Tips for Doing Business in France

The French manage to combine very Germanic ideas of efficiency and professionalism with more Romantic elements of flair and style. When you visit France you should be both professional and charming. The French are masters of personal image and if you wish to do business successfully in France, you must learn their craft. Here are a few tips to help you on your way.

Dress Well

The term “casual” is loosely applied to mean “not actually that casual”. The French are snappy dressers. Any occasion in which you are dealing with professional acquaintances requires you to look your best. Declaring something to be casual is more of a reference to the level of formality in behavior that’s required than it is a reference to formality of clothing.

Bring French Translations of Documents

French is a language of diplomacy, much like English, and if you’re traveling in France it is not unreasonable for them to expect you to speak at least a little bit of French. If you apologize for your lack of preparedness in learning their language and provide French copies of your documents and business cards you will go a very long ways to earning their good opinion of you. This shows them that you are humble, polite, and that you think ahead.

Know your Table Manners

This should be fairly obvious, but it is not uncommon for visitors (especially the younger generation) to underestimate the importance of dining etiquette. Look up and know everything there is to know about French dining etiquette. Practice at home if you have to. Eating without the proper etiquette would be keenly embarrassing both to you and your hosts, and will reflect badly on you.

Network

Build a wide circle of acquaintances upon arrival. Don’t try to build close personal relationships, but instead be professional and amiable. Convince people that you are dependable and trustworthy and you can be very successful as you proceed in doing business down the road.

Be Professional (not personal)

Bringing up personal topics or simply being too friendly rather than polite will make the French quite uncomfortable. Don’t use someone’s first name unless invited to do so and don’t bring up their personal life, or your own. Personal friendships are developed outside of work and it will be apparent in their demeanor if they decide to let you in. If this should happen you can expect them to return to cool professionalism at work, as you also should.

Avoid High Pressure Tactics

Using high pressure sales tactics will be very counterproductive in France, much as in the rest of Europe. Trying to push a decision before all the details have been very carefully examined will strongly imply that you are hiding something and will undermine the trust that you have built. As a result, failure to answer any questions will raise questions about your competence, so it would be wise to inform yourself as much as possible about every detail of your product rather than brushing up on sales tactics.

This is a guest article submitted by Guy Pierson who is a writer and globetrotter, currently working as a content creator for the EHIC travel support team at Applyehic.org. Guy’s hobbies include learning new languages, eating bizarre food, and glider flying.