Poland business travel information

Doing business in Poland

Poland constitutes a market of just over of 38 million people located in the heart of central Europe, sharing borders with both “new” EU and “old” EU-15 countries and markets to the East with countries like Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Poland’s integration into the European Union (EU) has been a gradual process.

Poland plans to eventually adopt the Euro within the next few years which will give a boost to the integration process. The country’s entrance to the Schengen free transit zone in 2007 eliminated all remaining border checks along its intra-EU frontiers. Poland is also an operative member of the NATO, upgrading its armed forces accordingly and taking part in joint peacekeeping activities in the region and elsewhere in the world. As of the end of 2008, Poland has ended military deployment in Iraq, but is maintaining its more recent deployment of troops in Afghanistan.

Poland’s GDP growth rate slowed somewhat in 2008 to a rate of just under 5% as compared to the robust 6,7% growth rate for 2007. Recent GDP projections for 2009 have been revised downward to about 2%. Even this more moderate prediction, however, provides some optimism when compared to the mainly negative GDP forecasts for the majority of the European Union’s 27 member states. The EU Commission recently issued a revised economic forecast showing European Union gross domestic product would contract by 1.8% in 2009.

The global economic recession has ultimately slowed Poland’s 17 straight years of economic expansion. Their rosy economic recent history was fueled by high export output, individual consumption and increased business investment. In 2009 exports from Poland slowed down but economic growth was still achieved. Individual consumption will probably remain stable due to the relatively low unemployment rate and continued business investment.

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 , Poland 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.

From fixed phones:
999: Ambulance
998: Fire Brigade
997: Police
981: Road Assistance
986: Municipal Police
Using mobile phones: remember to dial the local code before the number, for example:22 - 997 to call the police in Warsaw. Emergency calls from phone boxes are free of charge.

If you do not know the local code, dial the general emergency number for mobile phones: 112. The operator will request the appropriate emergency unit.

We recommend using direct emergency numbers in the case of danger (997, 999, 998) because in some areas the general emergency number (112) still does not work properly.

For English-speaking medical help, consult the American or British Embassy. They keep lists of doctors who can assist foreigners, and they will also have information on private medical clinics for foreigners.

Business Etiquette and Protocol

If your are planning a business trip to Poland it is a good idea to know at least a little about the culture and etiquette in Poland. Use these business etiquette tips as a guideline only. There are too many social, personal and business nuances in Poland 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. Titles are important!
  Poles are direct but diplomatic.
  Never interrupt somebody.
  Dress formal and conservative.
  


• 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 can change just before the meeting starts.
  First appointments are more socially oriented, Poles would like to know you a bit better at first.
  Keep your presentation as short as possible, to the point, accurate and precise, do not exaggerate.
  Follow up a meeting with a letter or email 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. This is easier said then done. In every toast you are expected to empty your Wodka glass.
  Put a napkin on your lap, eat not too much but 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 Polish

Polish is a West Slavic language and the official language of Poland. Its written standard is the Polish alphabet which corresponds basically to the Latin alphabet with a few additions. Polish-speakers use the language in a uniform manner throughout most of Poland.

Despite the pressure of non-Polish administrations in Poland which often have attempted to suppress the Polish language, a rich literature has developed over the centuries and the language is currently the largest in terms of speakers of the West Slavic group. It is also the second most spoken Slavic language, after Russian.

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

How are you?	Jak się Pan(i) miewa?
I’m fine, thanks. And you?	Bardzo dobrze, dziękuję. A Pan(i)?
My name is ...	Nazywam się ...
Pleased to meet you	Miło mi Pan(i)ą poznać
Good morning	Dzień dobry
Good afternoon	Dzień dobry
Good evening	Dobry wieczór
Good night	Dobranoc
Goodbye	Do widzenia
Have a nice day	Miłego dnia!
I don’t understand	Nie rozumiem
Please write it down	Czy mógłby Pan(i) to napisać?
Excuse me/Sorry	Przepraszam!
How much is this?	Ile to kosztuje?
Thank you	Dziękuję
Where’s the toilet?	Gdzie jest toaleta?
How do you say ... in Polish?	Jak się mówi...po polsku?