Being new to the area my ignorance is abundant.

I have a professional relationship with a person who I may do some non profit work with.

I feel confused about the business cultural norms here. We met for tea one morning to talk about our ideas. It turned out to be more of a chat then what I would call a business meeting. I am trying to take into account that I have been molded by the fast paced nyc business lifestyle.

Questions
Is it the cultural norm to chat before having what I would call a business meeting, getting down to the details. If so, how long before we can get to the heart of the matter

Is it the cultural norm to meet outside the office to talk business or is this more of getting to know the person and how common is this.

What is the appropriate way to greet and depart for a professional relationship. Up unitl the last meeting we shook hands. Last time I was kissed on the cheeks, which suprised me.

Is there a deposit somewhere that can be used as a primer for professional relationships.

Hi,

You might need to take into consideration, that the culture in Romandie is still very French and also to some extent different than that of the German and Italian parts of Switzerland.

Having lived in Holland and Denmark before, I grew up with the fact that we all shake hands, no matter the gender. However, French based culture is more, that between men you shake hands and women you do the 3-cheek-kissing-thing.

It is also more common here, to "size you up" before doing business with you, be it non-profit or not. One thing the Swiss French take from the Swiss Germans, is that they take business serious, and they want serious people how are committed to their work to work with them. If this involves meeting outside Western business hours, then so be it, business never stops, otherwise you don't get ahead.

This also goes for "getting to the matter" how fast you push your ideas, after you have a good feel for your clients needs, is basically up to you to judge. Some business people like that they boss you around, others prefer that you take their requirements and realize them for them. That, unfortunately, is something which either you have to learn the hard way or choose to be either one of the persona's yourself and let the client choose you.

/Peter

Of late I have been preaching that the business teams I work with and administrative whatnots are surprisingly relationship based in Switzerland (I am in the German speaking portion). I expected the 2 hour lunches in Spain but wasnt prepared for the importance of the informal discussion in Switzerland. It could have tipped me off that most folks, when introducing themselves in a business environment, give an adhoc personal and professional history.

[QUOTE=PeterDB;151351]Hi,
However, French based culture is more, that between men you shake hands and women you do the 3-cheek-kissing-thing.

Thanks for your reply, it is really helpful. I must admit I was feeling uncomfortable when the male kissed me on the cheecks, now I understand that its just a cultural ritual also practiced in business.

[quote=bluefish;151432]
Whoa..... I lived and worked in France - most men in business did not kiss me hello or goodbye, with most it was a handshake.

SOME, more friendly/friends did... but by all means not all French men are going to do the kiss greeting to a femal biz associate. You can expect it from anyone who's also a friend though (which I always thought was nice)

fyi: It's changing a bit now, as many younger people use the informal "tu" and the kissing greeting more often but it depends on the person and I suggest to not lump everyone in this category or you'll make someone else very uncomfortable.

Unless you don't like the man..... learn to enjoy it - they only do it if they want to and if they like you, in my experience....

I would say that men doing "kissies" with other men still tends to be pretty much reserved for close male friends (no innuendo implied) even in a non-business social context, so that is pretty "forward", but in a not-for-profit set up I would expect it to be pretty informal. But I wouldn't take the lead.. go with the flow.

Chatting and getting to know people a bit before getting down to business is normal, and unless you excuse yourself on the basis of you only have a short time so do they mind getting straight to it, it would be polite to spend 5 minutes on small talk. It's very worthwhile anyway because often its a great chance to ask for tips, advice and contacts at a time when people are inclined to want to be helpful... since they are going into a meeting with you from which by definition they want something.

Last time I was in London I really noticed how many business meetings are now taking place in Starbucks'

Im not aware of a "guidebook" as specific as you describe, but there are plenty of sources of the more basic stuff for countries eg should you turn up for meetings early, spot on and fashionably late, and what should you take if you invited to someones house so as not to offend with too little or too much. Im sure a bit of googling will help.

Good luck.

Daniel