Italy Economy
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Knowledge of Italian is a great advantage. Appointments are usually made. Ministries and almost all authorities close at 1:45 p.m. Officials cannot be reached in the afternoon without prior appointments.
Rome
Although the Romans are less formal than their Milanese compatriots, business is taken very seriously. To greet you shake hands (you save kisses for friends and family), then business cards are exchanged. If possible, one side of the business card should be printed in Italian and all company documents should be made available in Italian. Colleagues should be addressed by their last name and academic / professional titles should be respected. While some Italian business people speak English or French, Italian is the predominant business language. It is advisable to hire an interpreter to avoid possible misunderstandings.
A well-groomed appearance is extremely important. Men are well advised in a suit and tie, women in a trouser suit or suit and chic accessories; also it can’t hurt to wear one or the other designer piece. Personal relationships are extremely important and decisions are only made when the two parties trust each other. A business lunch is an ideal opportunity to get to know each other better, and a private chat is an important part of any business meeting.
Venice
According to neovideogames, Venice is not a young city – few young people can afford the astronomical rents and considerable costs of the constant renovation work, which is why many of the city’s citizens were forced to move to the other side of the lagoon to Mestre. Despite its 23,000 students, the average age of Venice’s residents is 46 years and business life is accordingly rather conservative. Business travelers are rarely invited to their Venetian business partners at home or even taken on a tour of the nightlife – Venetians are very homely, get up early to cross the city before the tourists and close their shutters around 9 p.m. Like many islanders, the Venetians appear reserved and a bit aloof.cichetti (appetizers).
In business matters you should always keep your form – when in doubt, business partners should always be addressed with the politeness lei (the Italian?? you??). The clothing should be more conservative – suit or jacket with tie – and punctuality is appreciated. Although some executives speak English, business negotiations should be conducted in Italian whenever possible. Italians appreciate it when a foreign visitor tries to speak their language, even if they only have a basic knowledge. Regular business hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the Italian summer holidays in August, almost everything that is not directly related to tourism is closed.
Florence
It is important to distinguish between the casual way of life of the Italians and their more formal approach to business. While the Florentines are incredibly proud of their city and like to show off the best restaurants and wines, a certain amount of formality should be maintained when doing business. Meetings should be arranged in advance and punctuality is important. Business cards are usually exchanged as they meet. Smart clothes are always appropriate. Italian business partners should always use lei(the Italian?? you??), except that?? tu?? is being offered. Many business people in higher positions speak English, but business should be done in Italian if possible, because Italians always appreciate it when a visitor tries to speak their language, even if they have a poor knowledge of Italian. Evening entertainment also takes place in restaurants or you go to the theater (operas are very popular). If you are invited to a business partner’s home, which is rare, you should bring a bottle of wine, chocolate or flowers for the hostess. Many shops and offices in the city are closed during the summer vacation time in August.
Milan
Contrary to their otherwise casual approach to life, Italians are quite formal about business. An appointment should be made in advance for a meeting and punctuality is important. Business cards are usually exchanged when introducing yourself. Smart clothes are always appropriate – and in keeping with the elegant reputation of the city, the Milanese dress up for every occasion. Most business executives speak English or German, but they appreciate it when visitors make an effort to speak their language. Italian colleagues should be accepted except when offered to you. Executives often work much longer beyond business hours.
Milan’s pace is closer to that of London than Rome and is a world away from the inertia and dust of southern Italy. Long, leisurely lunch breaks are also much less common here. People don’t get invited home very often, as many Milanese live a long way from their workplace and commute between the suburbs and the city center. Despite the pressures at work, the Milanese enjoy life and bars are often used to relax after business hours. Business is seldom closed during long lunches or long afternoon meetings, as discussions often continue after business hours in bars or restaurants in the best hotels in town. Commerce and business are the lifeblood of this city, and the rapid pace that the creative, well-informed.
Opening hours
Business hours: Mon-Fri 9 am-5pm.
Economy
German-Italian Chamber of Commerce
Via Napo Torriani 29, I-20124 Milano
Tel: (02) 67 91 31.´
Internet: www.ahk-italien.it
Italian Chamber of Commerce for Germany
Kettenhofweg 65, D-60325 Frankfurt / M
Tel: (069) 97 14 52 10.
Internet: www.itkam.de
Branch offices in Berlin, Leipzig, Hamburg and Freiburg.
Italian Chamber of Commerce for Austria
Reisnerstrasse 20, A-1030 Vienna
Tel: (01) 715 87 82.
Internet: www.italcham.at
Italian Chamber of Commerce for Switzerland
Seestrasse 123, CH-8027 Zurich
Tel: (044) 289 23 23
Internet: www.ccis.ch
Unione Italiana delle Camere di Commercio, Industria, Artigianato e Agricoltura
Piazza Sallustio 21, I-00187 Rome
Tel: (06) 470 41.
Internet: www.unioncamere.it
Business contacts
German-Italian Chamber of Commerce
Via Napo Torriani 29, I-20124 Milano
Tel: (02) 67 91 31.´
Internet: www.ahk-italien.it
Italian Chamber of Commerce for Germany
Kettenhofweg 65, D-60325 Frankfurt / M
Tel: (069) 97 14 52 10.
Internet: www.itkam.de
Branch offices in Berlin, Leipzig, Hamburg and Freiburg.
Italian Chamber of Commerce for Austria
Reisnerstrasse 20, A-1030 Vienna
Tel: (01) 715 87 82.
Internet: www.italcham.at
Italian Chamber of Commerce for Switzerland
Seestrasse 123, CH-8027 Zurich
Tel: (044) 289 23 23
Internet: www.ccis.ch
Unione Italiana delle Camere di Commercio, Industria, Artigianato e Agricoltura
Piazza Sallustio 21, I-00187 Rome
Tel: (06) 470 41.
Internet: www.unioncamere.it
