Business trip to Milano, Italy.
Milano is the Mother City of world’s most acclaimed apparel and clothing brands; the world leader for design and one of the world capitals for fashion. Its image of the glamour capital is further enhanced by its music production and publishing industries.
Milano is maybe Italy’s most industrialized city. The quite new and notable Exhibition Center and Trade Fair complex, Fiera Milano, is the largest trade fair complex in the world. The hotels in the city are also well equipped to deal with conferences and conventions. Its row of famous international trade fairs and events include Moda Prima, MiArt and Macef Milano.
The Italian Stock Exchange (the Borsa Italiana) is seated in the city and the surrounding area is the largest industrial area in Italy.
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The economy of the city also dominated by the service sector, which accounts for more than 50% of the domestic product along with the glamorous industries like tourism, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear and ceramics. While oil, petroleum, telecommunications and transport industries are important too.
At the end of the tweltht century the arts flourished and the making of armours was one the most important industries. This period saw the beginning of the irrigation works which still provide the Lombard plain a fertile garden. The development of the wool trade gave the first impuls to the production of silk. As in Venice and Florence, the making of luxury goods was an large industry and of such importance that in the sixteenth century the city’s name is the originator of the English word “milaner” or “millaner”, meaning fine wares like jewellery, cloth and hats.
The industrial revolution in the North of Europe gave a new importance to the north area of Milan. It was located on the trade route for goods coming over the Alps, and the traders built mills powered by water from the many rivers and streams. In the mid-19th century cheaper silk began to be imported from Asia and the harvest of silk and wine were damaged as a result of diseases. More land was subsequently handed over to industrialisation.
Today Milan is a major centre for the production of textile and garments, automobiles (Alfa Romeo), chemicals, industrial tools, heavy machinery, book and music publishing.
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.
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.
| Currency | EUR |
| Time zone | GMT +1 |
| Population | 60.067.554 |
| Area | 301.338 km2 |
| Population density | 99.6/km2 |
| GDP | € 1.099 billion |
| GDP per capita | € 17.731 |
  | 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). |
Milan has two main international airports, Malpensa and Linate. There are shuttle buses going between the two airports. In addition, there is another airport not far from Milan, Bergamo-Orio al Serio, which is used for budget companies.
Malpensa has a bad name, flights are frequently delayed and baggage handling does not always go smoothly. The airport processes about 20 million passengers annually.
Address
Milan Malpensa International Airport
21010 Varese
Italy
Telephone: +39(0)2 7485 2200
Fax: +39(0)2 7485 4010
Website: www.sea-aeroportimilano.it/en/malpensa/
Airport codes
IATA airport code: MXP
ICAO airport code: LIMC
Lost property
To get information about your lost property you have to fill in an online form. The answers will be given ONLY in case of positive result.
Terminal information
There are two terminals at Malpensa Airport that are quite far from each other (T1 Malpensa-West and T2 Malpensa-North). T1 is for regular services and is subdivided in one part for Schengen flights (A) and the other part for flights outside Schengen territory (B). T2 is for charter and budget flights. There is a shuttle bus every 20 minutes between the terminals.
Connectivity from the airport
Train
From terminal T1 the Malpensa Express leaves every 30 minutes to the Milano Cadorna Station, the train stops at some other metro stations. Here you can find a map of the Milanese subway.
Taxi
Taxis can be found at both terminals. A ride to Milan costs approximately €70.00. You can reserve a taxi at (tel: +39(0)3 293 890 448). In T1 A you can find a limousine service (tel: +39(0)331 231 312).
Linate Airport was originally called “Aeroporto Enrico Forlanini”. It was named after an Italian aviation pioneer who was born in Milan.
Linate processes nine million passengers per year and is the second airport in Milan. It is much closer to the city (7 kilometers) than the larger Malpensa Airport and is used especially for domestic and European flights. There is a shuttle bus connecting with Malpensa, the ride between the two airports takes more than an hour.
Address
Milan Linate International Airport
20090 Milan Linate
Italy
Telephone: +39(0)2 7485 2200
Fax: +39(0)2 7485 2010
Website: www.sea-aeroportimilano.it/en/linate
Airport codes
IATA airport code: LIN
ICAO airport code: LIML
Lost property
To get information about your lost property you have to fill in an online form. The answers will be given ONLY in case of positive result.
Terminal info
Connectivity from the airport
Bus
Every 30 minutes, a bus, from the company Starfly (tel: +39(0)2 5858 7237) leaves for the Central Station from Milan and costs €3.00, bus line 73 goes to the Piazza San Babila subway station and costs €1.00.
Close to the new Fiera Milano Exhibition, Air Pullman has a shuttle bus connection (tel: +39(0)3 3125 8411) to the Conference and Exhibition Center and costs €5.50, there is also a bus connection with Pavia, Brescia and Verona.
Taxi
There are taxis in front of the Arrivals Hall. A ride to Milan costs approximately €15.00.
If your business trip to Milano takes you to the center of Milano, you do not take a taxi, it is quicker to go by public transportation or by foot. But if your need to visit a company located outside the center, take a cab.
Taxis can be found at marked taxi stands throughout the city. If you need a taxi at a particular time, you can reserve in advance. Taxis are not allowed to stop for pickup just anywhere, so usually it is ineffective to try to flag them down. Taxis in Milan are very expensive. A taxi fare from the city to Malpensa airport will cost at least 100 euros.
| Company name | Phone number |
| Comune Di Milano Taxi Service | +39 (02) 47711982 |
| Yellow Multiservice Taxi srl | 6969 |
| MilanoTaxi | +39 (0)2 89281563 |
| Cooperativa Esperia S.r.l. | 8383 |
| Taxi Moretti Autonoleggio | +39/338/8748418 |
Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia
Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia has been serving up flavourful Italian ingredients, prepared with an artful simplicity, for decades. The pasta dishes put most of the competition to shame illustrating what real Italian cooking is about. The dining room has terracotta floors and clean white walls hung with dramatic, abstract contemporary paintings.
Via Montecuccoli 6
Milan, Italy
Telephone: 02 416 886
Website: www.aimoenadia.com
El Brellin
With a candlelit courtyard set around an 18th-century laundry, El Brellin serves up classical Milanese cooking, with fresh pasta and delicious home-cooked desserts. Take a table upstairs and you’ll have views over the canal. There’s a sumptuous buffet on Sundays.
Alzaia Naviglio Grande 14.
Milan, Italy
Telephone: 02 5810 1351
Website: www.brellin.com
Chandelier
Bold prints, brightly coloured sofas, gilt-edged tables, ornate busts, opulent drapes and chandeliers set the scene at this glamorous Milan restaurant. The menu is refreshingly innovative, merging tradition with creativity and featuring ingredients such as lobster and swordfish.
Via Giuseppe Broggi 17
Milan, Italy
Telephone: 02 2024 0458
Website: www.chandelier.it
Tips to save money on hotel costs during your business trip to Milano.
To get the best price for a good hotel room during your business trip to Milano it's not only important to compare the prices the hotel charges for a room, but also compare the prices of the different booking agencies.
This can save you, or your company, a lot of money!
- Go to this hotel listing for Milano.
- Select the "Check-in" and "Check-out" date.
- Select filters like: "Hotel brand", "Ratings", "Location" and "Price ranges".
- Select the hotel you like.
- You will get an overview of the prices from up to 24 booking sites
- Select the best offer in the list and book the room!
We have selected the following established business hotels for your convenience:
Michelangelo Hotel Milan
The location of the Michelangelo Hotel Milan is only one kilometer from the business distract and two blocks from the Central Railway Station. This means visitors can reach such locations as the Duomo in a matter of minutes.
The Michelangelo Hotel Milan is located at Via Scarlatti 33, and is seven miles from the Linate Airport.
All of the rooms in the Michelangelo Hotel Milan are equipped with satellite TV, Internet access, minibars, views, luxury bathrooms and toiletries as well as many other amenities.
Via Scarlatti 33
Milan, Italy
Tel. +39 0267551
More info about the Michelangelo Hotel Milan
Adi Doria Grand Hotel Milan
Business travelers will appreciate the location and facilities available at the Adi Doria Grand Hotel Milan, but so too will leisure travelers looking to be near all that the city has to offer. The hotel provides an elegant setting for such excellent facilities as a signature restaurant, casual café which offers snacks and live music, a business service center with three separate meeting rooms and much more.
Viale Andrea Doria 22
Milan, Italy
Tel. +39.02.67.411.411
More info about the Adi Doria Grand Hotel Milan
Atahotel Fiera Milano
The Atahotel Fiera Milano is located directly in front of the Milanocity Exhibition Center, and is also within convenient walking distance of the city’s transportation lines. This means that a traveler could choose the hotel as an excellent base for a wider exploration of the whole region.
The 238 rooms in the Atahotel Fiera Milano are all outfitted with modern furnishings and décor, satellite TV, wireless Internet access, direct dial phones, personal safes and luxury bathrooms, among other amenities.
Viale Boezio 20
Milan, Italy
Tel: +39.02.336221
More info about the Atahotel Fiera Milano
There are just some things that don’t go out of style. Here in Milan you can find it all! There are several vintage, second-hand and consignment shops where you can find the perfect timeless dress or accessory. You can also find many collector items and vintage style furniture and home accessories.
Is your taste for the kitsch collectables and memorabilia of the 1950’s, or the 1960’s elegance of Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O.’s timeless sophistication? Or do you identify with the subversive British 1970’s punk style of Vivienne Westwood, or the bizarre, eccentric 1980’s style of David Bowie and Boy George’s Culture Club? How about the powerful, extravagant statements made by Versace throughout our time? And let’s not forget about the ever stylish designs from the Italian fashion houses of Gucci and Valentino.
Here in Milan you can find it all! There are several vintage, second-hand and consignment shops where you can find the perfect timeless dress or accessory. You can also find many collector items and vintage style furniture and home accessories. If you are just looking for “the look” there are also a number of boutiques and shops that hold new items that imitate the divas of the past.
And here is a list of some great vintage stores:
Blitz at Via Cosenz 44/4 with unique objects and collectors items
Franco Jacassi at Via Sacchi 3, great for men’s wear and handmade clothing
Spazio ‘900 at Viale Campania 51 selling everything 60’s, everything plastic and much more
The Black Saint at Via Vincenzo Monti 41, perfect for the serious jazz collector
Milan isn’t at the top of your tourist’s must-visit list when you go to Italy but when you have to visit the city on your business trip it is certainly worthwhile to spend some time sightseeing.
Da Vinci’s Last Supper
A visit to the Santa Maria delle Grazie church to see “The Last Supper” is definitely a must. The problem is that getting tickets to see the famous fresco can be incredibly difficult – they strictly limit the number of people in the room at any one time, which limits the number of tickets they can sell each day… During the high season, tickets to “The Last Supper” can be sold out months in advance, and that’s also not unheard of during the low season, either. If this is on your must-see list, you’ll want to plan well ahead. Luckily, you can book tickets online – and, in some cases, you can also join a walking tour of the city, many of which include this as a stop.
A smoggy view of the city from the Duomo Roof
The famous Duomo in Milan is the center of tourist activity in the city. A visit to the interior is easy and free. Not everyone knows however that you can take an elevator up and take a walk around on the cathedral’s roof. Even on a clear day you’re not guaranteed to have a good view of the nearby mountains, but there’s almost no better way to spend an hour in Milan (especially if you’re really limited for time during your business trip to Milan) than by wandering around on top of the Duomo. You’ll be thrilled to walk around with the impressive spires within reach. And it’s only by walking up the last couple flights of stairs to the highest top that you can get an up-close look at the symbol of the city – the golden Madoninna, or little Madonna, who sits at the top the Duomo’s tallest spire.
Escape the city in one of Milan’s Parks
Milan is a busy place, not at all the charming medieval Italian city that you picture when you would read “Under the Tuscan Sun.” When you’re going to want a break from all the traffic and noise at some point, luckily, there are a couple of good-sized parks in the city center where you can surround yourself with something other than concrete for a bit. You mustn’t compare these parks to the green spaces on the scale of Central Park in New York. You may still hear traffic and other city noises from the parks in Milan – but at least you’ll have some beautiful scenery around you. The easiest park for most tourists to take advantage of is Parco Sempione, which lies around and behind the imposing Castello Sforzesco. There are lots of museums inside the castle nowadays, so it’s a popular stop, but there’s also the Giardini Pubblici to the northeast of the historic city center beyond the Quadrilatero d’Oro.
Milan’s Canals in the Navigli
There are not only canals in Milan, one of them was designed by none other than Leonardo da Vinci himself. You mustn’t compare them with the canals which Venice or even Amsterdam are famous for, because you’ll be seriously disappointed. The Navigli district of Milan has two canals, and you can walk around much of the district without even seeing them. In the summer months you can take boat tours on the canals, and they’re certainly an unexpected thing to come upon in the middle of such a concrete-filled city. The Navigli has long been one of the areas of Milan that’s less-than-beautiful, but in the last few years it’s become much more of a haven for artists so these days you can expect to find cute shops, small art galleries, and charming restaurants. This is also a neighborhood that is known for its nightlife, so when you want to see the district in a more lively atmosphere you can just come back after dark.
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.
| General emergency number | 112 |
| Ambulance | 118 |
| Fire | 115 |
| State Police | 113 |
| Forest Service | 1515 |
| Guardia di Finanza (Customs/Financial Police) | 117 |
| Coast guard | 1530 |
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
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 |
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