Italy business travel information

Doing business in Italy

Italy has a diverse, industrial economy which is the seventh largest in the world and fourth largest in the European Union. With a population of 58,1 million, and a GDP of € 1,38 trillion, Italy represents a market which can be compared in size and wealth to that of the United Kingdom and France, while ranking larger in GDP than Brazil, India, and Mexico.

Italy’s GDP grew 1,4% in 2007 but is expected to show a slight decline for years after due to recent financial market turbulence and recession in major export markets. This decline is expected to deepen in 2009 with official Italian projections of -2%.

Industrial activity is centered in the north in an area that runs from Turin in the west through Milan to Venice in the east. This is one of the most industrialized andprosperous areas of Europe, and accounts for about 50 percent of the national income. Bycontrast, Italy’s southern region, or “Mezzogiorno,” is much less developed.

As in other industrialized countries, the role of the services sector is growing largely. Nevertheless, Italy maintains the highest proportion of manufacturing jobs among the G7 economies. Numerous Italian companies are famous worldwide, but it is the small and medium-sized firms, which form almost 90 percent of all Italian firms, that dominate the economy.

Italy’s changing demographics and lifestyle create great opportunities in economics. Italy’s population is aging. More women are entering and remaining in the workforce. An influx of immigrants from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America is creating identifiable ethnic markets to be served.

Product tip: Keep an eye on the size of your trolley Many luggage stores sell suitcases described as ’carry-on’, but these suitcases are sometimes larger than the size most airlines will accept. The safe maximum size is 114 cm, in the form of a 55 x 40 x 20 cm bag. Some airlines allow up to as much as 140 cm, but most do not. Not only do luggage stores and manufacturers seldom tell you if their bag is legally sized or not, but they also frequently mis-measure their bag. Their measurements generally are for the inside of the main compartment, and assume that any external pockets are of zero thickness, rather than stuffed full of things (which can easily add another inch or more) and ignore any external framing such as wheels and carry handle (which can also add another couple of inches).

In case of emergencies

Before you go on your business trip to , Italia you should always get a travel insurance with a complete coverage.

Make sure your health care insurance is sufficiently covered.
Maybe this is already covered in your regular health care insurance but often you will need to cover this with the travel insurance. Also a good travel insurance should cover the costs of travel for a relative in case of seriously illness or an accident.

The business trip travel insurance should also cover the costs of search, rescue and repatriation.
When you go on business trips on a regular basis, the easiest way to get insured is with an annual multi-trip insurance.

Keep in mind that you can also use this insurance for your pleasure trips so don`t forget to include to insure your leisure activities.

In case of a medical emergency, there are several english speaking hospitals:
For Rome:
International Medical Center
Via Firenze 47, 00184 Roma
International and English-speaking doctors including general practitioners, a gynaecologist, dentist, dermatologist and paediatrician.
House calls and nurse service available 24/7
tel.: +39 06 488237
tel. in emergency: +39 06 4882371 (24 hours available)
http://www.imc84.com/
For Milan:
Ospedale Niguarda Ca’Granda
Piazza Ospedale Maggiore 3
20162 Milano
t. +39 02 6444.1
f. +39 02 6420901
Website: www.ospedaleniguarda.it

Business Etiquette and Protocol

If your are planning a business trip to Italia it is a good idea to know at least a little about the culture and etiquette in Italia . Use these business etiquette tips as a guideline only. There are too many social, personal and business nuances in Italia to be considered. There is no uniform approach possible for all occasions.
For more in-depth information I suggest you buy and read the "Global Business Etiquettes" book.

• Communication:
  Use formal names, professional and academic titles.
  Hierarchy, age and respect is very important in Italian business.
  Pay attention to the business cards you will receive before putting them away.
  Italians are not very direct, they prefer subtlety to directness.
  Expect to be interrupted by somebody, this is accepted behavior just like raising your voice.
  Communication is very expressive.
  Dress smart. Appearance is everything! If possible shop in Italy and get a feeling for the current fashion in a business environment.
  


• Meetings and negotiations:
  When making appointments use the 24-hour clock time format to avoid misunderstandings.
  Be very punctual, if you suspect you will late, call and explain the situation.
  Never cancel a meeting at the last minute.
  Shake hands with everyone upon arriving at the meeting and leaving.
  Remain standing until invited to sit down or others do so.
  A lot of time is spent to getting to know you before the business conversation begins.
  Agenda’s are not strictly followed and a meeting can take much longer then planned.
  First appointments are more socially oriented, Italians would like to know you a bit better at first.
  Your personal appearance and relation with them is just as important as your business offer.
  Keep your presentation as short as possible, to the point, accurate and precise, do not exaggerate.
  Follow up a meeting with a letter with all agreements outlined.
  


• Table manners:
  If unsure on how to behave, mimic the behavior of others.
  Wait until you are appointed a seat.
  Avoid alcohol if possible, otherwise drink little. Wine glasses will be refilled if not completely full.
  Return the toast of your host later in the meal. Stand up and salute the health of your hosts.
  Put a napkin on your lap, eat not too much but you do not have to finish your plate.
  Keep your hands above the table when eating.
  After finishing your plate lay your knife and fork parallel on your plate with the handles to the right.
  Thank your host at the end of the meal.
  

Some phrases in Italian

Italian derives diachronically from Latin and is the closest national language to Latin. Unlike most other Romance languages, Italian has retained the contrast between short and long consonants which existed in Latin.

Although in business people speak English, some Italian phrases can always come in hand....

Good day	Buongiorno
Good evening	Buona sera
How are you?	Come sta?
I’m fine, thanks. And you?	Bene grazie. E lei?
What’s your name?	Come si chiama?
My name is ...	Mi chiamo ...
Pleased to meet you	Piacere di conoscerla
Goodbye	Arrivederci
Have a nice day	Buona giornata!
Good night	Buonanotte
Bon appetit	Buon appetito!
Cheers/Good health!	Salute!
I don’t understand	Non ho capito
Please write it down	Può scriverlo, per favore?
Excuse me / Sorry	Mi scusi!
Thank you	Molte grazie
You’re welcome	Prego
Where’s the toilet?	Dov’è la toilette?
How do you say ... in Italian?	Come si dice ... in italiano?
Yes / No	Sì / No