretary
Coming to Australia to live and invest, August 2001
written by Owen Weeks, Managing Director, Lifestyle Matters Pty Ltd

> external articles:
to be listed soon

> previous poll:
What advice would you give to people needing a visa to migrate to Australia? September 2003

> reports:
Quantum Market Research - Which countries are most culturally like Australia...? and which least like? January 2004

> stories:
Ray Theron - Adapting to a new culture 'When you find yourself in Rome' September 2003
Irma and Oliver Zimmermann - from Switzerland to Australia July 2003

> questions:
If you have any business related questions, we would encourage you to contact us
info@newcomersnetwork.com

> other networking related pages on the Newcomers Network website include:

> always relevant and regularly updated:
best tips
events
expat groups
what's on

> most recent first:
making new friends and relationships
thomas power's top ten tips for networking
virtual volunteering
how to make an excellent first impression
melbourne international social group - for expats and repats
developing a new social life in melbourne
keeping in touch - finding work
virtual assistance in the real world
your new image - asset or liability

networking for women
adapting to life in Melbourne
networking groups
one cup of coffee syndrome
singles - how to create a social life in Melbourne