Every region has its culture that shapes the way its people live their lives. Cultural values are also shown in the way different countries conduct their business. The business culture of Europe is entirely different from Arab. In the majority of Arabic countries, Arabic is the official language. Therefore, if you want to understand the business culture of the Arab business world, professional arabic translation services can be of great help.
Business Culture of the Arab World
Let’s dive into the vibrant culture of the Arab world.
Time Difference
One important thing to remember when planning business trips or meetings in the Middle East is the difference in the working week. In most Arab countries, Friday is considered a holy day. Therefore, they take off on that day. Thus, their weekend is on Friday and Saturday, and Sunday is like Monday there. However, some Muslim countries have a significant Christian population, and for them, Saturday/Sunday remains the weekend. To stay updated on religious festivals and to plan your trips accordingly, you must consult a calendar.
If as an Arabic entrepreneur, you want to expand your business in Afghanistan then you must know that the holiday in Afghanistan is on Thursday and Friday. Therefore, you cannot lock any meetings and business deals on these days. The official language of Afghanistan is Farsi. professional farsi translation services can help you in making business deals with your Afghanistan counterparts without any language barrier.
Face-to-face Meeting
To understand business opportunities in the Arab world, meet people in person. Avoid doing business through phone or email. Personal contact is more important to them as they don’t separate personal and business relationships. So, plan face-to-face meetings and schedule them at least a week ahead. Also, make sure to confirm the meeting by phone a few days before the decided date.
Punctuality in Business Meetings
In cultures around the world, especially in the Arab world, punctuality might be viewed differently. Don’t be surprised if your counterpart arrives late, even up to half an hour or more. Time is seen more casually in the Arab world, so it’s better to remain patient than get frustrated. However, as a visitor, it’s respectful to be on time.
Meetings in the Arab world follow a different structure. They are often more circular and less rigid compared to Western business practices. You might not find formal agendas. Typically, after a brief five-minute chat, the main business topic will be discussed, usually led by the most senior businessman in the room.
Embrace the Concept of Wasta
The concept of Wasta is about networking with the people you know. It is the common business norm in the Arab world. By using this concept, you can utilize your networking to get better business opportunities. In a country like the UAE, you have a contact sponsor that helps in arranging meetings with the top executives.
Be Patient in Negotiation
Arabic people are very good speakers and negotiators. Therefore, they can give you a hard time in meetings. They indulge in lengthy bargaining before finalizing any deal. Negotiations are an integral part of the Arab business world. Therefore, you should keep yourself calm and patient if you want to sign a deal with Arab stakeholders.
Dress Code
The attire of Arab people is clearly different from the attire of people living in the west. Arab women usually cover themselves and dress up gracefully. In the case of men, they often wear suits in dark colors if they are attending an official meeting. Moreover, they go for casual outfits if they are not in the office. The Arab region comprises many countries. Therefore, you must check the dress code of the country before going to a business meeting.
They Respect their Language
Arabic people give great importance to their official language. The majority of Arabs are Muslims. The holy book of Muslims, Quran is also in the Arabic language. Therefore, they are proud of their language. To give a good impression of yourself to the Arab people, you must learn Arabic greetings. It shows that you care about your business deal and you are serious about doing business with them. If you do not know the Arabic language, then you can take help from an Arabic interpreter in the meetings.
Conclusion
Businesses can lower turnover rates by adapting the business culture of other regions when they plan to expand into new markets. By lower turnover, you can save your energy and money. The Gallup estimates in the USA state that voluntary employee turnover every year can cost a business $1 trillion every year.
Company culture can make employees working in your company happy and satisfied and they become more productive. Research on the top 100 Best Companies to Work For in Fortune magazine discovered that businesses with happy employees have less number of staff leaving, happier customers, and improved financial results. This happens if you have an understanding of the business culture of the target market.
