Doing Business In Poland
In Poland, how you communicate trumps what you communicate – in social as well as economic life – which means that harmonious personal relations have top priority.
In order to establish the personal relations that are essential for success with Polish partners, you should make sure that you inquire about their family, make small gifts and explicitly express gratitude. You will also get more credit here than anywhere else in the world for having some knowledge of the local language, history and culture.
Superficial small talk, however, is not popular. For Polish business people, it is really more about getting to know each other well personally, before you work together. Simply talking about the weather or your travel experiences is not going to make an impact.
Politeness Is Polish Mentality
Conversations with Poles are generally very polite and little direct. Arguments should be avoided in order to prevent damage to personal relations. Poles find it very difficult to separate the professional from the personal when disputes arise. Thus, if you argue with a Pole about a business detail, you will inevitably offend them personally. The role and the individual can hardly be separated from one another.
Creating a harmonious atmosphere is crucial for a problem to be openly discussed. Anything else can jeopardise the entire personal and, in turn, business relationship. Difficult negotiations are thus always accompanied by personal conversations. It is important to continually highlight the possible success for both sides in order to maintain a positive prevailing mood at any point in the negotiations.
Good Relations Are A Success
In some countries, collaborations or joint projects are generally developed and evaluated on the basis of concrete facts. In Poland, collaboration is deemed a success as soon as a good business relationship has been established. That is the case if the benefits of a business partnership are equal for both sides. Even if the figures don’t equate to a genuinely successful project, the relationship is being valued and looked after in the long term. Here, again, it is obvious, which priorities dominate business culture.
For foreign business people in Poland it is important to treat the host culture with respect and tolerance and under no circumstances display impolite or arrogant behaviour. Those who accept the existing cultural differences in communication patterns, will be greeted with open arms.
Videos Business Culture Poland
Our FREE intercultural business videos focus on what really matters when doing business in Poland. Prepare for diverse international business situations within minutes.
First Business Meeting In Poland
Build a special rapport with your Polish business partners
Communication In Poland
Discover the people-oriented Polish approach to business communication
Business Meals And After Work In Poland
Etiquette rules, topics of conversation and the dos and don’ts at private invitations
Online Coaching Poland
Do you have a specific question in mind? Are you going to work and live in Poland? Our business coaches are highly qualified experts in their field with many years of work experience in Poland.
From managing international teams to sealing a deal with Polish business partners to going abroad as an expatriate – whatever situation you need to deal with, your personal coach will be there to guide you through it!
Are You And Your New Country A Match?
Living abroad but not yet fitting in? Moving country soon? Take the Global DISC Assessment and deep dive into your personality traits and cultural orientation.
- Stop leaving things to chance and find your feet in a different country.
- Eliminate the exhaustion of living and working abroad.
- Succeed anywhere in the world.
- Feel empowered and confident.
