Ireland: Let's Make a Deal! - Part 2
From ExecutivePlanet.com
More tips
An overly enthusiastic or commercial presentation that appears to be filled with exaggerated claims will only cause the speaker to become an object of ridicule.
Keep your presentation simple and 'to-the-point,' since digressions or excessive details will not be well-received by an Irish audience. Irish businesspeople, contrary to popular belief, are usually in a hurry, so meetings are short and sweet [outside the public sector].
Although the country has gone through rapid change in the last decade, as a culture there is a resistance to change which can make the country appear to be slow and antiquated, regarding, for example, transport systems and attitudes to customer service. That can mean that new ideas are thrown out.
Having said that, the most aggressive businesspeople [in the private sector] are always hungry for new ideas and steal with pride. Be aware of giving away too much too early-- your big idea may just get stolen from you leaving you wondering what happened. Go slowly to catch the monkey!
Established rules or laws usually take precedence over one's feelings. During negotiations, company policy is followed at all times.
Empirical evidence and other facts are considered the most valid forms of proof. Feelings of any kind are usually regarded with suspicion, particularly for decision-making purposes.
In presentations and conversation, the Irish are often receptive to sporting analogies.
Irish businesspeople may emphasize profit over market share.
Discussions of personal life may often come in during business negotiations since family is as important as business. For example, if a family member of a business acquaintance dies, you will be expected to attend the funeral or at least send in your condolences. If you do not, you will be remembered negatively for not doing so.
Generally, Irish do not like or trust people who appear to give excessive praise. This behaviour sometimes raises the suspicion that they are being set up to be embarrassed or misled in some way. Moreover, the Irish dislike being pressured and will only resent the stress that accompanies high expectations.
The traditional work environment in Irish business culture tends to be dictatorial and hierarchical, especially in private family-run firms where managers have risen to the top through being who they are rather than for their experience or qualifications in management. Consequently, decision-making, once you've got to the top man or woman, will be fast. Unless you get to the right person, it will not happen.
Deadlines and making a profit are the main sources of anxiety in this culture.
Decisions of any kind must be in accordance with company policy.
The Irish find it difficult to say 'no', so if they don't say 'yes' straight away, they usually mean 'no.'
If you are teased, take it good-naturedly; you may tease back in an affable, rather than mean-spirited, manner.
Irish women are still struggling for increased salary and positions of authority. In the workplace, men may not always treat women as equals.
Work is sometimes perceived by the Irish as a 'necessary evil.'
Because of Ireland's agricultural heritage and reliance on farming as its main GDP, as well as tourism, great respect is given to farmers. The farmers are still the major landowners in the country and given the phenomenal rise in land prices, are now amongst the richest socio-economic groups in the country.
Submit a Comment on this Article
