Rvo, Wednesday, 11 October 2017
Polish people are real traders. Winning trust is essential in order to be able to do business. That is the main reason why Poland is not a country of
quick wins.
Polish people are hard negotiators and do not compromise. They don't think in win-win situations, but rather:' If you win, I lose.' For a Pole, the
price is an important aspect. Before you can talk about compromises, you usually have to do business longer and build up a relationship of trust.
There are cultural and social differences that you should take into account. Below are tips for doing business in Poland.
Polish people
Polish people are businessmen and real entrepreneurs.
The business culture is formal.
The key to successful business is personal contact; mutual trust is essential.
Doing business takes time and patience.
Making appointments
Minimum four to five days in advance. It is recommended that you confirm or reconfirm your appointment just before a visit.
Be on time.
Try to build a long-term relationship.
Company culture
Hierarchy plays an important role. The decision-maker is the only one who can make decisions. Make sure you are with the right person! Formality
is also essential when it comes to clothes and manners.
Take account of bureaucracy.
The 'rule culture' can slow down business, especially in the middle and upper segments.
Short-termism characterizes the Polish labor ethics. Try to bind employees by, for example, offering a training programme.
Language
The younger generation speaks English and less German or Russian.
This article of
is based on
. Translated
from the Dutch language by Jos Deuling.