Business trip to Zurich, 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
Zurich Airport
Flughafen Zürich AG
PO BOX, 8058 Zurich Airport
Switzerland
Telephone: +41 (0)43 816 22 11
Email: info@zurich-airport.com
www.zurich-airport.com

Airport codes
IATA airport code: ZRH
ICAO airport code: LSZH

Lost property
If your baggage has not arrived off the aircraft, the baggage tracing office is located in the arrivals hall. If you have already left the airport, please contact the handling agent for your airline.

Train
Trains run between Zurich main station and the airport terminal B every 10 minutes during peak periods.Main destinations and frequency of services: Berne, Basel, St. Gallen, Lucerne, Constance, Geneva, Lausanne, Zug: at least every 30 minutes; Lugano: every hour.Trains are managed by Swiss Federal Railways (tel: (+41) 0900 300 300)

Tram
Tram service (no. 10) provides new direct connections between the airport and the surrounding areas, plus the northern suburbs of Zurich city, including Irchel, Milchbuck, Zurich-Oerlikon and Glattpark.

Bus
Frequent regional bus services depart from the airport bus terminal, which is located close to the main airport complex. Bus services are managed by ZVV (tel: (+41)0848 988 988)

Taxis in Zurich should be ordered by telephone or obtained at taxi ranks. Hailing a taxi in the street usually doesn‘t work. The fares are always metered and include a tip. There are additional charges for luggage, extra passengers and waiting time.

Haus zum Rüden
The cuisine and the cellar are both, traditional and innovative, and delight even the most discerning connoisseurs. Seasonal and market fresh gastronomic specialities complete the rich choice.
Limmatquai 42
8001 Zurich
Tel: (+41) - 44 - 2619566
http://www.hauszumrueden.ch

Hummerbar in St Gotthard Hotel
The St Gotthard Hotel has been in the Manz family since 1899 and its Hummerbar has long been one of the city’s top dining places. The setting, like the hotel, is fin de siècle with rich scarlet décor, candles and polished wood.
Bahnhofstrasse 87
80001 Zurich
Tel: (+41) - 44 - 2277700
http://www.hotelstgotthard.ch

LaSalle Restaurant AG
This fashionable restaurant is in a former shipbuilding warehouse in the trendy regenerating Zurich West district. The menu is predominantly French and Italian, with a seafood focus.
Schiffbaustrasse 4
8005 Zurich
Tel: (+41) - 44 - 2587071
http://www.lasalle-restaurant.ch/

Restaurant Blaue Ente
One of Zurich’s best restaurants is situated in a converted mill on the east shore of Lake Zurich, about 1km south of the city centre. With its whitewashed bricks, glass and bits of machinery from the original mill, the Blaue Ente draws a cosmopolitan crowd to its regularly-changing seasonal menus and duck specialities.
Seefeldstrasse 223
8008 Zurich
Tel: (+41) - 44 - 3886840
http://www.blaue-ente.ch/

Renaissance Hotel Zurich
The Renaissance Hotel Zurich, is a first class hotel sited on the city outskirts, nearby Zurich International Airport. The Renaissance Hotel Zurich, is well decorated in a classic style, and has a range of leisure & business facilities. Rooms are spacious, elegantly furnished with a variety of amenities.
Talackerstrasse 1
8152 CH Zurich
Tel: 41-44-8745000
More info about Renaissance Hotel Zurich

Continental Hotel Zurich
The Continental Hotel Zurich is built in a modern style, and provides a good range of facilities. The Continental Hotel Zurich is located just minutes from the downtown area of Zurich. The shopping facilities, museums, and galleries of the Old Town are minutes away from this hotel. Formerly known as the Sofitel Hotel Zurich.
Stampfenbachstrasse 60
8035 CH Zurich
Tel: 41-44-3606060
More info about Continental Hotel Zurich

Crowne Plaza Hotel Zurich
The Crowne Plaza Hotel Zurich is located in the trendy Zurich West district and has direct access to the national highway system. The Crowne Plaza Hotel Zurich has superior facilities and services including a heated indoor pool and sauna. Rooms are plainly furnished, supplied with good services.
Badenerstrasse 420
8040 CH Zurich
Tel: 41-44-4044444
More info about Crowne Plaza Hotel Zurich

Park Hyatt Zurich Hotel
Situated in the centre of the city’s financial and commercial district, Park Hyatt Zurich hotel is surrounded by the major financial houses around Paradeplatz square. Park Hyatt Hotelin Zurich is also a few minutes away from Lake Zurich, the attractions in Altstadt (Old Town), Niederdorf, the Congress Hall and Opera House.
Beethovenstrasse 21
8002 CH Zurich
Tel: 41-43-8831234
More info about Park Hyatt Zurich Hotel

ShopVille
The Zurich station is large underground shopping center for over 200 shops. It profits from Sundays even while the city streets are almost empty. Federal labour law in Switzerland generally prohibits the employment of staff on Sundays, it is allowed in centeres of public transport.
Speciality: almost 100 outlets, 38 restaurants and take-aways
Located: Museumstrasse 1, 8021 Zürich
Open: Convenience Stores and Kiosks are open until at least 23.00.

Marinello
Marinello is a grocer’s delicatessen shop, which offers a wide range of fresh groceries like fruits, vegetables and especially Swiss cheese. Marinello has 5 shops in Zurich.
Speciality: swiss cheese, delicacies
Located:ShopVille-RailCity, 8001 Zürich
Open: daily till 20.00 hour

Local Craft - Schweizer Heitmatwerk
The very personal house of exclusive gifts for anyone. It´s Swiss handicraft of highest quality.
Speciality: exclusive gifts of highest quality
Located:Uraniastrasse 18001 Zurich
Open: Monday - Friday 09.000 – 20.00, Saturday 09.00 – 18.00

The Paradeplatz
The Paradeplatz is a square which has become synonymous for wealth and Swiss Banks, so you must see it when you have some spare time during your business trip. At the Paradeplatz there are seats of major Swiss banks, UBS and Credit Suisse.
Location: Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich

St Peters church with the largest church clock face in Europe
St Peter´s is the oldest church in Zurich and it´s one of the four main churches of the old town. It stands close by the ruins of a late Roman fortress at the Lindenhof and it dates from the early part of the 13th. Its tower with the largest church clock face in Europe dominates the city. The steeple’s clock face has a diameter of 8.7 m.
Location: St.-Peter-Hofstatt, 8001 Zürich

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.