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Norway Cultural Training

Doing business in Norway isn't like going on holiday: don't expect to get by with knowledge of a few words, and don't assume business is conducted in the same way universally.
But how can you properly prepare? There are many cultural training companies and schools which can help you. They offer cross-cultural grounding, bridging the translatory and protocolic gaps between nations and people.

Providing guidance in all areas of business and sociality, these cultural training companies are experts when it comes to negotiation training; management training; and diversity training. All training, of course, can be country-specific.

Tutorials can take many forms, so investigate which will be right for you and, if necessary, your employees.

Business Etiquette in Norway

The formalities and informalities; the how d'you dos and how d'you don'ts. Etiquette is one of the foundations of modern civilisation, and business is no exception. A business blunder, in some countries, could mean the difference between a deal and disrepute. Again, its all about culture if not adopting, at least recognising and respecting the traditions and protocols of a people.

The most important cultural aspects in Norwegian business are informal style, individual interests, transactional relationships and direct communication. Greet a person with a warm handshake, smile and maintain eye contact. Norwegians prefer to do business with someone they trust.

When arranging a meeting for your Norwegian business always arrange well in advance and arrive on time. Never be late, as this will indicate you are not trustworthy, as will not meeting deadlines. Avoid scheduling meeting around July/August, Christmas and Easter. Send an agenda before the meeting so that your Norwegian colleagues can be prepared. There is not much small talk. Norwegians prefer to get to the business discussion quickly. Presentations should be precise and concrete, and backed up with charts, figures and analysis. Avoid hype or exaggerated claims in your presentation. Norwegians will not ask questions during a meeting so leave time for Q&A at the end. Negotiations are frank but avoid high-pressure sales tactics. Price is often the most important deciding factor and Norwegians do not generally give discounts, even to good customers or for large orders. Decisions can take time and do not interrupt.

Norwegians respect confident, self-assured businesspeople and if you are overfriendly they will see this as a sign of weakness. Norwegians are not emotive speakers and their body language is subtle and they are scrupulous about honesty in communication, often to the point of pointing out the negatives in their own proposals in greater detail than the positives.

Dress conservatively and smart. Being polite and well mannered will help you in business.

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