Business trip to Geneva, Switserland.

• Communication:
  Use formal names, professional and academic titles.
  The Swiss are direct, do not confuse this with rudeness.
  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.
  Only limited time is spent to getting to know you before the business conversation begins.
  Agenda’s are strictly followed.
  Keep your presentation as short as possible, to the point, accurate and precise, do not exaggerate.
  Follow up a meeting with a letter or an e-mail 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.
  If making a toast, stand up.
  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.
  

Switzerland is a prosperous, and stable modern market economy with a low unemployment rate, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP which is among the highest in the world.

Switzerland’s economy profits from a highly developed service sector led by especially the financial services and a manufacturing industry that specializes in high-technology based on knowledge-based production. The Swiss government in recent years has brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU’s to enhance their international competitiveness, but some level of trade protectionism still remains, particularly for its small agricultural sector. Switzerland remains a safehaven for investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and has kept up the franc’s long-term external value, although the Swiss attitude towards this is changing under pressure of their surrounding countries.

The global financial crisis and resulting economic downturn could, however, put Switzerland in a recession in 2009, particularly as global export demand stalls. Switzerland’s largest banks suffered enormous losses over 2008 and the country’s largest bank accepted a government rescue deal in late 2008. The Swiss National Bank, beginning in October 2008, cut interest rates on several consecutive occasions, effectively instituting a zero-rate policy in a bid to boost the economy.

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).

Address
Geneva International Airport
PO Box 100
CH-1215 Geneva 15
Switzerland
Telephone: +41(0)227 177 111
Fax: +41(0)227 984 347
Email: info@gva.ch
www.gva.ch

Airport Codes
IATA airport code: GVA
ICAO airport code: LSGG

In the plane

• You can consult the "lost & found" of your handling company. To know the handling company for each airline, please consult the airline.
• Dnata Lost & found: tel +4122 817 44 73, gvalost@dnata.ch.
• Swissport Lost & found:
  tel. tél. 0900 775 775 (CHF 1.10/min.), gva.lp@swissport.com
  www.mylostbag.com

In the transit area
When you have lost your property at departure (= after the security control), arrival (= before the custom), at a security control or in the airport French sector you can contactSwissport Lost & found tel. tel. 0900 775 775 (CHF 1.10/min.).

Train
Geneva Airport has a train station with direct connections to France and Switzerland. Other destinations in Europe are also accessible from Geneva. All trains stop at the central station of Geneva (Cornavin). A trip to the center takes eight minutes. Information about all public transportation in and around Geneva can be found on the website for Unireso (only in French).

Taxi
Taxis stand outside the Arrivals Hall. The average price to the center of Geneva is CHF 35.00. Limousines can be reserved through Ambassador (tel: +41(0)227 314 141).

Keep the following tips in mind if you need to order a taxi during your business trip to Geneva.
Taxis in Geneva can be ordered by phone, hailed in the street or found at about 60 authorized taxi ranks in town, airport and main station.

Fares between airport and city range from about CHF 30.- to CHF 35.- and depend on traffic conditions, time of day and number of passengers. Presently, the fare within Geneva, including airport, is the amount shown on the taximeter.

The driver will request a small extra charge for luggage. Tip and VAT are included.

Brasserie LIPP
Brasserie Lipp is a firm favorite with the local business community. Named after the renowned Parisian brasserie, this restaurant, located on the second floor of a chic shopping mall, transports diners to the heart of Paris with its black-jacketed waiters and typical brasserie ambiance. Specialities include fresh oysters and southwestern French favorites, such as charcuterie and cassoulet.
Confédération Centre
Rue de la Confédération 8, 1204 Genève
Tel: +41 22 318 80 30
Fax:+41 22 312 01 04
www.brasserie-lipp.com (Only in French)

Auberge du Lion d’Or
Located in the Cologny district Auberge du Lion d’Or (Golden Lion Inn) Michelin-starred fish restaurant, offers panoramic views of the city and Lake Geneva. The restaurant is decorated in a smart, classical style and guests can enjoy alfresco dining on the terrace in summer. If you are on a business trip to Genava, this is a great restaurant for entertaining your hosts. Two chefs, French Gilles Dupont and Thomas Byrne from Ireland, create delicacies such as langoustine with lemon grass and vinaigrette, which are enhanced by an excellent choice of fine, international wines. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Place Pierre-Gautier 5
1223 Cologny | Genève
Tel: +41 22 736 44 32
Fax: +41 22 786 74 62
Email: info@liondor.ch
www.liondor.ch

Restaurant de Châteauvieux
The Domaine de Châteauvieux is located in Peney-Dessus, in the heart of the Geneva vineyards on a spur planted with grapes. It is in fact the farm of the former Château de Peney destroyed by the Genevans of the 16th century. In these historical surroundings, he develops his creative and inspired cuisine, highlighting the most exclusive products of the gastronomic tradition.
Chemin de Châteauvieux, 16
Peney-Dessus, CH - 1242 Satigny - Genève
Tel : +41 22 753 15 11
Fax : +41 22 753 19 31
www.chateauvieux.ch

Hotel InterContinental Geneve
InterContinental Geneva is a stately, 18-storey tower in the centre of the diplomatic district. Surrounded by parkland, with Lake Geneva and the Alps visible in the distance, the hotel is close to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum and the United Nations Office. Old Town, the Ariana Museum and the Botanical Gardens are also nearby which is very convenient during a busy business trip.
7-9 CHEMIN DU PETIT SACONNEX
1209 GENEVA, 1211, SWITZERLAND
Front Desk: +41-22-9193939
Fax: +41-22-9193838
More info about Hotel InterContinental Geneve

Grand Hotel Kempinski Geneva
The Grand Hotel Kempinski Geneva enjoys a unique situation on the bank of Lake Geneva, facing the famous Jet d’Eau with exceptional views over the lake, the Cathedral, the Alps and the Mont-Blanc: a landscape that stuns even the more blasé Genevois. Grand Hotel Kempinski is the perfect base for business travelers. Ideally situated in the heart of the city and its fashionable boutiques, the hotel is a stone’s throw away from the Old Town, the Flower Clock and the financial district.
19, Quai du Mont - Blanc, CH - 1201 Geneva, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 9089081
Fax: +41 22 9089090
More info about Grand Hotel Kempinski Geneva

Hotel Beau-Rivage
The Jacques-Mayer family set up the elegant Beau-Rivage, on the banks of Lake Geneva, in 1865.
Quai du Mont-Blanc 13
Tel: +41 22 716 6666
More info about Hotel Beau Rivage

For a lightweight gift, excellent Swiss chocolate is sold at Du Rhône, Rue de la Confédération 3, and at Martel, Rue de la Croix-d’Or 4. Swiss chocolate is a great gift for your loved ones when your return from a business trip to Genava.Geneva has many outdoor markets. The flower market on the Place du Molard and the clothes and book market on the Place de la Madeleine are open daily.

Jet d’Eau
The tallest fountain in the world, the Jet d’Eau is a Geneva attraction that cannot be missed. Projecting 460 feet (140m) into the air at a speed of 124 miles per hour (200km/h) and pumping 132 gallons (500 litres) of water per second, the fountain was initially established to release pressure for hydro-power generation on the Rhone River, but was so loved by the populace that in 1891 Genava created a permanent fountain. For a breathtaking sight, visit it at night, when the fountain is lit up.
Address: Quai du Général-Guisan
Opening time: Open from 10am to 4pm in winter and 9am till 11.15pm in summer. Closed for three weeks in November for annual maintenance

The Old Town
The Old Town is dominated by the Cathédrale St-Pierre, situated next to the Auditoire, the church in which Calvin taught and John Knox preached and supervised the production of the Geneva Bible.
In Geneva’s centre, there is the Ile Rousseau, a little island in the River Rhône, off the Pont des Bergues, with a statue of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and a great view of the port of Geneva. If you have only a short time for sightseeing during your business trip to Geneva, this would be the place to visit.

Rousseau Island
Location: Pont des Bergues
This romantic island named for the Genevan philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau is a bastion of serenitz amidst the turbulent waters of Le Rhone River. The island contains a bird sanctuarz and a restaurant with stunning views of the surrounding cityscape.

St Peter’s Cathedral
With initial construction commencing in 1160 and lasting nearly a century, St Peter’s Cathedral has over the years become a mix of architectural styles with Romanesque, Gothic and Neoclassical features. A former Catholic cathedral, St Peter’s became a Protestant church in 1536 at the advent of the Reformation and was cleared of its ornate fittings such as statues, paintings and furniture, but the stained glass windows remained. For a breathtaking panoramic view of Geneva and Lac Leman, climb the 157 steps that lead to the top of the cathedral’s north tower.
Address: Cour Saint-Pierre
Opening time: Monday to Saturday 10am to 5.30pm and Sunday 12pm 6.30pm (1 October to 31 May). Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 6.30pm and Sunday 12pm to 5.30pm (1 June to 30 September)

Place Neuve
Home to three of Geneva’s regal performance and exhibition halls, the Grand Theatre (opera house), Conservatory of Music and Rath Museum, Place Neuve is worth visiting for its architectural aesthetic. Place Neuve sits just outside the former ramparts and is a great access point for the Old Town, which lies on the other side of the high retaining walls.

When you are in need of urgent medical help you can turn to any medical centre in your vicinity. Most of the staff speaks English.